This chapter isn't very good. Please forgive me and sorry if the wait is long for the next update (s). AND THIS ISN'T THE END! THERE IS SOOOOOOO MUCH MORE WAITING TO UNFOLD!

Chapter 21, The Chance

I've been waiting for a chance
I've been waiting for your glance
I've been watching your stance

Through and through; I know you well
I know where your thoughts dwell
I know anger or fear in your yell

I'm trying so hard
I've been on guard
I've been waiting for a shard

The slim chance

That I could make you proud

Petalstar let out a loud yelp and her amber eyes filled with fear as the earth shook. Her old sandy den was shaking so hard she feared it might collapse.

The member's of her Clan were gathered around, their fear scent filling her nostrils. The twilight pressed in and eyes gleamed in the gloomy darkness. She managed to raise her voice above the loud shaking and creaking of trees. "Don't panic! It will pass!" she prayed to StarClan that she was right and it would indeed pass.

Icepaw, Snakepaw, Moonpaw, and Silverpaw were all hunched together in one tight bunch. Snakepaw hissed, "What do you think is going on?"

"I don't know!" Icepaw hissed back. The earth shaking beneath them was a terrifying sensation and she feared at any moment a tree might fall on them. The whipping, whistling wind made her shiver like death.

A shriek arose from the elder's den. All of the apprentices started hurtling through the swaying night to see what had happened to their only elder, Sweetsnow.

They found the lonely white shecat below a toppling pine tree. She was transfixed with horror watching it slowly fall towards her.

Snakepaw and Icepaw ran forward to help while Silverpaw and Moonpaw stopped the rest of the Clan from rushing in and getting trapped. "Stay back!" Silverpaw yelled loudly.

Snakepaw rushed over and pushed Sweetsnow to the ground, safely on the other side of the tree. Icepaw tripped over a dark thorn branch and her eyes widened as the tree came hurtling down.

Quick as a flash, Moonpaw grabbed Icepaw by her leg and yanked her back.

Icepaw stood panting for a moment, and Moonpaw peered over the side where Snakepaw had Sweetsnow. Thankfully, they were both safe. Idiots, she thought. Trying to all heroic. However, Icepaw said something unexpected. "Thank you."

Moonpaw looked at her with her yellow eyes round in surprise. "Y-you're welcome," she stuttered slightly.

Petalstar stood on the high ledge. The earth shaking tremors had stopped and she stood looking proudly down at the four apprentices who stood below her. "For these four apprentices' bravery and courage, they are to be granted their warrior names. First, may I name Icepaw of ShadowClan. I pray you have finally found your place in this world and that you have learned from your experiences." She raised her voice and her amber eyes gleamed. "Some may doubt your loyalty. I do not. The ability to choose and the ability to change events to your will is a powerful ally and marks a stronger cat than the one who will wait and bide their time.
"And so I name you Iceshadow, in honor of your choice to remain with ShadowClan. Let it also be known that another name for you may be Icerose, for not all may see the thorns of a rose, but also in it is beauty. You are a full warrior of our Clan."

Snakepaw started the cheering this time. "Iceshadow! Iceshadow! Icerose!" Soon, everyone had joined in.

His amber eyes glowed at her with a hidden meaning she could only guess at. It made her heart beat just a little faster in the twilight pine forest as he called her name once again. Iceshadow. Icerose. Did he think she was beautiful?

"Snakepaw, from this moment forward you will be known as Snakeclaw. Your name is fierce for your bravery; but like a snake you strike out only when necessary." she proclaimed from her towering perch.

"Snakeclaw!" Iceshadow yelled out. "Snakeclaw!"

"Moonpaw, your warrior name shall be Moonshine." Petalstar announced.

Iceshadow thought it odd that such a gruff and agressive cat should be given such a gentle name. Suddenly, she understood. It is not what is on the outside that matters, the day to day shell that we live in. If this were true we would never truly be ourselves, because we would never react to anything out of the ordinary. It is when terror and desperation strike that we truly understand who we are. Petalstar understood this and had seen Moonshine save Iceshadow.

She smiled. It was time to put old differences behind her and understand the people inside the shell.

"Silverpaw, you shall now be known as Silverheart." Petalstar smiled down and jumped off the rock.

Silverheart, Moonshine, Iceshadow, and Snakeclaw gathered beneath the rock. Silverheart grinned. "Well, there's no one sleeping in the apprentices den tonight. I think we can have on last night of memories, yes?" Silverheart asked before her slight grey form sped away.

Iceshadow smiled at Snakeclaw. She would miss the anvil shaped branch that had fallen from the big oak tree above it. She would miss the narrow single dens that the apprentices slept in.

But there was an adventure waiting for her. If she never stepped out of her shell; out of her den; she would never find that mystery and adventure.

She smiled. Wolfsong would be proud.

IT'S NOT THE END! Thank you all my lovely reviewers :)