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Codpaw walked near the front of the PuffinClan procession, keeping close to Maplestar. It was a small group attending the Gathering that moon. Deerwhisker stayed by Tawnytide, making sure the pregnant queen didn’t grow tired. Ibisleap, Cliffstripe, and Graythroat scanned the horizon while Twigbrook and Gingertail hummed about old memories. Breezeclaw was the only warrior in the party, taking up the rear with Tallfur. Codpaw was about as tall as she was going to get, and she was eye-level with her mentor. She was much longer, however, and had to hop to stay at Maplestar’s pace.
“Do you have any plans for tonight?” Maplestar asked.
“I want to find that apprentice I met from ElkClan,” Codpaw admitted. “He was really good at lying. And I need to tell my friends that I’m… I don’t have a good term for it.”
“Have a good time tonight,” Maplestar hummed. “We’ll have a lot to discuss with the other Clans, so enjoy the company.” Codpaw’s whiskers twitched, a question on their tongue.
“When I was in the nursery, Nettlestone said fighting and war between Clans diminished with every generation,” Codpaw sighed. “Do you think it’s possible that we can live a life where we never go to war with each other?” Maplestar stretched his jaws, about to answer before he mulled it over.
“Maybe not entirely,” Maplestar said. “Still, the situation over the past moon has taught me that peace and cooperation between us is the best way forward. If CliffClan and PuffinClan cooperated more, maybe Hailbranch wouldn’t have tried to combine our Clans.” Codpaw nodded. How great would it be if she could spend time with other Clans, not worrying about conflict all the time? That way, Bumblepaw could still be good friends with the SealClan apprentices. Codpaw’s excitement sank when she remembered the quest. It had been almost a full moon since Bumblepaw and Thrushpaw left, when would they come home? Would they come home?
“If you aren’t ready to tell the Clans of your new pronouns, you don’t have to,” Maplestar advised, worry in his gaze.
“It’s not that, I promise,” Codpaw insisted. “I just have some things on my mind.”
“We didn’t beat ElkClan, but we beat the others,” Maplestar chuckled as he led PuffinClan to the top of a hill overlooking the Stacked Stones. Nutstar was already on top of the arch, her Clan mingling about.
“It’ll be good to see Grassleaf again,” Gingertail purred, catching up to Codpaw and Maplestar. She marched downhill, a bit of her old step glimmering within. Codpaw spotted the other apprentices in their usual spot.
“Happy first Gathering as leader!” they quickly called to Maplestar before darting downhill. They jumped over the stones and landed in front of Scauppaw. Starlingpaw was with her, fur ruffled at the older apprentice’s sudden arrival.
“Well look who arrived,” Scauppaw laughed. “Anything you have to say about that raid?”
“Just that Starlingpaw here is a better liar than I thought,” Codpaw chuckled, turning to Starlingpaw. “You managed to hide Honeypaw from everyone.”
“You wanted to hurt her,” Starlingpaw grumbled, neck prickling. The rest of PuffinClan merged with ElkClan, finding old friends and hashing through their role in the earlier attack.
“He’s not used to friendships outside ElkClan,” Scauppaw assured Codpaw, brushing against her. “Codpaw was just doing her job, Flake.”
“The war’s over,” Codpaw pointed out. “There’s no need to stay hostile.”
“Maybe,” Starlingpaw muttered. A calico hopped over the stones and climbed up the arch to sit by Nutstar and Maplestar. CliffClan had arrived, and Starlingpaw’s subdued attitude sparked with life when Honeypaw and Lightpaw joined the group.
“Starlingpaw!” Honeypaw laughed, bunting heads with him. “I came home just in time. Everyone’s stopped fighting and things are going back to normal!”
“I’m as happy as you,” Starlingpaw purred.
“I heard on patrol that your deputy died,” Scauppaw chirped. “Who’s the new one?” Lightpaw purred and nodded to Hazelear and Deerwhisker, who sat below their leaders. Goldenshade emerged from the crowd of CliffClan cats and sat beside Deerwhisker.
“Isn’t that your mom?” Starlingpaw laughed.
“How wonderful is that?” Honeypaw giggled, tail waving. “I’m so proud of her. She knows what everyone needs.”
“Hey, you’re the one who wanted to hold me and Honeypaw hostage!” Lightpaw gasped, glaring at Codpaw.
“Just to stop the war,” Codpaw gulped, sinking into their pelt.
“Honeypaw could have died,” Lightpaw growled.
“Okay, maybe we should all remember that ‘forgive and forget’ lesson our mothers taught us,” Scauppaw awkwardly laughed, getting between Codpaw and Lightpaw.
“I remember,” Honeypaw hummed. “I’m not angry at you, Codpaw.”
“Thanks,” Codpaw muttered, trying to find a new topic. Something thudded against the stones. A ginger tom crawled onto the rocks, legs shaking as the rest of SealClan entered the Stacked Stones. He fell off more than once, claws scratching old moss.
