Silence gripped the clearing like an eagle's talon. Every pair of eyes, the majority of which came from ThunderClan, were filled with shock and wonder.

"A-are you sure?" Tallstar frowned at Runningnose. "It just doesn't seem possible that-"

Tigerstar hissed and interrupted the WindClan leader. "Are you saying my medicine cat is wrong?!"

"I am not questioning your medicine cat. I just don't understand why StarClan wants an apprentice to speak."

Cloudpaw felt as if his paws were frozen in place. How could he get up and speak for all of ThunderClan?! Nervousness was threatening to consume him, but a light tap on his shoulder gripped his attention. Brightpaw smiled and nodded toward the Great Rock.

"Go on." She smiled. "StarClan chose you to speak."

Cloudpaw opened his mouth to protest, after all, StarClan meant nothing to him, but closed it after one thought. Could I one day become deputy if they saw me speak well? He looked up to see Willowpelt leap down gracefully to join her clan; Cloudpaw pushed through the mass of clan cats and jumped, replacing her. As he did, the moon cleared, filling the hollow with its light.

Fear struck Cloudpaw like a lightning bolt as he saw every set of eyes, some envious and some angered, focused on him. The ground seemed to sway beneath him, and Cloudpaw shook his head to clear it. He stared at Brightpaw, watching her kind and supporting eyes.

"Go on kittypet," Tigerstar hissed, "speak!"

It took every ounce of control in Cloudpaw to not rake his claws across Tigerstar's mocking and traitorous face. He waited for a few moments, trying to decide what information could be potentially dangerous for ThunderClan. "Uh… ThunderClan has fully recovered from the fire that took place two moons ago. We are back in full strength and have not suffered any dangers that couldn't be fixed." He paused to think, but was interrupted by a silver she-cat elder from RiverClan.

"If you're so strong, then where is Bluestar? If you ask me, ThunderClan is hiding something! Out with it, apprentice! Give us a real report!"

Her words brought out a wave of agreeing mews from the other clans and protests from ThunderClan.

"She's ill," explained Brackenfur.

"Then Cloudpaw lied, and you haven't recovered," a ShadowClan warrior snarled.

Foxdung! Cloudpaw clawed the ground in panic, but was once again settled by a she-cat. This time, he didn't recognize the voice.

"Calm yourself, young Cloudpaw," she whispered, "StarClan is always with you…"

"Who…" He looked around frantically, but didn't see her.

He was going to continue looking for her, but Leopardstar stepped forward to speak. "Silence!" When the clearing looked up at her, she continued. "ThunderClan's business is its own. We did not come here to interrogate them for their secrets!"

Cloudpaw turned to her, whispering under his breath so that not even Tigerstar or Tallstar could hear him. "Thank you, Leopardstar."

She nodded. "Don't think I'm helping you for nothing, apprentice. Now give the rest of your report!"

"I am finished," he meowed, addressing all of the clans. Tallstar began his part.

"WindClan has been blessed with two new litters of kits. With more cats comes more need for prey, however, and-"

Leopardstar stopped him. "Don't even think of asking for RiverClan's food!"

"I was not going to, Leopardstar. What I was going to say is that prey has been missing from the moors. Reports have come in, saying that dead rabbits were found with the scent of dog all over them. I merely wanted to warn the other clans to be on the lookout for a pack."

Cloudpaw's eyes widened. So ThunderClan isn't the only clan being affected. But Bluestar won't listen… Looking over to the other two leaders, Cloudpaw saw Leopardstar grin at him while her eyes were clouded in thought. Tigerstar was eyeing the WindClan warriors with interest. Following the traitor's gaze, Cloudpaw noticed WindClan was thinner than usual. Tallstar in particular looked ill. His eyes were dull and it looked as if he hadn't properly cleaned himself in moons.

"If that is all, then we will be leaving. ShadowClan has nothing to report." Cloudpaw couldn't help but notice how the ShadowClan leader looked distracted and like he was hurrying all too much to leave.

"Cloudpaw! Let's go!" Brackenfur flicked his tail for the apprentice to follow him. Looking back to the clearing, the white apprentice leapt down and charged into the bushes.

x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x

"I see," Whitestorm muttered. "If that is the case, then it sounds like RiverClan and ShadowClan are going to cause trouble."

Cloudpaw had just finished giving his report to the clan about the Gathering. They were all equally shocked about StarClan's plan for who was going to speak. The elders in particular were having a hard time accepting the fact that an apprentice spoke for ThunderClan.

"Yes," Frostfur agreed. "But ShadowClan is not our problem."

"We can send out extra patrols to Sunningrocks," suggested Cloudpaw.

Darkstripe snorted. "What makes you think that'll be our only problem?"

"RiverClan always try to claim Sunningrocks! What else could they be trying to gain?"

A low murmur sparked across the clan at his words. The meeting broke up, each cat turning to another

to try and access the situation. Brightpaw padded across the camp with two mice.

"Let's eat together!"

Cloudpaw purred and ripped into his mouse. Both apprentices ate in silence; Brightpaw spoke once she was finished.

"It's pretty amazing, isn't it?" Cloudpaw tipped his head to the side in confusion at her words. "I mean that StarClan chose you to speak! That must mean they have a great destiny planned for you!"

Cloudpaw rolled his eyes. "Tch. Be real, Brightpaw. We all know StarClan is a fairy tale."

Brightpaw jumped back in surprise. "What are you saying? How can you feel that way after what happened tonight?!"

"I bet Tigerstar told Runningnose to say that. He was hoping I would tell what was happening with Bluestar refusing to go to Gatherings."

"True Cloudpaw, very true."

Both apprentices whirled around in shock. Bluestar was facing them, her eyes bright with understanding and hope. "StarClan have deserted ThunderClan. I wouldn't be surprised if they told Tigerstar to destroy us."

Brightpaw gasped. "Bluestar, that's not true!"

"Believe what you want! As long as I have a sensible cat like Cloudpaw as my deputy, nothing else matters!"

"What?!" Cloudpaw's eyes widened. He couldn't breath he was so shocked.

"You heard me! Cloudpaw is to become a warrior and my deputy tonight!"

The rest of the clan had filed behind Brightpaw and Cloudpaw. Every one of them were wildly protesting Cloudpaw's new rank.

"He hasn't been an apprentice for long enough!" Darkstripe took the spoke's cat duty. "Don't be a fool, Blues-"

"Silence! I am your leader and you will do what I say!" Leaping up to the High Rock, she began the ceremony. "Cloudpaw has shown himself to be a cat with a warrior's spirit. Do you promise to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I-I do…"

"Cloudpaw, from this day forth you shall be known as Cloudtail." Bluestar turned her icy gaze to the clan; they murmured his new name uncomfortably. "Fireheart has betrayed us," she continued, "and one young cat dared to admit that StarClan help with nothing. For this, Cloudtail will now be the deputy of ThunderClan." With that, Bluestar leapt down and disappeared into her den once again.