CotS #1: The Dark Path (currently being rewritten)

Chapter Sixteen

New Zealand shrugged. "Well, Lightcry, Earthmist and Sunstreak were executed. The rest are staying."

Whoa! Lightcry, Earthmist and Sunstreak were executed? That was a bit harsh to Earthmist and Sunstreak! They hadn't done anything at all. Lightcry had been the true mastermind, but her siblings were being punished.

I nodded stiffly at the news, resigned.

Icestar was on the High Rock, and she regarded me with a motherly smile.

"Stormdawn! You're okay!" Swanpaw bounced over.

"I'm okay."

She pressed against me as if I were her mother. I didn't quite get it – her mother was Lightmist.

"New Zealand, Iceland, Singapore, Virginia, Lithuania, Ethiopia, Romania, Pennsylvania, Italy, Transylvania, Nairobi, Helsinki, Christchurch, Paris, Columbia, Australia and America, step forward."

Columbia supported Pennsylvania, and the two of them came up to the High Rock. Their kits, Italy, Transylvania, Lithuania and Ethiopia followed behind. Further back were Romania and Virginia, walking together – ugh – romantically, and their kits, Nairobi, Helsinki, Christchurch and Paris. Lastly were America and Australia, who were Iceland's children with a deceased cat. (Yep. Iceland totally had kits.)

"New Zealand, from this moment onwards you will be known as Zealheart. Columbia, from this moment onwards you will be known as Conefoot. Pennsylvania, from this moment onwards you will be known as Pansyleaf. Italy, from this moment onwards you will be known as Irisstream. Transylvania, from this moment onwards you will be known as Tansyclaw. Lithuania, from this moment onwards you will be known as Lightdawn. Ethiopia, you will be known as Earthwing. Romania, Virginia, you will be Rowanbark and Vixenleap. America, Australia, you will be known as Ashwind and Airstreak. Nairobi, Helsinki, Christchurch and Paris, you will be known as Nettlepaw, Heartpaw, Cypruspaw and Pheasantpaw, and your mentors will be Conefoot, Irisstream, Tansyclaw and Lightdawn. Iceland, you will be apprenticed to Cocoaleaf and Emuwing, and your name will be Iceflight. Singapore, your name will be Songpaw, and you will also be apprenticed to Cocoaleaf and Emuwing."

Everyone cheered for them – Conefoot, Pansyleaf, Irisstream, Tansyclaw, Lightdawn, Earthwing, Rowanbark, Vixenleap, Ashwind, Airstreak, Iceflight, Songpaw, Nettlepaw, Heartpaw, Cypruspaw and Pheasantpaw. They would be a good addition to the Clan – a lot more warriors, five more apprentices, and one new queen to bear some more kits. More than that, now that CountryClan had merged, all the families were together again. That was a happy thing indeed.

"I have to name my deputy now," Icestar meowed quietly. There was a quiet, simple, yet confident air to our new leader. I had to say, I liked it.

I was surprised she wasn't making a big thing out of it, meowing as quietly as she had. Was it because she didn't know who to pick for deputy? I could suggest some people – Heathermist was certainly experienced enough. Or maybe, someone even older, like Echoheart.

"Stormdawn, will you be my deputy?" Icestar asked.

I stared, then looked at my paws. "Um – me?" Great StarClan, I suddenly felt so shy, and every cat's eyes were on me. Why did I find this embarrassing?

Icestar nodded. "There is no one better I want to lead the Clan with me now. I need your rebelliousness. You're rebellious, but for a good reason, and you don't go along with everything said. You'll rebel when I make loony decisions. I need you."

I saw the desperation in Icestar's eyes, despite her big play of confidence.

"I'll do it," I agreed.