“Do you need help?” Lightpaw asked.
“I have it under control,” the tom snapped. He jumped onto the stones and fell on his face. At least that time he was over the rocks. Emberpool climbed into the clearing, a purr hidden in her throat.
“Over there, Antlerpaw,” Emberpool pointed out, nodding to the healers. Cranefeather and Saltfrost shared tongues while Martenpaw spoke with Shimmerblaze.
“That’s the new healer apprentice,” Scauppaw chirped. “Smalltail met him.”
“She has her full name?” Codpaw gasped.
“She’s making the rounds,” Scauppaw chuckled. Smalltail lingered by Fowlstorm and Beepelt, briefly touching noses with both. “She’ll probably come over when she’s done.” Lobsterspot and Cuckoocloud entered the Stacked Stones. A brown tabby Codpaw didn’t recognize stayed close to Lobsterspot, hesitantly scenting the crowd. Guilt stiffened Codpaw’s shoulders. Did the mates know why their kits left SealClan? If Codpaw was worried for her brother, they couldn’t imagine the fear those two felt.
“I’ll be back,” Codpaw sighed, heading towards the SealClan mates. The tabby, whom Codpaw assumed was Lobsterspot’s apprentice, listened carefully as his mentor described the strange scents. Cuckoocloud noticed her first, but did a double-take when Codpaw stopped beside them.
“Hello there,” Cuckoocloud said. “I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.”
“This is Codpaw, Maplesong’s apprentice,” Lobsterspot explained. “Although it is Maplestar now, isn’t it?” Codpaw nodded, glancing at her mentor. He and Lemmingstar chatted together as though nothing had occurred in the last two moons.
“You’re training to be a counselor, then?” Cuckoocloud clarified.
“Yes,” Codpaw chirped. “Is this your new apprentice, Lobsterspot?”
“I’m Mothpaw,” the brown tabby said, studying Codpaw’s pelt. “Lobsterspot, is this PuffinClan scent?”
“Yes!” Lobsterspot purred, gently bunting Mothpaw’s head. “Mothpaw only became my apprentice three days ago, so he isn’t used to the other Clans yet.”
“Well the other apprentices are sitting in that corner,” Codpaw said, pointing her tail at Scauppaw and the others. “Why don’t you say hi to them? Starlingpaw is a new apprentice too. You two may get along.” Mothpaw looked to Lobsterspot for permission. With a nod from his mentor, Mothpaw trotted towards the apprentices.
“What brought you over here, Codpaw?” Cuckoocloud asked. Codpaw steadied their nerves, making sure they phrased this right.
“I know Flowerpaw and Podpaw left last moon on a quest,” Codpaw explained. That caught the pair’s attention as their eyes stuck to Codpaw. “My brother Thrushpaw left with them.”
“Mountainleap didn’t tell us anything,” Cuckoocloud stammered, getting close. “Do you know what they’re doing?”
“They’re looking for new seers for our Clans,” Codpaw sighed. “I don’t know where they are, but… I thought you would feel better knowing they aren’t alone.” Previously unseen tension drifted off their pelts. Lobsterspot licked Codpaw’s shoulder.
“Thank you,” he sighed. “You don’t know what that means to us.”
The trio shared tongues for a short while, learning of their kin’s companions on the quest until Lemmingstar yowled “I believe we are ready to begin discussing the events of the last moon. There is a lot to talk about.”
“Such as how the idea of de-escalation hid underground a quarter moon after I warned you both to stay calm?” Brinestar chuckled, crossing his paws over the arch’s edge.
“We don’t need your self-righteous comments, Brinestar,” Lemmingstar huffed, tail fluffed. “We’ve seen death and growth since we last came together. I am sure rumors of Hailbranch’s deceit have spread to SealClan and ElkClan, and I am here to provide the full story.” Codpaw spaced out while Lemmingstar recounted the tragedy. She glanced north to the river that turned a corner just before the Stacked Stones, cutting off SealClan and ElkClan.
Shapes shifted at the edge of the horizon. Figures strolled towards the Stacked Stones, following the river downstream. Codpaw couldn’t count how many there were, but it looked like an entire Clan!
“Cuckoocloud,” Codpaw whispered, gently bumping the older molly. Cuckoocloud did her second double-take of the night when she spotted the reason for Codpaw’s growing fear scent.
“Stay here,” she warned. She hurried through the crowd, bumping against others until she got to the deputies below the arch. Codpaw glanced between her and the strangers, who grew closer every second. Cuckoocloud drew the deputies’ attentions and whispered her findings.
“Intruders, to the north!” Freckletuft yowled, interrupting Lemmingstar. Everyone spun to the river, concern and fear spiking. The four leaders sprung to attention.
“Sappelt, warn them off,” Brinestar ordered. Sappelt bolted out of the Stacked Stones.
“Breezeclaw, go with her and see what they want,” Maplestar added. Breezeclaw nodded and hurried after Sappelt. Codpaw stayed close to Lobsterspot as worry mixed with a dash of hope, for the faces came closer and features became clear.
