Shaft of Light

Icestar sat inside his den, staring out into the camp through the wavy image of the water spilling down from his den.He flicked his tail to and fro, until he finally mustered up the strength he needed to make the announcement.

Slowly he got up and maneuvered stiffly out of his den and lightly trotted over to the Oak Branch, his pace making him seem more like an elder than a fit leader.

"Let all those cats old enough to catch their own prey join under the Oak Branch for a Clan meeting!" He meowed, though his voice faltered at the end. As cats began to appear, rogues and Clan cats mixed together, he began to speak. "I know that these last few days have been hard. Stormfang being killed by a fox, and with the prey returning to it's hollows. But, also in these past days, we have been able to survive with almost a full prey-pile, and I praise Copper and Nettle for chasing off that fox. I'm sure Stormfang is very grateful." He nodded his head towards the two rogues, who nodded, their eyes hard and cold. A dull praise was given out. "And today, I would like to do something that not only lifts our spirits, but shows that OakClan is strong. "Dragonpaw, Birdpaw, Dustpaw, and Snowpaw, please step forward." His eyes glowed with pride as he stepped towards his one apprentice, who had adapted well to the training sessions given by the rogues, and he saw a gleam of approval in one of the well-respected rogues eyes, along with many of his own clanmates. After asking if the apprentices were ready, he carried on.

"I, Icestar, leader of OakClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn." Nodded to him, he continued. "Dragonpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" The apprentice drew in a breath before he answered, but he sounded as sure as ever.

"I do." He meowed.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Dragonpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Dragonblaze. StarClan honors your strength and independence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of OakClan." As Icestar finished saying the sacred words, Dragonblaze licked his old mentor's shoulder as Icestar rested his muzzle on the top of his head. Before another word could be said, a crowd of cats engulfed the newly named warrior with congratulatory yowls. As soon as it began to quiet down, Icestar continued, giving Birdpaw the name Birdwing, Dustpaw the name Duststripe, and Snowpaw being named Snowfoot. Once the Clan quieted down again after cheering, Icestar held up his tail.

"We're not over yet." Beckoning the Clan's kits with a sweep of his tail, he named them Echopaw, Toadpaw, Clawpaw, Badgerpaw, Ravenpaw, Firepaw, and Rainpaw. "Echopaw's mentor will be Snowfoot, Toadpaw's Dragonblaze, Clawpaw will be given to Duststripe, Birdwing will be Badgerpaw's mentor, Ravenpaw will be Scarlet's apprentice," A few gasps were heard at the mention of a rogues name, but Icestar carried on. "Firepaw will be Amber's apprentice and Rainpaw will be given to Goldenbreeze." Icestar watched as each of the apprentices touched noses with their mentors, and how more cheers erupted in the hallow.

~*~

Once everything was settled, and the newly named warriors' put on watch, Icestar stalked over to his deputy. "Jet, I know it was you. I know you are the one who killed Stormfang."

A New Era

"I have a proposition for you." A tom stated, standing before three, wild looking cats.

"We want nothing to do with you! Get out!" A ragged ginger tom said menacingly, curling his lip back in a snarl. A black tom, one that seemed to be the leader, swept the red tom back with a swish of his tail.

"Get back, Copper. This has nothing to do with you." His piercing blue eyes didn't bother to look at his companion, and he stepped forward with confidence. "I'm listening, but that doesn't mean I'm interested." He said, a low growl sound deep in his throat. "Go on."

"Good. I'm sure you will be pleased with my offer."

~*~

Sunlight peaked through the cracks of the warriors den, glaring light down on the sleeping cats. Goldenbreeze began to stir, slowly opening her eyes to slits of green. I better go get the patrols ready... She thought, but then remembered all of the events that had happened. Oh, yes... I forgot... I'm not the Clan deputy anymore... Sadness filled her gaze when she remembered that she wasn't appointed as the new deputy, and confusion on why that was clouded her mind. No, I wasn't dwell on that... She thought, and pricked her ears when Icestar started to call a meeting, thankfully using the correct words this time.

"Cats of OakClan! I want you to welcome someone who has been with us for many moons. In secret, of course." He meowed before murmurs of confusion swept throughout the crowd. "She goes by the name of Amber of Burning Fire, but is simply called as Amber. Though she excels at many things, she will be joining the Warrior's Den. He nodded to Blueflower. "I hope you have enough time to teach her our ways, if you do not mind." The blue she-cat nodded, and he bowed his head gratefully.

