Forest in Shadows (Book One of the Prophecy of Darkness Series)

Chapter 5

********A few moons later**************************************************

"Brokenshadow!" Strikestorm called to me. "Come with me." 

"I have to train Featherpaw," I replied. "I'll meet you afterwards. It's her final assessment."

"Oh, OK. I should give Bramblepaw his assessment too." He meowed back.

I padded into the forest with Featherpaw. "OK, Featherpaw. It's time for your final assessment. You have to fight a mock battle with Briarpaw, catch 10 pieces of fresh-kill, and track Bramblepaw." I told her. "First you will hunt."

"O-Ok Brokenshadow, " She meowed back. She stalked into the forest. As soon as she left, I heard a cat stalking behind me.

"Brokenshadow," Tigerstar meowed. "Blackfoot is dead. He was jumped on by some ThunderClan warriors. I'm going to make you deputy."

"Oh.... Thanks Tigerstar! I promise I will do my duty well." I replied.

"You may become leader sooner than you think. I only have 4 lives left." he told me, and then stalked back into the forest. A few moments after he left, Featherpaw came back carrying the 10 pieces of fresh-kill she caught.

"Brokenshadow! I did it!" she meowed excitedly.

"OK, now you have to fight that battle with Briarpaw. Remember, we fight with claws unsheathed in ShadowClan." 

"OK, Brokenshadow!" she meowed. We turned and padded into the clearing. Briarpaw was there waiting. So was Tigerstar. He dipped his head at me and then turned to the apprentices.

"We are trying something different in ShadowClan. We are fighting to the death, and only one apprentice can live." he meowed. "It proves that only the strongest warriors survive in ShadowClan."

"Brokenshadow? Did you know about this?" Featherpaw asked me.

"Yes, I did." I told her. "Now, go battle your sister."

Featherpaw and Briarpaw started circling. Featherpaw lashed out with her claws, clawing Brairpaw across the side. Brairpaw fell over, and Featherpaw clawed her across the stomach. Brairpaw slashed Featherpaw with her claws from under her. Featherpaw clawed Briarpaw across the ear. Briarpaw was laying on the ground, breathing shallowly. Featherpaw stalked up to her and slashed her across the throat. Briarpaw became still, and Tigerstar confirmed that she was dead. 

"Congratulations, Featherpaw. You will become a ShadowClan warrior." Featherpaw nodded firmly, but a look of guilt flashed across her eyes. "Come on Featherpaw! Tigerstar is calling a Clan meeting." We padded back into the camp, Wolffall carrying Briarpaw's body.

"May all cats old enough to battle gather around the Tall Pine for a Clan meeting!" Tigerstar called. "I, Tigerstar, leader of ShadowClan, 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. Featherpaw, Bramblepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do!" Bramblepaw and Featherpaw said, Featherpaw less enthusiastic than Bramblepaw.

"Then by the powers of the Dark Forest, I give you your warrior name. Bramblepaw, from this moment you will be known as Brambleheart. The Dark Forest honors your strength and bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan."

"By the powers of the Dark Forest, I give you your warrior name. Featherpaw, from this moment you will be known as Featherfang. The Dark Forest honors your battle skill and intelligence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan."

"Featherfang! Brambleheart!" the Clan cheered.

"I would also like to announce the death of Blackfoot. He was ambushed by ThunderClan warriors.  I say these words before the Dark Forest, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors will hear and approve my choice. The new deputy of ShadowClan is Brokenshadow!" Tigerstar called.

"Brokenshadow! Brokenshadow! Brokenshadow!" the Clan called.

"Hey, Brokenshadow!" Strikestorm called to me. "Can I talk to you?"

"Sure Strikestorm," I meowed back.

"Follow me," he told me. We padded into the forest and we sat under a pine tree. "Brokenshadow, I've loved you since you joined ShadowClan. Will you be my mate?" he asked me, looking hopeful.

"I.. I.. Strikestorm, as much as I would love to, I don't want kits. I want to be leader!" I said. "I'll be your mate, but I will not have kits."

"Brokenshadow! Can't we just have one litter?" he asked pleading.

"Fine, but only one." I told him. Then we walked back into camp.