"The battle you are going through is not fueled by the words or actions of others; it is fueled by the mind that gives it importance."
-Shannon L. Alder

The night passed by slower than I could imagine, my body flickered in and out of sleep wondering what our final assessment would be.

Everyone in the apprentice's den was up and at it as soon as the sun rose above the trees, eagerly anticipating their chance to shine and become proud warriors.

"Why isn't Brownpaw up?" Spiderpaw purred. "I'm so excited for you guys!"

"A wise apprentice sleeps in to restore more energy for the final assessment." Clovertalon purred. "Give him a little longer."

Spiderpaw rolled her eyes and jumped to Songpaw.

"Nervous?" Spiderpaw asked eagerly. "I wish I was becoming a warrior today!"

"Um, yes." Songpaw replied.

"Well don't be!" Spiderpaw meowed. "All of you are going to do fantastic!"

"You five will be anticipating a very eventful final assessment." Mothleap purred. "Right, Stormbright?"

My fur raised up in fury as the former ThunderClan warrior walked to her and smirked.

"Very much so." Stormbright purred. "Don't look so scared, Songpaw."

Songpaw flinched and straightened up.

"I'm up." Brownpaw muttered. "Spiderpaw, you going on the final assessment too?"

"No, but I'm so happy for-"

"Yes, actually." Nettleburr purred, looking at her apprentice with pride. "After pointing out your wonderful performance to Splotchstar, she has agreed to making you a warrior if you pass."

"Really?!" Spiderpaw shrieked, earning glares from Volepaw and Flypaw but a look of affection from my brother. "Yes!"

"This will be a partner final assessment split into three parts." Mothleap explained. "Care to tell them, Antpad?"

"The first part will be swimming through the river and back catching as much prey as you can." Antpad meowed.

"The second part will be two-on-two combat, the losers will take on the other pair next while the winners will move on to the third course." Sweetcloud added.

"The third was my idea." Stormcloud purred. "A WindClan tom was so kind as to allow us to hunt in the outskirts of their territory. Catch one rabbit, then the winning pair making it back first will get the honor of being made warriors right on the spot."

"Who?" Volepaw hissed. "Who was the WindClan tom?"

"Does it matter?" Stormbright asked with a knowing smirk.

"She knows something!" Volepaw snarled.

"Knows what?" Songpaw whispered, worried about of Volepaw's anger.

"Stop!" Sweetcloud hissed at her apprentice. "Quit accusing Stormbright!"

"We've talked about the most compatible pairs for the final assessment." Clovertalon purred, looking amongst them all. "And we've decided."

"The first will be Brownpaw and Spiderpaw." Nettleburr announced.

The two, who were already by each other's side, looked at each other and Spiderpaw squealed. Brownpaw grinned ear to ear and licked her ear.

"Get a den, weirdos." Volepaw muttered.

"The second pair." Sweetcloud said over Volepaw. "Will be Volepaw and Songpaw."

I was shocked, they were polar opposites! But Songpaw looked eager and trotted to her side.

"Try not to get in my way." Volepaw growled.

"I wouldn't dream of it." Songpaw whispered.

For the first time today, Volepaw's eyes softened and she smiled.

"The last pair I'm proud to say are Redpaw and Flypaw." Antpad purred.

We smiled at each other and I got up to join him.

"Are you really surprised?" I teased.

"Heh, no." Flypaw snickered.

"This is going to be awesome!" Spiderpaw shrieked, speaking all our thoughts.

"Let's get to the river then!" Clovertalon meowed, leading us and our mentors out of camp.

The river was going fast downward, we were slightly surprised.

"You'll be swimming upward." Stormbright purred with a evil grin.

"We'll never make it to the other side!" Songpaw gasped.

"I'll help you through, it's a partnership, remember?" Volepaw meowed.

I grinned, almost worried that Volepaw would lash out at Songpaw, but she seemed to be patient with her.

"Ready?" Flypaw asked.

I nodded and we jumped into the river and swam with all our power, I heard the other two pairs jump into the river not too far behind us.

I desperately tried to grab the swimming minnows below, but if I put too much effort into that, I could be carried away by the water.

"Redpaw!" Flypaw gasped. "Let me grab your scruff and lower you into the water!"

Flypaw did so and kept me and himself from getting carried away. The others caught on to our method and did the same.

I caught three minnows and Flypaw caught one with his claw, and I never wished to hunt in those currents ever again.

