The Darkest Moons (Warrior Cats)

48. Praise

     Echopaw squirmed in her nest. She had waited anxiously for the sun to set, and for her nerves to ease, yet she remained unsettled. She had spent the entire day worrying about why Cobweb would have to go with her without even telling him.  
     “You should probably get going,” Helen encouraged. “I’ll take care of Rosepetal and Redwing while you’re gone.” 
     “Feverfew for fever and marigold for Redwing’s wounds,” Echopaw mewed. 
     Helen nodded. “And if Redwing starts bleeding, use spider webs to stop it. It’ll be okay.” 
     Thank you StarClan for Helen. Echopaw pushed herself up and tried to swallow the lump in her throat. It graded against her and refused to budge. Her chest felt heavy. She pushed out into the open and searched for Cobweb, whom she found gazing at the stars. 
     “Come with me,” she begged. Cobweb jumped in his fur. 
     “Why?” 
     “I had a vision. You were with me at the Moonpool. I think you’re supposed to come. It’s not like the other medicine cats can see you if you don’t want them to.” 
     Cobweb blinked. “Okay,” he said dryly. “I don’t like having to face the others again, but if it’ll help you.” 
     Echopaw shook her head. “I’m almost afraid. But StarClan sent a vision you were touching your nose to the Moonpool.” 
     “Then let’s go.” Cobweb stood, and Echopaw took the lead. She nodded in acknowledgment to Yellowfoot, who guarded the entrance and visibly shuddered when Cobweb passed by. Echopaw shoved her concern aside. She had to focus on meeting with her ancestors.  

     The rocks shifted and clattered under Echopaw’s paws, driving her anxieties to the clouds. She hopped up to the flat top of the mountain and sighed in relief. Finchfeather and Frozenfoot were already sitting by the edge of the water, eyeing the stars. Finchfeather looked warmly at Echopaw. “I’m glad you’re here, and that your Clan is well. I dreamt of that battle.” 
     Echopaw settled by the edge and dipped her head. “We have one seriously injured warrior. We were lucky.” 
     “You also have a fevered queen?” Finchfeather asked. 
     “How did you know?” Echopaw retorted, eyes wide. 
     Finchfeather seemed amused. “StarClan shows me many things. I don’t believe Dustfoot is coming, but Shatteredpaw is.” 
     “She’s probably busy helping her Clanmates,” Cobweb muttered. 
     “What’s this battle you’re talking about?” A grumpy tom questioned, sitting. “Does this have to do with that last gathering?” 
     Echopaw felt small under Brokenbark’s glare. “WaterClan attacked my Clan during a meeting. We organized a battle in retaliation.” 
     “Rogues fought by WaterClan and FireClan fought by DarkClan,” Finchfeather explained. “There were two casualties. All sides were lucky. I believe WaterClan and their allies were trying to drive DarkClan out.” 
     Brokenbark’s pelt began to bristle. “I always knew Beetlestar was wretched. All of WaterClan is twisted,” he hissed. 
      “We are medicine cats. We must remain neutral,” Frozenfoot mumbled.  
     “Even when a Clan is being driven out? And when another is siding with rogues to do it?” Brokenbark spat.  
     “Hey!” A cheerful, sing-song voice rang. It was Whisperheart who rushed to the pool. “I’m glad I’m not the first one here.” 
     “We were just discussing the battle with WaterClan. I’m glad that all is well in FireClan,” Finchfeather purred. 
     Whisperheart bobbed her head up and down. “We were lucky. One of DarkClan’s apprentices came up with multiple great plans to help us gain the advantage.” 
     She’s talking about Palepaw. 
     “You’re Clan is blessed, Echopaw,” Whisperheart added. 
     Another, final cat joined them: Shatteredpaw of WaterClan. He separated himself from the others, sitting by the water and looking only at the rippled. 
     “Let’s begin,” Whisperheart trilled. 
     One by one, the medicine cats lapped up water. Echopaw hesitated, glancing at Cobweb. Terror glistened in his eyes as he padded closer and pressed his nose to the cold water, creating a ripple. Echopaw followed, taking a drink and then curling up. Can Cobweb even sleep? She wondered. She closed her eyes. Don’t worry about him. It’ll be fine. All will be fine. Slowly, the darkness fell over her, and she was cloaked in comfort. 
     When Echopaw opened her eyes, she was met with the beauty of StarClan’s eternal Greenleaf. A shocked gasp came from behind her, and she turned. The other medicine cats stood together, looking almost afraid. In the distance, Cobweb stood, amazed. Only Finchfeather remained calm. “StarClan has words for all of us,” she said. 
