{this is your ASCENsion__xy

[untilthis.echo]

[e c h o] x s t a r

Today was a good day, at least to some extent.

Today was the day where Crescentpaw would ascend from medicine cat apprentice to full-fledged medicine cat. Flightfoot had disappeared, so it seemed and the Clan couldn't wait any longer for him to return. The absence of their healer was taking its toll on them, what with the coldness of leafbare and the growing illness spreading throughout them. They needed their savior, and it would have to be Crescentpaw.

He woke when the first light of dawn hit the camp, peering through the brambles around them. His pallid eyes blinked open, then stared into the growing pool of sunlight lit their home gloriously. There was a mixture of both despondency and joy when he arose from his nest at the edge of the camp, beneath a thick bramble bush. Stepping one paw out of the shadows, the massive feline shifted his head this way and that, ears up. Today was definitely the day. He padded out of the brush and made his way to the large boulder nearby.

A Clan meeting was about to commence.

His muscles tensed, preparing himself for the leap and the Bengal grunted as he jumped onto the boulder, claws scrabbling against the stone before he righted himself. Ears erect, tail waving this way and that, he faced the Clan as the first cats began to creep out of their nests to face the day. Heaving in a breath, the tom twitched his ears as he mulled over his words. Finally, Echostar gave a bellowing caterwaul.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here for a Clan meeting!

[keestaa..]

xx as the time of darkness descends
the true heroes rise xx
crescent_]] paw

xxxx

Today, was a normal crisp Leafbare day, so that meant there was wind, it was cold, and the ground was covered with a light coating of snow from the night before. It had been a mild winter so far and Newleaf would be opening up new doors and prey, as well as herbs, wouldn't be rare anymore and it would be warmer. Crescentpaw did not mind the cold weather, he actually liked the freezing cold much better than the burning hot, but he wasn't a normal cat. Being at the age of twenty-two moons, he had never known a cat this age that still had the word 'paw' at the end of his title. Maybe it was because his mentor had been gone for several moons now. Echostar had said that soon, he would be full Medicine Cat but he was still waiting for Flightfoot to return. Crescentpaw had had a dream of his death, Flightfoot's, but Echostar still believed that one day he would return. Crescentpaw had sadly lost hope for his best friend and mentor.

This afternoon, the small gray tabby tom sat in Flightfoot's den, sorting berries. He had gone out with a younger apprentice earlier but sorry to say, the young cat had done a horrible job collecting berries and had dropped several, and squished many more, which gave Crescentpaw a harder job to work on. The den he had lived in for so long, was dark. The only light shining in the cave was from the entrance, which was a small crack between the two large boulders creating the den that Crescentpaw knew as home. A small stream ran through the crack, the sound was comforting and made Crescentpaw feel like he wasn't alone. Thank StarClan, not many cats had been so sick that they had to stay in this den lately. The place was a mess since Flightfoot was gone and Crescentpaw was trying his hardest to make sure everything was in order.

Sorting the berries in the dark didn't cause any problems for Crescentpaw. He could do all the sorting by the feeling of the berries and the smell of the rotten ones. When each berry was either disposed or put in the nice pile in one of the cracks in the cave, Crescentpaw moved on to the catmint. There was only a little left and this time of Leafbare was the worst for Blackcough, whitecough, greencough... Especially in young or weak cats. Crescentpaw bit his lip, his sea green eyes filled with worry. He would have to go out near the RiverClan border to go get some later. He gave it a second thought. Why put something off until later when he could do it right now? The small tom squeezed through the entrance of his den, blinked against the strong light and the white snow. He stretched and yawned. It was nice to be out of that stuffy den. Suddenly a loud gruff call was heard over the harsh winds. He blinked to see Echostar, calling the Clan together.

Maybe it was finally time.

Crescentpaw didn't hesitate one bit. His long yet small body felt alive with excitement. His short legs carried him quickly over to the Bigboulder where Echostar sat. The light was so bright, that Crescentpaw could barely even look at his Leader the light hurt so much. Maybe staying in his den, working, and mourning the death of his best friend wasn't good for his eyesight... Or for anything, He hadn't spoke to many cats lately... He even forgot some of the warriors. He looked at his paws. He was disappointed with himself. If he was really going to be a real Medicine Cat, then he would try his hardest to be just as good as Flightfoot. No. He would be better.

