Sycamorepaw's Medicine Cat Ceremony

Sycamorepaw woke up one morning. It felt like it was time to approach StarClan at the Moonstone to see if they felt he was ready for his name. He woke up early, let Magpiestar know of his intent, and prepared basic supplies in case warriors needed to heal themselves while he was gone. Time passed quickly, and sunhigh finally reached. Alone, he swallowed the bitterherbs he ate to go to the Moonstone. He flicked his ear in annoyance, but left the camp quietly.

He strode through the snow, swishing his tail above the flakes. It was cold. Way too cold. But he kept his head down and kept on. Soon, he was at the Moonstone. The apprentice laid in front of the entrance of the cave until the sun started to lower in the sky. Once it started to get dark, Sycamorepaw entered into the cave. Feeling the familiar trail the tom made his way to the stone. This is probably where the mentor would request for the apprentice to be recognize as a medicine cat, and give them a name. It wouldn't be like this now. Turning his body to the gleaming rock, Sycamorepaw laid down and pressed his nose to the cold stone. Instantly, he was asleep and in StarClan.

When he awoke, he was standing in front of a familiar face. He bounced forward and dipped his head in greeting.

Dawnflower was sitting waiting on the young apprentice. Knowing the intent of why he came. The former medicine cat dipped her head in response to the apprentice. "Greetings Sycamorepaw." Pale green eyes looked at the young tom. "Are you ready to receive your full name?" The pale calico asked.

Sycamorepaw sat before her and nodded. "I've been dreaming of this day since I was a kit." he said softly.

Dawnflower nodded. She knew that he was ready but she wanted to see if he knew he was ready himself. If he knew he was ready for sure. "Good." The pale calico stood and looked at the sky for a brief moment. It was weird to say these words while she was an ancestor herself but you know.

"I, Dawnflower, former medicine cat of Shadowclan, call upon our ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help he will serve his Clan for many moons. Sycamorepaw 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?" She recited the words exactly how Gorsefeather did, and how she had done twice before. This time it was different. She spoke them as a dead cat.

Sycamorepaw nodded. "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Sycarmorepaw, from this moment forward you will be known as Nettlesting. StarClan honors your swiftness, and straight forwardness. We welcome you as a full medicine cat of ShadowClan." Dawnflower moved forward and placed her muzzle on top of Nettlesting's head signaling the end of the ceremony.

The pale calico took a step backwards, and looked at the newly named Medicine Cat. "Your name has been changed for it no longer represents who you are. Over the process of your training you have become a different cat thus earning your true name." Dawnflower told the Medicine Cat. She dipped her head respectfully to Nettlesting. "Good luck in your future endeavors. Honeydrop and I will will always be here to help you, Nettlesting." The she-cat said.

Nettlesting... He enjoyed that name. He bowed his head to the StarClan cat as the vision began to fade. Soon, the tom awoke in the Moonstone. It was time to head back and tend to his clan as a full medicine cat.