Pineshade's Loss

Chapter 8

Pinepaw sits with the other apprentices outside the apprentices' den, waiting impatiently for Hawkpaw and Ebonypaw to return from their warrior assessments. Since Mousetail and Bluepelt agreed that they're ready to become warriors, they are taking their assessments today. Even though it isn't Pinepaw's assessment, he still feels nervous for his friends.

Then, all of the apprentices get excited once they spot Hawkpaw and Ebonypaw returning. Pinepaw then watches as Boulderstar leaps onto the highbranch.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the high branch for a meeting!" Boulderstar calls out. The clan then gathers beneath the high branch, including Pinepaw and the other apprentices.

"Hawkpaw and Ebonypaw have passed their warrior assessments and are now ready to become warriors of ShadowClan," Boulderstar announces.

"Hawkpaw, please come forward," Boulderstar says. Then, Hawkpaw does what she is told.

"I, Boulderstar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn," Boulderstar meows. He then looks down at Hawkpaw. Pinepaw watches as she looks back up at her proudly.

"Hawkpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" He meows.

"I do," Hawkpaw then responds.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Hawkpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Hawktalon. StarClan honors your honesty and determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan," Boulderstar meows.

I'm so proud of her. Pinepaw thinks, happy for the closest to him out of the two sisters.

The clan begins to cheer her new warrior name. "Hawktalon! Hawktalon!" They cheer.

"Thank you, Boulderstar," Hawktalon meows happily and steps back to where she was. 

"Now, Ebonypaw, please come forward," Boulderstar meows. Ebonypaw does what she is told.

"I, Boulderstar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn," Boulderstar meows. He looks down at Ebonypaw.

"Ebonypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" He asks the apprentice.

"I do," Ebonypaw responds.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Ebonypaw, from this moment on you will be known as Ebonyfrost. StarClan honors your kindness and bravery and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan," Boulderstar meows.

The clan then cheers Ebonypaw's new warrior name. "Ebonyfrost! Ebonyfrost!" They cheer.

Boulderstar leaps off of the high branch and rests his muzzle on the heads of both newly appointed warriors and the warriors each lick their leader's shoulder.

"The clan meeting is now dismissed," Boulderstar announces and then pads off to his den.

Pinepaw and the other apprentices dash over to Hawktalon and Ebonyfrost, excited for them.

"You're warriors now!" Milkpaw cheers.

"Yep!" Ebonyfrost responds with a purr of amusement.

"Congratulations," Pinepaw meows.

"Yeah, congratulations! I can't wait until I become a warrior!" Spikepaw adds.

"Thank you," Hawktalon responds for both her and her sister. "The day will be here before you know it."

"I'm gonna try my best to become a warrior very soon!" Spikepaw then meows.

"Me too!" Beetlepaw responds. "Boulderstar gave the two of you great warrior names!"

"I want to become a warrior whenever Milkpaw becomes a warrior," Pinepaw adds.

"So, you're willing to stay behind?" Hawktalon asks, a bit shocked by the bold statement.

"Yeah, I want to train with her all the way until we become warriors. We won't see each other as much if she's still an apprentice and I'm a warrior," Pinepaw claims. He feels a little sick as he sees the expressions of the other apprentices and Ebonyfrost. They seem weirded out.

"You're weird, Pinepaw," Beetlepaw meows. "No cat should give up the opportunity to become a warrior!"

"Milkpaw is my best friend. Of course I want to stay with her if she has to be an apprentice a bit longer," Pinepaw claims. He glances over at Milkpaw and notices that she seems proud of him. Pinepaw feels uncomfortable around the
others though, until Hawktalon speaks up.

"I think that's sweet," Hawktalon meows. "I would've done the same if I were you."

"Thanks," Pinepaw responds.

"Beetlepaw! I'm gonna beat you to the apprentices' den!" Spikepaw meows.

"No you're not!" Beetlepaw responds and Pinepaw watches as the two other apprentices dash off.

"Don't be afraid to speak up for yourself, Pinepaw," Hawktalon meows. "And that goes for you too, Milkpaw," she meows. "If they're being rude, just stand your ground more. Although you did great today, Pinepaw."

"Thanks," Pinepaw meows and he watches as Hawktalon and Ebonyfrost turn to walk away as well.

"What got into their heads?" Pinepaw grumbles.