“We’re almost there!” Bumblepaw cheered, leading the former colony cats along the bank of the river. Thrushpaw, Flowerpaw, and Podpaw walked alongside him, everyone itching to run home. The smell of ElkClan and SealClan stung Thrushpaw’s nose with beautiful memories that mingled with the squirming in his gut.
“Everyone needs to stay back until we explain the situation to the Clans,” Thrushpaw warned, glancing back at the swarm of cats he led. Rope and Gorgeous were behind him, groomed to perfect presentation. He knew Maplestar would welcome Rope and his family, but what of the other Clans? How would they react?
Bumblepaw brushed against Thrushpaw, soothing his anxieties. It would be alright. The Clans would understand, StarClan wanted this. It wouldn’t be easy, though, even if they were accepting.
“I see the Stacked Stones!” Podpaw laughed. The forms of dozens of cats sat about the clearing, their scent drifting downriver. The travelers gasped and cheered. Thrushpaw couldn’t help himself. He ran, paws splashing the river. Bumblepaw and Flowerpaw raced by his side, hearts pounding. The Clans yowled and hissed, eyes turning towards the large group. Two figures bolted out of the Stacked Stones. Sappelt and Breezeclaw blocked their path, pelts fluffed and teeth bared.
“This is Clan territory!” Sappelt hissed, ears back. “Leave before we claw you to shreds!”
“Sappelt, it’s us!” Flowerpaw said, getting closer. Sappelt paused, hiding her claws.
“Thrushpaw,” Breezeclaw gasped, sniffing the apprentice. “You left with a SealClan cat?”
“Two SealClan cats, excuse me,” Podpaw huffed, catching up to the others.
“It’s complicated,” Thrushpaw sighed. “We’ve brought home some friends.” He turned to the former colony. Faith joined Podpaw’s side as though tensions were nonexistent. Jacob whispered the events to Gouge, who held a sleeping Muddy in his jaws. Hades had to pull Chocolate back before she wandered off. Rope and Gorgeous represented the newcomers, standing tall and humble before the warriors.
“Your mothers have been worried to death,” Breezeclaw grunted. “Get over here.” The apprentices followed Breezeclaw into the Stacked Stones. Faith tried to join, but Sappelt pushed her back.
“You’ll stay here until we figure this out,” Sappelt growled. The Clans stared as Thrushpaw slipped into sight. He spotted Murkstream next to Mountainleap and the other seers. While Mountainleap looked ready to weep with joy, Murkstream’s expression was difficult to read? Relief? Anger? Confusion? Maybe a mixture of the three. Were Thrushpaw’s parents at the Gathering? Were—
“Thrushpaw!” Codpaw squealed. She appeared out of nowhere and tackled Thrushpaw, pinning him by the shoulders. Thrushpaw chirped and shoved her off, laughing. The pair pressed into each other, the PuffinClan scent returning to Thrushpaw’s fur.
“You’re home!” Lobsterspot cried, running to Flowerpaw and Podpaw. He scooped the pair close and groomed their heads, his purrs rumbling into the ground. Cuckoocloud was right behind him, head pressed into Podpaw’s side.
“Don’t you dare leave like that again,” Cuckoocloud huffed, narrow pupils glaring at her kits. “A prophecy isn’t a valid explanation.”
“Sorry, Mom,” Flowerpaw said, touching her nose to her mother’s. Bumblepaw lurked to the side, tail over his paws.
“You get over here, Bumble!” Codpaw laughed, hooking the air like Bumblepaw was a fish she wanted to catch. Bumblepaw trotted over and joined the welcoming party.
“I wasn’t even aware we had missing apprentices,” Nutstar hummed, glancing at Brinestar and Maplestar. While the apprentices reunited with their kin, the rest of the Clans watched the swarm of strangers, waiting for the break in the peace.
“Everyone, there is no need to worry!” Brinestar called. “Flowerpaw and Podpaw departed from SealClan last moon due to a prophecy given to Mountainleap. We have yet to hear the details, but we know their absence has been blessed.”
“It is the same for PuffinClan,” Maplestar explained, moving next to Brinestar. “Thrushpaw and Bumblepaw joined the SealClan apprentices to find a pair of cats specially chosen by StarClan.”
“Thrushpaw, why didn’t you tell me?” Murkstream snapped, stomping to his side as he pulled back from Codpaw and Bumblepaw.
“I couldn’t,” Thrushpaw explained. Codpaw’s joy shifted, a sad glimmer taking up the glee.
“Thrushpaw, something happened while you were gone,” Codpaw groaned.
“I know,” Thrushpaw sighed, bunting heads with Codpaw. He waded through the crowd, his clanmates watching every step. He paused when he saw the deputies, with Deerwhisker and Goldenshade sharing a look of surprise. He knew the broad strokes of what he missed, but there seemed to be plenty of missing details.
“This is ridiculous,” Lemmingstar grunted. “What are all these cats doing here?”