     “Echopaw,” a cat greeted. Echopaw’s heart skipped a beat, and she turned to meet Clearwhisker’s gaze. 
     “None of you have anything to fear. I simply wish to conduct an important ceremony,” the shimmering tom said. “Echopaw has gone on without a living mentor. She has endured much, and successfully taken care of her Clan. I wish to present her with her true name.” 
     Echopaw could not move. Her entire body had gone stiff. Shapes of cats shifted behind Clearwhisker. She could easily make out Tigerstripe and Fallenstar. Ashenkit and Emberkit were with them. Tigerkit was huddled against Shadesight’s side. Cats carrying the scents of other Clans watched from further away. 
     “Has a medicine cat ever been named like this?” Shatteredpaw blurted out. 
     “It’s a great honor,” Whisperheart whispered. 
     “Silence,” Brokenbark ordered. 
     Clearwhisker edged forward. “I trained you as best as I could. StarClan has looked down upon you, watching over you as you protected your Clan and studied the ways of a medicine cat. Do you promise to uphold the laws of a medicine cat? To stand apart from Clan rivalries and protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?” 
     Echopaw was stunned. She could barely speak. “I do,” She squeaked, trembling. 
     “Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your true name. Echopaw, from this day forward, you will be known as Echolight. StarClan honors your courage and determination, and welcomes you as a full medicine cat.”  
     Echolight relaxed when her mentor pressed his nose to her forehead, and she respectfully licked his shoulder. She listened as the other medicine cats began to chant her new name. She felt as though her chest would burst, her heart pounding. When Clearwhisker backed away, the chanting stopped. “All of you, disperse and speak with your ancestors.” 
     The other medicine cats were slow to leave. Whisperheart and Frozenfoot offered swift, yet loving, praise before moving on. Shatteredpaw and Brokenbark quickly left. Finchfeather was left, trotting towards Echolight.  
     “You have been a light in the dark to your Clan,” she purred, touching her nose to Echolight’s. “You will make a fine medicine cat. Clearwhisker and Webpaw have taught you well.” 
     “You-“ Echolight felt faint. How could this PlainClan cat know? 
     “Let’s call it a gift.” Finchfeather purred and swept away, leaving Echolight with Clearwhisker. 
     “Congratulations,” Cobweb said fondly. Echolight couldn’t keep herself from brushing against the spirit. 
     “I couldn’t have done it without you,” she said. “Thank you!” She whirled around. “Thank you Clearwhisker!” 
     Clearwhisker bowed his head. “It is an honor to have helped guide such a great medicine cat.” His gaze fell upon Cobweb. “Dapplefoot wishes to speak with you. It is urgent.” 
     “So that’s why I’m here,” Cobweb mumbled. “Very well.” With that, he stalked away, heading towards a familiar brown and black she-cat. 
     Echolight felt like she was made of foam, as though she would fall apart. “I- I never thought-“ 
     “I’m proud of you,” Clearwhisker confessed. “I felt as though I failed you when I died. I am glad to know that I was wrong.” 
     Echolight huddled against her mentor’s side. “Never! I- Wait until the Clan knows!” 
     “You’ve come a long way. I remember when you went out into the rain, and you were stuck in my den with a cold,” the StarClan cat reminisced.  
     “I stayed in your nest to keep warm. You treating me made me want to become your apprentice.” For the first time in what seemed like forever, Echolight was completely content. “Thank StarClan for kithood foolishness.” 
     Clearwhisker bobbed his head up and down. “DarkClan is blessed to have you. They need you.” 
     Echolight closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. Her Clan had won against the rogues, and she had earned her full name. “Thank you.” 
     “It is time for you to go,” Clearwhisker warned. “DarkClan will still struggle. There will always be hardships. Remember that, and push forward. Wake up.” 
  
     “Wake up! Come on!” 
     Echolight snapped awake and flailed, gasping. Cobweb was pushing her. “Come on. We have to go.” 
     “Why? What’s wrong?” Echolight questioned, jumping up. “The others are still asleep. I can’t just-“ 
     The frustration and sheer horror in Cobweb’s eye made Echolight go silent. “What’s wrong?” 
     “We have to get back to the Clan. They need you. Dapplefoot- I- We-“ Cobweb shook his head wildly. “Come on!” 
     The urgency and fear in his voice melted the grogginess that plagued Echolight, and she rushed to the edge of the mountain. She began clambering down the rocks, trembling. “We can’t run all the way.” 
     “Power walk!” Cobweb huffed.  
