Creating Warrior Cat Names: A Simple + Amazing Guide

Chapter One

Ever wondered what happens after The Lost Hope? Here it is... Jadefireeyes

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The night deepened, and the beautiful full moon strayed out from behind silky strands of gray cloud. The wash of light invited silence, while a solitary owl hooted solemnly in the distance. Hundreds of moon-washed flanks waited in unison, and the small fish in the pond at the edge of the clearing sparkled in the silver light.

            Dovewing shifted closer to Ivypool. This was the first Gathering that they had been so close together, and she did not want to miss a single heartbeat. Together they gazed up at the massive tree looming in the clearing, where four figures had already found their places in the branches. It had been one moon since their battle with the Dark Forest, and every cat was waiting for news with bated breath.

            "All is well with ThunderClan," rumbled a massive tabby seated on the largest branch. Even though it was Bramblestar's first time addressing a Gathering as leader, he already looked sure of himself. His tail was held up high, and his amber eyes scanned the cats seated beneath him as he spoke. "We rebuilt the barrier outside our camp immediately," he gave a meaningful look at the three other leaders, "and have been recovering well. Prey is slowly returned to our forest after being scared away by the fighting, and we are patrolling our borders as usual."

            He shifted his paws. "We had some losses during our recent battle with the Dark Forest. I will announce their names: Mousefur, an elder."

            "It was time for her to get a move on," Ivypool snorted in Dovewing's ear.

        Bramblestar continued. "Ferncloud. Sympathy spread around the clearing as cats remembered the gentle queen who was slain in the nursery. "Hollyleaf." At the mentioned of the black she-cat, angry murmurs writhed in the cool night air; not every warrior had forgiven her yet for the chaos she caused. "And Firestar." Every cat straightened their spines, recalling the kittypet who had become a Clan leader. The other three leaders bowed their heads, acknowledging ThunderClan's losses.

            "He will surely be missed," Mistystar said. "Firestar was a warrior with a great heart, and was always loyal to his Clan. I doubt we will ever forget him. And good luck to you, Bramblestar; I am sure you will make a fine leader."

            "Thank you, Mistystar. I will do the best I can," Bramblestar replied.

        Blackstar nodded in agreement. "Firestar... though sometimes a nuisance, always valued peace in the Clan territories. His absence will be noticed by us all. I grant you my wishings as well, Bramblestar."

            Dovewing frowned. She had never liked Blackstar much, finding him to be too hostile and proud, but he could be nice when he wanted to.

            "He'll be missed. I hope all goes well for you and ThunderClan, Bramblestar. Onestar did not look up as he spoke.

            "That ungrateful fleabag!" Thornclaw hissed, ripping up meadow grass nearby. He stared at Onestar with blazing eyes.

            Brakenfur cast him an exasperated look. "Control yourself, Thornclaw! Don't forget this is a Gathering. We have just won against the Dark Forest; we must forget our Clan rivalries for the moment." Brakenfur approached hm. "And when was the first time you actually liked Firestar?"

            "I've always liked Firestar! I sometimes didn't agree with him, but he was still my leader!" Thornclaw defended himself.

            Rage brewed inside Dovewing, and she couldn't help agreeing with the hot-headed Thornclaw. After everything Firestar had done for Onestar, and he couldn't even respect him enough after his death?

            "Thank you, Onestar," said Bramblestar with narrowed eyes. His tail wrapped around his front paws. "Before we proceed with the Gathering, I would like to introduce my deputy, Squirrelflight." He glanced down at the roots of the tree.

            Squirrelflight glowed when her name was announced, straightening her shoulders when hundreds of eyes found her. Her dark ginger coat was almost brown in the shadows of the leaves.

            There were mixed reactions to Bramblestar's choice of deputy. Although she was popular among all the Clans, Dovewing caught some criticism.

            "Her? What good will she be?" a pale WindClan apprentice hissed.

            "Bramblestar's lost it, she'll ruin our order," a ShadowClan tom growled.

            Dovewing swept her senses further, until she overheard the whispering medicine cats sitting at the very edge of the clearing.

            "Fire and tiger will destroy the Clan," Littlecloud muttered under his breath.

            Jayfeather gave him a started look with his sightless eyes. "How do you know about that?"

            Dovewing withdrew her senses, feeling as though she had intruded on something important and edged closer to her sister. Ivypool, to her surprise, did not drift away, who had been so jumpy in the past. Maybe eventually we all will forget the Dark Forest. She shuddered. She certainly won't forget Darkstripe's malicious face as he was preparing to kill her for a long time.

            She settled herself back into the Gathering, swiping her senses around only her Clanmates this time. But to her surprise, the greatest challenge to Squirrelflight's deputyship came from ThunderClan itself. Lionblaze glared at the she-cat with unmistakable hatred.

            Dovewing prodded her sister. "Look at Lionblaze! I still can't believe that he hasn't forgiven Squirrelight."

            Ivypool rolled her eyes. "You think that's the reason? No, Lionblaze is jealous because he thought that Bramblestar would pick him to be his deputy. Try telling that furball that the world doesn't revolve around him."

            "Well, Lionblaze is the best warrior in the Clan," Dovewing offered. "But... Lionblaze should respect his leader's decision," she finished firmly.

            Dovewing tried listening to the Gathering again. She heard the names of more fallen warriors and boasting stories of recovery, when Blackstar made a startling announcement.

            "I have decided that I am stepping down as leader, and retiring to the elders' den. This will be my last Gathering addressing you all." He lowered his head, and moonlight struck the silver hair on his muzzle. From the startled looks the ShadowClan warriors were giving each other, this was the first time they were hearing this news as well. "My deputy, Rowanclaw, will be replacing me."

            A whirlwind of whispers picked up again. Cloudtail surveyed Blackstar with amusement. "I always thought he preferred death over giving up his leadership."

            Now that Dovewing fully examined Blackstar, she realized he was looking elderly and ill. She stared at his strained eyes, strained back, slumped shoulders, and listened to how he panted as he gripped his tree branch. She wasn't the only one who noticed his weakness.

            Brightheart padded over to Dovewing and Ivypool, and muttered so that only they could hear. "I wouldn't go over to ShadowClan if I were you. Some of the warriors are sick, and I don't think it's greencough. I think it's something worse."

            Dovewing frowned as she moved away. Brightheart was probably worried simply because they were her kin, and so she was fretting over nothing. And what should she know about illnesses, anyway? She was not a medicine cat.

            Nevertheless, fear gripped her.