Nightfrost's Choice

Chapter 17

Fernstar looked down on her clan from High Boulder, her eyes blazing. "Nightpaw," She meowed. "Dewpaw, Firepaw, please come here."

Nightpaw gulped, climbing up after her leader. "Are we in trouble?" She asked, scared that Fernstar would punish her and her brother for sneaking out of camp.

Fernstar shook her head. "No, Nightpaw." She meowed with a warm smile. Her black pelt was blood stained, and she stood weakly on top of her den. She leaned in close to Nightpaw. "I have lost my fifth life today." She whispered in her ear.

Nightpaw looked surprised. "Really?" She asked, scared. "What will happen when you lose your last?"

"My deputy will become leader, obviously." Fernstar said, amused. Was she not troubled? "Well, all cats old enough to catch their own prey, please gather here."

Every cat gathered in the clearing, even the kits though they could not catch their own prey like Fernstar had said. She proudly stood on her den. "Today," she meowed, "Three brave apprentices put their lives to risk to save two ValleyClan kits, and those three apprentices have also risked their lives to save ValleyClan territory as well, though one does nopt actually come from here."

Nightpaw's eyes widened, and she looked at her leader.

She raised her voice and began: "I, Fernstar, leader of ValleyClan, call upon to look down on these three apprentices. Nightpaw, Dewpaw and Firepaw had trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to be a warrior in their turns."

Nightpaw looked astonished as Fernstar spoke. Was this really happening? It was! Fernstar was making her a warrior! At last, something good was happening to her! For once in her life, Nightpaw seemed to forget about the prophecy
of darkness as Fernstar continued to talk.

"First, Nightpaw," she meowed, "Do you promise to uphold the code and protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your own life?"

Nightpaw knew these words clearly. "I do."

"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name! You shall now be called Nightfall. I give you your warrior name for your loyalty, persistence, and fierce determination. Remember, Moonshadow lives within you!" Fernstar's last words made a pang course through Nightfall's heart.

Nightfall's heart almost skipped beats, but it almost stopped when she did not hear her clanmates call out her name. But, then her father began to chant her newly given name, and in a matter of seconds, the whole clan joined along. He felt proud and happy and could burst with joy! If only Moonshadow were here...

Oh but I am watching you! Moonshadow meowed. I'm so proud of you! I knew you'd become a warrior, Nightfall!
Her voice in her head felt comforting.

Now, it was Dewpaw's turn. The same ceremony that Nightfall recieved happened to her, and she was named Dewfur for her ferocious fighting spirit and amazing strength and quick thinking. Of course, her mentor approved of her training being done, so when the chanting died down Graypaw nervously stood up.

"Now, Firepaw," Fernstar meowed, landing her soft green gaze on the apprentice. He seemed to shrink back. "Today, you've done everything you could for my clan. You've given your life to it and it's kits... Ripplefur and Starlingtail thank you."

"And that I do," Ripplefur meowed.

Silverkit beamed up to him, and Squirrelkit stood less enthusiastically, but happily, probably because of the earlier blow to the head he recieved.

"No," Firepaw meowed. "I did what was right. I've been with the enemy clan before, and you can't name me warrior unless I am part of ValleyClan."

"Then join us," Fernstar meowed simply. "Or be clanless. My generous offer will not wait. I am ready to name you a warrior when you are."

Firepaw dipped his head. "Thank you, Fernstar." He meowed, with his whole heart. "I will be a ValleyClan warrior and serve you wholeheartedly." He meowed with all his heart and truth.

"Good." Fernstar smiled. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I, Fernstar, give you your warrior name! You will now be known as Fireheart, for letting your heart guide your actions in your moment of truth. Your heart is big, and your mind knows what is sright. You come from a clan where things seem to be peaceful, but faces internal turmoil and conflict. You proved yourself worthy today. ValleyClan accepts you as a full warrior of our clan." She dipped her head to him.

"Thank you for the name." Fireheart murmured. "It's nice."

"Fireheart! Fire heart!" The clan chanted, but some did not. Obviously it was the middle aged warriors, who thought that Fireheart was untrustworthy and othougth they could be better warriors. Nightfall scowled and twined herself around her friend.

"Good job." She purred. "We can finally be friends!"

Fireheart blushed, twitching his ear. "We always were, Nightfall."

"I know." Nightfall whispered, pushing her nose in his fur. Fireheart nodded. His brown eyes searched Nightfall.

"Thank you." He murmured, and Nightfall dipped her head to the older warrior. Her paws tingled with excitement as she forced it down just as her clanmates wound around her, congratulating her.

As they sat vigil that night, Nightfall tipped her head to the sky and only a single thought struck her mind.

Oh Moonshadow..I'm finally a warrior.