Applepaw's Warrior Ceremony

Just because it wasn't the first or second time she'd done it didn't mean that Leopardsun didn't feel weird about handling warrior ceremonies. It had always been firmly in Nightstar's- Nightpaw's- domain. Leopardsun handled kits and their mentors, Nightstar handled apprentices ready to join the warriors' den. She had found it comfortable, but anything that was comfortable and familiar felt like it was in short supply lately.

She sat at the base of the Jaggedrock- the one familiar, comfortable thing that nothing could take away. If ages and ages of history and floods and the Dark Forest themselves hadn't torn it down, she wasn't sure anything ever would.

"All cats old enough to silently stalk in the shadows, gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock for a clan meeting!"

Lighttail padded to the Jaggedrock, her mind numb. Her apprentice would be a warrior today. That was a good thing.

Applepaw was already sitting near the Jaggedrock, his tail flicking impatiently as he waited for the meeting to start. Lighttail had already told him his ceremony would be happening today, and he was excited to finally join the ranks of Shadowclan's warriors along with his brother and sister. He'd worked hard for this moment, and his chest swelled with pride as he looked up at Leopardsun.

Tawnyshadow joined the crowd of cats. Yet another ceremony... Shadowclan was as ready as they ever could be for the upcoming war. Tensions had risen in the clan, and the higher-ups had done nothing to defuse it. Whatever happened, it would be best if their warriors were ready to defend their clan...

"We are gathered here today to witness the naming of a new warrior," Leopardsun spoke clearly, her voice carrying over the camp. "Applepaw, please step forward."

Applepaw was another of the apprentices whose ceremony was long overdue by now, most of his siblings and the rest of his peers having been warriors for a while. Well, that would be corrected today.

"I call upon the warriors of ShadowClan to gaze upon this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of our honorable code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in turn."

She considered the apprentice before her.

"Applepaw- do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to protect and defend your Clan; even at the cost of your life?"

Applepaw eagerly stepped forward, his eyes bright. "I promise." He replied.

"Then it is my honor," she declared with conviction, "to name you a warrior before all of ShadowClan. Applepaw, from this day forward you will be known as Applespark. ShadowClan honors your enthusiasm and perseverance, and we are proud to welcome you at last as a warrior in your own right."

She stepped forward and touched her nose to the top of the newly-named warrior's head.

"Congratulations, Applespark. Take some time with your Clanmates before it's time for your vigil."