Nightpaw and Owlpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Leopardfang once again jumped on top of the Jaggedrock. Despite all of the recent problems, ShadowClan was thriving. There was some question about how to carry on after such an event, but the deputy shook his troubling thoughts away and called out the usual call. "Let all cats old enough to capture their own prey gather here beneath the Jaggedrock for a Clan meeting!"

Owlpaw sighed heavily and got up, walking towards the Jaggedrock. He was angry and frustrated, as he couldn’t accept that the Dark Forest was gone, but he was careful to not show that and masked it with boredom, as he wasn’t allowed to go out of camp at all. The last thing he wanted was to anger the deputy who was watching over him and the rest of the confirmed Dark Forest loyal cats, it would only make things take a turn for the worst, he just knew it.

Consequently he tried to stay well behaved, and though he couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable around so many StarClan loyal cats he knew he would have to endure it and act like if they were starting to change his mind, like if they were managing to convince the still somewhat young cat that following the Dark Forest was wrong.

As almost the exact opposite of Owlpaw, Nightpaw was very enthusiastic about the return of StarClan. In fact, she was one of the cats to go and retrieve them. The journey had been long and tiring, but Nightpaw learned that she actually loved the wet lands of ShadowClan, and more importantly; The love StarClan had for everycat. Beyond that, she knew and had gone through more than anycat her age. Nightpaw could have been a warrior much sooner, but the journey was long. Not that she minded at all. The hard work was worth seeing peace fill the clans. Proudly, she held her head up high. Her night like pelt shone, freshly groomed. Two blue eyes stared up at the deputy, a shine in her eyes.

Dawnflower moved slowly out of the elders den and over to the meeting area. Her little Nightpaw was finally becoming a warrior! She let out a small purr at the thought. The pale colored medicine cat sat down behind the two apprentices, ready to cheer for both of them as they got their names.

Leopardfang's gaze remained steely and controlled. On the one hand, he was wary of Owlpaw and his intentions, even if he didn't have solid proof against the tom. But though he had the power to send him away for good, Leopardfang was more interested in justice than petty revenge. There was no use taking anything out on Owlpaw without a justifiable reason. On the other hand, the deputy was extremely pleased with Nightpaw and her progress as well as her role in retrieving StarClan. Her dedication to both her clan and ancestors was impressive and she was more than worthy of her warrior ceremony. All in all, the spotted tom was deeply conflicted about what sort of attitude he should show during the ceremony. Raising his voice to address the crowd, Leopardfang called, "Tonight, we have gathered to make these apprentices into warriors. Owlpaw and Nightpaw, please step forward."

He knew times had been tough, especially for kits amd apprentices, amd even though he had his doubts, Mudfoot was still proud for Owlpaw. Per usual ceremonies, Leopardfang would give his son and Nightpaw their warrior names, and the clan would chant. But he couldn't help wonder... was Owlpaw ready for this? The apprentice had grown up without a mother, and Mudfoot trully tried to be the best father he could, but in some ways, he knew that he'd failed his kit. Why am I doubting him? I should be proud! The tom shook the discomforting thoughts away and looked back to the deputy.

Owlpaw raised his ears and looked at Leopardfang with wide eyes thanks to the surprise. Was he…really going to become a warrior? The tom immediately stepped forward, yes, this wasn’t how he had imagined it and the Dark Forest wasn’t here anymore to accept him as a full warrior, but he still wanted that name, to no longer be considered just an apprentice. He looked at the crowd of cats, looking for Amberclaw, though he didn’t felt bad for not spotting his mentor between them, he had gotten his fair share of injuries thanks to the battle against the StarClan spirits, he deserved a good rest. Plus, he could tell him about this when the older cat felt better and he would be just as proud, he was sure of it.

His gaze, however, soon landed on Mudfoot, his father and old mentor before the Dark Forest. The father that had decided to turn his back on him and abandon him completely. His attention returned to the spotted cat standing on top of the Jaggedrock, his only reaction to his father presence being a glint of anger and hatred in his eyes that lasted for half a second and could be easy to miss if the ones looking at him weren’t paying really close attention.

