Crookedstar's Promise/Chapter 16

==Chapter description==
:Newly made apprentices Willowpaw and Graypaw stand in the center of camp as the Clan cheers their new names. Two moons have passed since Hailstar took Willowpaw and Graypaw back from WindClan, and newleaf is beginning to show itself in plant life. Willowpaw's and Graypaw's mentors are Owlfur and Brightsky respectively. As the Clan begins to disperse, Cedarpelt tells Crookedpaw, Willowpaw and Graypaw that they will be going to the Moonstone. Willowpaw worries that WindClan will try to steal them back, but Graypaw tells her that WindClan follows the warrior code. Crookedpaw remembers how when Willowpaw and Graypaw returned, they were happy to be home but never insulted WindClan, even when cats like Beetlenose and Voleclaw made fun of their father's Clan. One evening, Crookedpaw had settled beside Willowkit and told her about how the Clan treated him when he returned from the farm. She had been grateful, and Crookedpaw is glad that they're now apprentices together.
:Cedarpelt orders the apprentices to go to Brambleberry for traveling herbs. Crookedpaw and Willowpaw dart into the medicine den to see three piles of herbs laid out on the ground. Brambleberry advises them to swallow the herbs whole, and Crookedpaw laps the bitter leaves up with a shudder. Willowpaw and Graypaw do the same, and Brambleberry explains how the journey is not far and the scariest part is Mothermouth. Brambleberry says that StarClan is wise, and looks at Crookedpaw as she tells them to let their ancestors guide them to the right path. Crookedpaw wonders why she singled him out, but Brambleberry begins to herd the apprentices toward the entrance, where Owlfur, Brightsky, and Cedarpelt wait. Brightsky explains that she and the other mentors had some herbs earlier. Crookedpaw feels a surge of excitement at seeing more of StarClan than just Mapleshade.
:The cats travel along the edge of WindClan's territory, and Crookedpaw is relieved when they cross the Clan's scent line. The territory beyond the moor reminds Crookedpaw of the time he spent on the farm, and Cedarpelt has to shout at him as he begins to stray off the path toward the hedges. Crookedpaw races to catch up with the patrol, thinking about Mitzi's cornfield. Willowpaw asks him if he's thinking about Fleck, and Crookedpaw sighs, saying that it's possible to care about other cats and still be loyal.
:Suddenly, Crookedpaw hears someone calling his kit name, Crookedkit. Crookedpaw recognizes the source of the voice as Soot, and she dashes up to him and Willowpaw. Soot excitedly greets Crookedpaw, and Crookedpaw explains that they're going to the Moonstone. Cedarpelt growls at Soot, but Crookedpaw tells his mentor that the loner is hardly more than a kit and means no harm. Cedarpelt tells them not to take long before padding away, Willowpaw following. Crookedpaw asks Soot how Mitzi, Fleck, Piper, Magpie and Mist are doing, and Soot explains how Magpie and Mist were taken by Twolegs to catch mice on a different farm. She asks Crookedpaw if he's a warrior yet, and Crookedpaw replies that he's an apprentice named Crookedpaw now. Cedarpelt calls for Crookedpaw, and Soot promises him that she'll tell Fleck and Mitzi that he's okay. Crookedpaw searches for something to say, but Cedarpelt calls again and Crookedpaw says goodbye to Soot before turning to catch up with his Clanmates.
:The RiverClan cats reach the foot of Highstones, and Willowpaw notices a large black hole high up on the rock. Owlfur tells them that the hole is Mothermouth, and tells the apprentices that they have to wait until moonhigh to go in. Willowpaw complains that she's hungry, and Crookedpaw decides to try and find mice to hunt. As he searches, Willowpaw speeds past him and turns to reveal a rabbit hanging from her jaws. Crookedpaw warily follows Willowpaw back to their Clanmates, wondering how they'll receive the prey. Willowpaw drops the rabbit at her Clanmates' feet, and they eat it without commenting on the taste. After everyone's done, Cedarpelt stands up and leads the patrol up to Mothermouth. Everyone meets up at the entrance, and Cedarpelt asks if everyone's ready before leading them into the dark tunnel.
:Crookedpaw follows his mentor to the Moonstone cave, and smells earth and heather through a hole at the top of the cavern. Suddenly, a blinding flash lights up the entire space, and Crookedpaw blinks open his eyes to see the Moonstone glowing above him. Cedarpelt and Brightsky pad forward and touch the stone, and Owlfur tells the apprentices to do the same. Crookedpaw lays down beside Cedarpelt, and soon finds himself dreaming.
:Crookedpaw stands in the place he and Mapleshade usually meet. Mapleshade steps out of the trees and greets Crookedpaw, and Crookedpaw asks her where the other StarClan cats are. Mapleshade invites him to explore with her, and leads him through the dark, dank forest. Crookedpaw asks if they're really in StarClan's hunting grounds, but Mapleshade just says that this is where the greatest warriors go when they die, and that it's where he'll go if he keeps his promise. Crookedpaw notices a pelt out of the corner of his eye, and realizes that the trees are full of shadowy cats padding silently around them. A shaggy gray figure approaches Crookedpaw and Mapleshade, and Mapleshade attempts to shoo it away. Crookedpaw recognizes Goosefeather, and asks Mapleshade if the old tom is dead. Mapleshade asks Crookedpaw if Crookedpaw is dead, and the apprentice replies that he's not. The medicine cat disappears, and Mapleshade tells Crookedpaw that he has to wake up now. Crookedpaw is baffled at the short visit and fights to stay, but finds himself back in the Moonstone cave.
:Crookedpaw stands up and sees dawn light filtering through the hole in the roof. Graypaw and Brightsky rise beside him, and Cedarpelt and Owlfur pace by the entrance. Crookedpaw calls for Willowpaw, and sees the young she-cat snoring by the Moonstone. He nudges her awake, and wonders if she met her WindClan ancestors. He shrugs, thinking that even if Willowpaw met everyone in StarClan, no one told her she'd be the greatest leader RiverClan would ever know.
==Characters==
===Major===
*Crookedpaw
*Willowpaw
*Graypaw
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Important events==
===Ceremonies===
*Willowpaw and Graypaw are apprenticed to Owlfur and Brightsky respectively.
==Errors==
*Mapleshade is mistakenly described as orange-and-white.
==Notes and references==
fr:La promesse de l'Élu/Chapitre 16
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:Crookedstar's Promise
Category:Super Edition arc