“That’s what I hope to explain,” Thrushpaw gulped, sitting at the base of the arch. He made eye contact with Murkstream as he said, “My friends and I were sent to find two new seers for SealClan and PuffinClan, to replace Mountainleap and Murkstream.” Everyone yowled over each other. Some snarled at the very idea, while others stared at the outed seers. Emberpool left the healers and stood at Mountainleap’s side. The gray seer stood taller than he had in all of Thrushpaw’s memory. He and Murkstream spoke over each other, but no one could hear over the noise.
“Quiet, all of you!” Nutstar roared. The Clans shut their mouths, some with fearful respect, and others with begrudging acceptance. “We’re going to speak one at a time like reasonable cats. Murkstream, you weren’t aware of this?”
“This is insanity!” Murkstream snapped. “I have been nothing but faithful to our ancestors. I can’t be cast aside!”
“Then why didn’t you get the prophecy?” Spiderstorm grumbled beside the CliffClan seers, sneering at the pair.
“Why did Mountainleap?” Murkstream growled, turning on the tom.
“This was Thrushpaw’s prophecy,” Mountainleap declared. “I only helped it along.”
“If I was supposed to leave my position, StarClan would have told me,” Murkstream growled, glaring at Maplestar. “Did you know about this?” Maplestar hesitated.
“You will always be a member of PuffinClan,” he explained. He didn’t get to finish.
“I deserve a chance to defend myself!” Murkstream hissed. “This is my life’s purpose!”
“I must think of the good of the Clan,” Maplestar sighed, eyes closed. Murkstream gawked at him, then turned her furious gaze to Thrushpaw. Her apprentice turned away. Murkstream hissed and leapt over the stones, bolting through the hills.
“Murkstream!” Mountainleap called.
“Leave her be,” Maplestar ordered. “I will deal with her when the Gathering is over.”
“You found these replacements, then?” Lemmingstar asked Thrushpaw, leaning over the arch. Gorgeous and Rope slipped around Sappelt and stepped into the Stacked Stones. The Clans parted around them.
“You must be Brinestar, then,” Gorgeous purred, bowing to Brinestar. “My name is Gorgeous, and I will be your new seer.”
“And I am Rope,” Rope said curtly. “My mate and kit will join me in PuffinClan.”
“You already have a mate?” Lemmingstar scoffed. “Well it’s for the best you go to PuffinClan, I suppose.”
“But who are the others you arrived with?” Nutstar wondered. Brinestar waved them over. Faith broke past Sappelt and led the colony cats into the Gathering.
“Hey Dad?” Podpaw said, squeezing under Lobsterspot’s leg and rubbing against Faith. “I have a molly-friend now.”
“Wait, we’re dating?” Faith chirped. She paused for a moment, but purred and licked Podpaw’s cheek. Lobsterspot seemed to be going through a heart attack.
“We found them during our quest,” Thrushpaw declared. “They wish to join the Clans, all of them.”
“Better make your choice, Rainbow,” Ribbon scoffed in the middle of the group. “Are you staying or joining?”
“I can’t travel forever,” Rainbow groaned.
“We’ve never had so many loners join the Clans at one time,” Brinestar gasped. “Is this a wise choice?”
“It’s StarClan’s will!” Bumblepaw called. He, Flowerpaw, and Podpaw stood with Gorgeous and Rope. “You can’t turn them away. They’ve come so far!”
“You’re used to eating scraps and human food,” Buzzardear poked through the crowd. “The Clans reject those offerings. Winter is coming and prey will grow scarce. If you want to join, be sure you’re ready for long days of hunger.”
“We know our own share of hardship,” Ribbon pointed out. “We can handle ourselves.”
“If that’s the case,” Brinestar purred, “then we need to decide where everyone will go! You can’t all go to one Clan, after all.”
“Let’s leave that to the deputies,” Nutstar sighed. “While we talk through this change of events, they should organize who will be going where.”
“You heard her,” Hazelear sighed, stomping into the crowd.
“I’m going to need each Clan to gather in a corner!” Freckletuft yowled over the rising questions. “Loners, we’ll talk to you and determine where you’re going! Let’s move, everyone!” Thrushpaw hopped off the rocks as the crowds shifted. A tiny kit’s cries rippled through the clearing. Sandy squirmed away and bolted to Flowerpaw.
“There’s too many mean cats!” Sandy cried, clawing at Flowerpaw. “They’re gonna hurt us!”
“Again, Sandy?” Flowerpaw sighed. She pulled the kit close and groomed him. “No one will touch you. I’ve told you I’m sorry for what you’ve seen, haven’t I?”
“Dash was carrying me,” Sandy grumbled while Lobsterspot and Cuckoocloud watched, utterly confused. “I don’t like it when cats touch my neck.”
“We just wanted to let you sleep while we walked,” Flowerpaw promised him.
“Whose kit is this?” Cuckoocloud asked. Flowerpaw pulled Sandy closer.
