Chapter 15: The Next Generation

To say Foamkit was growing over time would be incorrect. She was not growing with time. Instead, her growth seemed to correlate with her having experiences. I hadn't noticed due to my stress, but after taking her to see my previous kits and having so many interactions to shape her world view, she looked a moon older than she should have been. Her personality was beginning to surface as well.

Foamkit was a slightly sassy kit. She knew we were all close knit, so she liked to tease us whenever possible. Despite her sassiness, she also went out of her way to make sure no cat in camp felt lonely. This largely meant she hung around Splitpelt and Snowtuft given Splitpelt was used to being lonely and Snowtuft still felt like an outsider despite my faith in him. I could feel these experiences aging her because she was already nearing apprentice age. We'd only had her for a guess of three moons. Even though Splitpelt and Frecklewish would be magnificent mentors, I knew I had to give her to Snowtuft. He needed the show of faith. I'd also grant Foamkit powers when she becomes apprenticed so Snowtuft can better learn the range of what the powers could cover.

We'd need more recruits soon, but it was time for me to give an address to our clan. I padded out onto my boulder. I let my powers radiate a glow as I took the head position.

"Let us who walk beneath our own stars gather for a meeting!"

I was trying new ways to call the clan together. I was sure we'd formalize it later, but our group is still young, so we can afford to change things up from time to time. Soon my clan gathered beneath the boulder.

"I call you all here today for joyous news. Foamkit is now experienced enough to become an apprentice. I say experienced because age does not matter here. All of you have my hard-earned trust. I'd willingly put my fate in any of your paws, but sadly I can only choose one mentor for my kit. I can only think of one cat who made such a large leap of faith, who was willing to trust total strangers to guide him to a better life, who decided to undergo his own challenge by becoming a master of a field of only his own. I trust you Snowtuft to teach my daughter what it means to be a warrior and member of the Unseen Stars. You may be the newest member, but you've proven yourself a cat of outstanding character and judgement. I hope you can pass on these traits to your apprentice Foampaw."

Snowtuft looked up at me with a mixture of confusion and joy at being selected. Splitpelt and Frecklewish chanted their names. I was not quite finished with my address.

"Now, because powers are still new to us, I grant Foampaw the powers of a generalist, but I also grant Snowtuft the power of limiting her."

I manifested one large white orb that drifted towards the two cats. Just before it reached them, it split into two with one being absorbed into Foampaw and the other into Snowtuft.

"Snowtuft. I leave it to your discretion on how and when to limit Foampaw. When Foampaw is ready to become a warrior, I'll give her the same choice I gave you. I see great things coming from you two in the future."

With that I leapt down closing the meeting. Snowtuft, excited at having his own apprentice, guided Foampaw off to the hunting grounds to begin teaching. Splitpelt and Frecklewish approached me.

"Its so nice to see Foampaw growing up, but why did you choose Snowtuft?" Asked Frecklewish.

I gave Frecklewish a soft smile before responding, "Our group is still in its infancy, and I need you two free to help me guide it. Snowtuft also needed a bit more proof that we trust him. With being trusted with my daughter, I imagine his loyalty in our group has grown. I promise I'll make you a mentor when things are more stable, but there's still so much to learn and do."

Splitpelt decided to give his opinion, "The camp's going to be awful quiet without her chatter and questions. Who knows when we'll get a kit here again."

I gave a nod. Splitpelt accidently led the conversation right where I wanted to head.

"Right. Speaking of kits and the quiet camp, I think it's time we did some more recruiting. I think another two cats or kits would be about right."

Frecklewish and Splitpelt gave me nods of confirmation. They felt ready to add new members as well. Before we left camp, I briefly ducked into the hunting grounds to let Snowtuft know where we were going. I didn't want him out of the loop. Then, with the two other founders, we set off. I began scouting with my cloud theory sight, which I will term "Searching" for all future references. There were no promising shades in the area. My Searching was much more keen after I discovered I could divine aspects of the soul without being present. Then I found something with potential. There were a lot of echoes in close proximity to each other. Their aspects weren't too negative as well. I led the group to the echoes.

"Mapleshade? Why are you showing us echoes?" Asked Splitpelt.

"I can feel these echoes. They all aren't horrible in terms of base. If amalgamations occur naturally, who's to say I can't expediate the creation of one. With my presence and oversight, the amalgamation will be much more stable and likely younger due to my ability to remove negative aspects of it."

Frecklewish looked up to me in awe and a little bit of worship as I began. I pulled the echoes together, shredding aspects that may cause the amalgamation to go feral and weaving together the faint memories to give the potential cat a blank slate and a personality. Apparently I shredded more than I thought because the created cat looked to be only seven moons old. Then looked distinctly Thunderclan with their broad build and powerful back legs made for climbing. Some other clan aspects snuck in. Their pelt looked sleek and oily like a Riverclan cat. Their eyes opened and they saw us.

"Who are you? Who am I?" The created cat asked. Their fur settled on yellow and tabby.

"We are the Unseen Stars. Right now we are all in the Darkforest. You yourself are a combination of many cats' memories, but you are distinctly unique. We sped up your birth here and ask if you wish to join us. We offer safety and family while you get used to this land."

The newborn cat looked up at us semi warily till their eyes locked on Frecklewish. Something must have clicked as they suddenly weren't as defensive.

"Mommy." The young cat whispered.

Frecklewish looked taken aback at that. She was no mother. I gave her a gentle shove.

"I know you aren't their mother. Maybe this could be your chance to be one. Let them know the truth but play the mother they need if you are willing."

Frecklewish slowly approached the young cat.

"Hello little one. I'm not your mother, but I can be. I'm willing to raise you among us if you are willing. Would you like to come with us to someplace safe?"

Shyly the newly created cat nodded. As we headed back, I noted their distinct lack of gender traits. Softly I scowled to myself thinking I'd messed up. That was until Frecklewish let me know they didn't want a gender. Her newfound mother instincts clued her in as she made small talk with the cat. Those two decided the new cat's name would be Sunpaw for their golden coat. I suddenly had the need to ponder if gender even had a role up here in the afterlife. Any two things could have children together even if they were the same gender, with the assistance of a powered cat like myself. Such thoughts were fun distractions. Unfortunately, there weren't any other nearby sources of a potential ally, so the one cat would have to do for now.