Badgerpaw's Warrior Ceremony

It was time for another apprentice to receive their name this night, and it was one of Leopardsuns kits. Badgerpaw had proven herself to him not too long ago, alongside Harriertalon when the dogs had come into their camp and wrecked havoc. Badgerpaw had fought valiantly, and with Leopardsuns approval after some prompting from Nightstar he'd be making her a warrior. "All cats old enough to silently stalk in the shadows, gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock for a clan meeting!"

Badgerpaw glanced up from where she had been in the midst of grooming her pelt, her tongue poking out from between her teeth. She pushed herself to her paws before padding over to approach the Jaggedrock - cleaning herself would wait until after the Clan meeting. As she quietly took her spot, she did take a heartbeat to quickly lick a paw and drape it over her head - before straightening up to look at where Nightstar was perched as she waited for the meeting to properly start.

"Today we are all to witness the naming of a new warrior. Badgerpaw, please step forward." The tom sat silently as the apprentice did so. "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. Badgerpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Nightstar meowed, looking down at the apprentice below him. If any cat deserved their name, it was certainly Badgerpaw.

Badgerpaw straightened up in surprise as her name was called out. I...She knew it was bound to happen sooner or later - a few of her siblings had managed their names long before her and she had been working hard to prove herself ready ever since the encounter with the dogs but... She steeled her gaze, pushing herself to her paws as she stepped forward, holding her head high as Nightstar went on. The answer...It was simple - she had proven it to herself when she had braved her fears to protect her family, her Clan. She would fight anybody to protect them - and if the cost was herself? ...So be it.

"I do."

"Then it is my honor to name you a warrior before all witnesses present. Badgerpaw, from this day forward you will be known as Badgermask. ShadowClan honors your loyalty and passion, and we are proud to welcome you as a warrior in our ranks." Nightstar called, looking down proudly at Badgermask before he leaped from the rock, landing strongly in front of the apprentice, now warrior, and touched his nose to the she-cats. "Congratulations, you will be a fine, strong warrior, a great asset for Shadowclan to have. Enjoy a little bit of time with your peers, and take up your position for your vigil." When he was done speaking, the tom backed up a bit with a nod before he let the new warrior go free.

Badgermask. If it was even possible, she straightened up a bit more as her new name was called, a surge of pride rushing through her. As Nightstar jumped down and touched noses with her, she gave him a nod. "Thank you, Nightstar," she breathed as they separated, giving him a determined look. "I won't let you and my mother down." With that, she turned and glanced around for her family - eager to greet them as a warrior.