Whisper

Chapter One

Warning: Contains spoilers for The Starless Clan series

Lightpaw shook with excitement as Sunbeam rapidly licked her. It was the day of their warrior ceremony! She, Sagepaw, and Whitepaw had passed their assessment yesterday. Lightpaw pulled free of her mother's tongue and looked outside. It was a rainy day, but nothing could make her cheery face twist into a frown.

"Am I ready?" She asked Rainpaw.

"Of course you are!" Rainpaw mewed. "Too bad I have to train a few more moons with Alderheart until I can have a medicine cat name."

"It's a shame Nightheart was called for the dawn patrol." Lightpaw glanced at the opening above the gorge, as if her father would appear.

"Don't worry, I'm sure he's very proud of you." Sagepaw trotted over.

"It will feel so weird after. We will be called different names. I might even call you Sagepaw." Whitepaw bounced over and batted Sagepaw's ear playfully.

A crash of thunder echoed in the distance.

"The only downside is we will have to sit in the rain and Nightheart not here. But at least we can sit in vigil together!"

Lightpaw stepped forward into the rain, but her mother's voice stopped her.

"Don't ruffle your fur, or else I will have to groom it again!"

"Fineeee.." Lightpaw groaned. "But when do we get to go outside?"

"When Squirrelstar calls for you."

Lightpaw obediently laid down and curled her tail around her nose. After waiting for what felt like a hundred sunrises, a yowl echoed from the highrock.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey come to the highrock for a clan meeting!"

Autumnpaw jumped to her paws.

"Come on guys, hurry!"

The apprentices scrambled out of their den and quickly gathered themselves at the base of the ancient rock. Squirrelstar sat on the top, patiently waiting for everyone to arrive. Suddenly, she stood.

"It's happening! Whitepaw whispered.

"This morning, we come together to honor cats who have shown exceptional bravery, wisdom, and skill. They have faced challenges head-on and proven their dedication to our clan. It is my honor to welcome them as new warriors of ThunderClan."

"Lightpaw, Sagepaw, and Whitepaw, step forward."

Lightpaw could feel Sunbeam...er.. beaming as she confidently stepped forward.

" I, Squirrelstar, leader of Thunderclan, 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 a warrior in their turn."

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

Whitepaw spoke confidently. "I do."

Sagepaw spoke more gently. "I do."

Lightpaw felt herself freeze as all eyes turned onto her. She steadied her breathing and looked Squirrelstar in her eyes. "I do."

"Then by the powers of , I give you your warrior names. Whitepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Whitestream. StarClan honors your courage and determination. Sagepaw, you will be known as Sageheart. Starclan honors your compassion and thoughtfulness." As Sageheart leaned in to lick Squirrelstar's shoulder, she trembled with excitement.

"And lastly, Lightpaw. From this moment on you will be called Light-"

A bolt of lightning interrupted Squirrelstar. It zig-zagged in the sky, and the cats had no time to scatter.

"Watch out!" Rainpaw yowled. Lightpaw tried to move, but it was too late. Agonizing pain hit her as hot as a searing flame and she blacked out, falling into a pit of eternal darkness.