Pricklepaw's Medicine Cat Ceremony

The soft rays of a melting leaf-bare twilight filtered in between the frosted fern fronds as Leopardstar gently pressed his way through the fragile tunnel that guarded the medicine den, the tom's serious face softened by the relief and excitement hidden just behind his hazel eyes.  After careful observation and training, a blessed day had finally come.  As the spiky-furred apprentice's back came into view, half-forgotten memories began to surge into focus, of the day when his first-born daughter had bounced up to him as a kit and pronounced her dream to become a medicine cat...  How bright her face had been when, finally, that seemingly impossible dream had become reality...  Honeyspark's life had been unbearably short, yet she died how she lived, serving her adopted clan peacefully, kindly, and lovingly.  A far cry from the impulsive young tom that stood before him now, but he had faith in Pricklepaw, the son of his beloved leader and friend.  There were many ways to be a medicine cat, just as there were many ways to be a warrior, or a leader.  It may be the path StarClan had chosen for him...but the way he walked it was a decision only he himself could decide.

"Pricklepaw, can you spare a moment?  I need to speak with you about an important matter."

As Pricklepaw sat in his lonely nest in the medicine den, paws deep in a self-made pile of sticks and moss, he reflected on how differently his life had turned out. The tom's sage-green eyes were glassy, staring contemplatively at a pile of tansy, reflecting herbs in their unfathomable depths. Thinking felt strange... but he did it a lot more often, these days. He didn't used to. As a kit, and an apprentice, all he'd wanted to do was serve the Clan as a warrior. It had been his only dream, his only ambition... everything he'd wished for. He suffered through long training sessions with his aggravating mentor, Snowdrop, until she was exiled. He loved all his siblings equally, not counting the imposter Bearpaw, and adored his mother. He made friends with Chervilpaw, trained and hunted night and day, adored his leader... But, slowly, everything changed.

It started with Chervilpaw's death, her just dropping cold to the ground one morning with no warning whatsoever. Mapleleaf had been helpless and didn't know what had happened. Losing the she-cat he'd hoped to love someday... it had been crushing. But not quite as crushing as when his best friend and brother, Beepaw, had drowned because of Beartooth. The grief and rage he'd felt then were easily remembered, as the emotions still lingered when he thought back. His respect for Leopardstar and Marshstorm had begun to dwindle when they didn't even punish the long-clawed tom for the apparent murder, only chastised himself for accusing him. But the final straw had been the night after the big battle, when he- like everyone else- went to sleep exhausted, covered in wounds for lack of a medicine cat. Little had he known what was about to happen.

In the space of a few minutes, the course of his life had changed forever. Nightfire appeared in his dreams, ordering him to take the position of medicine cat, informing him of his "destiny". There had been nothing he could do to protest, nothing that would change StarClan's mind. After a temporary breakdown and a shell-shocked conversation with Leopardstar, he'd traveled to the Moonstone and became Pricklepaw, the ThunderClan Medicine Cat Apprentice. And so he'd stayed, for more than half a year.

He'd done his duties well: taking apprentices to the Moonstone, gathering herbs, going to meetings, healing Clanmates. No one could say that he hadn't fulfilled his responsibilities. But at first, he'd hated it. Loathed every second with his entire being. Every herb he organized, every second spent training, every curt word shared with other medicine cats. He had to live his worst nightmare, and watch as scores of other cats far younger than him achieved his own now unattainable dream. It had been The Dark Forest. But, for some reason... now, the same unquenchable rage no longer filled him.

Maybe it was when he'd failed to save the SkyClan kit, watched in shock as she breathed her last breath before him. Maybe it was healing Ferretkit, seeing her innocence and feeling her encouragement. Maybe it was taking Ridgepaw on her, Moonstone journey, seeing the glow in her eyes and knowing he'd do anything to protect her. And maybe, it was him, growing older and wiser as he healed his Clanmates. That wasn't to say that he was a benevolent and loving tom now, because he wasn't. Not in the slightest. But for some reason... he felt proud when he patched up a wound. He was sure-footed in his steps to the Moonstone. He enjoyed talking with Amberdawn and Fallowlight, and any kits who came to see him. Maybe StarClan had been right... the thought horrified him. At least he still didn't trust those foxhearts, not in the slightest.

When Leopardstar materialized next to him, Pricklepaw nearly jumped out of his skin. He'd been so deep in thought, he hadn't even noticed the leader's approach. His heart threatened to beat out of his chest as his breathing quickened, adrenaline pumping belatedly through his veins. "Don't do that," he spat finally, more out of shock than anger. His pelt bristled for a moment, then he sat back and sighed. "What do you need, Leopardstar?" Something important, huh? Better not be some sort of prophecy, because I'm sick of those at the moment.