“His parents are dead,” Thrushpaw answered, sparing Flowerpaw the pain. “His sisters, Muddy and Frosty, are somewhere in the crowd. Flowerpaw adopted them.” Lobsterspot didn’t process the information at first.
“I’m a grandfather?” he whispered. He grew heavy on his paws, wobbling. “I’m getting dizzy.” He sat as Cuckoocloud cooed over Sandy, sniffing him.
“You have Flowerpaw’s fur,” Sandy said, running a paw across Cuckoocloud’s chest.
“Yes I do!” Cuckoocloud laughed. “Can you be brave for me and find your sisters?” Sandy nodded, snuggling Flowerpaw for a boost of courage before he strolled into the storm.
“You took that well,” Flowerpaw gulped.
“We’re talking about that when we get home,” Cuckoocloud grunted, her intensity taking over now that the kit was out of earshot.
“I’m a grandfather, Cuckoocloud!” Lobsterspot gasped, purring.
“Don’t pass out, Dad,” Podpaw warned as Faith left to join Gorgeous by the other SealClan cats. “We still have one last surprise for the night.”
“Podpaw, don’t toy with me,” Lobsterspot warned, panting. “My heart can’t take much more.”
“Lobster?” someone asked. Crabcake appeared, three tired kits stumbling at her heels, holding back yawns.
“Are you Uncle Lobsterspot?” Little Shrimp said mid-yawn. Lobsterspot collapsed, a sudden cry escaping his jaws. Crabcake dove under him, supporting her brother’s weight.
“It’s me, Lobster,” Crabcake whispered as Lobsterspot cried. “It’s really me.” Thrushpaw slipped away, not wanting to disrupt the family reunion.
ElkClan gathered in the apprentice’s corner and half the crowd surrounded Gouge, examining his wounds. Gouge stayed close to Jacob, who was an equal source of fascination.
“You poor thing!” Frogbelly whined. “This must have hurt. I’m glad you had such good friends to help you afterwards.”
“Thanks?” Gouge gulped.
“Your pelt reminds me of a wolf or rat,” Berryfrost hummed, running his tail over Jacob’s shoulder. “You must stay cool in the summer.”
“I burn easily,” Jacob chuckled awkwardly. He spotted Thrushpaw and called “Hey, you didn’t tell us how chatty ElkClan is!”
“I hope you can keep up!” Thrushpaw scoffed. “I thought Lilac and Mittens were joining you?”
“They’re saying goodbye to Dash and Rainbow,” Gouge explained, dipping under someone’s curious sniffing. “Those two decided on CliffClan.”
“Why not?” Lilac yowled from the opposite side of the Stacked Stones. CliffClan were welcoming Chocolate and Hades into their fold, the pair talking with Buzzardear in depth. Mittens and Dash shared tongues, trying to say goodbye, while Lilac stared at Rainbow, who seemed to want to be anywhere but there.
“From what Flowerpaw’s told us, CliffClan is the Clan of fighters,” Rainbow huffed. “I may want to settle down, but I’m not like you.”
“We could have a good life in ElkClan,” Lilac begged. She moved towards Rainbow, but she backed away.
“We?” Rainbow scoffed. “Lilac, we were just traveling together. We aren’t mates.” Lilac looked like they had been struck. “Did you think we were?” Lilac sunk, dragging her paws.
“I wanted to be,” Lilac muttered. They slowly turned and trudged over to ElkClan. Rainbow turned back to Gooseleg, who wasn’t as quick to forget the awkward encounter as the tortoiseshell.
“We’ll meet up as much as we can,” Dash promised Mittens, touching her nose to his. “Best friends?”
“Best friends,” Mittens purred, eyes closed.
“Too bad you never fell for my charms,” Dash chuckled. Mittens chirped and bunted Dash’s shoulder.
“Thrushpaw, get over here!” Codpaw yowled from the PuffinClan corner. Thrushpaw scurried from the CliffClan corner before he attracted too much attention. Codpaw and Shimmerblaze chatted with Ribbon while Ibisleap played with Beetle and Deerwhisker spoke with Rope.
“Shimmerblaze, I’m so sorry,” Thrushpaw panted, nerves rising as he approached the ginger tabby. “I should have been here for everything. For Archpelt.”
“StarClan must have known Archpelt would soon die,” Shimmerblaze sighed. “It’s why you were sent to collect Rope and Ribbon. I’ve had an interesting discussion with Ribbon here. Technically, it’s against the code for seers and healers of PuffinClan to have mates and kits before an apprentice, but I believe we can make an exception with these two.”
“If the plants here are like those from town, I should be fine,” Ribbon said with a nod.
“I wish we had more cats joining us,” Codpaw grumbled. “SealClan’s got what, twelve?”
“Half of them are kits,” Shimmerblaze pointed out. “We are gaining both a seer and a healer… if you are willing to be my apprentice, Ribbon.”
