CHAPTER 34-To Be A Warrior

The buttery yellow sunshine melted warmly onto my back. I batted the dirty, soiled old ball of moss between my paws, and after finding a suitable place, buried it underneath the snow.

I scanned the quiet white woods.

Cleaning out the elder's den sure took a long time. And where was I supposed to find new moss in all this snow?

I dug my nose underneath the white blanket and sniffed around the tree trunks until I managed to find a few scraps of the soft green material.

I suddenly heard a meow of surprise further away and lifted my head, startled. Streampaw, the younger apprentice who had accompanied me, bounded forward.

"Ashley!" she shouted in excitement. "The Lake froze overnight! Come and see, it's so beautiful!"

I stared after her as she scrambled away, and smiled softly to myself. Well, I guess the moss-collecting could wait.

I hurried after her, past the winding trees and undergrowth, the cold wind whistling in my ears. Snow flew up from underneath my paws. The glimmer of the lake shone above the tree tops, and I halted at the edge of the bank.

My eyes widened in awe. The Lake was completely frozen over, with not a speck of blue anywhere. Instead, it was smooth and pale grey like a large mirror. The sun reflected off of it and made it glitter like stars. I leaned forward and gazed at my reflection. A wide-eyed ebony cat stared back at me, her brown eyes shining like dark amber and her pelt as jet-black as midnight.

I heard a shout of joy farther away, and looked up to see Petalpaw and Grasspaw, Streampaw's sisters, glide smoothly over the ice.

"Woooooo!" Grasspaw exclaimed, her paws gracefully sliding across the smooth surface like a swan. Petalpaw scrabbled awkwardly behind her, trying to stand up without success. Her paws gave way from underneath her and she fell, sprawling across the Lake. I laughed softly.

Streampaw launched herself after them. "Come on, Ashley!" she called, giggling. "Join us!"

I placed a paw on the ice. The sharp jolt of frost snapped me back, and I was surprised at how freezing cold it was. Meanwhile, the apprentices slid back and forth, laughing, trying to race each other to the opposite bank.

I tipped my head to one side. There was something deep and old inside me, something murky that talked with a voice I could not hear. Was this... instinct? It was urging me not to go. I furrowed my brow.

Something whispered, and I glanced down in surprise. The Lake seemed to be talking.

Deep down and slowly, the ice groaned.

My eyes flew open wide, and I was quickly reminded of Flametail. I called, "Hey! Get out of there now!"

The apprentices slid to a stop, gazing at me with large eyes. All of a sudden, the ice roared. The Lake shattered into a million pieces like a giant mirror. Black water gushed out from underneath like blood from broken skin, and Petalpaw let out a surprised squeak right before she was sucked under. I stood frozen to the spot, unable to move. She was quickly dragged underneath the surface as if she was drawn in by a vacuum.

Thin ice floes floated everywhere like miniature boats, and luckily, Grasspaw and Streampaw had managed to latch onto one. They bobbed up and down with the startled waves.

Grasspaw stared at me, her ears laid flat against her head, her eyes so big that I could see the whites of them. She wailed, "Help! Petalpaw is drowning!"

I immediately snapped out of the trance and stared at the scene with shock. My fur bristled. Where was Petalpaw? I scanned the water, but there were no bubbles, no flailing limbs, as if she had never been there.

Streampaw wailed desperately. I scrambled to my paws, looking back and forth, panicking.

"Uh—ah—hang on! I'll go get help!" I turned to go, but a voice whispered in my mind, There's no time.

I looked back and gulped. Grasspaw and Streampaw were clinging to the ice floe, so they would be safe for now. But Petalpaw...

Determination flared up inside me as I bounded back towards the Lake. This was my Clan, and it was my duty to protect it!

I leaped forward into the sea, and gasped at how cold it was. It was even colder than the moon, colder than winter itself. I paddled my paws furiously, but I felt myself sinking. The raw fear gnawed at me again, raging inside me like a crazed animal.

Bubbles bloomed up around me. The daylight disappeared in an instant as I was plunged into the freezing black depths. Panic and fear coiled around my heart.

I moved my paws awkwardly as if I was trying to climb a staircase. My eyes were wide. I can't swim...

My lungs were beginning to protest. Up! Go up! And still, I sank.

I spotted the murky form of Petalpaw a little farther away, still and quiet. She was sinking just like me. I struggled furiously, but my limbs were already beginning to grow numb.

I shivered under the water. The bubbles swam and circled me like fish, reminding me of the need for air. My lungs crackled. The water seemed to be talking to me, for it muttered and whispered in my ears with a loud and heavy voice, murmuring deep down into my soul. My vision grew dim. Petalpaw stared at me with a blank expression, her eyes pale and not seeing.

I'm sorry I couldn't save you...

Just as my strength began to fail me, I thought of Snowstorm. What would he say when he realized that I was gone? And the prophecy...

That's right...I was a ThunderClan cat now. I had to protect my Clanmates no matter what...My brain began to shut down and my thoughts became as brown and jumbled as mud.

I clenched my teeth, and using the last of my strength, swam towards the still form of Petalpaw. It wasn't exactly swimming; it was more like wallowing around, wiggling and pulling myself through the deep water like a worm. I managed to make it towards the unconscious apprentice and grasped her scruff in my jaws. She made no movement, and when I looked at her, her eyes were closed.

