Warriors: Bumblestripe's Insanity

Chapter Twenty-Five: Improving the Clan

I don't know how I found the strength to make it back to camp. All I wanted was to collapse in my den. But instantly I was surrounded by a swarm of cats.

Cherrypaw bounced in front of me excitedly. "Bumblestar! I passed my assessment! Can you give me my name, please?"

"Patience is a necessary trait of a warrior," I purred.

The apprentice reminded me of a better, younger version of myself.

Poppyfrost hurriedly led her kit away. "Cherrypaw, leave Bumblestar alone! I'm sure he's exhausted."

I heard high-pitched shrieks of laughter and saw Seedkit and Lilykit tumbling over my paws.

Seedkit and her sister looked at each other and spoke in unison. "What was it like?"

I chuckled. "I can't tell you. StarClan's secrets must remain a mystery."

Now that I was back at camp, energy flooded through my paws. I was the leader of all of these cats!

I climbed up the Highledge with renewed strength. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!"

At my call, every cat stopped what they were doing and flocked around the Highledge, awaiting my words. I liked the feeling leadership gave me.

"As you all know, last night I visited the Moonpool to receive the nine lives of a leader. StarClan generously granted them to me and awarded me my new name, Bumblestar. I am honored to be your new leader." I looked down at the gathered cats. "It is my greatest wish that I should be able to make ThunderClan stronger. I will start now by naming two new warriors."

Cherrypaw shrieked with excitement and pushed her way to the front of the crowd. Molepaw followed in a more civilized manner. I was amused by Cherrypaw's behavior.

I looked up at the sunny sky, wondering where the stars were hiding behind the bright blue disguise. "I, Bumblestar, leader of ThunderClan, 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 warriors in their turn. Cherrypaw, Molepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do!" Cherrypaw screeched, shaking with excitement.

Molepaw calmly nodded his head. "I do."

I still remembered when I had made that promise, spoken those two empty words. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Cherrypaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Cherrystripe. StarClan honors your passion and your enthusiasm, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

Cherrystripe dipped her head, seeming satisfied with her new name.

I studied Molepaw carefully. "Molepaw, from his moment on, you will be known as Molewhisker. StarClan honors your courage and your intelligence and we welcome you as full warrior of ThunderClan."

Molewhisker gave me a respectful nod. I felt that I had chosen good names for the two.

"Molewhisker! Cherrystripe! Molewhisker! Cherrystripe!"

I took a deep breath. "Wait, everybody. I have one more announcement. As I aim to make ThunderClan stronger, I acknowledge the fact that ThunderClan cannot afford to support its weaker members who contribute nothing. They don't fight, they don't hunt, or do anything useful. They just eat the food we work so hard to catch and take up space."

"What are you going to do, get rid of us elders?" Sandstorm demanded furiously.

I shook my head, trying to look horrified. "Of course not! The elders have earned their rest from seasons of service to their Clan, and I wouldn't be the one to deny it to them. I'm just trying to explain why I must force Daisy to leave. She is completely useless."

"What?" Daisy screamed. "But I can't leave my kits! If...if I leave then they will come with me and you'll lose valuable warriors AND your deputy."

Toadstep stood up. "No. Bumblestar is right. You're pathetic and worthless. Leave."

Mousewhisker lifted his chin. "I'm staying right here. I belong in ThunderClan. Being the deputy of my Clan is more important to me than losing my mother."

Daisy tried to speak. "But I..."

"Mousewhisker and Toadstep, you can escort her to the WindClan border. Make sure she leaves," I growled. "If anyone catches her on our territory again, I expect you to treat her as an intruder. Meeting dismissed."

I had actually made a good choice. It seemed that Mousewhisker would do whatever I asked him to do. I wandered down to the lake, wishing to relax and be alone with my dark thoughts. Perhaps I'd take a nap by the water.

"How could you kick Daisy out of the Clan?" A deep voice hissed behind me.

I whipped around to see a cream-colored blur flying at me. I unsheathed my claws by instinct and slashed them across the air, connecting with skin. The body slammed into me and I found myself pinned under Berrynose's weight. I expected him to scramble to his paws and plant his foot on my chest, then to look down at me with an accusatory gleam in his eyes. He didn't move. I slithered out from under him and took a glance at his body. I guess I had better aim than I thought.

It looked as if my blow had hit his throat, as I saw a large gash at the bottom of his neck, oozing scarlet blood.

A/N: Haha hope you enjoyed this! :D I've uploaded 7 chapters in 4 days all from the app! WBI is all I've been doing for the past few days lol