I stretch, yawning loudly. Beside me, my sister purrs loudly. Today is our warrior assesment. I shudder at the thought. Ghostsong managed to convince Lionstar I was ready to finally become a warrior. The nursery entrance rustles, and I watch as Silverdusk pads out, laden down with kits. Soulheart's kits. I unsheathe my claws, anger alight in my eyes. Turning away, I pad to the fresh-kill pile. Oakkit, Sprucekit, Birchkit, and Willowkit tumble out of the nursery, bounding towards me.

     Chuckling, I leap out of their way. Their mother, Briarlight, pads after them, her eyes full of motherly love and exasperation. I shake my head, grabbing a vole to eat. Padding to a sheltered spot in the camp, I lay down and tuck into the juicy creature. Humming, I savor the flavor. I watch the camp wake up, sighing. Soulpaw -now Soulheart- pads towards his mate. I flinch at the love in his gaze, my tail curling. Lionstar yawns, stepping out of his den. I watch as his mate, Snowflurry, pads to him.

     The two twine tails. I avert my gaze, focusing on the medicine cat apprentice, Fernpaw. The small calico stares at a few leaves resting in front of her paws. I shake my head.

"It's a wonder anyone can remember the names and uses for so many different herbs." a voice says, making me jump.

     Turning tail, I see the brown tom with silver tabby markings known as Rivercrash. Ears flattening, I nod.

"Yeah." I agree, sitting back down.

     The tom smiles warmly, touching his nose to my shoulder.

"I look forward to having you in the warriors' den." he purrs fondly, sitting closer to me.

     I dip my head, flustered by Rivercrash's words.

"Th-thank you." I say, fidgeting nervously.

     He chuckles. Resting his chin on my head, he purrs affectionately.

"Don't worry, Eclipsepaw, I'm not hitting on you. I'm just proud, that's all." he says.

      I take a breath of relief. Chuckling warmly, he pads off and towards his mate, Mintleaf. The two touch noses before padding to the fresh-kill pile together. My ears droop slightly. Turning away, I get to my paws and shake out my fur. Then, taking a deep breath, I pad towards my mentor. Ghostsong nods to me, Silentstrike by her side. My sister, Marblepaw, is bouncing around excitedly. Once I reach them, Marblepaw bounds over.

"Your assesment is to catch three mice and two birds. Eclipsepaw, you take the side of our territory by MeadowClan. Marblepaw, you take the one with PineClan. Your assesments begin... Now." Ghostsong says.

     Marblepaw and I nod before pelting out of camp. We reach the old tree stump that leads down the seperate paths towards the seperate borders. I turn to Marblepaw.

"You ready?" I ask, tail held over my back.

      The tan tabby with chocolate marbled stripes nods before turning to the left, towards the PineClan border. I sigh, turning right, towards MeadowClan. Shaking my head, I crouch down. Within a heartbeat, I've caught the scent of a mouse. As I drop to the ground and creep forward, I feel as though the entire forest is watching me. I blink, shuddering for a moment before proceeding forward. Suddenly, the small brown creature is eating a blade of grass. Slowly, keeping hidden, I stalk forward.

      Once I'm close enough, I launch through the air. Paws landing on either side of the mouse, I duck my head down and bite it's neck, killing it swiftly. Standing up, I pad to a large tree and bury the limp body in the roots before searching for another mouse. I easily find another, and within minutes, I have caught three mice thanks to the Spring season. I bury the third one with the other two before turning around and searching for a bird. However, a flash of white catches my attention.

      Narrowing my eyes, I stalk forward to check out the other cat. Hissing, I pounce.

"Good job, Eclipsepaw. Very good. You're going to make an amazing warrior."

      My eyes widen.

"T-Tiny?"

"I much prefer Scourge, thank you very much." he chuckles, smirking softly.

"Wh.... What are you doing here?" I whisper-hiss, eyes flicking for any signs of my clanmates.

"Why, just checking up on my favorite apprentice's assesment." he purrs, getting up and touching his tail to my back.

     I shudder slightly, raising my right forepaw. The small tom is slightly transparent, and a purple collar studded with dog teeth hangs around his neck. His ice-blue eyes are trained on my dark blue ones.

"So... You need any help catching a bird? 'Cause I already have two ready for you." he says, pulling back a bush to reveal two robins laying limp on the ground.

     My eyes widen further.

"Tin- I-I mean, Scourge, I can't. I-I have to catch them on my own." I whisper, sitting down heavily.

      The smaller tom flicks his tail, tilting his head. I watch as amusement floods his icey orbs. Leaning closer, he purrs.

"But it would be so much easier to just... Take credit for the birds?" he cooes softly, nuzzling my ear fondly.

