Chapter Twenty One
Echopaw crept towards a dove, nervousness was stabbing at her paws. It was the day of her warrior assessment and catching this single piece of prey would decide whether she became a warrior or not. As soon as she was close enough, she leapt onto it, killing it with a strong blow to it's neck. Yes! Echopaw looked up, the dove was clamped in her jaws. I appreciate everything Darkclaw taught me, but he was trying to munipulate me into something much darker, I know it. "Well done Echopaw, I think you're ready to become a warrior," Dappleleaf jumped out of the bushes she was hiding in. "Really?" Echopaw exclaimed excitedly.
She dipped her head, "More than ready."
Excitement fizzed at Echopaw's paws the whole way back to camp, she had achieved what she had been dreaming ever since she was a kit! "Did you pass?" her mother, Mistyshine bounded up to her.
"Yes!" Echopaw exclaimed.
Mistyshine rubbed her muzzle against hers, "I'm so proud of you," she purred.
"I can tell that you passed," Pricklenose's voice sounded from in front of them, "don't worry, there's still an empty spot next to my nest."
"Well i'd sure hope so!" Echopaw purred.
"Let all cats gather beneath the highledge!" Mudstar's yowl rang loudly throughout the camp.
It's time! Echopaw felt her mother flatten her pelt with a few licks quickly. Once she'd finished, she padded over to sit at the foot of the highledge, next to Berrypaw. "I'm surprise you passed," Berrypaw snorted.
Yes Berrypaw, I passed! Mudstar looked down at his kits, his amber eyes were shining with pride. "I, Mudstar call upon my warrior ancestors to look down onto these two apprentices, they have trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code and I gift them with their warrior names in return," he started, "Berrypaw, Echopaw do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your clan even at the cost of your lives?"
"I do!" Echopaw exclaimed excitedly.
"I do!" Berrypaw agreed.
"Berrypaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Berryfoot, StarClan honours your bravery and strength and welcomes you as a full warrior of ThunderClan," Mudstar meowed, "and Echopaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Echoshine, StarClan honours your determination to cope with hardships and loyalty and welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
Echoshine, I like that name. "Berryfoot! Echoshine! Berryfoot! Echoshine!" Echoshine raised her tail in pride as the clan cheered for her and her brother. It's going to be a long night, sitting vigil.
And finally Echopaw, no Echoshine is a warrior! I decided that name was right. As usual, please review, I enjoy reading them!