Chapter 61

"I, Jaystar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warriors in their turn. Brownpaw, Heavypaw, Moonpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Jaystar watched with satisfaction as her kin nodded loyally. Brownpaw seemed the most thrilled, waving his stump of a tail excitedly. "Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Brownpaw, from now on you will be known as Brownfeather. StarClan honors your hope and light and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan. Heavypaw, from now on you will be known as Heavystorm. StarClan honors your purity and your power and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan. Moonpaw, from now on you will be known as Moonwhisker. StarClan honors your kindness and justice and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Jaystar rested her head on each new warrior and they all gave her shoulder a respectful lick in turn.

As the cheers for Brownfeather, Heavystorm, and Moonwhisker died down, Jaystar turned to face Bearkit and Badgerkit who would becoming apprentices today. "Now for one of my favorite duties: appointing new apprentices! From this day forward, until they have earned their warrior names, these apprentices shall be known as Bearpaw and Badgerpaw. Bumblethroat, you have been a warrior for many seasons and have not yet received an apprentice. I trust you to take Badgerpaw's training very seriously." Jaystar watched as Bumblethroat- pride gleaming in his amber eyes- touched noses with Badgerpaw. Jaystar hoped that by giving Bumblethroat an apprentice, the gray warrior would once again become a loyal friend. As they retreated back to the group of cats, Jaystar glanced down at Bearpaw, who looked tiny without the company of Badgerpaw. It would take a very patient mentor to transform Bearpaw into a warrior. "I have been without an apprentice since Brackenspot and that was many moons ago. That is why I make a promise to StarClan that I will transform Bearpaw into a loyal warrior of ThunderClan." Jaystar watched Bearpaw's blue eyes widen in shock as she bent down to touch her apprentice's nose.

"Wow," Bearpaw meowed and Jaystar purred, nudging the golden brown apprentice towards her parents and kin who were waiting to greet her. Thornclaw looked ready to burst with pride as his first litter became apprentices while Daisy- who had already watched Berrynose, Heavytail, Mousewhisker, Rosestripe, and Toadflower enter the apprentices' den- seemed so excited that Jaystar almost forgot that Bearpaw and Badgerpaw weren't her first kits. Badgerpaw was bouncing around Bumblethroat, demanding when they could go out into the forest. Bumblethroat was trying to look stern and control Badgerpaw, but his amber eyes gleamed with good humor. Jaystar flicked her tail to Bearpaw and turned to Bumblethroat, "We could take Bearpaw and Badgerpaw out to tour the territory tonight. It's still fairly early and we can let the cats who were supposed to go on the evening patrol sleep." Mousewhisker, Dovewing, and Cinderheart all looked relieved at this idea. Jaystar made herself a reminder that those three warriors would be leading the dawn patrol.

"I don't see why not, but I suggest we show them the WindClan border tonight. Cloudtail was taking a hunting patrol over towards the ShadowClan border and I don't think it would be wise to have all of our cats in one section of the territory." Jaystar nodded, understanding Bumblethroat's wisdom. Glancing down at the apprentices, Jaystar was amused to see them already sliding towards the entrance of the camp. Purring with amusement, Jaystar flicked her tail to them and began leading her cats out of the camp, giving Rosestripe a nod as she passed. Rosestripe returned the nod and Jaystar knew her Clan would be safe in the hands of its deputy.

*

"This is the WindClan border," Jaystar meowed to the apprentices, pausing at the border. Bearpaw and Badgerpaw wouldn't recognize the scent, but Jaystar hoped they would remember it for the future. Bumblethroat was farther back, burying a mouse he had caught. The mouse was tiny and probably wouldn't feed an apprentice, but Jaystar knew that Bumblethroat just wanted to impress the apprentices. As they began to journey back home, Jaystar saw Bearpaw sticking her head in a hole. Remembering the tunnel when she had fell a couple moons ago, Jaystar snapped, "Bearpaw get away from there. First rule of patrols don't stick your head in anything. One you may not be the only creature in the hole and two it could collapse on you and then where would we be?" Bearpaw ducked her head in embarrassment and Jaystar stalked away. A cat raced forward and Jaystar recognized the frightened face of Brackenspot. "Brackenspot what is it?"

"A badger! Huge! Cloudtail was leading us towards the ShadowClan border and it just appeared out of no where! We tried to fight it for a little bit, but its too strong! Cloudtail yelled at me to go find help!" It was then that Jaystar realized that Brackenspot was injured. One of her eyes were closed and she was bleeding slightly from her neck. "Brackenspot, take Bearpaw and Badgerpaw back to camp and get some warriors out here immediatly. Bumblethroat, follow me!" Jaystar raced forward, following Brackenspot's scent. Bumblethroat was scrambling from behind her and Jaystar flung into the clearing surrounding Sky Oak. What she saw sent shivers down her back. Cloudtail was laying in a pool of his own blood and Brambleheart was lying on the ground, the badger looming over him. The badger lifted its paws and was about to bring them hard on Brambleheart's back.

The only thought that was in Jaystar's mind was of Brambleheart's kits back home in the nursery and the golden brown leader rushed forward, shoving the light brown tabby out of the way. Jaystar felt the heavy paws crash on her back and everything went dark.