“You must have seen everything,” Ribbon hummed. “I’m sure I could learn a lot from you. With any luck, this will be a better life for us.” Rope and Deerwhisker slipped closer to the group. Deerwhisker brushed against Graythroat, catching his attention.
“Can you run back to camp and tell the others what’s happened?” Deerwhisker asked. “Flounderfire and Seabranch need to know their kit’s returned.”
“I’ll tell them everything,” Graythroat promised. He spoke with Cliffstripe for a moment before leaping over the stones and running through the hills. Thrushpaw ached to follow, ached to lay in the holy den. Yet, could the holy den ever be the same without Archpelt and Murkstream beside him. He glanced at the four Clans and lingered at SealClan. Flowerpaw and Podpaw were surrounded by their family, the scent of their quest drifting into the stones. He caught Flowerpaw’s gaze as she wrangled Frosty and Muddy towards Cuckoocloud. Thrushpaw didn’t need to say goodbye to his friends. He could see every emotion of the journey in Flowerpaw’s round pupils; the struggle, the celebration, the forging of new relationships and the loss of others.
From opposite corners of the Stacked Stones, the PuffinClan and SealClan apprentices were still as united as they were when they first set out along the river’s path.
Faith could barely keep it in. She bolted around the SealClan patrol, running past Gorgeous and Podpaw and all of the silly kittens they’d collected in their journey. Once upon a time, living among so many cats was just a dream, a thought that danced about as she napped with Gorgeous in the garden. Yet there she was, wandering through a river-streaked land towards a new home.
“I just want to say I’m excited to prove myself to you,” she chirped to Sappelt, lapping around her as Brinestar and Freckletuft led the group to camp.
“Feed our kits and we’ll be fine,” Sappelt grumbled, ears angled down. “Stop running like a kit, you’re going to trip someone.”
“I can’t help it!” Faith squealed. She darted away from the grumpy golden molly and found Lobsterspot walking in sync with Crabcake. His blue collar would have made him at home around the farm, but why did he reek of sadness?
“Hey, don’t be sad!” Faith whined, bumping into Lobsterspot. The ginger tom stumbled into Crabcake, catching his breath. Crabcake nearly dropped Mouse, who had fallen asleep. “You have your sister back! You should be happy!”
“I am happy, Faith,” Lobsterspot sighed, shaking his head. “There’s a lot to think about.”
“Well Flowerpaw has told me nothing but good things about you,” Faith hummed. “I can tell we’re going to be friends! Oh, Podpaw!” Faith bounded away and pressed against Podpaw, who retold the story of his quest to Mothpaw and Antlerpaw near the front of the group. “Podpaw, can you do me a favor? I need to get rid of my bandana.”
“Your leaf collar?” Podpaw clarified.
“Whatever you call it,” Faith scoffed. “You said warriors don’t wear collars, and it’s time I take this off!” She didn’t need her humans if she had Podpaw and SealClan. If her humans cared for her, they would have taken Faith with them, but Podpaw brought her along. Podpaw cared.
“Alright, hold still,” Podpaw warned. They stopped walking, the rest of SealClan slipping around them. Podpaw grabbed the point of the bandana and pulled. It tumbled off Faith’s neck like a leaf from a tree. It caught in the wind and spun towards the ocean. Faith’s fur spiked, unable to hold back her excitement.
“Come on!” Faith cheered. “Race you!” Faith darted towards SealClan, tail high.
“Faith, my ankle!” Podpaw laughed, hurrying after her. Faith galloped past the strange SealClan cats, past Brinestar and Freckletuft, and leapt over a stream. She could see it, the camp Flowerpaw told so many stories about. The cliffs, the bushes and stones and cats ! It was just like the colony, just like the Gathering, countless cats living in the same space. Coaststorm had run back to camp before Brinestar and the other leaders dismissed the Gathering (who would want to listen to boring news with Faith’s arrival?), so she was still telling the story to the Clan when Faith zoomed past two cats on night guard and nearly ran into the boulder in the center of camp.
“StarClan!” someone yelped. Faith sat below the boulder, purring as her new Clanmates surrounded her. Brinestar and Freckletuft trudged past her, climbing onto the boulder. A few cats hesitantly approached Faith, sniffing her pelt. She let them sniff, trilling gently as they brushed her whiskers. A gray spotted molly limped into the returning crowd. It had to be Magpieflower! But what happened to her front paw? Where was it?
“I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it,” Magpieflower cooed. She touched noses with Podpaw and Flowerpaw. “So this is why you left?”
“Six kits, by the moon,” Freckletuft chuckled over Faith’s head. “We won’t have to worry about apprentices in the coming moons.”
“Can we really accept a loner as our next seer?” an elderly brown tom asked the crowd. Mountainleap climbed the stone and stood beside Brinestar.
“StarClan wants them all,” Mountainleap explained. “Flowerpaw and Podpaw have done well. These cats will bring SealClan great pride.” Faith puffed herself up as SealClan stared at her. She trotted to Podpaw and his family, sitting pelt to pelt with the curly furred tom. He purred and licked her ear. Faith could get used to having a tom-friend!
