Nightpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Murkystar climbed Jaggedrock slowly, each step holding purpose. It seemed just a couple moonrises ago that Nightpaw had been named an apprentice, and now he was ready to be named a warrior. His training had progressed quickly, far faster than other apprentices, Cicadapaw included. Despite the two sharing the same mentor.... She hummed to herself as she strode forward to stand on the edge of Jaggedrock, taking in the camp below before raising her voice to summon them. "ShadowClan! Gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock."

Nightpaw padded out from the apprentice's den, as always, his fur sleek and tidy as if he wasn't constantly getting muddied due to his constant shenanigans. The young tom was not surprised that he was getting apprenticed before some of his older peers, namely Cicadapaw, he had been bested in a fight, after all, maybe the older tom needed the extra time to train. Ratpaw was also no surprise, the lack of spine and confidence in his older peer must also be why he had not gotten his ceremony. Nonetheless, they would all join each other in the same den, alongside the tom they all now had some tie to... Burningwing. Nightpaw couldn't help but be a bit nervous, to get saddled in the same den as Frostgaze, Mistyfalcon, and Burningwing. The tensions already ran high when he was only with one of them. Sitting down in the circle, Nightpaw did his best to hide his anxieties.

Swiftpaw sat below Jaggedrock. She spotted her brother and smiled to him "Congrats! Wow you promoted fast" she purred warmly. Nightpaw had been training very hard. She was glad he was becoming a warrior and was very happy for him.

Nightpaw had trained like crazy, their was no doubt in her mind that he was going to be a very strong warrior, he was already the top apprentice in all aspects. She was very happy he was on Shadowclan's side.

Nightpaw emerged from the apprentice den, Swiftpaw quickly joining him. She hadn't announced that Nightpaw was being named a warrior yet... Must have been a very lucky guess. This was cause to celebrate, and Nightpaw's swift training was something to be praised - more so to him than to his mentor. The dedication and perseverance that her son had shown through his training warmed her heart, and she smiled down at the two youngest of her kits as the clan finished gathering. "ShadowClan, I've gathered you all here today to act as witnesses to an apprentice rising to the rank of a warrior. Nightpaw, please step forward." She requested, waiting patiently for the apprentice to do so before continuing. "I, Murkystar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Nightpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"[/color]

Mistyfalcon lightly flicked Swiftpaw with his tail as she spoke. The meeting hadn't even started and she was already guessing? His whiskers twitched as he sat next to his kits, turning his attention to Murkystar as she spoke.

So Swiftpaw had guessed correctly, and Mistyfalcon hadn't been wrong when he'd told Nightpaw he'd be a warrior sooner rather than later. Nightpaw was called forward, and Mistyfalcon smiled, happy to see that one of his kits was earning his name.

Nightpaw got to his paws, his chest thudding so hard in his chest he'd thought his heart would jump out his mouth. Taking a few paw steps forwards, he tilted his head to his mother and the stars, as if to say 'look at me'. He did his best to look the best he could be, the strongest and fiercest warrior of Shadowclan. "I do." He meowed, he prayed desperately that the shake and rumble in his voice were not audible to his clan-mates. He was the leader's son, his father of high social standing, his mentor of renowned skill, his deputy with his advice and clarity, he strived to be every good bit of these cats, chosen and selected to be... him.

Murkystar smiled as Nightpaw agreed, letting out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Pride and love shone in her eyes as she nodded slightly, acknowledging his response. "Then by the powers granted to me, I give you your warrior name. Nightpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Nightstalker. ShadowClan honors your boldness and passion, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." She mewed, leaping from Jaggedrock to rest her head briefly on the newly named warrior's. "Don't forget, you will hold a silent vigil today to mark the beginning of your warriorhood. Congratulations, Nightstalker. I'm so proud of you." She purred, pulling back to meet her son's eyes as the clan began to congratulate him.

Mistyfalcon's voice joined that of the rest of the clan in welcoming Nightstalker as a fully-named warrior, and the dark tom padded forward, pelt briefly brushing Murkystar's. "Congratulations, Nightstalker!" The pride in his voice was unmistakable. Soon enough Swiftpaw would join him in receiving her warrior name... And foxdung did that realization make Mistyfalcon feel old.