[[ so so suicide ] x-moo//]

_________Twilight & snow_________

[ s u r r o u n d e d ] by secreticy

[/i][/center][/color]

Twilightsnow padded in between the undergrowth. She stepped lightly on the ground, she didn't want to focus any attention on her. She had a bundle of watermint in her mouth. She saw that Echostar had ust called a Clan meeting. The she-cat quickly slipped inside the medicine cat den, and scented out the right herb pile from his stocks. She dropped them into a neat pile, hoping it wouldn't cost him too much work that she didn't strip the stems off completely.

The thing that hurts the most

She then sauntered back out, sitting down in Echostar's view without another word. She felt uncomfortably sad, ever since Flightfoot had gone. She missed him terribly, not because he had been the medicine cat, but because she had loved him. She remembered the day she and him had met out in the forest in WindClan territory, talking about long lost memories. Fresh excitement and pure joy stabbed her when she remembered the moment he had admitted his feelings for her. It had made her feel so welcomed in the Clan, and relieved to know that he had felt the same. She felt hot tears pressing at the back of her eyes, but she pushed them away, if she cried now, in front of a Clan meeting, it was bound to get her some attention, and if she couldn't explain. . .

Why must this be

[/b] so forbidden?[/center][/color]

She jerked the tears out of her and gazed up at her leader, waiting for him to speak. She looked across and saw Crescentpaw sitting closeby, looking so proud, eager, and determined. Fresh sadnesses washed over her as she remembered this cat used to be the apprentice of Flightfoot. She gave herself a rough shake and distracted herself by giving herself a thorough wash. Waves of unhappiness were bound to be rolling off of her pelt by now, and perhaps a wash would give her some time to think and recover. She begin to lick her paws and rub it across her face as so awaited her leader to start the discussion.

Sometimes remembering

[/b] is not enough[/u][/center][/blockquote][/blockquote][/color]

[x__without a heart]

argyle [kit]

Confiteor Deo Omnipotenti

Her ears twitched and her nose wrinkled as the little kit heard the bellow of her leader, Echostar. She had grown quite used to the occasional Clan Meeting cries. She did not wake her brothers Patternkit and Squarekit, instead making her way out of the nursery by herself. The delicate, but elegant brown and white, black-banded tabby femme yawned widely and padded out. She was a loner by nature, straying away from her foster mother. She knew the queen she suckled from wasn't her mother; Southernsky's looks at her made her realize that. Argylekit was different, it seemed, but possibly today, she would have her apprentice ceremony, like how Crescentpaw was soon going to be the medicine cat. She didn't know Flightfoot, the previous medicine cat, but that didn't matter really. She liked Crescentpaw and thought him a truly nice young tom.

Beatae Mariae semper Virgini

Coming to her little paws, Argylekit made her way forward, her beautiful sea-green eyes wide at the sights and smells around her. She slunk past the larger warriors, making her way up front so she could see. No one really paid much attention to her, being so small, and she honestly didn't mind it.

Beato Michaeli archangelo

The she-kit's eyes turned upward to Echostar, awaiting his announcement. She didn't bear any signs of being nervous. If she wasn't chosen to have a mentor this round, she would wait until the next ceremony to receive one. She didn't mind.

Sanctis apostolis omnibus sanctis

[untilthis.echo]

[ e c h o] x s t a r

The Clan began gathering all around him.

They stared, with ominous gazes of curiosity that, for a reason he couldn't fathom, sent a scorching feeling down his spine. He wondered if they trusted him as much as they seemed to. They still followed his orders, came when he beckoned, came at his call. One by one they lined forward, in a mass beneath the big boulder. A flicker of pallid fur made his eyes rove, turned him toward Twilightsnow who stalked cautiously a ways off. His ears pricked, swiveling toward her. Oddly enough, she seemed uneasy, depressed and tense. But why? He would have thought she of all cats would be proud. She'd been a good friend to Flightfoot, this he knew at least. Was she not happy that his apprentice was finally becoming a medicine cat?

But we all have our secrets to hide...

He faced away from her, her anxiety making the skin beneath his pelt begin to crawl. Amongst the mass of felines, he caught sight of a tiny thing slithering between the warriors, situating itself a bit off. For a moment, his stress dissipated to make way for amusement, eyes softening at the tiny bundle of fur. She seems excited. And she should have been. Though he hadn't told her or mentioned it to her, Argylekit was about to have a pleasant gift given to her. His whiskers twitched at the thought. And she's not the only one either. He looked, but couldn't spy the oaken and white mask that identified Hewkit in a mass.

