Cloverpaw's Shadow

Chapter 23

"I, Jaystar, leader of Shadowclan, 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 warriors in their turn."

Cloverpaw shifted excitedly as Jaystar continued.

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

She could feel the anticipation of Starlingpaw next to her as he responded, "I do."

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Starlingpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Starlingclaw. Starclan honors your spirit and your dedication, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Shadowclan."

Jaystar rested his muzzle on Starlingclaw's head. He respectfully licked his leader's shoulder and stepped back. Jaystar cleared his throat and moved on with Cloverpaw's  ceremony.

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

Cloverpaw didn't waver as she said, "I do."

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Cloverpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Cloverheart. Starclan honors your bravery and your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Shadowclan." 

Cloverheart licked Jaystar's shoulder as the cats gathered around the clearing called out, "Starlingclaw! Cloverheart!"

"Well," Starlingclaw mewed behind her. She turned around and could feel the excitement and pride radiating off of her friend. "How do you feel about that, Cloverheart?"

Cloverheart grinned uncontrollably. "I feel amazing!" she said. "I never thought the day would come."

She had been an apprentice for almost seventeen moons now, and was long overdue for her warriors name. Finally, she had gotten what she had only dreamed about.

"You two should get some sleep before your vigil." Cedarstripe remarked as he trotted over to them. "You have a long night ahead of you!"

Starlingclaw groaned. But Cloverheart was so happy, she could care less about sitting out in the clearing for the entire night.

Amazing how much has happened, she reflected as they walked together toward the warriors den. To think it all started with Finchstar!

She was actually grateful to her former leader, for without him, she never would have met Jaystar, or Cedarstripe, or Starlingclaw. These joyful thoughts filled her head as she twined her tail with Starlingclaw's and they vanished into the shadows.

I have a lot to say, so if you don't want to read it, thats fine.

But if you do, here it is!

This chapter is shorter than usual, but the last chapter was longer than usual so that should make up for it.

I want you to comment your favorite part of this book!

Personally, my favorite part is this chapter, because I get to see my little Cloverpaw become Cloverheart!

I had so much fun writing this, and I just want to thank all of you out there who will read this and think I am a semi-good author. And for all the people who asked to borrow my computer to read the story because they didn't have accounts. Those people know I'm talking to them.

Now you might be wondering what's going on. You're probably like, Flame, why are you being so heartfelt with your author's note?

Its because, I'm sad to say, this is the last chapter in the book. The end. Over.

I know you are going to get mad at me, probably hate me(thats mostly for you, Jellybean) but don't go plotting my death just yet! (plus, if you kill me you won't have any more stories!)

I mentioned before that there will be more books, so chill out before you blow up. I am hoping for AT LEAST three, but I'm thinking more like six or seven. So yay!

I just have to, like, write them...

I decided her warrior ceremony would be a good place to end the book. I already have the plotline of the next book planned and *might* go straight there after I'm done.

Some fun facts: I actually started this story when I was eleven years old. I started writing it down on paper(I found my original copy from that time and it was really bad) but then gave up. Then when I was twelve I decided to start again, but didn't write anything down. Just made it up in my head. And then I found Wattpad and its all history from there.

When I started this at eleven, Cloverheart was going to be named Cloverpatch. There was a whole other prophecy too, one I forgot. Think I got this one drilled in my head though.

Also, when I first made Starlingpaw, and was thinking of his warrior name, he was going to be called Starlingshadow. But then I'm like, thats going to kill my fingers to type that all the time. So I changed it to Starlingclaw. It also fits with the latest warning Cloverheart received, ...every bird has its claws....

And I was going say every starling has its claws, but you can see the problem there...

I'm not done with Poolfrost or Firefang either. (There is a reason I listed them together) Or Gramps. Remember him? He's not done with Cloverheart.

Every character that has had a point of view chapter is important. Cloverheart, Finchstar, Firefang, Poolfrost, Sparrowpaw, Starlingclaw, etc.

I think I am going to need to wrap this up soon. Its already longer than the chapter itself, but I just have so much to say.

Once again, thank you all so much for your support. And Jellybean, its okay, I'm not doing this just for you. Although it is fun to see your reaction...

Anyways. I can't wait to finish this up and get going on the next book! Love you all.

-Flame