Dappledpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Frostgaze quietly leaped up onto the Jaggedrock, fur pulled by the nighttime breeze. A new warrior was to be named, an event he had never had to do. Responsibilities were responsibilities though, even if Murkystar was gone. "All cats old enough to silently stalk in the shadows, gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock for a clan meeting!"

Dappledpaw was eating a mouse by the apprentice's den when she heard her father's call ring through camp. She finished off her prey and stalked over to the clearing. She took a seat by herself and wondered what this meeting could be about. Her thoughts immediately went to an apprentice ceremony, but it could be anything after their leader's death. Dappledpaw was hoping that it would be her warrior ceremony.

Snowfoot limped into camp, two lizards in her mouth. Her hunts continued to be sub-par, but things were slowly improving. She deposited her prey, giving a nod to her foster sister Dappledpaw as Frostgaze called a meeting. She silently hoped for an apprentice ceremony as she still didn’t have one, but then again, Dappledpaw had been waiting a long time to be a warrior come to think of it. Snowfoot sat down near Dappledpaw and offered an encouraging smile.

Dappledpaw, his ward, one of his many. He loved her as much as he loved any of them, despite his difficulty expressing it. As he watched her pad over to the meeting, Frostgaze could not help but feel a pang of joy in his heart. She was growing up, and there was still hope for Shadowclan. Finally, as the clan finished gathering, the tom began the ceremony. "ShadowClan! I've summoned you here today to witness the naming of a new warrior. Dappledpaw, please step forward." Frostgaze fell silent as he waited for Dappledpaw to step forward. "I call upon all those present and watching to gaze upon this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of our noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Dappledpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Deerleap padded over at the familiar sound. it comforted her that even in such dark days, normal clan routines were still taking place. she gave Dappledpaw a soft smile, and sat down next to Snowfoot.

A look of surprise and excitement started to dawn on Dappledpaw's face as Frostgaze called out her name. The crowd parted for her, and she strode forward. While she normally held a straight face, she couldn't help but let out a smile as Frostgaze spoke the familiar words of a warrior ceremony.

Dappledpaw thought back to when she had first been brought to ShadowClan, everything seemed so new and different. It seemed so long ago, even though it was not. ShadowClan was her home, and she couldn't imagine anything else. "I do!" I would do anything for my clan, she thought, determination glinting in her gaze.

Dappledpaw said the words that Frostgaze hoped to hear, and he gave a small nod. "Then it is my honor to name you a warrior before all witnesses present. Dappledpaw, from this day forward you will be known as Dappledlight. ShadowClan honors your loyalty and determination, and we are proud to welcome you as a warrior in our ranks." Leaping down immediately from the Jaggedrock, Frostgaze rested his head on top of Dappledlight's. Well, as close as he could get, making sure she bent down slightly for the ceremonial action to be complete. "Do not forget about your vigil, and do not forget that I am very proud of you." With a nod, and the ghost of a smile, Frostgaze stepped back to allow others to congratulate Dappledlight.

"Dappledlight! Dappledlight!" deerleap cheered, giving the new warrior a huge smile.

“All right, Dappledlight!” Snowfoot cheered. “Way to go, sis!”