Later then... For now it is his time.

Facing forward once more, Echo felt his whiskers quiver as he sucked in his breath. He held it, feeling his chest swell as he prepared to begin the ceremony. Crescentpaw had waited too long for this and there was no need for delay again. He's been waiting too long. I've been making him wait too long. Flightfoot would have wished it so. A feeling of loss, tangled with grief, began to burn with him. He wished it didn't feel so familiar, that the feeling didn't come so easily to him. Solemnly, he lifted his chin, but when his voice rang out above the cats, it didn't falter.

"Cats of Windclan! Today we hold a special ceremony! As you all know, our medicine cat Flightfoot has been missing for days. No longer will I wait for him to return, our Clan cannot spare anymore time. We need a medicine cat now. And we shall have one!"

He turned at this, directed his gaze downward and flicked his tail as he rasped to the young tom, "Crescentpaw, come forward. It is time for your ceremony. You've earned your name."

Starclan will let me grant his name right? They would will for it.

[[ so so suicide ] x-moo//]

_________Twilight & snow_________

[/u][/b][/center][/color]

Twilightsnow saw Echostar looking at her, and she immedately realized her mistake. She shook herself angrily. She was the deputy! Why was she cooped up in her own misery? She felt angry at herself for being so self-pitied, and she padded up towards Echostar, settling closer to him, and stood taller, making her authority as deputy more clear now.

[ those ] words are too painful

But when Echostar began speaking of the words for Cresentpaw to become the full medicine cat, the grief - filled thoughts filled her head again and deep sorrow churned in her deep dark blue eyes. All she kept hinking about was the way he looked at her when they had snuck out to talk to each other. How he had so suddenly disappeared on his journey back when they collected the watermint so long ago. She knew by now that he was dead as he hadn't turned up for moons, and she could barely control the grief that was wracking through her body.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

E v e r y t h i n g i've been hiding

[/color]

All the other times she would have been embarrassed that every cat was watching her, but now she no longer cared. She wanted to stop everything. Flightfoot was the true medicine cat, but she could not bring the words up to her throat. She couldn't contradict her leader, not in front of everyone. She just couldn't. All she could do was pray that she could keep her sorrow burried until no one was watching.

[keestaa..]

i took one big step and i looked away

crescentpaw

and then i thought of all the things that i wanted to say

More and more cats had been getting sick lately and with no Flightfoot, it was harder, but Crescentpaw knew more than his mentor had given him credit for. Even before he disappeared, he could've taken him to Moonpool for his full warrior name before his disappearance but that all came back to how many cats were getting sick lately. It had be hectic and now that Flightfoot was gone, Crescentpaw had all the sick cats to himself, with no help. He wanted to be full Medicine Cat so he could actually have an apprentice eventually to help him and take some of the weight off his shoulders. And apprentices can't actually have apprentices. Not only that, but Crescentpaw had also been receiving odd dreams lately of Flightfoot in StarClan telling him to move on but they were blurry from barely any sleep and constantly waking up to moaning cats. But from how well he knew his mentor, his best friend, he knew that was Flightfoot in his dreams.

i'm always too late

And not only did Crescentpaw know Flightfoot like the back of his paw, he knew of his love for Twilightsnow, the Deputy and he didn't know that from Flightfoot's tellings. He knew that from paying attention. The young tomcat was wise and he paid attention to the people he cared about. He hadn't actually followed his mentor out with Twilightsnow but he knew that he was out there with her having a lot of fun and coming back to the den with a smug grin on his face. He would laugh at everyone word Crescentpaw muttered about Twilightsnow and then they would go hunting again. They way they looked at each other and smiled, yet it was forbidden. Crescentpaw had never said anything to his mentor about it because he didn't want to crush his spirits yet he kept it a secret for all this time. And when he saw the pretty Deputy appear from the undergrowth, he could only give her a sad nod because he knew the pain she was going through.

you never got your story straight

Sighing, Crescentpaw watched as the other cats gathered. Little Argylekit looked as though her mentor would be given to her soon. He smiled remembering the little warrior training Flightfoot had given to him and the little training he had before he became Medicine Cat apprentice. He wasn't one for fighting though, he had never been but Argylekit looked like a fighter and a hunter under her little kitten self. Smiling he nodded to the younger cat, but then Echostar's booming voice roared over the sound of chirping birds and rustling branches. But he suddenly became very nervous when he started to speak of Crescentpaw receiving his warrior name. What would it be? Crescentnight, Crescentsong, Crescentfoot, Crescentgaze? He wondered deeply what his name would be but whatever it would be, he knew Echostar would choose something really nice. But when this ceremony was over, he would be Medicine Cat. The full Medicine Cat with no strings attached.

