Lionkit’s Apprentice Ceremony

Confidence at last beginning to creep into her step, Sageroot ascended the Highrock again. “Let all cats safe from the bramble’s thorn gather for a clan meeting!” she called, her tone and the rhythm of her speech almost a perfect copy of the last time she gave the call.

Lionkit sprang into action at the meeting call. He had spent many long evenings counting the moons, now finally arriving at his sixth. He knew what the ceremony was for. He was well-groomed, but a layer of discolored, muddy scruff still clung to the bottoms of his paws. He hadn't had time to wash them off. Still, he looked handsome and tall for a cat just shaking off his kitten-fluff. He hardened his face for the audience, ready to receive his mentor at last...

Sageroot smiled at the young tom, amused by his attempt at looking grown-up. “Lionkit, please step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are more than ready for your apprenticeship. From now until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Lionpaw. Your mentor will be Silverdusk. Silverdusk, you too are more than ready. I trust you to match and guide your apprentice’s energy.”

At the mention of her name Silverdusk lifted their head, searching for the tom that was to be her apprentice. Lionpaw looked much better than she had, he was confident and fit, which the tall molly had not been at their own unorthodox ceremony. They would make him better than he was now. As she made her way to the new named apprentice, their eyes found Sageoot's and she nodded in affirmation. This was a gift. Mottlestar had mentored Quailprowler, who had mentored Silverdusk, who would now mentor Lionpaw, passing on the knowledge of the clan's most formidable warriors. The silver warrior bent deeply to meet their apprentice, pressing her nose to his as the tradition called for. "When we are done you will be amongst the strongest in our clan." they mewed, echoing the sentiment Quailprowler had uttered at her own ceremony "You may rest today and get settled in your new den, or we can train now. The choice is yours."

Lionpaw had only a moment to revel in the newness of his name before his new mentor, a cat he had not met nor seen before, was walking towards him. Surveying him. A silver tabby with a fitting name was nodding respectfully to their deputy before casting their green eyes back on Lionpaw. He felt compelled to square his shoulders in their presence, lift his tail high, and let his anxious, prickling hackles fall into a mane around his neck. She pressed her nose to his. He was stunned by what came next.

It was all he could hope for. He couldn't hold back the glint in his eyes, though he refused a smile in the face of such a bold charge.

When we are done you will be amongst the strongest in our clan. A promise? A warning? A challenge?

He could have done anything, and he chose to take it in stride. He could very well live up to his name, to be the strongest ThunderClan warrior. As far as Lionpaw knew, with Silverdusk as his mentor, he already was. His next words betrayed his excitement: "I'll only need a moment."