Meadowlight's Tale

Chapter 6

The rest of the day I couldn't think straight, and as soon as the sun went down I went to bed. I was exhausted and worn out from everything, and part of me wished I could sleep for moons, but the other was eager to see what would happen next in my clan.
It was a bit crowded in the apprentice den, but there was still plenty of room for everyone. After all, SunClan had big dens and was used to large amounts of cats. However, Leappaw was not convinced of that.
"Move over!" He growled at Firepaw, shoving the younger apprentice.
"Calm down." The orange tom muttered angrily, only taking a step back.
"I would if you stopped kicking me in the night." The older pale orange apprentice replied. "No one can get any sleep around here anymore."
"You are the reason no one can sleep." Badgerpaw snorted at his brother.
"I don't even kick that much." Firepaw sighed and moved his nest over a little.
"Oh both of you shut up." Otterpaw grumbled. He had gone to sleep earlier because he had dawn patrol in the morning.
Leappaw muttered something else but then curled back up in his nest and shut his eyes.
I sighed and closed my eyes. It didn't take long for me to go to sleep, the walk around the old badger territory had made me tired.
As soon as my eyes closed, I was transported to another world. At first I was alone, then the stars filled the night sky above me.
"Hello?" I called out. My voice echoed off of something, but I wasn't sure what it was. Forest was all around me with a thick fog that covered the ground. Frogs' croaks filled the night air, and seemed to grow louder until suddenly a light gray cat appeared next to me, silencing the frogs and their croaks, and causing the fog to disappear.
"Follow." Frogclaw whispered. I was surprised to see him and stood there shocked. I had to run to catch up to him. We walked over to a rocky cliff that seemed so high I felt like I was among the moon and stars.
The silvery StarClan cat pointed over the rocky drop with his tail. When I looked off the cliff, at first I didn't know what I was looking at, but it wasn't long before I spotted the Four Trees.
"The clans?" I asked. He nodded, and then glowing lines lit up the borders, except there were four territories. And one line went all the way to the old badger territory, far west of SunClan camp.
"I don't understand." I told him.
"The badger territory is empty. There are big badger dens there, and you can turn their dens into a camp. That extra territory is your new clan."
"It takes up almost half of SunClan's land though?"
"Exactly. Wars will continue if the other clans are jealous, you know this all. A great war will come and many will loose their lives if this split does not happen before the next gathering. The fate of all the clans rests in your paws." He said.
"The gathering is the day after tomorrow! I can't split a clan in a day. And what about Otterpaw? Isn't he part of the prophecy too? I can't do this alone." I questioned.
"He doesn't have the heart for it, and his destiny is undecided. It is up to you Meadowpaw, but don't worry, you're not alone. StarClan is always watching and guiding you." Frogclaw's voice was in a reassuring tone, but I didn't feel comforted.
"Please, how do I break my clan in two in a single day?" I asked.
Without warning everything disappeared, leaving me awake in my nest, terrified and breathing heavily. His words echoed through my head, The fate of all the clans rests in your paws.
How can I do this before the gathering? I can't let StarClan down or else there will be a huge battle. I groaned, wishing another cat would have this impossible task instead of me. I stood up and carefully maneuvered my way around the others to the exit of the apprentice den. I stretched once I was out and padded to the middle of camp where the fresh kill pile was. I wasn't hungry, but if I needed to break the clan in half today, I would need all the energy I could get. I forced myself to eat a wood mouse on the edge of the pile.
Hazetooth and Mintheart were on guard at the entrance.
"What are you doing up at this time of night?" Mintheart padded up and asked me.
"Mintheart, there's something I have to tell you." I had to tell someone at some point. I looked over at Hazetooth, who was watching curiously. "And you too Hazetooth." Everyone would have to know eventually.
"What is it?" He asked, cocking his head slightly.
I told them everything, starting from the first dream I had on the night of Frogclaw's death, all the way to a few moments ago before I woke up.
"That really happened?" Hazetooth's jaw dropped by the end of my story. "I'm sorry for doubting, but it's so hard to believe and be sure."
"You can ask Deerblaze or Berryface, and even Otterpaw." I told him.
"So you want our help to split our clan in two?" Mintheart questioned and I nodded. "This is an almost impossible task, you know."
I sighed. "Yes I know, that's why I need help."
"First thing I think you need to do is tell the whole clan." Hazetooth said.
My head hurt at the thought of explaining to the whole clan that half of them needed to leave their loved ones and possibly fight them some day.
"He's right. If you want this to happen today, then you need to explain it all to our clan." Mintheart nodded.
It was a long wait for the sun to rise and for cats to wake up. The first few warriors emerged, followed by my brother and Spottedpaw for dawn patrol.
"What are you doing up so early? You don't have dawn patrol." He asked.
"I couldn't sleep." I shrugged, and didn't say anything else.
After a while everyone woke up, and the dawn patrol came back.
"Should I ask Fogstar to hold a clan meeting?" I questioned to Mintheart.
"It looks like she already is." He pointed with his tail.
I was shocked to see my silver leader jump onto the High Oak.
"May all cats old enough to catch their prey gather under the High Oak for a clan meeting." She declared.
Cats immediately began to gather around curiously, wondering what would happen. I stood next to Mintheart and Hazetooth among the crowd.
"Badgerpaw, Leappaw, Jumppaw, Otterpaw, and Meadowpaw step forward." My heart began to race as I figured out what she was doing.
"I, Fogstar, leader of SunClan, 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. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
In unison we all said,"I do."
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Badgerpaw, from this moment you will be known as Badgernose. StarClan honors your courage and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SunClan." She paused for a moment before she continued.
"Leappaw, from this moment you will be known as Leapbite. StarClan honors your dedication and determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SunClan.
"Jumppaw from this moment on you will be know as Jumpfur. StarClan honors your courage and bravery.
"Otterpaw, from this moment you will be known as Ottertuft. StarClan honors your initiative and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SunClan.
"Meadowpaw, from this moment you will be known as Meadowlight. StarClan honors your courage and kindness, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SunClan." Fogstar finally finished, and the whole clan cheered our new names.
"Badgernose! Leapbite! Jumpfur! Ottertuft! Meadowlight!" They chanted.
Warmth flooded me and I felt so happy. I was a warrior now, and I could do so many things. After moons of training I've finally done it! However, dread quickly replaced my happiness because I remembered what I still had to do.
I let out a sigh, and stepped forward. "Fogstar." My voice was loud enough to make the clan quiet down a little, and they all leaned into listen.
"What is it Meadowlight?" She asked curiously.
"I have an announcement to make." I glanced at Mintheart, and he nodded, giving me support. In that moment I silently begged StarClan for a sign to tell me I didn't have to do this, but nothing happened. Everyone still swatches me, wondering what I had to say. I swallowed and began what I wish I didn't have to say.