     When they reached the bottom, the two began to rush, walking and occasionally running. Echolight upped her speed once they crossed onto DarkClan territory. Please don’t let there be another battle! Is someone sick? What’s going on? 
     Soon, the camp was in sight. “Wait!” Cobweb called, and Echolight froze. 
     “Don’t we have to hurry?” She snapped, jittery. 
     Cobweb nudged her forehead with his nose. “I’m proud of you. I- I want you to know that. I want you to know that I’m proud of you, and that you’ve been like my own daughter.” 
     “Thank-“ 
     “Let’s go!” Once again, Cobweb was sprinting. Echolight followed, running as fast as she could to keep up. They rounded the camp and shoved through the tunnel. A commotion was found in the center of camp, Helen fussing at Shadowclaw.  
     “Stay out and don’t worry! Echopaw!” 
     “What’s going on?” Echolight questioned. 
     “Rosepetal is kitting! It’s not going well!” 
     Echolight’s heart skipped a beat. Images of Ashenkit and Emberkit’s tiny bodies flickered through her mind. “I- She-“ 
     “Snap out of it!” Cobweb yowled in her ear. 
     “Get a stiff twig!” Echolight gasped, hurtling past the she-cat and exploding into her den. Redwing was bent over Rosepetal, blood dripping from her wound, encouraging the queen. 
     “Push!” 
     “I can’t!” Rosepetal gasped. 
     “Get in your nest!” Echolight shouted. “You’re making your wound worse!” 
     “She needed help!” Redwing argued.  
     “Listen to me! Get in your nest!” Echolight squeezed into her stores. “There are no raspberry leaves!” 
     “Bite into this,” Helen ordered. “And push! Echopaw! She’s weak.” 
     Echolight backed out and looked frantically between the cats in the den. “Push her belly. Push the kits out that way!” Cobweb sneered. “Hurry!” 
     “Okay,” Echolight whispered. She rushed to Rosepetal’s side. Are births supposed to be this horrible? She pressed her paws against the queen’s belly and began feeling. She pushed, whimpering as Rosepetal cried out.  
     “Put all of your weight on it!” Cobweb growled. “Do it now! She’ll die! She’ll die if you don’t get them out!” 
     Echolight shrieked. “Okay!” She cried out, and she shoved all of her upper weight onto the cat’s belly, massaging the kits through. A small bundle emerged, and Helen snatched it up and cleaned it. Echolight caught a glimpse of its soft ginger fur. Next came a another kit with black fur, which Helen cleaned just as quickly. 
     “I’m proud of you,” Cobweb reminded, his voice more gentle as a third kit emerged, russet coat wet. 
     “One more,” he added. “You’ve done well.” 
     Echolight gave one more shove, and a fourth and final kit was born. Helen nipped the sac, licked its reddish fur clean, and slowly pushed each of the kittens to their mother’s belly. “I’ll get cobwebs for the bleeding,” she said. 
     Rosepetal dropped the stick, which was close to snapping, and laid her head on the moss and groaned. She’s exhausted. 
     Helen began to gently apply the cobwebs beneath Rosepetal’s tail. The queen’s breathing was slow, but her sides did not move faintly. She was strong. Thank you StarClan. 
     “Four kits! All small, but they’re strong!” Helen praised. “Three toms and a little she-kit. They’re going to be a few pawfuls. I’ll get Shadowclaw.” 
     “Congratulations,” Redwing said from her nest, voice laced with pain and longing. “They’re a great gift.” 
     Rosepetal hummed in response, exhausted. “I’ll give you some feverfew to help with your fever and some sorrel for strength,” Echolight said. She slipped into her stores and searched, carefully grabbing the herbs and laying them before the queen. Rosepetal lapped them up and chewed. 
     “Thank you,” she said tiredly. 
     “Rest,” Echolight ordered. Her adrenaline died slowly, and she took a deep breath. We made it in time to help her. Thank you StarClan. She glanced around the den, searching for Cobweb. He must have gone outside. “I need to get some air,” Echolight lied, then stepping outside. She glanced over the camp but found no signs of the ghostly cat. Is he in another den?  
     Anxious now, Echolight peeked into every individual den. The cat was nowhere to be found. Her heart began to race once again. She ran back to her den and peered inside. He’s not here? Where did he go? He wouldn’t leave without telling me! 
     Something clicked. All of Cobweb’s praise ran through her head as though she were hearing again. His claims of pride and loving her as a daughter, all only spoken once in a time in which they were rushed and frightened. 
     It was a goodbye. He’s gone.