Chapter 86
"Brokenheart..." Jaystar took a step closer to her kin, but he shook his head and meowed, "Littlecloud and Flamecloud managed to persuade Oakstar to stop the fighting for today. Mousewhisker is waiting with the rest of your Clanmates." And without looking back at Jaystar, Brokenheart stalked out of the den and Jaystar wondered if she had brought him closer to Brookclaw. With a heavy heart, Jaystar followed Brokenheart out of the den, Badgerpaw flanking her. Jaystar blinked as she looked around the bloody ShadowClan camp, wondering how she had let her anger get so out of control. Cats were all limping towards Littlecloud while two limp bodies- two cats of Jaystar's own Clan- were in the center of camp, guarded by their still alive Clanmates.
Lionblaze and Dovewing were hovered above Featherfoot while Badgerpaw bounded over to help Bumblethroat carry Hazeltail. Mousewhisker was circling his Clanmates protectively, his green eyes wide with grief and with a jolt, Jaystar remembered that Hazeltail was his sister. Looking past her deceased, Jaystar realized that her Clanmates weren't exactly in their best conditions. Both of Mousewhisker's ears were torn while Bumblethroat was looking through swollen eyes. Lionblaze had a small cut in his throat, but nothing too serious while Dovewing was limping on three paws. Jaystar's shoulder still hurt from where Brookclaw had attacked her, but she knew she could wait until she returned to camp and saw either Leafpool or Applefrost. Badgerpaw didn't have any noticeable injuries, but she leaned on Bumblethroat as though she was very tired. Which she should be. This was a huge battle for an apprentice.
Without looking at Oakstar, Jaystar padded towards her Clanmates and ordered, "Mousewhisker, Lionblaze, take Featherfoot's body back to camp along with Hazeltail's. Bumblethroat, Badgerpaw, follow them until they are back in ThunderClan territory and then wait at the border for me and Dovewing. Dovewing, lean on my shoulder. I'll help you get back to camp."
"I could loo-" Littlecloud's voice trailed off as Oakstar snarled at his medicine cat. Littlecloud bowed his head in defeat, but Jaystar saw him glance at her apologetically. Nodding to Littlecloud, Jaystar brushed her pelt against Dovewing's and the two of them limped back to ThunderClan territory.
*
"Jaystar, what happened?" Bearpaw asked as Jaystar made her way closer towards ThunderClan camp, accompanied by Bumblethroat, Dovewing, and Badgerpaw. "I passed Mousewhisker and Lionblaze a few moments ago. I can't believe Hazeltail and Featherfoot are-" Bearpaw's green eyes stretched in horror as she thought about her dead Clanmates.
"I know," Jaystar meowed softly, resting her tail on her apprentice's shoulder, "Bearpaw, what are you doing out of camp? I thought I told everyone to stay in camp until we returned." Jaystar wasn't angry that her apprentice had disobeyed her orders; there was too much grief for anger, but she wanted to know what had possessed Bearpaw to leave the safety of the camp to wander around the forest.
"After you were gone so long, Squirrelflight wanted to take a small patrol over to the ShadowClan border in case you needed help. I volunteered to go as well as Foxfang and Butterflypaw. When we reached the ShadowClan border and didn't hear anything, we changed course and headed towards the WindClan border. Then Squirrelflight told me to return to camp and see if you had gotten home yet. I passed Mousewhisker and Lionblaze and they said that you were on your way so I just waited for you," Bearpaw finished and Jaystar nodded understanding Squirrelflight's concern.
"Okay then Bearpaw, I want you to fetch Squirrelflight's patrol and-"
"There's no need for that, Jaystar."
Jaystar turned and saw Squirrelflight, Foxfang, and Butterflypaw pad into the clearing. Dipping her head to her senior warriors, Jaystar continued, "Then let's all return to camp. There are some cats who have proven to be good warriors," Jaystar glanced at Bearpaw and Badgerpaw and watched with amusement as their eyes widened in surprise.
*
"Bearpaw, Badgerpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?" Jaystar watched with satisfaction as Bearpaw and Badgerpaw nodded, Bumblethroat and Mousewhisker behind them. Since Bearpaw was Jaystar's own apprentice, the Clan deputy had offered to stand beside her. "Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Bearpaw from now on you will be known as Beargaze. StarClan honors your loyalty and kindness and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan. Badgerpaw from now on you will be known as Badgerleaf. StarClan honors your patience and your wisdom and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan," Jaystar rested her head on each of the apprentices' heads and felt them lick her shoulder. Then they stood close together as their Clanmates cheered for them.
"Beargaze, Badgerleaf. Beargaze, Badgerleaf."
Once the cheers died down, Jaystar raised her tail and the Clan fell silent, "Tonight, we lost two great warriors: Hazeltail and Featherfoot. Both cats will be honored for their love and their courage for no cats have had any purer blood," Jaystar glanced at Rustpaw, Hazeltail's apprentice, who had her head bowed. "Hazeltail had an apprentice and while we will always remember her, Rustpaw needs to be trained by another warrior." Jaystar turned and spotted the white pelt of Rustpaw's new mentor. "Ashgaze, you have not had an apprentice yet. You will mentor Rustpaw for the rest of her time as an apprentice."
Like Beargaze and Badgerleaf before, the Clan burst out into cheers, "Ashgaze, Rustpaw. Ashgaze, Rustpaw."
Jaystar looked at her Clanmates with pride, but suddenly her vision went black except for a lone cat standing in front of her. It was Jayfeather.
"Jaystar, the battle is done, but the war is far from over. When shadows gain control of light, forests will die and rocks will tumble killing many. And without planning the consequences, shadows will sink as the time of the Clans end."
Jaystar blinked and she was back in her camp. Jayfeather was gone, but his chilling prophecy remained in Jaystar's mind.
