Striking Storms

Chapter 9

Thunderpaw's eyes opened wearily. She was surrounded by fog and mist, but she could make out a shadowy shape in the mist. "Stormstar?" she asked shakily. She rose to her paws, but her limbs were shaky and weary from the battle the day before. "Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me. I have come with prophecy." Stormstar meowed deeply. "A storm will rage deeply inside, and three will become two. Thunder, wind and lightning will come to an end, and mist will destroy the clans."

"What does that mean!" Thunderpaw wailed. "Are you talking about us? Please tell me!"

"You will find out in your own time, but for now, awake and see what awaits you." Stormstar meowed as he faded away into the fog.

Thunderpaw's eyes flashed open. She was back in the medicine den with Heronpaw, and his tail was wrapped around her. She grinned and licked his cheek. She rose to her paws and padded out into the sunlight. She looked around and saw that the camp was already in a buzz. "How late did we sleep!" she exclaimed. She spotted Windpaw padding up to her.

"Good, you're up. Fallenstar has called a meeting, go get Heronpaw." He said swiftly then darted away to the Great Willow.

Thunderpaw stepped back into the medicine den and shook Heronpaw gently. "Wake up, Fallenstar has called a meeting." she whispered.

Heronpaw yawned and nodded and stood up feebly. Thunderpaw darted to his side and braced him as they walked out to the Great Willow.

"Cats of Willowclan!" Fallenstar yowled from the Long Branch. "As most of you know, our Dawn Patrol yesterday was attacked by an Amberclan patrol!"

Yowls of disapproval and hatred were spat from the cats below.

"Thunderpaw and Heronpaw were on this patrol and they both fought bravely and fiercely, and I have decided to make them warriors in their turn."

Thunderpaw's heart nearly stopped. A warrior! What an honor! she thought. She glanced at Heronpaw who was equally excited.

"I, Fallenstar, leader of Willowclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these two apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warriors in their turn. Do you, Heronpaw and Thunderpaw, promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Fallenstar meowed.

"I do." Heronpaw meowed.

"I do." Thunderpaw meowed.

"Then by the powers of Starclan I give you you warrior names. Heronpaw, from this day forward, you shall be known as Heronflight. Starclan honors your swiftness and intelligence and we welcome you as a full warrior of Willowclan!"

"And Thunderpaw, from this day forward, you will be known as Thundersong. Starclan honors your fierceness, bravery, and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Willowclan!" Fallenstar yowled.

"Heronflight! Thundersong! Heronflight! Thundersong!" The surrounding cats cheered. Thundersong looked around and saw Windpaw and Bearnose cheering for her. If only Flowerpool was here to see this. she thought sadly. But wait, where's Lightningpaw? She glanced around looking for her sister, but instead her eyes met with Heronflight's. His eyes were gleaming happily and he bounded up and licked her cheek.

"We're warriors now!" he meowed excitedly.

Thundersong turned and licked Heronflight's ear. "But now everything's different. I.. I have to go find Lightningpaw."

He stepped back and nodded understandingly. Thundersong dipped her head gratefully then turned and darted out of camp.