The thick fur along his spine suddenly erupting into startled spikes, Leopardstar felt himself jump back a bit as Pricklepaw did the same, not expecting such a reaction out of the usually quite attentive young tom.  It only took a moment for him to flatten his fur back down, but an embarrassment lingered on the leader's face as he swept his tongue over his chest fur and purred a low apology.  "A-ah, sorry about that, didn't mean to shock you..."  With a quick flick of his torn ear though, the golden spotted tom's usual composure returned as he sat down, hazel eyes briefly scanning the well-organized den before laying to rest on Blizzardshine's son with a faint smile.  "Pricklepaw, after careful observation and many discussions, I have come to the decision that it is high time for you to receive your full medicine cat name, if you agree that is. Usually, it would be another medicine cat who would accompany you to the Moonstone for this occasion, but I don't wish to impose upon Mintwhisker's time more than necessary...so if you're ready, we will go tonight."

His eyes were half-opened, still attentive, but apparently at ease... Until Leopardstar spoke the phrase "medicine cat name". After so long with the suffix - paw, he'd be granted some other name, a new identity from the reality he'd been saddled with for moons and moons. At least he knew his name wouldn't be Pricklepounce. The thought brought a hint of a smile to his face, but he knew that any laughter at the memory of him and Chervilpaw would quickly become an uncontrollable amount of grief, he shrugged all the emotion off and just slightly nodded, a little bit stunned. "About time," he meowed dryly, but his voice wasn't as bitter as usual. Hopefully, the leader knew he was making a joke. Hastily, the tom corrected himself. "I mean... yes, Leopardstar, I'm ready."

**Time Skip**

The journey was far shorter than he remembered... which was odd, since he felt like it should have been longer. Was he supposed to feel something? Pride, or a sense of fulfillment, or even relief? He wasn't sure. He didn't know what the emotion in his chest was, a mixture of good and bad, but he didn't have a name for it. Mothermouth looked different than normal... almost as it had his first time going. Large, and strange, and unwelcoming. But some force drove his paws forward, on the path he'd walked many times, knowing that this was the last time he'd step foot here as Pricklepaw, medicine cat apprentice of ThunderClan. The thought was... strange. But he shook it off, nodded to the golden leader beside him, and stepped into the dark caverns.

Their journey through the caverns of Mothermouth was remarkably silent, though Leopardstar didn't particularly mind.  In fact, it gave him time to rehearse the ceremonial words Mapleleaf had shared with him mere hours ago, and the pressure to get them right weighed heavily upon the leader.  He had named many apprentices and warriors during his days as deputy and leader, but never a medicine cat.  Preoccupied as he was, the tom almost made a wrong turn but finally, they managed to make it to the proper cave, the Moonstone's brilliant glimmer stunning as ever.  Taking a deep breath, Leopardstar wasted no time before stepping up, his backlighted form casting a long shadow over Pricklepaw as his face grew intense, the concentration palpable.  "Pricklepaw, after many moons of hard work and dedicated training, your time has come.  I, Leopardstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior 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. Pricklepaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to...to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?"

The tunnels seemed more silent than usual... oddly so. It was as if the spirits themselves were holding their collective breaths, waiting for something that was about to happen. Pricklepaw was mildly irritated by the hush, but didn't feel like speaking up and ruining it himself. When they finally got to the Moonstone, the same stone he'd traveled to almost every day, he stared at it. Something seemed different about it, too... It glowed a little brighter, or stood a little taller. Though he was normally unimpressed by it, tonight it seemed... welcoming. Familiar. Which was odd in itself, because he'd never felt at ease here.

The prickly tan apprentice- not for long- turned to face Leopardstar as the leader spoke. The words were weighted and important, and he paid more attention than he had during the first ceremony. Worked hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat... Yeah. Yeah, he had. And was it wrong to feel a little proud of that? He'd been cut a raw deal, but he made the best of it. As the tom continued talking, more words floated past his ears. Standing apart from Clan rivalry? No biggie, he'd gotten used to not fighting. But protecting all cats equally... as he thought, Beartooth came to mind. As little as that jerk deserved his protection or herbs, he'd have to extend it. Letting out a sigh, Blizzardshine's son looked Leopardstar straight in the eyes as he responded. "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat.  Pricklepaw, from this moment you will be known as...Pricklebush. StarClan honors your adaptability and sense of duty, and I welcome you as a full medicine cat of ThunderClan."  Stepping forward, Leopardstar rested his muzzle against the young tom's forehead just as he would during a normal warrior ceremony, and after Pricklebush responded accordingly he stepped away, a faint smile revealing itself upon his face.  "I'll dream as well, it's been a while."  Making sure to leave plenty of room, Leopardstar settled down beside the Moonstone, his nose touching the cold surface gently as he closed his eyes.  Quickly, a wave of peace washed over his mind, and the leader felt himself drift off into a deep sleep...