Chapter 22

The trek home had been a quick one. Icepaw was thankful they only had to cross the river once. She followed Bramblepaw closely. For the first time she realized that he only cared for her safety. It was all he had ever cared about.

Now she regretted all those moons of ignoring him or pushing him aside like he was nothing. He was chattering excitedly with Brightpaw. Stormpaw had left to join his mother in his Clan. Only three apprentices remained. For once Icepaw actually missed Stormpaw's good natured purrs.

"We're back." Flarestar had stopped beside the ravine. Icepaw's heart nearly skipped a beat when she realized what that meant. "We're home," she whispered.

Hope filled Icepaw's heart when she followed them across the fallen tree. The ravine seemed to follow them where they went. Icepaw refused to look down as she padded ahead. Seawhisker had taught her not to look down while crossing.

Seawhisker... I wish you were still here, Icepaw thought sadly. Her aunt had left to be with Rosefall. The Clan had eagerly accepted Seawhisker after losing their leader. Icepaw wondered how her old mentor was doing now that she'd finally joined her old Clan. Was she finally happy?

"You're back!" Flarestar was nearly tackled to the ground when Ravenkit bounded out of the nursery. She purred in amusement as she batted the kit away. "What was it like? Being in the other forest? Were the other Clans as scary as mamma says?"

"Oh they were terrifying," Brightpaw mewed. Ravenkit's eyes widened when Brightpaw described the Clans in the worst way possible. Icepaw couldn't help but watch in amusement. Kits would believe anything these days.

"Let all cats old enough gather around the Log for a Clan meeting!" Flarestar's yowl made Icepaw jump in surprise. She exchanged a surprised look with Brightpaw before settling down beside her friend. By now news of their Clanmate's arrival had spread like wildfire. "I am pleased to announce that the warrior code has been changed. No longer will there be Chosen kits every newleaf."

Yowls of congratulations filled the air. Other cats looked at one another in confusion. Icepaw guessed they were wondering why the law had been changed. A few cats had stayed behind to guard the camp. With the threat of rogues in the forest, they couldn't be too cautious.

"And it is time for three apprentices to receive their warrior names," Flarestar added. Icepaw's ears pricked forward at that. "Reedshine, Ashcloud, do you believe your apprentices are ready to become warriors?"

"Brightpaw is a brave cat. She has learned all I can teach her," Reedshine replied with a dip of her head.

"Bramblepaw will make a fine warrior," Flarestar meowed after an uneasy silence followed.

"Icepaw has learned everything that Seawhisker could have taught her," Ashcloud finally murmured. "She is ready."

Guilt stabbed at Icepaw's heart when she saw the look of worry in Ashcloud's eyes. Clearly he didn't think that she was ready. But he wanted her to become a warrior so that she could join her friends. She couldn't help but give him a look of thanks.

"Then I, Flarestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors so that they may look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Bramblepaw, Brightpaw, Icepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"

"I do!" Brightpaw replied.

"I do," Bramblepaw mewed. He looked more embarrassed than anything else.

"I do." Icepaw was surprised by the confidence in her voice.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Bramblepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Brambleheart. StarClan honors you for your courage and ability to make friends with just about anyone, and we welcome you as a full member of LeafClan." Brambleheart's paws shuffled against the ground when Flarestar touched her nose on his forehead.

"Brightpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Brightsong. StarClan honors you for your warm heart and honor, and we welcome you as a full member of LeafClan." Brightsong's eyes closed with triumph as Flarestar touched her nose on her forehead.

"And finally, Icepaw. From this moment on, you will be known as Icestorm. StarClan honors you for your spirit and fighting skills, and we welcome you as a full member of LeafClan." Something flashed in Flarestar's eyes when she touched her nose on Icestorm's forehead.

It took Icestorm a few heartbeats to realize that it was a knowing look. That Flarestar had known all along this was Icestorm's destiny. Icestorm could never forgive her mother or the Clans for what they had done. But she hoped that one day she would see her mother in StarClan.

"Brambleheart! Brightsong! Icestorm!" The Clan cheered their names.

Icestorm raised her chin as pride swept through her. This was the best day of her life. When she had finally become a warrior that would always be remembered in LeafClan. She and her former denmates would always be remembered as the last Chosen.

AN: So there you have it. A rather short ending, but an ending. Finally. Actually I am planning an epilogue before this is marked as complete, so keep an eye out for that. Special thanks to everyone who has reviewed and kept up, they really mean a lot!