I woke up in a starry clearing. Ocean Breeze, Silver Frost, and Thunder Light were gathered in the clearing and I padded over to them. "Greetings, Leopardstorm." Ocean Breeze mewed.
"What's going on?" I asked. Silver Frost looked at the stars. I followed her gaze to see three glowing stars making their way down to the ground. I gasped as I saw a fiery light glowing around them. The first star moved forward. Ocean Breeze stood beside the star with her tail wrapped around it protectively.
"Light as a feather, but can still survive a stormy weather, is a cat who will be in your heart forever. In her eyes is a hidden warrior waiting to be free. But it's trapped inside, in fear it will be deceived. She cares for her siblings like a big sister should, but who will be there, when she's misunderstood?"
I narrowed my eyes as the star swirled around my paws. "What do you mean?" I asked. Ocean Breeze just blinked and stepped back so Silver Frost can take her place beside the second star.
"Love and laughter is in the air. With this cat around, there is no despair. Even when her clanmates start to glare, she gives them something that's worth their stares. Even though her chin's held high and a smile's on her face, she's a cat who can't seem to find her place."
The second star bounced around us and sparkles followed its trail. I watched the stars in amazement but was still confused at what was happening. Then Thunder Light stepped forward to the third star. This star was smaller and darker than the others.
"Sometimes a tom who seems to weep, is really a tom, who is tough to beat. Head held high, pride in his heart, is what really holds this clan part by part. His size is small for a tom so strong, but if given the chance, can be proven wrong."
The three leopards stared at me with glowing eyes. I opened my mouth to say something but they vanished into a dust of stars. I growled in frustration and pawed the ground. "Can anyone tell me what's going on?" I snapped. I jumped awake to see the sun shining in my face. I yawned and stretched out my legs and back. Who are the cats they were talking about? I sighed and walked out of the nursery. Fuzz was talking with Fireheart beside the High Rock while the clan carried on their usual routines. I slowly made my way to Fuzz and Fireheart. "What's happening?" I asked. Fuzz looked at me.
"Nothing. Go get some rest." he mewed. I flicked my ear and rolled my eyes.
"I'm tired of resting. I just woke up." I muttered. Fuzz sighed and shook his head.
"Well you can't go out of camp. It's too dangerous out there with all those dogs roaming around." he said. I tilted my head.
"They're still in the forest?" I asked. Fireheart nodded and beckoned me to the nursery.
"Don't worry about it. We're getting it handled." he meowed. I growled in annoyance as he turned his attention back to Fuzz. But I want to help! I grumbled under my breath and stomped away. Then I saw Bluestar jump onto the High Rock.
"Cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the High Rock for a clan meeting." she yowled. I padded over to a spot beside Fuzz and Brambleclaw as Tawnypelt and the rest of the clan joined us. I looked at Bluestar in curiosity. "An apprentice has trained hard over the past few moons and I think it's time for him to become a warrior." Bluestar announced. Then she beckoned Cloudpaw to step forward. Cloudpaw brightened with delight and padded over to her. I narrowed my eyes. What about the other apprentices? I looked over at the others and saw them looking at Bluestar with dismay. Swiftpaw was scowling while Brightpaw looked devastated. I looked at them in sympathy then turned back to Bluestar. The rest of the clan were also looking confused and a little disturbed at the other apprentices' delay.
"What about-" Frostfur broke off as Bluestar rushed to the ceremony.
"I, Bluestar, leader of Thunderclan, would like you to look down on this apprentice." she meowed. "He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I like you to make him a warrior in return." Then she looked down at Cloudpaw. "Cloudpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Cloudpaw mewed with his head held high.
"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name." Bluestar said. "Cloudpaw. From this moment, you will be known as Cloudtail. Starclan honors your independence and courage, and we like to welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan." Cloudtail licked Bluestar's shoulder and stepped back to join the clan. The clan cheered his name.
"Cloudtail! Cloudtail!" they cheered. Cloudtail padded over to his friends in excitement but they turned away from him and walked away. Cloudtail's tail drooped in sadness and confusion as he watched them go. Brindleface licked his face with purrs.
"Congratulations!" she mewed. Cloudtail looked less enthusiastic and his shoulders hung low as he said thanks. I looked at the other apprentices and padded over to them. Swiftpaw was pacing back and forth in anger while Brightpaw was looking off into space. Thornpaw, Ashpaw, and Fernpaw were murmuring to each other in soft voices.
"Are you alright?" I asked. The young cats looked at me.
"It's not fair! How come we didn't get to be made warriors too?" Swiftpaw snarled as he continued pacing. Brightpaw was looking at her paws with tears forming in her eyes.
