He woke up from a sleep that felt like moons; he felt as stiff as a rock. But a sound, a voice brought him to reality. He realized whose voice it was, and it made him swell with joy.
"Swiftpaw, are you okay? You look like you've eaten some crow-food!" Brightpaw said worriedly. He looked around at his surroundings. Thunderclan was around him, looking at something at the foot of the Highrock. He saw a white pelt, then he realized that he was at a ceremony. He heard a voice echo around the clearing.
"This cat has learned the noble ways of the warrior code. He has trained hard as an apprentice and has earned his warrior name. From this day forward, he will be known as Cloudtail. StarClan has honored you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Swiftpaw looked up at the Highrock to see Bluestar looking down on Cloudtail. She leapt off the rock up to Cloudtail, he licked her shoulder, and in turn she licked his head. The clan started to cheer his name.
"Cloudtail! Cloudtail! Cloudtail!" He joined in with the chant. Then he looked directly at Brightpaw. Cloudtail, after the chanting of his name, walked up to the pair. Swiftpaw felt a surge of anger pass through him.
"Congratulations Cloudtail!" Brightpaw exclaimed. He gave her a little nod to show her that he was listening. Then Swiftpaw remembered every new named warrior had to sit in vigil until dawn, which he was glad he could finally sleep with Brightpaw again, alone.
"Yeah, it must be awesome to be a warrior now!" Rosepaw followed as she walked up to him. Every cat in the clan knew that Rosepaw mooned over Cloudtail. It was obvious the way she watched his training sessions and always brought him fresh kill.
"Yes. May StarClan light your path," Swiftpaw said in a respectful tone. Swiftpaw still would have liked to be named warrior as well. He knew he had to work harder now that Cloudtail became a warrior before the others.
"Come on Brightpaw, let's go to sleep. We still have training tomorrow!" Swiftpaw reminded, leading Brightpaw to the bracken hollow. He entered into the warm apprentice den, and curled up into a ball on his soft moss bedding. Brightpaw curled up close to him. He breathed in her warm scent before sleep overwhelmed him.
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He woke up in a clearing. Forest trees surrounding him, engulfing him in the scents of the forest at home.
"How is it so far Swiftpaw? Is your wish paying off?" He spun around, to find that it was Redtail.
"Yes it is. I am happy now with Brightpaw. I have not regretted my choice in my decision." Swiftpaw said.
"I have come here to tell you something. StarClan has decided this prophecy for all of the clans in the forest" Redtail's tone became serious. He continued,
"Blood will form together to create a feared army."
Swiftpaw was confused. What blood? Blood cannot form into an army! It's impossible! What could that possibly mean? He had so many questions for Redtail. As he began to open his mouth, Redtail had started to fade.
"No, don't go! Please tell me what that means! I have so many questions!" Swiftpaw pleaded.
"May StarClan light your path Swiftpaw." He managed to say before completely disappearing.
A sound disturbed Swiftpaw's dream. Then he heard Brightpaw's voice wailing at him.
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"Wake up! We have training! Remember? Longtail and Whitestorm are waiting!" Brightpaw said with an irritated tone. Now she is the one reminding me! Swiftpaw thought with amusement.
"Alright, I'm up!" Swiftpaw responded. He felt the cold winds of Leaf-fall. He didn't want to leave his warm den, but he wanted to be a warrior more than anything. He closed his eyes one more time before rising from his den.
He stepped into the grassy clearing. He looked back quickly into the apprentices den to see that Rosepaw and Thornpaw were still sleeping. He saw Tigerclaw organizing patrols near the high rock, and One-eye sunning near the elders den.
As he started towards the gorse tunnel, Cloudtail shot him a jealous and angering glance. When he looked away he saw Whitestorm, Longtail, and Brightpaw watching him with impatient looks. He felt guilty as he walked closer knowing he was being a mousbrain for taking so long, and positioned himself beside Brightpaw as Whitestorm moved in front of him and beside Longtail.
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He drank in the safe scents of the forest. He smelt prey but they weren't hunting now, they were going to the Sandy Hollow for training. They all started to race through the bracken towards the ravine, slicing through the forest as fast as lighting. Swiftpaw jumped over a fallen tree with Brightpaw jumped over a big thorn bush. Longtail and Whitestorm were fast too, but not as fast as the apprentices.
Swiftpaw felt adrenaline surge through his paws, urging him to go faster. Finally, he reached the bottom of the ravine. He was proud when he saw the other cats arrive after him shortly. As he watched the other cats arrived, he felt confident. He knew he had made the right decision.