Book One, Batpaw's Courage

Chapter Fifteen

"And I'm off!" exclaimed Emberstrike. Hawkpaw and Batpaw finished their hunting assessment and were onto their tracking assessment.

They were both in charge of tracking down Emberstrike. Ambermoon was in charge of watching and assessing.

They gave some time for Emberstrike to hide. After a few minutes, Ambermoon gave the signal for them to go off.

Hawkpaw and Batpaw raced off in the direction that Emberstrike went. After a while, his scent split off, Hawkpaw nodded to Batpaw and they split directions.

Batpaw went left. She raced through the bushes, checking her scent every time.

Soon, Emberstrike's scent branched off again. She darted to where it was, after a while, she saw Emberstrike.

She crouched down, careful not to let him see her. A fox-length away, she saw Hawkpaw also stalking him.

Batpaw sprung out from her place and pretended to lash her claws at him.

Emberstrike darted the other way towards Hawkpaw. Perfect. Batpaw thought to herself. Hawkpaw jumped onto him and brought him to the ground.

Batpaw held his head. "Very good." Emberstrike praised. "You'll both make fine warriors." he puffed, standing up and brushing off his fur.

Ambermoon padded out of the bushes. "I saw all of that. That was really impressive you two." she said. Ambermoon was panting hard.

"Ready for the next assessment?" she breathed. Both apprentices nodded their heads enthusiastically.

"Alright, let's go to the Sandy Hollow." instructed Ambermoon. They all padded to the Sandy Hollow.

"Okay, you two are going to be showing me all of your battle skills that you've learned." said Emberstrike once they all got there.

"You're allowed to use your claws, if one is being too violent, screech stop and I'll break apart the fight." Emberstrike went on, giving each apprentice a stern look.

"Once we've seen all your skills demonstrated, the battle will end." Emberstrike finished.

Batpaw and Hawkpaw nodded and dropped into a battle crouch. "Three..two..one.. FIGHT!" Exclaimed Ambermoon.

Batpaw and Hawkpaw leaped at eachother. Hawkpaw brought her down to the ground with his powerful forepaws.

Batpaw raked at his belly and Hawkpaw got off of her. They circled each other and Hawkpaw tried to pounce again but as he was, Batpaw raced along him, raking her claws lightly through his belly.

Hawkpaw landed not to far away and Batpaw spun around and pounced on him but she was a little too slow and Hawkpaw was able to turn around to catch her and latch onto her with his claws.

They rolled around on the ground for a few moments, clawing and biting at each other, when Hawkpaw hit Batpaw hard against her head and it send her flying across the Sandy Hollow.

She got up very quickly, shaking sand from her fur and rammed into Hawkpaw, he tried to catch Batpaw with his claws but she dodged every move.

They wrestled for a while, spraying sand everywhere, when after a few heartbeats, Emberstrike stopped the battle.

"You both did very well!" exclaimed Ambermoon, padding over to nuzzle them both.

"Thank you!" Batpaw struggled to keep herself up. With the battle wounds and the exhaustion from the other assessments, she didn't think she'd make it back!

Hawkpaw dipped his head. Batpaw went over to lick the spilling blood coming from his side.

***

They were both curled up in their nests. Tonight was the Gathering but both Hawkpaw and Batpaw were way too tired.

They both were very eager to know if they passed their assessment or not, but their mentors had to talk to the leader first.

They both had visited Cherryfur and Pumpkinseed. Pumpkinseed had earned her medicine cat name last half-moon.

Cherryfur and Pumpkinseed both treated them. Batpaw told them about the assessments. "I hope we pass!" she had exclaimed.

Batpaw noticed that Hawkpaw had fallen asleep. She sighed and drifted off into a deep slumber. Batpaw jolted awake to Ambermoon pawing her and Hawkpaw awake. "You're going to be warriors," she announced warmly. Batpaw sprung out of her nest and went to Hawkpaw to nose him out of his nest.

"Come on Hawkpaw! We're going to be warriors!" Batpaw exclaimed. "I'm up!" Hawkpaw grumbled and got up to stretch his legs.

They both padded past Ambermoon and out to the gathering Clan. Batpaw quickly tidied herself and when she was done she saw Rustedkit, Whitekit, Willowkit and Duskkit all sitting neatly with Swiftbreeze looking lovingly down at them.

Batpaw assumed they were becoming apprentices. Acornstar was already sitting patiently on the Highrock.

Batpaw settled down next to Hawkpaw. Shadowheart looked over at her giving her a menacing glance.

Shadowheart was about to go over and say something to her when Ambermoon stepped in between them. Ambermoon glared at him and he snarled and padded away to sit by Crowflight.

"We have much to announce! But first, two apprentices have passed their warrior assessments." Acornstar announced.

Batpaw looked over to Hawkpaw. "Would Batpaw and Hawkpaw please step forward." Acornstar beckoned them.

Hawkpaw gave her a warm look, she returned it. They both padded forward.

Acornstar jumped down to face them both. "I, Acornstar of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these two apprentices as they become warriors."

Acornstar turned to Hawkpaw. "Hawkpaw, Batpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend this Clan even at the cost of your own life?" he asked.

Hawkpaw dipped his head. "I do." Batpaw also dipped her head. "I do, Acornstar." Acornstar shifted. "Then by the honor of StarClan, I give you your warrior names."

"Hawkpaw from this day forward you will now be known as Hawkflight, StarClan honors your courage and willingness and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." 

Acornstar looked warmly at Batpaw. "Batpaw, from this day forward, you will now be known as Bat-" Acornstar was cut off by Batpaw. "Sorry Acornstar, but I have something to say." Batpaw felt embarrassed at all the shocked gasps and murmurs.

Batpaw looked at Shadowheart. "My father and I have been through some pretty.. rough times." She looked down. "But I still love him. That's why I want my warrior name to be Batheart." Batpaw finished.

Acornstar nodded to her, not looking annoyed at all. "Then Batpaw, from this day forward you will now be known as Batheart. StarClan honors your endurance and skill and welcome you as a full warrior."

The whole clearing was silent for a moment, she looked at Shadowheart, he gave her a very quick warm glance, then looked away.

"Batheart! Hawkflight! Batheart! Hawkflight!" she spotted Sweetwish and Frogleap calling their names, the whole Clan very quickly joined in.

I'm finally a warrior! Batheart! Yes!!