"Was I not good enough? Should I have worked harder? What did I do?" she whispered. I looked at her in pity and placed my tail around her shoulders.
"It's not your fault." I murmured. Swiftpaw growled, his tail lashing behind him.
"What's so special about Cloudtail? He's just a lousy tom who betrayed his clan! Did we forget how he went off to live a kittypet life?" he hissed. I sighed as I realized Swiftpaw did have a point.
"I know you're upset right now, but Cloudtail's your friend. You should still say congratulations to him." I mewed softly.
"Say congratulations? To that lousy kittypet? Yeah, right!" Swiftpaw snapped. I sighed and tried to figure out how to solve this.
"Whitestorm did say I was off on my hunting skills. Is Bluestar angry with me for not getting that move right?" Brightpaw whispered to herself. I got up and walked away as I realized they weren't listening to me anymore. What can I do? I looked at Bluestar's den with narrowed eyes. Then I sighed and padded inside.
"Bluestar?" I called.
"What do you want?" Bluestar snapped. I flinched and walked over to her.
"It's unfair that Cloudtail was made a warrior and the other apprentices weren't." I mewed.
"Are you questioning your leader?" Bluestar hissed. "I was right to judge you! You're trying to act like your father aren't you?" I widened my eyes in shock and hurt.
"No! That's not what I was-"
"Well listen here, you little traitor. If you want to lead a life of war and bloodshed, then don't be afraid to leave and go to your father! The entrance is right over there! Now get out of my den!" Bluestar snarled. I ran out of the den as Bluestar chased me out. I ran to the nursery with flattened ears. Why is she treating me like this? What happened to our bond? I closed my eyes in pain and settled in my nest. She cares for her siblings like a big sister should, but who will be there, when she's misunderstood? Ocean Breeze's words ran through my ears. I shook her voice out of my head and settled my head on my paws. Then I closed my eyes and went to sleep.
A screech sounded from the clearing. I jerked my eyes open and ran out of the nursery. Fireheart and Cloudtail were standing over Swiftpaw and Brightpaw's bodies. I gasped and walked over to them. The clan was gathered around in shock. I peered down over the cats' shoulders and gaped at what I saw. Swiftpaw was sprawled on the ground with blood and wounds all over his body. There was no sign of life stirring within him and his body smelt of death and crow-food. Brightpaw was bloody as well with half her face torn and scarred. The other half was screwed up in pain and sorrow. Bluestar shoved through the gathered cats and looked down at the two apprentices with a shock filled gaze. Frostfur was whimpering beside her daughter with tears streaming down her face. "My kit… my beautiful kit." she whimpered. I walked to her side and leaned into her comfortingly. Cinderpelt was struggling to heal Brightpaw with panic clearly written on her face.
"Swiftpaw's dead…" Cloudtail breathed as he looked at his friends.
"Brightpaw's badly injured but I think I can still hear her breathing." Cinderpelt announced.
"She was never even made a warrior!" Frostfur cried into the night sky. Bluestar narrowed her eyes and stepped forward.
"You're right, Frostfur. And I think that if she doesn't survive, she'll at least have her warrior name." she meowed. "I, Bluestar, call my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has given her life in the service of her clan and I commend her as a warrior in her turn. She will be known as Lostface, so that every cat knows what Starclan did to take her from us." I gasped in shock.
"But that's a cruel name! What if she lives?" Cloudtail protested.
"Then we will all have a reason to remember what Starclan has brought us to. They will have this warrior as Lostface, or not at all. Let Starclan receive her by the name of Lostface. There, it is done." Bluestar meowed. Then she turned away from her clan and disappeared into her den. I gaped at her in shock. Lostface? Why would Bluestar do such a thing? I growled in anger under my breath as my fur bristled in rage. Why is Bluestar treating her clan like this? I stomped my way into Bluestar's den and stood in front of her with bristling fur. "Leopardstorm, get-" Bluestar broke off as I broke in.
"No!" I snarled. "Now you listen to me, Bluestar. I may not be a trustworthy cat in your eyes, but I refuse to let you treat my clanmates like this! How dare you call her that? She gave her life to impress you because you chose not to make her a warrior along with Cloudtail! Can't you see how foolish and unfair you're being to your own clan? And for what? Because the other apprentices, mentors are cats who followed Tigerstar! Give them a second chance! Swiftpaw is dead and Brightpaw is fighting for her life all because of you." I glared at Bluestar as she stared at me in silence. "I'm sorry, Bluestar. But I refuse to call Brightpaw that cruel name and you should be ashamed of yourself for naming her that. Why should I follow a leader who treats her clan like crow-food?" I spat. Then I lashed my tail as I walked out of her den.