Bluestar's Prophecy

Bluefur’s neck was aching from the weight of the rabbit by the time they neared the ravine. She was trying her best not to let it drag along the ground, but the closer they got, the more its pelt scuffed the leaves. She couldn’t wait to drop it on the fresh-kill pile. Thistlepaw raced into the lead as they reached the edge and scooted first down the cliff. Bluefur thumped down after him, the rabbit swinging awkwardly from her jaws.

“Listen!” Thistlepaw skidded to a halt in front of her, and she almost crashed into him, her face full of rabbit fur.

“Whaf?” she mumbled.

Thistlepaw’s ears were pricked, his pelt bristling. “I can hear something.”

The rest of the patrol had stopped behind Bluefur.

“Me too,” Robinwing hissed.

Adderfang was scenting the air as Bluefur turned to look back up the path. “It’s that dog!” he warned. “It’s coming back.”

Smallear spun around. “It can smell the rabbit.”

Paws thudded over the forest floor near the top of the ravine; leaves swished and twigs crashed. The dog was charging toward them, fast.

“It mustn’t find the camp!” Adderfang growled.

Bluefur pictured the dog rampaging through the dens; Leopardfoot’s kits would never survive. She dropped the rabbit. “I’ll take this to the top and leave it. It might be enough to stop the dog following.”

“Good plan.” Adderfang nodded. “Smallear, warn the Clan. Get warriors to guard the entrance in case the dog does follow.”

As Smallear hared away, Bluefur picked up the rabbit and began to shoulder past her Clanmates, praying that leaving her catch would be enough to distract the dog.

“No!” Thistlepaw’s angry yowl made her freeze. “We caught that rabbit. We’re going to keep it.” He bounded past Bluefur and disappeared over the top.

“Thistlepaw!” Adderfang chased him up the stack of boulders.

Bluefur tossed the rabbit at Robinwing’s paws. “If the dog comes over the top, leave it here. It might stop it.” She pelted after Adderfang, bounding up the rock and over the edge of the ravine in time to see the dog crash from the undergrowth. Thistlepaw faced it, his back arched and his tail bushed out. As the dog lunged at him, he swiped a forepaw across its muzzle, then aimed another slice at its eye. Blood sprayed the forest floor.

Yelping, the dog sprang back and bared its teeth before lunging again. This time Thistlepaw swerved, diving under its belly and twisting to rake it with hind claws. The dog howled with rage, but Thistlepaw was ready, rearing up, his claws glistening with blood. He swiped again at the dog’s muzzle, batting it with blow after blow until the dog began to back away.

“Run back to your Twoleg!” Thistlepaw hissed, aiming a vicious swipe that missed the snapping jaws by a whisker but sliced open the dog’s nose. Howling, the dog turned and fled into the forest.

Adderfang’s eyes were wide. “Blessed StarClan!” he breathed.

Thistlepaw stared triumphantly at his mentor. “There was no way it was going to steal Clan prey.”

Bluefur blinked. She’d never seen such courage, however foolish it had been. She stepped back, speechless, as Thistlepaw shouldered past. Stormtail, Sunfall, and Pinestar were standing with their hackles up at the base of the ravine. They watched in amazement as Thistlepaw bounded down the cliff.

“The dog’s gone,” he announced, hardly out of breath, before brushing past them and heading for the gorse tunnel.

Bluefur picked up the rabbit and followed. While Thistlepaw accepted the praise of his Clanmates, she quietly placed it on the fresh-kill pile.

“He nearly sliced off its nose,” Adderfang was boasting.

“How big was it?” Poppydawn breathed.

“Bigger than a badger,” Thistlepaw mewed.

Mumblefoot and Weedwhisker padded from the fallen tree.

“He fought a dog?” Mumblefoot gasped. “No Clan cat’s tried that since LionClan walked the forest.”

Pinestar leaped onto Highrock. “Clanmates!” he called. “I can think of no better moment to give Thistlepaw his warrior name.”

The Clan cheered its approval.

Pinestar leaped down from Highrock to meet Thistlepaw in the center of the clearing. “Step forward, young tom.”

“A warrior already,” Windflight murmured proudly.

Poppydawn glanced over her shoulder at the apprentices’ den. Sweetpaw’s drawn face poked out, her eyes shining as she watched her littermate. There’ll be no warrior name for her yet, Bluefur thought sadly. A prickle of alarm shot through her as Sweetpaw drew her frail body through the ferns and crouched down, trembling, just outside the den.

Pinestar lifted his muzzle. “From this moment, you will be known as Thistleclaw. StarClan honors your bravery and your fighting skill. ThunderClan will always remember your courage today, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan. Serve your Clan well.” He pressed his muzzle to Thistleclaw’s head.

Thistleclaw gazed proudly around at his Clanmates as Snowfur hurried to his side and pressed her muzzle against his, purring.