Taking a deep breath, he continued. "Now, while on my journey back from the Moon Pool, I ran into the rogues." Stunned silence met his words, and questions like how did he survive rang throughout the clearing. "We discussed certain things, and he gave me a preposition." Three cats stepped out of the shadows. The hefty black tom that had defeated Cloudstar, his eyes filled with malice, and his two companions, or servants, more like. "And we agreed that together, we can make each other stronger. They have agreed to join OakClan."

~*~

Amber pricked her eyes at the sound of voices coming outside the prey-hunter's den. No wait, the apprentice's den... Or was it the warrior's den? These Clan cats are too confusing! Groggily getting up, she realized it was Jet hissing to Icestar.

"Hurry up! I have to talk to you." His meow was dark and thick. It made Amber shudder whenever she heard him. Why are they here so early? Usually Jet only sends over his cats at sun-high or something. 

 For the past 2 moons, Jet has been sending over his rogues to help and clear out duties here. At first, it was only every other day or so, but then it started to become almost like a routine, and the cats got used to seeing them. Though Amber could tell they weren't fully settled with having outsiders lurk in every corner, and she saw most cats send glares their way. Though she disliked their crow-food type of scent, she still felt sorry for them. She knew what it felt like to be an outsider. Usually the rogues would stay away from the Clan cats, except for the occasionally one or two of them that said "hi". Amber also liked to hunt with one she-cat, named Scarlet. She was new to Jet's group, but she insisted he was the best leader to have. I wonder if I'll see her today...

Snapping back into reality, she focused more on the voices.

 "Okay, okay I'm coming. Calm down!" Hissed Icestar with his edgy meow. 

"Good. I have something important to tell you. Copper and Cliff are with me." Amber saw him whip around and dart into the forest, with Icestar in pursuit. Curiosity getting the best of her, Amber slowly slunk out of the den, and into the forest.

~*~

"Well, why did you bring me here?" Icestar meowed in annoyance, flicking a raindrop off of his ear. 

"I have news. Good news." Jet meowed, seeming quite pleased with himself. 

"Alright, get on with it." Icestar growled, and Copper curled his lip, but was hushed with Icestar whipped his head around, hissing menacingly. 

"If I may continue." Jet meowed darkly, and Icestar nodded. "I have gladly disposed of the ones called Hawkeye and Sparkfire." Utter silence met his words, and Amber held her breath. Hawkeye and Sparkfire, two of the most respected cats in the Clan!

"You did what?" Icestar snarled, standing up, staring face to face with Jet. Cliff and Copper began to step forward, but Jet sent them back with a flick of his tail. 

"They were weak." He spat, disgusted. "You should have seen this as a favor!" 

"What? Killing two of my loyal warriors? No, Jet. I want you out of here!" The leader curled his lip, lashing his tail. Amber widened her eyes, expecting Jet to lash out and claw her leader. She almost thought she saw fear in the black tom's eyes, but if she did, it was gone in a second.

"No, no, no, Icestar. Don't you see what I have done? I have made this Clan stronger! Without them, we won't have to waste our herbs on their sickness. We'll have more for what is to come, don't you see?" Icestar seemed to relax, though hatred burned in his eyes.

"I-I suppose... But will I tell my Clan?" Icestar meowed, his shoulders sagging. 

"That's easy! They were already sick, just say they were too frail to recover. I'll send two more of my recruits to fill in their spots. See? Now all you have to do is forget about this. Oh, and I think you know who the new deputy will be already." He said slyly, nodding to his two comrades, as they stalked out of the small clearing, and back to their own camp. Icestar stayed in his exact spot, as if he was frozen. Whipping around, Amber sprang back into camp, still not able to process what she heard.

~*~

Amber pressed her ear's flat against her head as she heard Stoneheart's yowl of anguish as Icestar announced the death of his friend and once deputy. His voice heavy, Icestar carried on. "And the new deputy will be Jet, may StarClan hear and approve my choice..." His voice faltered, and he looked dazed. The Clan cats halfheartedly cheered, and went to say good-bye to their old clanmates. Amber looked around wildly for Scarlet, and spotted her about to go out of camp. "Scarlet!" She hissed, running up to her friend. "I have to talk to you. Alone." Alarmed, her friend agreed and they met in the same place Jet and Icestar did, the memories still haunting her.

"I-I overheard something..." Amber began carefully, but began to blurt it all out, of how she followed and heard everything. Nervously, she looked up, and saw Scarlet's face of pure confusion.

"B-But how? Amber, Jet would never do that... Never. I'm sure you should heard him wrong. He was probably just telling Icestar the news of their deaths, that's all. Why don't we go hunting., to get your mind off of things?" Amber looked at her friend skeptically, and saw that there was more in her eyes. Maybe Scarlet just doesn't want to admit it.. She thought sadly, and nevermore had she wanted to be back at home, training as a StarTeller than to be here.