Flashpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Under Asylum's forceful paws, training apprentices had been difficult, to say the least. Not only did RiverClan warriors have to teach them everything they needed to know to be successful, but they also had to do it under the iron-tight grip of complete strangers, in a way that satisfied their demands. Despite this, one apprentice was more than ready to leave the rank of an apprentice, and earn their warrior name. Ivystar looked around, glancing with a sense of malice at the Asylum cats stationed around camp. Without a second thought, she leaped onto the branch. She was determined to give her Clanmates the lives that they deserved, and this was something that without a doubt, Flashpaw had earned. "All cats old enough to catch their own fish, gather beneath the Willow Branch for a Clan meeting!"

It was with her head held high that Flashpaw joined her clanmates, sitting silently with her eyes fixed on her leader. In recent days she'd been more irritable than usual, far more likely to snap at any unsuspecting cat that dared to approach - but even she wouldn't dare contradict her leader. Not over something so trivial as a bad mood, at least. She respected Ivystar too much for that.

(That same respect wasn't owed to most of her clanmates, however, and not wanting to start off badly she kept her distance from the majority of them. Nor did she care for the Asylum, sending a judgmental glance to whichever cat was nearest.)

Once a sizable number of cats had joined the clearing within camp, accompanied by Flashpaw herself, Ivystar began. ”I called you here today to celebrate the rise of a new warrior. Flashpaw, if you join me in my belief that you are ready to receive your warrior name, please step forward and your ceremony will commence.” Her feathery tail twitched every few seconds as her words rang out amongst her Clanmates, waiting to see what Flashpaw would do.

Flashpaw took a deep breath, followed by the first genuinely cheerful expression to cross her face in days. Gracefully, she stepped forward - it was time to face her future, to take her rightful place as a warrior of RiverClan and shed the name and role of an apprentice. One she'd held for far too long, as far as she was concerned. Respectfully, she dipped her head, though for the moment she chose to remain silent.

With a nod, Ivystar continued, noting that Flashpaw seemed to be genuinely... happy. ”Very well. I call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Flashpaw, do you promise to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?” The vow felt cheapened given the circumstances... But RiverClan would prevail, and the oath was still sacred.

This moment was meant to be a true celebration, an honor and achievement. There were shadows lurking on all sides, now - Asylum rats keeping their eyes fixed on anything that could prove to be a threat, it seemed - and it wasn't quite the same as it would have been otherwise.

Despite that... An oath was an oath, no matter the time and place it was given. StarClan's opinions mattered little to her now, but the place in which she stood was sacred in itself; here in the very heart of RiverClan. For this place, for her Clan - and for herself - she would take a warrior's oath. Her voice rang clear and true when she spoke her vow without a moment's hesitation: "I do."

”Then I grant you your warrior name. Flashpaw, from this day onward you will be known to all as Flashlight. RiverClan honors your passion and loyalty. Tonight, we shall celebrate the rise of RiverClan’s newest warrior.” Ivystar leaped from the branch where she sat, padding to where Flashpaw stood. She rested her chin on the she-cat’s head for a moment before looking back to say, ”Congratulations.” Then, Ivystar stepped aside so that the Clan could do the same.

Flashlight, the newly-named warrior thought to herself. At last, she'd officially shed her apprentice name. Despite the circumstances surrounding it, this was perhaps the happiest day of her life so far. After a moment, she turned her attention to Ivystar, again dipping her head respectfully. Her voice was soft when she spoke again, something left to say that wasn't necessarily meant for everyone to hear. "Thank you."

They were words she rarely spoke, but she meant them when she did.

Silently, she scanned the crowd for the faces she cared most to see: her mother and her siblings.