We swam back much more easily and Antpad and Mothleap nodded their heads in equal approval.

"You'll be fighting the next pair that get's here." Stormbright hissed, her eyes glinting. "And I think I see them right now."

Both me and Flypaw turned around and saw Volepaw and Songpaw leap out of the water and drop their fish right next to our's.

"So we'll be fighting them?" Songpaw whispered.

"Yes, you will." Stormbright hissed.

Volepaw shook the water out of her fur and was shocked when Songpaw went ahead and leaped onto Flypaw.

I slapped her with my front paws but she didn't loosen her grip on Flypaw's shoulders.

Volepaw turned around and kicked me with her back legs. Flypaw shook off Songpaw with a full-on shake and tackled Volepaw.

I leaped at Songpaw and she crumpled immediately. Suddenly, she slipped from underneath me and slammed me with her whole body.

I heard Brownpaw and Spiderpaw get out of the water and watch us. I ignored the soreness from the blow and pushed Songpaw to the ground, pinning her.

I looked over and saw that Flypaw had pinned his sister as well.

"I would say that they won, wouldn't you?" Antpad smirked at the annoyed Stormbright.

"Go, hunt your rabbit. And as for you and Volepaw," Stormbright growled at her apprentice. "You'll be fighting Brownpaw and Spiderpaw."

Songpaw's shoulders fell and I felt bad for her, but I knew me and Flypaw had to continue.

We headed onward to the outskirts of the WindClan territory. But Flypaw froze like he saw a ghost.

"What? What's wrong?" I gasped.

"It's him, I smell him!" Flypaw hissed.

"Who?!" I whispered.

"Son?"

Before us, a heavy light gray tom with amber eyes trudged his way towards us and looked at Flypaw.

"You've grown so much." He whispered.

"Stay away, Stormclaw." Flypaw snarled. "You're not my father, you're just some WindClan warrior."

"I...a she-cat told me that you and your sister were becoming warriors." Stormclaw meowed, his eyes full of softness. "Does Amberfern miss me?"

"Absolutely not!"

I saw Volepaw charge out of the bushes with Songpaw following behind, along with Brownpaw and Spiderpaw.

"Don't listen to him, Redpaw! He's a liar!" Volepaw snarled.

"I'm your father, Volepaw." Stormclaw said gently.

"Amberfern is very happy!" Flypaw hissed.

"It's true!" Spiderpaw jumped to face the tom. "She has Clovertalon and their kits!"

Stormclaw flinched and looked away.

All of us looked and him waiting for him to say something.

"Just...go and hunt your rabbits. I'll be waiting for you back in RiverClan." Stormclaw muttered.

"You're a WindClan warrior!" Brownpaw growled.

"Just let him go." Songpaw whispered. "It's up to him if he wants to subject himself to more pain."

I noticed that Spiderpaw was stalking a rabbit while Brownpaw was farther away watching carefully.

"Flypaw, let's try to catch their rabbit!" I whispered.

"What? I guess we can try." Flypaw whispered back, brushing against my pelt before we took off around them.

The rabbit was surrounded by four of us, Brownpaw and his partner oblivious to our presence.

I was about to give Flypaw the signal till I saw Spiderpaw pounce on the rabbit.

"Crap, let's go." I said to Flypaw from across.

There's a rabbit across the bushes from where you came.

"Who are you?" I whispered.

You remember me, I'm here to help you. The prophecy might crumble, and we need backup.

"The prophecy?" I gasped.

The threat is nearing, we need help.

"Caught it!" I heard from Flypaw, spooking me from hearing the StarClan cat.

"Something wrong?" Flypaw asked with soft eyes.

"No, let's hurry back." I replied.

We ended up back in ThunderClan territory and I saw Clovertalon and Nettleburr looking on proudly.

"Brownpaw and Spiderpaw must've made it back first!" Flypaw meowed.

"Brownpelt now." Brownpelt purred. "And here next to me is the beautiful Spidermoon."

"I love my warrior name!" Spidermoon purred.

"And Jioveheart and her followers have to make nests for all six of us!" Brownpelt purred. "Look at how ticked they are!"

"What?" Flypaw meowed, confused. "All I see is Willowtail and Honeybreeze."

"Oh no, where's Jioveheart..." I whispered in horror.

The prophecy may crumble

"But the rest of you should be made warriors as soon as Volepaw and Songpaw get back." Spidermoon meowed.

"Where's Stormclaw?" I asked.

