ThunderClan's Hope- Book #1 in Sunrise

Chapter 18

Under Highrock, the whole Clan stood and waited in anticipation. Fireclaw was waiting with Dewpaw because she had nobody else to do so. Starpaw had passed his assessment by far, and Riverrush couldn't be prouder. Creampaw had passed it, her amazing catch acting as a bonus to her score. Fireclaw was so excited, and Dewpaw was more thrilled than any cat could ever imagine. "I just want you to know that I'm very proud of you, and that even if you don't think so or don't realize it, you're the toughest cat I know and you had exceeded my highest hopes of an apprentice. You're an amazing cat, and I'm sure you'll be an amazing warrior."

"Even though you didn't catch the most prey during the assessment, that doesn't mean that you don't have skill. I-" He was cut off by Ravenstar's meow, and Dewpaw was left feeling loved and warm inside. "Today is a very special day, and I'm not the kind of cat to give speeches, but this ceremony seems to call for one. We haven't had another new warrior since the battle between the Clans, and this is what we need to help lift our spirits and help rebuild the Clan. And with that," He cleared his throat.

"Creampaw, please come up to Highrock." Creampaw stumbled up the rock towards Ravenstar. "I, Ravenstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn. Creampaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Even from below Highrock, you could see her paws shaking like they were about to fall off. "I...I do." She stammered, then lifted her chin authoritatively. "Then by the owners of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Creampaw, StarClan honors your uplifting spirit and kindness and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Dewpaw's heart rose to her throat, waiting for Creampaw's new name. "From now on, you shall be known as Creamcall." "Creamcall! Creamcall! Creamcall!" The Clan cheered for her. Creamcall. What a beautiful name! She thought. I hope I get one that honors my... what am I to the Clan?

"Starpaw, please come up to Highrock." Starpaw climbed up the rock with such confidence as if he had been practicing. His pelt bushed in excitement, and no amount of grooming could get those hairs back down now. " I, Ravenstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I commend them to you as a warrior in turn. Starpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life? "I do." His voice was gruff as if his throat was wrong out and left to dry.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Starpaw, StarClan honors your patience and perseverance and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan. From now on, you shall be know as Starlight, for showing others the path of goodness, and shining light to other cats worlds." Starlight licked Ravenstar's shoulder, and as he climbed down from Highrock, The moonlight glistened in his eyes. His tail bushed in excitement Starlight turned and whispered to her, " It's your turn next!" "....and that leaves Dewpaw. Dewpaw, please come to Highrock. Her paws tingled as she climbed onto the rock where her friends had became warriors and soon, she would, too!

Dewwind? Maybe Dewfire? Dewspark? Yeah, I like that, she thought. Dewspark! "...Even at the cost of your life?" The cost of my life!? "I..... uh, I do!" She shouted. The whole Clan let out a chuckle, even Ravenstar! "Well, I sure am glad we're going to have such enthusiastic warriors," He murmured, before composing himself. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Dewpaw, StarClan honors your courage and strength and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan! From now on, you shall be known as Dewstorm, symbolizing how you fight every day for your Clan, even through tough times." Dewstorm licked Ravenstar's shoulder and sighed. She was a warrior!

Dewstorm looked around her Clan as they chanted. "Dewstorm! Starlight! Creamcall!" Dewpaw climbed down from Highrock. Bristlefur was speaking with Starlight, his tail stroking his sons' fur. Creamcall was chatting with Yellowstone, and she approached them. "Hi, Dewstorm!" Creamcall was staring at her with wonder. "Wow, Dewstorm! It has a ring to it, mine, it suits me, but I wishI could have a name more like yours...... Yours is tough, I sound like-" "You sound like the kind of cat that is sweet and motherly," Dewstorm finished her sentence. Creamcall cocked her head and smiled. "I like that." Even Frost gave her a slight grin. Maybe she isn't so bad after all.

Oh, but Starlight, that's amazing, and beautiful, and graceful. It suits him. He really does shine light on other cats' worlds. Dewstorm was broken from her thoughts when Flipnose called "Starlight, Creamcall, Dewstorm!" Dewpaw pulled her head from the clouds and padded towards him. Flipnose straitened and grinned. "Now, it's almost time to begin the hardest part of becoming a warrior," He paused. "The vigil." The vigil? Dewstorm thought. How hard can that be? "You're not allowed to talk, its a silent vigil. All you do is guard the camp." Flipnose said bluntly. Then he glanced at the sky. It was beginning to darken and turned to a soft pink color. "You'll begin now." He motioned with his tail to the entrance, which suddenly looked sad, and lonely, and boring.

Dewstorm trie to straighten instead of slump when she took her place beside the entrance.
. . .
The night air cut through whatever protection Dewstorm had from the cold. She stared at Starlight and he stared at her. She wished she could congratulate him or at least move.Moving wasn't exactly forbidden, but Dewstorm had finally found a position to where the wind couldn't continue to slap her belly fur, and she wasn't about to move.

Dewstorm looked through the entrance and breathed out as she didn't spot any cat in the woods. She wondered how Fireclaw could have possibly sat still through the whole night. He probably got to become a warrior in new-leaf, Dewstorm thought ruefully. She circled in her spot. Ravenstar may be watching them right now. Streameye had once said that Ravenstars' warrior name was Ravenscar because he loved to pick fights. Streameye had also said that on the night of his vigil Ravenstar got a thorn in his paw from the brambles and had asked Fernsong for some ointment!

Well, thought Dewpaw. I'll be known for how quiet and obedient I was on my vigil, she thought. Rustling came from the bushes and they stiffened. A gray pelt slid around the bend, followed by others. Dewpaw pounced, and the figure jumped back. "Wait!" A voice cried. Starpaw froze with his front paw in the air, claws unsheathed. The voice belonged to Specklestar.

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