Chapter 1

Timberstar, leader of Wildclan, stood poised on an old tree stump as dusk began to set in.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here at the Rottedtree for a Clan meeting."

Cats of all colors immediately poured into the clearing, their pelts a mixture of tabby, ginger, brown, black and pure white.

"It's Icefur and Ivyheart's kits," a light gray she-cat whispered to her companion. "They're old enough to be apprentices now."

Timberstar flicked his tail at the four assorted-colored youngsters clustered at the base of the Rottedtree. They scrambled eagerly onto the wide stump, all staring around in wide-eyed awe.

"Now," he said, trying to keep his amusement at bay, "who wants to go first?"

A little dark gray tom stepped forward, his features accented by his white-tipped paws and unusual blue eyes.

"Tornadopelt," the leader mewed, "you're deserving of an apprentice now."

A large dark tom stepped forward, his fur highlighted with flecks of silver. He nodded respectfully as Timberstar continued:

"I expect you to pass on your loyalty and determination to Stormpaw."

"Yes sir, Timberstar."

Tornadopelt touched noses with Stormpaw and they both jumped down from the stump.

Stormpaw's mother, Ivyheart, padded over to give him a congratulatory lick before turning her attention back to Timberstar.

"Blizzardfoot," he called. "You need to teach Angelpaw your passion and love for the hunt, and make our Clan proud to have her as a part of it."

The big white tom stepped forward, and Angelpaw seemed intimidated for a moment. However, she bravely stepped up to touch noses with her new mentor, and when they settled next to each other she was purring contentedly.

"Fogpaw will apprentice under Bladeclaw," Timberstar announced, his whiskers twitching at the brown warrior's surprise. "I know you haven't long been a warrior," he mewed as Bladeclaw padded up to them, "but you have shown extreme loyalty and courage to the Clan."

Bladeclaw softly mewed his thanks and brought the silvery apprentice back through the crowd.

"Nice job, Fogpaw," Stormpaw whispered as his sister passed. She purred in response, her fur fluffed proudly.

Timberstar beckoned to the last apprentice and gazed down from the Rottedtree, searching for his deputy.

"Feralclaw, I want you to mentor Demonpaw," he instructed.

Several cats gasped or hissed at the name he bestowed, but if Demonpaw noticed, he said nothing. Indeed, the young cat seemed pleased with his name.

Feralclaw leapt up to the stump and stared at the apprentice for a moment. Demonpaw's glittering amber eyes seemed to bore right through him, and Feralclaw suppressed a shiver as their noses touched.

"Pass on your fiery spirit and courage to this apprentice," Timberstar mewed. Feralclaw nodded, still transfixed by the young cat's eyes. Timberstar addressed the entire Clan once more.

"These apprentices are the next generation of Wildclan!"

His pronouncement was met with cheers of "Angelpaw! Fogpaw! Stormpaw!" A wave of whispers and hushed conversations broke out just as suddenly, covering any voices that may have called out "Demonpaw!" as well.

"You four must keep a silent vigil tonight," Timberstar ordered. "Remember that no words are to be spoken until dawn."

And with that, he bounded away into his den.

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A/N: Sorry if it seems like it's moving really fast, but I want to get the plot moving along. R&R!

Phantomfreak07