      I flinch at the frigidness of his touch, but stay where I am.

"That's not something a Clan cat does. I will not take credit for your catch. But... Thank you. For everything." I add softly, resting my forehead against his shoulder.

     I feel the ghostly cat tense, then I feel him rest his chin on my flank. He sighs softly.

"You're a handful, Eclipsepaw. Back when I was alive, you wouldn't have-" he cuts himself off, eyes going round.

     I tilt my head.

"I wouldn't have... What? And what Clan are you from?... You never told me..." I say, confusion lacing my voice.

"Look, I'll explain everything tonight... For now, though, a clanmate of yours is coming, and you still need to catch two birds." Scourge mews before fading from my sight.

      I sit there a few more moments before getting to my paws and searching for two birds...

                                                                                            +++++

      Taking a deep breath, I sit down with my catch.... And Scourge's two birds. Within a few moments, Ghostsong appears. Her eyes widen, but then she smiles broadly, a purr rumbling in her chest as she trots to my side. Resting her head against my shoulder, she rests her tail on my back.

"I cannot explain to you how proud I am, Eclipsepaw. I knew you had it in you." she purrs loudly, resting her chin on the top of my head.

      I purr back, closing my dark eyes.

"Thank you, Ghostsong. For... Everything. For believing in me when no one else did."

"Like I've said before: you remind me of myself." Ghostsong says gently.

      After a few moments, I grab the mice by their tails, and crouch down so Ghostsong can place my two birds on my back. Then, with skill I hope to someday learn, she neatly throws the two robins Scourge caught into the air and catches them on her back. Then, after making sure they are secure, she turns towards me.

"Come along."

       For a few moments, we walk side-by-side in silence. Before we reach camp, she stops.

"I know that you didn't catch these robins." she states gently.

"I-I.... What?" I gape, eyes widening.

"I know you didn't catch these birds. You went into some bushes, and I heard you talking to someone. Please, explain to me who you were talking to and why?"

"I... Was talking to a tom named Scourge... A... An AngelClan warrior..."

     Ghostsong freezes, her silver eyes going huge. Then she hisses, tail lashing.

"I'm glad you didn't take credit for his catch. I'll let Eagleheart know of your little... Visitations. Until then, keep quiet about your encounters with him." she says sternly.

     Nervously, confusedly, I nod.

"Um.... Okay..."

     The misty blue-gray she-cat nods before shaking out her fur. Then, after I do the same, we pad into camp. Around me, cats cheer and congratulate me. A black tom with white splashes -Ravenshadow- falls into pace beside me a moment.

"Congrats, Eclipsepaw!" he purrs before falling out of step.

      Another cat, the golden-brown tom Seaflight, and his sister Starlingwing, both catch up to me, congratulating me. However, their younger brother, my former crush, hangs back, not interested in the least in congratulating me -- or even acknowledge my existance. His mother is indifferent to my accomplishment. Uncaring as to the new warrior amongst her. The black-and-brown she-cat turns, forgetting about me. A dark gray tom with white legs pads up to me, smiling.

"Congratulations, Eclipsepaw! I can't wait to see you in the warriors' den!" he beams.

     I purr.

"Thank you. Same here, Flintspark."

     Nodding, he lets another cat take his place. Rivercrash nods to me, smiling fondly.

"I knew you could do it, Eclipsepaw." he smiles.

      After almost the entire Clan has congratulated me, the familiar yellow tabby pelt of Lionstar as he climbs up SmoothStone.

"Let all those old enough to catch their own prey, gather here beneath SmoothStone for a Clan meeting!"

      As I look around, I finally notice Marblepaw stepping out of the apprentices' den for the last time. Behind her, Blackpaw and Stonepaw emerge as well. Silverdusk and Briarlight (with her kits as well) all gather around the SmoothStone as well.

"Today we are gathered for one of the most important of the meetings: the naming of new warriors. Today, we have two apprentices who have earned their warrior names. Marblepaw, Eclipsepaw, please step forward." Lionstar yowls.

     Taking a deep breath, I step forward, falling into step beside Marblepaw. We pad into the cirle of clearing the Clan left for us. Lionstar nods in approval, leaping from the SmoothStone. He pads to Marblepaw first, standing up straight.

"Marblepaw, have you learned the ways of the warrior code? Have you learned to respect the way of life we carry on with? Do you promise to protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" he asks, voice clear and booming throughout the clearing.

"I do, Lionstar." Marblepaw replies, her fire-blue eyes full of determination.