i'm always up late

So Crescentpaw walked forward to get his name, worried, yet hoping that Flightfoot was watching him from StarClan and the thought made him push on with the courage he never thought he had.

i think i'm everything you hate

[untilthis.echo]

[e c h o] x s t ar

He held his breath, waited, and gazed at the tom slowly stalking forward. He was still young, not fully having gone through all the training steps that Flightfoot had yet to teach him before he'd disappeared. Yet the will, the ambition and strength that brimmed in the feline's eyes removed all doubt that the leader had in the apprentice. Crescentpaw was more than ready. Alone in his den, day after day as he struggled without his mentor had allowed the tom to grow. He had had to grow, facing the rising challenge that the sickness plagued the entire Clan.

Narrowing his eyes, the Bengal nodded as Crescentpaw stepped forward. His paws tingled upon the stone boulder he was perched on, pads hot with his anxiety. Tail waving slowly, he raised his chin higher and glanced around at the Clan. All of them were gathered now, he saw with approval as he gazed back at Crescentpaw. This is it. This is the moment of ascension. A moment to rise. The words tossed in his mind, filling him to the brim with excitement and worry as his chest thrummed with a growing yowl, ready to call to the Clan once more. Yet as he parted his jaws to continue the ceremony, the words in his mind died in his throat.

Is this right? What if Flightfoot's still out there?

He gazed at the mass of cats, jaws parted, tongue drying in the still air. His heart thudded loudly in his ribcage, its pulse echoing through his bloodstream and pounding through the rest of his body. A rough, long swallow made its way down his throat, eyes burning. We can't wait... Something inside him stirred with grief as the memory of the former medicine cat was pushed from his mind; his gaze returned once more to Crescentpaw, heart aching with both joy and despondency. He began the words.

"Crescentpaw, step forward."

A moment's pause, a change in the slow, easy wind. He continued.

"You've come a long way since you began your medicine cat training. Our Clan thanks you for all you've done in these dark times, striving on your own to keep our Clan alive. You've waited a long time for your name, and now you wait no more. Let us begin. I, Echostar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the way of a medicine cat, and with your help he will serve his Clan for many moons. Crescentpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan, and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?"

They were strong, bold words. Old as the cats gathered around him, older than their camp, their home, from generation to generation. Passed down from cat to cat, they were the very hopes and wishes of their ancestors; their dream. With each word, with each whisper, the sorrow in his heart grew and he almost caught himself on the words. However, he went on, knowing that hesitation was not allowed in their time of weakness. He stared at Crescentpaw earnestly, waiting for the young cat's response. We can't wait...

- anymore.

[[.F.]light]

| F L I G H T F O O T |xy
_{[fly like the wind]}

Slender limbs were cautious as they brought the feline into the camp. His muscles, tired from traveling, seemed to be screaming at him to stop and rest. Flightfoot wouldn't rest now, he had come to far. He had made it home, but it seemed like they were all at somewhere, for he saw no guards, or any cat near the entrance. He knew he had left behind commitment to his clan, he had left behind his friendships, his love. Twilightsnow, yes he still thought of her. The tom hoped she was still here. If anyone was here. Dark thoughts ran through his mind, but he knew none of them were true. It would be hard to gain their trust again.

He shivered against a cold wind, fluffing out his cream and seal brown pelt, and he heard words, familiar words. Dark thoughts of anything vanished, and all he wanted to do was appear there, find out what was going on. Was Crescentpaw being made medicine cat? That was good, he was a good apprentice, the short time he was with him. Flightfoot didn't mind at all, all he wanted to do was return to them. Jealousy, anger, nothing was there, just pride for his former apprentice for keeping up the job he had so carelessly left him.

Against his aching muscles he trekked onward, towards the BigBoulder. He sighted it, and instantly picked up the pace. The words were clearer now. His seal-brown ears twitched, and he smiled at them. He knew it must've been tough to tend with all the sick and injured cats by yourself, Flightfoot knew. Finally he found himself at the back of the group. No words came from him, he wouldn't interrupt, not him. Not now.

This was Crescentpaw's special time, and he wouldn't ruin it.