I began to climb upwards. My lungs were screaming in protest, and white lights danced in my eyes. I felt light-headed.

There was nothing below me except for the dark blue depths, and the cold pale spot of sunlight above was urging me to hurry upwards.

Almost there...

I scrambled frantically up, my paws running like a blur. My lungs were going to burst...I couldn't hold it in any longer!

I opened my mouth, the tiny bubbles swimming in front of my face, and all of a sudden, I breathed in air.

My head broke the surface of the water and I paddled around frantically, trying to keep afloat. The rays of sun greeted me and I was too numb to feel anything. There was a chunk of ice drifting right next to me and I pulled Petalpaw onto it. I wheezed and tried to climb on after her.

I couldn't...do it. I didn't have any more strength left. The water began to suck me in once more.

"Hold on! I'm coming!" a stern voice shouted. I felt someone grasp my scruff firmly, and I weakly twisted around to see Dewstep staring at me. Berrynose was right behind him.

I let him carry me back to shore, feeling his legs glide swiftly over the black waves.

Berrynose, Squirrelflight, and Bramblestar guided the other apprentices behind us.

When I was back on solid land again, I sputtered and coughed up mouthfuls of water. My sides heaved, and my fur was plastered wet against my skin. The cold wind made me shiver.

Petalpaw was lying next to me, and my heart immediately sank. She looked so small, so cold...

All of a sudden, she sputtered and gagged, and her eyes flew open. She hacked up water, and I was relieved that she was still alive.

"Ashley!"

Snowstorm pushed his way through the crowd and sniffed me. He and his brother licked my fur the wrong way to dry me quicker, and I was still trembling from the near-death experience by the time they were done.

Jayfeather nosed me and asked, "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head. The feeling slowly came back to my limbs and I was no longer numb.

Snowstorm licked my forehead. His eyes were shining.

He breathed, "You're a hero."

Startled, I asked, "Me?" My heart pounded faster.

Dovewing nudged my cheek and purred, "Of course! You saved my kits."

She turned to look at Bramblestar. "I think Ashley should be awarded for her bravery."

The ThunderClan leader gazed at me, thoughtful. "Yes," he said slowly. "For risking her life to save the apprentices and for her bravery, I think she shall have her warrior ceremony."

My eyes widened. My...warrior ceremony? I was going to be a warrior?

Dewstep chuckled, "Why do you have that weird look on your face? Your naming ceremony was long overdue."

I smiled, a real smile, one that lifted the corners of my mouth until it beamed true happiness. "Thank you, Bramblestar!" I cried.

The leader grinned softly down at me. "You've had to train for far longer than any other apprentice. Your hunting and fighting skills do need some more work, but I don't think you should wait any longer. You've proven yourself to the Clan today that you are more than capable of being a loyal warrior."

The Clan congratulated me and shouted my name, and I ducked my head in embarrassment from all of the attention.

Snowstorm stood up and beckoned me. "Well, let's get going."

I looked up at him from where I was lying down. "Um, there's a small problem...I can't move." I tried to stand up, but my legs wouldn't obey me. They were still shaking a little.

"That's fine," he replied, and was more than happy to carry me on his back.

OoOOoOoOOooOoooooooooooOOoOOOOoOoOoOOoOOoO

"I, Bramblestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn," Bramblestar announced. His loud voice echoed around the clearing.

My Clanmates gazed at me softly. My stomach fluttered.

"Ashley, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend the Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Snowstorm was gazing at me brightly, his eyes sparkling with pride and happiness. Dewstep sat next to him with his tail around his paws, and he gave me a small nod.

I lifted my head, and when I spoke, my voice trembled a little. "I do."

It came out as a squeak, and I blushed.

Bramblestar continued, "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Ashley, from this moment you will be known as Shadefrost. StarClan honors your courage and dedication and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

"Shadefrost! Shadefrost!" Their voices rang out like a song.

I felt dizzy for a moment, and steadied myself. After the leader carefully lifted me off of the Highledge, Snowstorm purred and licked my ear. Dewstep grinned, and I felt like I was on cloud nine instead of in the clearing.

OoOoooOoOOooooOoooooOooOoOooooooooooooooOOOO

Later that night.

Snowstorm's POV

The moon cast its welcoming glow over the landscape. I quietly padded over to the gorse tunnel, where Ashley was having her silent vigil. Her name was Shadefrost now, although I would have trouble adjusting to that name. I had called her Ashley all this time, and it seemed wrong to just forget about it so easily. She blinked when I sat down next to her, and acknowledged me with a nod of her head.

I looked up at the sky. "It sure is pretty, isn't it?"

Shadefrost followed my gaze. The stars were reflected in her eyes.

Since it was a vigil, she wasn't allowed to talk. I closed my eyes and listened to the silence. I ran my thoughts over the land. Somewhere, a long time ago, I knew there were poppies bobbing up and down in the breeze, crickets that chirped their never-ending tune, and dandelions that rubbed off yellow on your chin if you were in love. There were shooting stars in that place, a long time ago.

As I was wrapped in my thoughts, I glanced over at Shadefrost. Her short form was silhouetted against the night, a black shadow reflected against a black sky.

It felt nice, to just sit there and watch the sky, to feel her presence with mine. My ears twitched, and I was suddenly jostled by the fact of one thing.

Shadefrost was purring.