Crookedstar's Promise/Chapter 19

==Chapter description==
:On the night of his vigil, Crookedjaw watches the heron he had been listening to disappear upstream. As he gives thanks to Silverpelt for letting him become a warrior, Mapleshade appears, growling that she's been waiting for Crookedjaw to come and train. Crookedjaw explains to her why he can't train with her tonight, and Mapleshade disappears. 
:Dawn arrives, and Willowpaw slips out of the apprentice's den to sit beside Crookedjaw. He begins to drift off, but Willowpaw prods him awake, saying that the Clan will be waking at any moment. Whitefang and Oakheart pad from their den, asking Crookedjaw how the vigil went. Hailstar calls to Crookedjaw, asking how RiverClan's newest warrior feels. Crookedjaw replies that he's ready for patrol, and Shellheart summons Owlfur and Brightsky for the dawn patrol. Willowpaw excitedly remembers that she is part of this patrol, and leaves Crookedjaw to lead a sleepy Graypaw to where their mentors are waiting for them. Shellheart orders Owlfur to take some prey to Lakeshine, and Brambleberry emerges from the medicine den to ask Echomist to sit with Lakeshine's kits while the queen gets a drink. Brightsky calls to Graypaw, and they follow Shellheart, Owlfur and Willowpaw out of camp. Crookedjaw sadly watches them go, but then excitedly decides that he'll hunt.
:Shimmerpelt compliments Crookedjaw on his catch as the sun sets. Crookedjaw glances at the fresh-kill pile, proudly noting that he had caught nearly every fish there. Willowpaw teases Crookedjaw, and they end up play-fighting on the ground. Birdsong glances at the pair, remarking that they start younger every year. She calls up to Tanglewhisker, asking if he wants to spend the night pulling ticks, but he doesn't reply. Willowpaw breaks away from Crookedjaw and heads up to the elder's den to help the tabby elder. Crookedjaw yawns as twilight turns the camp blue, and Oakheart tells him that the brown tabby's nest in the warrior's den is ready. Crookedjaw thanks his brother and ducks inside the den. He curls up in his nest, purring contently. 
:A snarl wakes Crookedjaw, and he jumps up to find himself in a dark forest. Mapleshade angrily asks him if he's forgotten his promise, and says that she's seen how he talks to Willowpaw. She asks him what she asked him to do, and Crookedjaw responds that she told him to look after his Clan. Mapleshade swipes at his jaw viciously, hissing that he has to put his Clan before his feelings. Crookedjaw angrily says that he has put his Clan first, then, confused, turns and flees. 
:Crookedjaw races through the forest, wanting to be back in his nest. He stops for breath and hears a croaking mew. He recognizes the pelt shambling toward him as Goosefeather, the ThunderClan medicine cat. The old gray cat sniffs Crookedjaw, saying that he's heard about Mapleshade's apprentice. Crookedjaw asks who told him, and when Goosefeather asks him if he's forgotten that he shares tongues with StarClan, Crookedjaw asks Goosefeather if that's why he's here. The medicine cat replies that he supposes you could say that. Crookedjaw asks Goosefeather if StarClan has said anything about him, and Goosefeather says that they say Crookedjaw could be a great warrior. 
:Crookedjaw starts to ask Goosefeather more when Mapleshade appears, telling him not to pay any attention to the old fool. Goosefeather tells her that he may be an old fool, but at least his heart isn't soured by bitterness and revenge. Crookedjaw asks what he means, but Goosefeather just tells Mapleshade that she shouldn't play with destiny. Mapleshade barges past him and tells Crookedjaw to ignore Goosefeather. Crookedjaw tells her that at least Goosefeather treats him like an equal, and Mapleshade purrs, asking Crookedjaw if he's still mad about what she said. She leads Crookedjaw away from Goosefeather, saying that she was just worried Crookedjaw wouldn't become the great warrior he is meant to be and that Willowpaw will sway him from his course. She stops and asks him if he still wants to be a great warrior, and Crookedjaw replies that of course he does. Mapleshade says that's good, and as she pads away into the mist, she tells Crookedjaw that she does everything with his best interests at heart.
==Characters==
===Major===
*Crookedjaw
===Minor===
 
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
fr:La promesse de l'Élu/Chapitre 19
Category:Crookedstar's Promise
Category:Super Edition arc
Category:Chapter subpages