"He's in the elder's den." Clovertalon explained. "After he saw our kits, he stormed off and is waiting for Flypaw and Volepaw to become warriors so he can leave."

"We're back!" Songpaw gasped, carrying a rabbit.

"All cats that can catch their own prey come forward!" Splotchstar called to the whole Clan.

They did so and we anticipated the ceremony.

"Volepaw do you vow to protect your Clan at all costs?" Splotchstar asked.

"I do."

"Then you are now Voletooth, a full warrior of RiverClan." Splotchstar meowed.

Songpaw became Songpool and Flypaw became Flyfur, Stormclaw took one last look at his kits and walked back to his camp, his tail hanging low.

Antpad gave a grin and gestured her head towards Splotchstar, I stepped forward anticipating my warrior name.

"Redpaw, you have indeed improved the most out of you and your friends." Splotchstar snickered. "Oh c'mon, take a joke."

I narrowed my eyes but kept silent.

"Do you promise to defend your Clan even with your own life?" Splotchstar asked me.

"I do." I replied, holding back my almost overwhelming excitement.

"Then you are now a full warrior of RiverClan, your name is now Redblossom."

"Voletooth! Songpool! Flyfur! Redblossom!"

Redblossom...such a beautiful name.

"I suggested she call you that." Dad purred. "You are like a blossom in this Clan that won't wither hopefully for a long time."

"Thank you." I purred.

"Now eat up you six, you'll be staying up for the vigil." Splotchstar explained. "With your mouths shut the whole night."

"You all can talk till then." Dad smiled.

I looked in the corner of my eye and saw Jioveheart, her fur ruffled as she returned from camp.

"Where've you been?" I growled, turning to her.

"Collecting feathers for every new warrior's nest, of course." There was a fearful look in her eyes. "Back off, Redpaw."

"Redblossom." I hissed, I turned looking for Flyfur when I bumped into Songpool.

"Are you alright?" I asked, looking into her worried face.

"I need to talk to you before the vigil." Songpool whispered, her eyes darting everywhere.

"Oh, well ok." I said, following her to the dirtplace near the river. "What is it, is it about Stormbright?"

Songpool noticed my anixeousness and quickly shook her head.

"No, it's about Voletooth."

"Did she bully you?" I growled.

"No, no!" Songpool gasped. "Quite the opposite...she was really nice to me."

"That's good right?" I replied.

"I like her." Songpool explained, looking away.

"We all do, really." I chuckled.

"No, Redblossom." Songpool sighed. "I've liked her for moons now, she makes me shiver just looking at me...but I'm afraid she still likes Pikestep."

My eyes widened realizing what she meant, then I shook my head.

"No, Pikestep was really mean to her two moons ago, remember?" I reassured her.

"Sometimes she's still upset about it." Songpool replied, shrugging.

"Well, that's cause he's a jerk." I muttered. "The vigil will be starting soon, we should head back."

"Um, Redblossom?" Songpool meowed. "Thank you for hearing me out."

"No problem." I purred, as we began heading back. "So what do you like about Voletooth?"

We made it back to camp and saw the newly made warriors and the elders were still eating scraps that were left.

Songpool smiled at me and trotted over to Voletooth.

"Hey Redblossom?"

I turned around and saw Flyfur sprawled out with our caught rabbit at his paws.

"Care to share with me?" He grinned and gestured to the rabbit with his paw.

"Of course." I purred, sprawling beside him and ripping out a chunk of rabbit.

We watched peacefully as Spidermoon chattered eagerly with her admirer and my brother Brownpelt listening with genuine interest, and Songpool listening patiently to Voletooth's complaining.

"I don't know why Songpool puts up with my sister sometimes." Flyfur mumbled, still eating.

"I do." I blurted out.

"Why is that?" Flyfur asked.

"Well, don't say anything." I started. "But she likes your sister."

Flyfur blinked.

"Really?" Flyfur whispered. "I don't even find Voletooth that likeable."

"Don't be rude, she's your sister." I purred, nuzzling Flyfur.

"Oh, also I have a question." Flyfur said, ducking his head.

"Yes, what is it?" I asked.

"Well...will you be my-"

"Vigil's starting!" Splotchstar hissed over us. "Get to your places!"

I nodded a apologetic nod to Flyfur and walked toward the border with him following.

Also, Redblossom, this is the StarClan cat. If you need me, my name's Ivypool. I understand what it's like to be the powerless sister...