Chapter 23

Foxshade POV

The rouges saw their leader, dead, at the paws of Flamepaw. With yelps and yowls the looked at each other, then ran for it, leaving the clearing quiet and soaked in blood. The cats began to gather, grieving their dead clanmates. Foxshade saw Pricklepaw, Ripplestream and Lionspark, all on the ground, along with Fluffytail, and Snowdust. Body's of rouges lay too, including Thunderclaw, Rock, Sunflare and Beetlekit. Frostshine was sniffing at Lionspark's flank. She sat up and shook her head at Gingerheart, who let out a wail and pressed his nose into his brothers fur. Greyear hobbled over, and Foxshade felt a twinge of relief. Not everyone was dead. But then he saw Nightsoul, sitting by Snowdust's body. There was no hope for Snowdust. Memories rushed into Foxshade's mind. When they were kits. When Beetlekit had told them that he would trust them with his life and Snowdust, Nightsoul and himself had returned the trust. And now they're both dead. Foxshade thought. Saddness overwhelmed him. He staggered and fell, and he was plunged into vision. He saw Icedrop putting her tail around Snowdust's shoulder. "Tell Nightsoul I love her." Snowdust whispered to Foxshade before leaving. He saw Ripplestream reunited with his mate, Silverpool. He saw Lionspark joining the ranks of many star furred cats. Fluffytail nodded her head to him as she passed. And he heard a whisper. "The prophecy has been fulfilled. Flamepaw was the prophesied cat, not Foxshade. But Foxshade still did amazing."
"No, Foxshade was the one. He stopped the sun from winning. Flamepaw just killed the one who didn't exist."
"To many cats died." Another voice said.
"They will be long remembered."

Foxshade awoke. His vision was swimming alarmingly. He was back in camp, in the medicine cat den. "Where's Greyear?" He demanded.
"In the nursery." Replied Frostshine without looking up. Foxshade left the den to a terrible sight. In the center of camp lay Lionspark, Ripplestream, Pricklepaw, Fluffytail and Snowdust. They looked so peaceful they could almost have been sleeping. Foxshade crouched next to Nightsoul and pressed his nose into his brothers pelt, trying desperately to catch one last whiff of his scent but all he could smell was death.

Stormstar leaped onto the Pointed Rock and yowled for the clan to gather. The cats slowly gathered beneath him. "Today was a terrible day. We lost many cats. They will be remembered. I have a ceremony I would like to do, to prove that however sad it might seem now, the clan will go on. Will Thornpaw, Eaglepaw Mousepaw and Flamepaw please step forward?" The four apprentices slowly stepped forward. "You all fought valiantly in this battle and it is time you became warriors." Stormstar turned his head up to the sky. "I, leader of OakClan call my warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of you noble code and I commend them as warriors in their turn." He looked at the apprentices. "Thornpaw do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to protect and defend your clan even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Thormpaw replied head high, but tears streaming from his eyes.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name Thornpaw, from this moment you will be known as Thorntail. StarClan honors your determination and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of OakClan." Stormstar moved on. "Eaglepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to protect and defend your clan even at the cost of your life?"
"I do."
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Eaglepaw, from this moment you will be known as Eagleflight. StarClan honors your bravery and enthusiasm, and we welcome you as a full warrior of OakClan." Eagleflight cast his gaze to the stars, to his dead sister.
"Mousepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to protect and defend your clan even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." She mewed in a shaking voice.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Mousepaw, from this moment you will be known as Mousenose. StarClan honors your eagerness, and we welcome you as a full warrior of OakClan." Mousenose looked around at the clan, eyes grave.
"Flamepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to protect and defend your clan even at the cost of your life?"
Flamepaw hesitated, then raised his head. "I do."
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name Flamepaw, from this moment you will be known as Flamestripe. StarClan honors your dedication and spirt, and we welcome you as a full warrior of OakClan."
"Thorntail, Eagleflight Mousenose, Flamestripe!" The clan called. Then after a second, "Pricklepaw!" Thorntail started. The name was picked up and spread. "Pricklepaw, Fluffytail, Riplestream, Lionspark, Snowdust." The chant echoed around the camp as the sky started to weep a million tears.

So thats the end! I really enjoyed writing this book. I'm going to release and epilogue, so stick around.

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