The to-be warrior stepped up, eyes glittering with excitement. It has been a long time coming and Nightpaw knew that she was ready. StarClan knew she was ready. Her gaze was passed to Dawnflower, and a warm purr rumbled in her throat. It had been a long time since Dawnflower had found her in the forest all those years. Completely alone without any clan or family. Having her practically adopt her was the best thing that could have happened to Nightpaw. She knew that too, and would never stop being grateful for the cat she saw as a mother. She was ready.

Webtail watched from a distance, overjoyed that his first apprentice had turned up alive and well. He had feared her dead, the apprentice showed him just how wrong he was, returning from a grueling journey with the strength of lions in her. Owlpaw was another cat he had tried to help, many problems had happened personally to cats after the first battle. The apprentice started off feeling betrayed by not only his mentor but father. After he was given Amberclaw who he trusted to give him the best of teachings, energy and determination radiated in the tom. He even managed to get past the shell Amberclaw had over his heart. The apprentices had certainly earned their names. He'd congratulate them later, if he needed to. Others might not like him socializing with the other clan members. The silver tabby knew he'd have to comfort Owlpaw at a later time. A time when he could leave. Some support for the young to-be warrior would help him along. Webtail watched the gathering, catching the look Owlpaw gave Mudfoot, a glint of warning I'm his eyes, nothing of anger of course, Owlpaw had every right to be angry with his father.

OOC: Names?

Leopardfang watched the silent interactions with interest, wondering what would become of ShadowClan's internal politics now that there were a lot of personal issues to address. Even he had a few of his own to fix. He'd have to watch closely to make sure nothing played out in a violent manner. He continued the ceremony after the cats answered the summons. "I, Leopardfang, deputy of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Owlpaw, Nightpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Truthfully, the deputy was far more interested in their loyalty to ShadowClan than to StarClan. Everyone had their own quarrel with their ancestors to figure out, but he would not stand for treachery against the clan and family. It was for this reason that he stressed 'protect and defend your clan' far more than anything else in the ceremony.

Owlpaw was fairly relieved when Leopardfang didn’t asked them to also swear loyalty to StarClan, yes, having to swear to follow their code still bugged him a bit, but he guessed that even if the Dark Forest still reigned over the clans a similar code would be needed to keep the clans in order. He really wouldn’t have any trouble to protect the clan, or at least he hoped so, so he didn’t hesitate for a single second before making the promise “I do”.

OOC: Owlstrike

Frostedgaze watched the ceremony from where she sat. She had been smiling the entire time, happy that new warriors were being made in ShadowClan, until she heard Owlpaw's name being announced. She held back a hiss from escaping her jaws. That was the cat that had killed Wrenpaw. Her smile immediately faded and her gaze was clouded over with grief and rage. Her tail lashed. It would be disrespectful to leave the meeting now, so she would just have to sit there and watch. She rolled her amber eyes when Owlpaw pledged to defend the warrior code. He certainly hadn't done that when he killed Frostedgaze's friend.

Nightpaw's voice did not waver, it was as strong as when she called forth StarClan during the battle with the Dark forest. "I do." The cat knew she had been ready for a while, and was looking forward to this moment. There was no doubting her loyalty to her clan, nor the code. Her dream since a kit was coming true. The white tip to her tail held still as the ceremony continued.

ooc; Nightwatcher

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I grant you your warrior names. From this day on, you shall be called Owlstrike and Nightwatcher. StarClan honors your passion and dedication, and we welcome you as full warriors of ShadowClan." As per tradition, the deputy jumped down to the clearing and nested his muzzle on each of the new warriors' heads in turn before turning and heading off.

Dawnflower purred happily as her adopted daughter received her warrior name. Nightwatcher, what a beautiful name. "Nightwatcher! Owlstrike!" She called out to honor the two new warriors. This was a big moment for them, and she couldn't be more proud. Especially with her newly named daughter, Nightwatcher.