“If the sun and moon decree it, so shall I,” Brinestar called. The entire Clan was awake, kits and elders and cats of a dozen colors. “All those brought to SealClan shall become members of our Clan.”
“I never had a doubt,” Faith purred as SealClan muttered among itself.
“We will make arrangements for the newcomers in a moment,” Brinestar continued, “but there are two cats we must honor before then. Flowerpaw, Podpaw, step forward.” Flowerpaw and Podpaw left their family behind and stood below Brinestar, Freckletuft, and Mountainleap. Lobsterspot held his breath.
“What’s happening?” Faith whispered to him.
“StarClan sent you on a mission, and you have returned triumphant,” Brinestar declared. “You have earned the right to ascend from apprenticeship. I’m certain your mentors won’t disagree.” A silver molly and a brown ticked tabby stood at the edge of the crowd and called out their praises. Brinestar straightened his spine. “I, Brinestar, leader of SealClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as full members of SealClan in turn. Flowerpaw, Podpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?”
“I do,” Flowerpaw hummed. For the first time since the escape from the colony, her shoulders were relaxed and her tail rested over her paws.
“I do!” Podpaw cheered.
“Then by the power of StarClan,” Brinestar purred, jumping off the rock, “I give you your full names. Flowerpaw, from this moment, you shall be known as Flowerroot. StarClan honors your curiosity and bravery, and we welcome you as a full story-keeper of SealClan.” Brinestar rested his chin on Flowerpaw, no, Flowerroot’s head. Faith knew Clan cats changed their names all the time, but she knew Flowerroot as Flowerpaw. It seemed strange to call her anything else. What would she have to call Podpaw?
“Podpaw,” Brinestar said, “from this moment, you shall be known as Podsight. StarClan honors your determination and bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SealClan.” The cats of SealClan began chanting Flowerroot and Podsight’s new names before Brinestar could place his head on Podsight’s. The littermates licked Brinestar’s shoulders and faced the crowd.
“Flowerroot, Podsight!” Faith joined in the cheers. Muddy and Frosty sat at Cuckoocloud’s side, and Muddy communicated the ceremony to her deaf sister.
“I know you want to reconnect with your family, Podsight,” Brinestar sighed, “but you will take up the rest of the night guard in silent vigil. Welcome home.” Tail high and kinked at the end, Podsight jogged past Faith and settled at the edge of camp, facing the Stacked Stones. Could Faith even congratulate her tom-friend? What did a vigil mean?
“We will get to your inaugural story soon, Flowerroot,” Brinestar said, “but I think we should acknowledge the three kits who do not have a mother.” Muddy and Sandy looked up, with Frosty catching on a moment later.
“I’ll explain what happened during my tale,” Flowerroot gulped, pelt bristling, “but in the end, their mother is dead and I have taken it upon myself to raise them.”
“You wish to be their mother?” Freckletuft clarified. Shock rippled through the Clan.
“I have to be,” Flowerroot insisted. “I’ll join the nursery to care for them.”
“No,” Cuckoocloud huffed, trudging up to Flowerroot and Brinestar. “You deserve to enjoy your new name, Flowerroot. I’ll watch them in the nursery.”
“Mom, they’re my responsibility,” Flowerroot grunted, ears twitching.
“For StarClan’s sake, we have so many queens right now, we can care for a few more kits!” a golden molly yowled.
“Needlecall, you’re busy with your own kits,” Cuckoocloud sighed, she and her daughter facing the interruptor.
“I need to care for them,” Flowerroot repeated over her mother.
“That’s enough,” Needlecall snapped. “When has a Clan ever left the raising of a litter to a queen alone?” More cats raised their voice, agreeing with Needlecall’s argument. Muddy, Sandy, and Frosty, appeared between Flowerroot and Cuckoocloud, searching for answers. “I won’t be taking no for an answer.” Flowerroot has nothing to say, wrapping her tail around the kits.
“I believe I heard their names at the Gathering,” Brinestar hummed, approaching the three kits. “Frosty, Sandy, and Muddy, yes?” Muddy nodded while Sandy translated. “Did Flowerroot tell you that when you live in a Clan, you take on a new name?”
“Our dad named us,” Muddy explained proudly. Everyone who saw Luanne’s death cringed, drawing confused stares from Crabcake and the Clan cats.
“I want a name like Flowerroot,” Sandy grunted, sticking his head under Frosty’s chin. “And you need to give my sisters new names too. And if you don’t give Frosty her name, we’re all leaving! She deserves to stay! We can talk to her!”
“You’re deaf, aren’t you?” Brinestar asked Frosty. Although Frosty could not understand his words, the intention came through. She batted at her ears like she was trying to get them working. “Well… we found a solution for Antlerpaw, and we can find one for you. We can call you Frostkit, Sandkit, and Mudkit. Not too different, but they’re new. Do you like them?”