[[ so so suicide ] x-moo//]

________Twilight & snow_________

[/color][/center]

Twilightsnow knew she should feel happy that Cresentpaw was going to become a full medicine cat. But her loyalty to Flightfoot was seemingly stronger. She fought back the urge to yowl out in protest against the ceremony. There had to be a way that Flightfoot was going to return.

w h y did you have to go?

She heard the words being spoken from Echostar's throat, and she cut her mind off of Flightfoot entirely, trying to keep him out of her mind. She turned to see Argylekit padding out of the nursery on tiny paws. The kit was about ready to begin his training. Twilightsnow purred for the first time since Flightfoot's disappearance, remembering the memories of her first apprentice. The cat's name had been Shadowclaw. Unfortunately, Shadowclaw had died from deathberries.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

i can't get y o u off my m i n d

She expected to feel a rush of grief, but it never came. Shadowclaw had always had a problem paying attention and listening. It had been a disappointment to see that he had to die so young. Even after seeing another cat die from deathberries, he wasn't smart enough to prevent it from happening to himself.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

i f only. . .

[/center]

Taking herself out of her thoughts, Twilightsnow now focused on the ceremony that Echostar was preforming. It was quite important, so she mine as well pay attention to what they were saying. This was going to be a step in WindClan's future.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[swiftkill]

Anarchy

x-----------------------x

Heavy rasps escaped from his mouth. His jaws opened wide, puffing out hot air in the den. Slowly, his eyes blinked. Loud murmurs as well as the yowl of his leader shook her to her roots. A clan meeting was held and he is late! Giving himself a swift wash, he darted out of the brambles and scanned the crowd. The first thing that would attract a cat's eye is the Bigboulder. Crescentpaw, the medicine cat apprentice stood tall beside the clan leader. Echostar seemed strong and prudent as the great fiery sun glared down onto her, hiding her face, resulting in shadows to overcome her figure.

Maybe the sun's too bright...

His leader's approval of being leader is well made for Windclan would be helpless and weak without a cat with the qualities of great leadership in him. Slipping out of his silent comments, his eyes were focused on Crescentpaw. He could feel the intensity of her excitement flowing down the crowd. Looks like she made a great medicine cat afterall. His throat rumbled as a purr rose up. Holding back his tongue, the tortoiseshell robust tom were interrupted by a scent. A scent which has been long taken in...

Flightfoot?!?

His eyes began to scan the field of felines thoroughly, hoping to get a glimpse of their long lost medicine cat. He dare not to shout out his mark because he wouldn't want to spoil the fun won't we? His eyes caught sight of Twilightsnow. He must tell someone, he must. Moving a little closer towards the deputy, he intend to sit a little closer. He want her to know, only her. "Hey Twilight", he whispered into her ears. His paws shifted with unease around the earth, scrapping its hard damp soil. Tail twitching, he spoke, "Umm... sorry to interrupt but..." Eyes darting from corner to corner, he continued. "Is it just me or do I caught the scent of Flightfoot back there" he rasped as his head swerved to the back of the crowd. She must think I'm crazy... She was the only cat who had concerned as much of Flightfoot's loss. His head hung low, awaiting her embarrassing remarks.

[/center][/left]

[[ so so suicide ] x-moo//]

_________Twilight & snow_________

+___Twilightsnow turned to see Anarchy approaching from the warrior's den. She snorted, twitching an ear. He surely had slept in. But how could he sleep through Echostar's call? It was loud enough to be heard all around the camp. Heavy sleeper? She shook her head lightly, her deep optics resting on Echostar now, watchinghim preform the rest of the ceremony.

+__What was Cresentpaw's name going to be? Medicine cats usually chose their a names. She wondered what Echostar had in mind. Cresentgaze, Cresentleaf? She didn't know. Turning, she saw Anarchy pad up to her. She was surprised at how close he sat next to her, but she forgot that once she heard him speak.

+__She frantically tried to scent the air, hoping that the tom was right. But trying to do that, and trying to cover it up so it didn't look at frantic as it was was pretty tough. She couldn't scent anything. . . I don't smell anything. . . She tried to state it as deputy - like as possible. She couldn't show how worried she was and how deeply Flightfoot's disappearance was to her. She could be demoted, or banished. Or both.

