Lichen's Ceremony

It was a very starry night, however there was little moon. The full moon had just passed, and it was not yet quarter full. However, this was a special circumstance. Lichenpaw made his way into the cave, the light already shining. He laid down and pressed his nose to the stone, sleep overtaking him instantly.

Morningfur sat in StarClan, her silky pelt shinning with her youth. She was younger than Lichenpaw had ever would have remembered seeing her, at the height of her life. Stars shone around her paws as she stared down at Lichenpaw's sleeping form. "Lichenpaw...wake up..." she whispered.

Lichenpaw's eyes opened to the farmiluar view of StarClan and his mentor. He stood, breaking out into purrs. "It's nice to see you, Morningfur."

Morningfur touched noses with her former apprentice. "It's good to see you again, too, Lichenpaw." She took a step back, purring. "Are you ready?"

Lichenpaw nodded eagerly, excitement tingling in her stomach. "I am, Morningfur. I am more than ready. "

Morningfur nodded. "Yes you are. I am so proud of you, Lichenpaw." As she spoke, the bushes around them rustled, and countless cats peered at them from the shadows. Morningfur lifted her eyes to the bright sky of StarClan and spoke.

"I, Morningfur, former medicine cat of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help he will serve his Clan for many moons."

She turned her gaze back to Lichenpaw. "Lichenpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." Lichenpaw said with a nod, his heart speeding at a 1,000 miles per hour. "I really do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Lichenpaw, from this moment you will be known as Lichencloud. StarClan honors your loyalty and wisdom, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of RiverClan." Morningfur padded forward and rested her muzzle on Lichencloud's head.

Lichencloud licked his former mentor's shoulders respectfully. He took a step back, and gave another purr. "Thank you, Morningfur."

Morningfur gave a simple nod, a purr in her throat. She gently licked his head, then touched her nose to his. "Do not dwell on death, Lichencloud, especially mine. I will alwys watch over and guide you, even when you don't know it. And do not dwell on failure, for everybody makes mistakes and we should learn from them."

The backgrounds began to fade, Morningfur along with it. "Come to the moonstone if ever you need guidance. Goodbye, Lichencloud, and good luck. StarClan will be with you."

With that, StarClan was gone.