“I like that,” Sandy, now Sandkit, hummed.
“You’ve been traveling for a long time,” Brinestar cooed. “Needlecall over there will show you your new den and help you sleep. The other kits will love new playmates.”
“I want to meet more kits,” Mudkit declared. “Night night, Flower!” She nuzzled Flowerroot’s leg, then pushed her littermates along. Needlecall picked up Sandkit and led the other two towards a hole in the ground. Frostkit tried to talk to Needlecall, making her unique gestures, but the queen didn’t notice. All Frostkit could do was slink after.
“And then we have the other three kits,” Brinestar sighed. She moved towards Lobsterspot, Crabcake, and Crabcake’s kits. Little Shrimp, Algae, and Mouse had all fallen asleep. “You must be Lobsterspot’s long lost sister. You’ll always have kin in SealClan.”
“Thank you,” Crabcake gulped. “You want to give my kits new names, then?”
“It will help them befriend the other kits,” Lobsterspot pointed out. “They won’t feel out of place.”
“I suppose Lobster didn’t fully lose his name,” Crabcake admitted, glancing at her brother, “so mine won’t either. If I paid attention, their new names would be… Shrimpkit, Mousekit, and Algaekit?”
“Exactly,” Brinestar purred. “We won’t worry about you quite yet. You get to be a queen and care for your kits in the nursery. Needlecall and the other queens will help you adjust.”
“Lobsterspot still has his collar,” Crabcake pointed out, “yet no one else does. Do I keep mine?” Lobsterspot ran a paw over his blue collar.
“I would suggest not,” Brinestar sighed, “but if you’re like your brother, I won’t force you to give it up.”
“Tomorrow, then,” Crabcake yawned. “I need time to adjust.” She picked Shrimpkit up by the scruff. Lobsterspot and another golden molly Faith didn’t know grabbed Mousekit and Algaekit. Lobsterspot ran his tail over Cuckoocloud and Flowerroot’s flanks before he followed the mollies to the nursery.
“Now for you,” Brinestar said, turning to Faith. Faith straightened up, smoothing over a tuft on her leg. “What’s your name?”
“Faith,” Faith declared. “I want to be a warrior like Podpaw, or Podsight, whatever his new name is.”
“You’ll have to train first,” Brinestar warned. “Can you hunt? Can you fight?”
“Yes I can,” Faith chirped, sitting tall. “I’ll do whatever you want.”
“Then come over here,” Brinestar ordered. He led Faith to the bottom of the boulder. “All you have to do is touch noses to your mentor when the time comes. I’m glad to have you in SealClan.” Brinestar jumped back onto the boulder. “Young Faith wishes to join our Clan, so she will become a warrior apprentice. Faith, from this day until the day you earn your warrior name, you shall be known as… Faithpaw. StarClan, I ask you to guide this new apprentice. Set her paws on the path she must follow to become a warrior. Torneye!” Faithpaw held her breath as a ginger molly with a missing eye approached her. There was moss stuffed into the empty socket. “Torneye, you know what it is like to adapt to new life circumstances. You are ready to take on your first apprentice. You received excellent training from Kitefall, and you have shown yourself to be dedicated and patient. You will be Faithpaw’s mentor, and I expect you to pass on all your knowledge to her.”
Torneye stood in front of Faithpaw. Her breath trapped in her throat, Faithpaw touched her nose to Torneye’s.
“Faithpaw!” Gorgeous cheered from her spot near Emberpool and Antlerpaw. “Faithpaw!” Flowerroot and her family took up the chant. Soon the entire Clan was calling Faithpaw’s new name. She even saw Podsight turn his head, pride in his eyes.
“I’ve never had to hold so many ceremonies in one night,” Brinestar laughed. “There’s just one more to perform. The prophesied seer, Gorgeous.”
“Yes,” Gorgeous chirped, jogging up to Faithpaw and Torneye. “I am ready to accept my new position.”
“You may have been chosen by StarClan, but even cats of a prophecy require apprenticeship,” Freckletuft huffed.
“But she needs to replace me,” Mountainleap stammered.
“Yes, eventually,” Brinestar muttered with a flick of an ear. “You still have many moons left to serve our Clan.” Mountainleap scounged for words as Brinestar peered down at Gorgeous. Torneye carefully tugged Faithpaw’s scruff. She led the new apprentice to the side as Brinestar decreed “Gorgeous, do you accept the post of apprentice to Mountainleap?”
“I do,” Gorgeous hummed, tail swishing the grass.
“Then at the half-moon, you will travel to the Hollow to be accepted by StarClan before the other seers. The good wishes of all SealClan will go with you.” Freckletuft nudged Mountainleap off the boulder. He stumbled down and quickly touched his nose to Gorgeous’.
“Gorgeous! Gorgeous!” Faithpaw cheered first, just as Gorgeous had for her. SealClan cheered their new seer apprentice on with more joy than they had for Faithpaw. It didn’t matter. She’d earn the same level of praise from her new family one of these days.