[swiftkill]

Anarchy

x----------------------x


Body jerked, he repelled from Twilightsnow. "Y-you don't?" he reassured. His eyes were wide with embarrassment. "That's strange..." he murmurer. I had sworn that scent came into me. His thoughts were leaping further and further away from the gathering, falling deeper and deeper into his conversation. He had to stay focus but this is a matter of their long lost friend. "I-" he stopped abruptly. Heaving a sigh, he greeted farewell, dragging his tail along the floor, back to his original sitting position. "I swear, he's here....somewhere", he whispered. With his mouth stretching wide, his eyes blinked, trying to lift off from where the ceremony had left him.

At the same time, he could only try to ignore the strange dreamy scent of Flightfoot. "Am I a nutcase?" he muttered to himself. He had embarrassed himself in front of Twilightsnow! Next time, I'd rather talk to myself rather then to someone else. They don't trust me afterall. Why trust them? He shook his head, trying to shake off that ridiculous thought.

[/center]

[[ so so suicide ] x-moo//]

_________Twilight & snow_________

[/u][/color][/center]

+__Looking att he tom again Twilightsnow couldn't keep back a mrrow of amusement. He didn't need to be so embarrassed. Like she would actually going around telling everyone that Anarchy had been dreaming that he smelled Flightfoot's scent. Twilightsnow shrugged. She wanted him to smell it. She missed the medicine cat so much. She needed him back.

+__Well, if Flightfoot really is back, he wouldn't want to interrupt Cresentpaw's ceremony. It's the most important one of Cresentpaw's life. . . Twilightsnow thought. SHe knew Flightfoot could do that. Would she do that if she disappeared and her apprentice was about to take her place? She swished her tail. She would feel angry if that happened. She would interrupt the apprentice's ceremony.

+__Well this was different. Now that Flightfoot was coming back and Cresentpaw was taking his place. . . Flightfoot would return being a medicine cat. . . but there was a short possibility of him becoming a warrior. Her tail drooped slightly. There was probably no possibility. He would surely become a medicine cat again. . .

[/color]

[keestaa..]

C R E S C E N t P A W

As he passed through the crowd of cats, he could feel their stares, their bright eyes on his back but he wondered deeply if they were stares of approval or disgust. Did some cats believe that they had to wait longer for Flightfoot to return? Echostar seemed to believe that they couldn't wait. Twlightsnow, as he thought this he looked over at her, was probably unhappy and sad. Really, that was her expression and the thought of her being upset made him want to run back into his den and hide. Back to the apprentice's den and pretend he never became the Medicine Cat apprentice. He would wish that he never learned any of this and that he was just a mere warrior now with no burden on his shoulders to carry through for the rest of his life. Twilightsnow didn't want him. So why would the others? Flightfoot was such a wonderful Medicine Cat. Maybe they didn't want another to take over while he was gone for a while.

But would he ever come back? Maybe he was dead but the thought made him want to hide again so he shook that one away. Maybe he was a loner now, wandering around outside the territory because Medicine Cat life was too much and now he was just waiting for his lover to come meet him there. And they would run off together into the setting sun. But he shook that one away too, because he knew that Flightfoot would never do such a thing. What if he came back? Would that mean he would be the Medicine Cat? Crescentpaw knew that he would never come back and just think he could be the same cat he was even though he had been gone for moons. Fightfoot wasn't selfish. He wouldn't just swoop right in and take the position away from his apprentice. Would he?

When he finally reached the front of the crowd at the base of the boulder, he sat down slowly, setting his long tail over his paws and looked up at his Leader with his one good eye. The older cat looked troubled. Was he think the same thing? Did Echostar think that Flightfoot would come back after this was all over and Crescentpaw was the Medicine Cat? He really hoped not because if his own Leader thought that Flightfoot would return then Crescentpaw was really screwed in this whole ordeal. But then, thank StarClan, Echostar started to speak in his low loud voice. Crescentpaw just closed his sea green eyes and listened, smiling slightly. Each word made him feel slightly prouder and excited to see what his full name would be, or what things he would get to do as Medicine Cat. Things would be different and now he could change them, without hesitation.

"Yes, I do."

And that's when the smell hit him, hard. The wind was blowing toward him, from the back of the crowd and he was able to smell each cat that was behind him. Argylekit, Twilightsnow, Anarchy, and... Crescentpaw choked back a sob and opened his eyes to stare at Echostar for a long second before slowly turning his head around to face the crowd. He looked like he was hiding, but Crescentpaw could clearly see him through Anarchy and Twilightsnow's heads. There sat his mentor, his best friend, his foster father... No... No...

There sat Flightfoot.