"Then, by the power of AngelClan, I now give you your warrior name. Marblepaw, from this moment forward, you shall be known as Marbletail. RainClan accepts you as a full warrior. You have proven your loyalty and your adoration for your sister and your Clan. Welcome, Marbletail of RainClan!"

      The entire Clan begins cheering, their voices combining as one.

"Marbletail! Marbletail!"

     After a few moments of cheer, the Clan quiets and I take a deep breath. Lionstar turns his amber eyes onto mine.

"Eclipsepaw. Your apprenticeship had several bumps along the way. But your warrior ceremony was carried through, though it took Marblepaw and Ghostsong to finally convince me to. So, with that said, let us begin."

     Lionstar takes a breath, standing straight.

"Eclipsepaw, have you learned the ways of the warrior code? Have you learned to respect others and the way of life we carry on with? Do you promise to respect and protect all of your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" he asks, making clear my past mistakes.

      I nod.

"I do, Lionstar." I say, tail twitching ever so slightly.

"Then, by the powers of AngelClan, I now give you your warrior name. Eclipsepaw, from this moment forward, you shall be known as Eclipsefire. RainClan accepts you as a full warrior. You have proven your fierce loyalty and determination to learn and be the best for your Clan. Welcome, Eclipsefire of RainClan!"

     For a few heartbeats, everyone is silent. Then Marbletail's voice echoes around the Clan.

"Eclipsefire! Eclipsefire!" she yowls.

      Soon, Angellight, Rivercrash, and Flintspark join in. Then Mintleaf and Snowflurry. Soon, nearly all the Clan is cheering. Except, of course, Blazefire, Silverdusk, and Soulheart. Lionstar leaps back onto SmoothStone.

"I introduce to you Marbletail and Eclipsefire! RainClan's newest warriors!" he yowls above the cheers.

"Marbletail! Eclipsefire! Marbletail! Eclipsefire!" the entire Clan echoes, cheering at the top of their lungs.

"Meeting dismissed!" Lionstar calls.

      From that moment forward, Marbletail and I say nothing. Soon, night falls. Stars shine in the sky. I sit outside the camp, keeping watch during my vigil. A faint breeze stirs my fur. Suddenly, I catch another cat's scent. Instantly on high alert, I stand up. My fur bristling, I glare at some trembling bushes. The foreign scent strengthens. To my shock, a starry paw steps out of the bushes. Then a flaming red-orange face follows, appearing from behind the bushes.

      Soon, a flame-colored she-cat with jet-black paws and ear tufts. Below her left eye is the mark of a leader, jet-black for her. Both her eyes are unique. Her left is a bright, lime green. Her right, however, is a dark blue (though not nearly as dark as my own). Stars glitter in her fur and eyes. She pads forward, closing the distance between the two of us. Standing in front of me, the she-cat tilts her head, a noble, gentle look in her odd eyes. I rack my brain, trying desperately to figure out who she is.

"Hello, Eclipsefire." she says, her voice full of undoubtable leadership.

      I gape, eyes huge. Dipping my head in respect, trying to find my voice. Before I can speak, however, she places her tail on my mouth.

"Shh. You are not to speak, remember?" she purrs gently.

      I close my mouth, nodding to the starry she-cat.

"My name is Flamingstar. I am the founder of RainClan."

      My eyes must be huge as I stare at her. Is this real? How is this possible? Why is she so starry? Scourge wasn't starry at all, so how was she so much so?

"I came here to warn you. And give you a prophecy, but I'll save that for last. For now, I need to warn you about a tom you've been seeing. Scourge. He is no AngelClan warrior, as you thought for so long. Instead, he is of DevilClan. I wish I had known of his intrusion in your dreams sooner. Maybe then, I could have saved you the trouble. But, unfortunately, I was only made aware today. Eagleheart went to his mentor, Spottedwhisker, who brought it to everyone's attention."

      I stare at her, stunned. Scourge? DevilClan? How could that be even remotely possible? I open my mouth to question her, but remember at the last moment that I am not allowed to speak.

"I haven't seen him in a long, long time. Maybe I should check in on him... Maybe Hawkstar... Anyways, I need to give you the prophecy. I am aware that you are no medicine cat. And do not worry, you are not fated to be one. Instead you were given a great destiny."

       Flamingstar takes a deep breath, closing her eyes. When she opens them again, they are completely white and glowing brightly.

"A great change is coming to the Clans. Cats are beginning to come out with their differences. A darkness is stirring in the depths of DevilClan. However, light will Eclipse the dark, and the Marbled light will spread through the Clans. Two stars will convince four, and the change will slowly complete." her voice echoes.

      Suddenly, she begins to fade.

"Goodbye, Eclipsefire. I will be watching over you carefully. May AngelClan light your path."