Mottlepaw's Warrior Ceremony

Ashstar leapt onto the Tallrock, brushing snow off her gray fur. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather underneath the Tallrock for a Clan meeting!" Finally, the day had come for her apprentice to receive his warrior name. He deserved it, perhaps more than any of her other apprentices. She knew he was ready.

Mottlepaw stepped from the apprentice den with a purr, knowing very well that this moment was his. He was far from the kit he was when Ashstar picked him to be her apprentice. While he preferred a lack of words to many at once, he didn't fear the other Clans like when he was a kit. Well, he still hated taking patrols on the RiverClan border but he couldn't trust them even after all this time. His friendship with Rockpaw helped...He paused as he sat down, wondering if his friend was becoming a warrior as well at this very moment. He could only hope the next they met, they would both be warriors.

Ashstar smiled at the young tom. Her apprentice, the tom she loved as a son. "Mottlepaw, please step forwards." Once the tom did, she continued. "I, Ashstar, leader of WindClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Mottlepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

As his name was called, Mottlepaw took a step forward. His glimmered as he stared up at his mentor - his leader. Her words rang in his ears, listening intently to every single one. Then it was time for the vow of loyalty. In a rare burst of feeling as he was asked to answer, he almost wanted to scoff. Was it truly a question? Ever since he was a kit, he was in awe of the Warrior Code that bounded together a Clan so strongly and after Lionfur's actions - those feelings were only grown deeper when he realized how lost one could fall without them. To him, loyalty to your Clan was everything.

And so there was no hint of doubt - of hesitation - as he answered the two simple words that gave his life meaning. "I do." It was all that needed to be said and he revered in it - how simple but how meaningful they were. It was something he liked - simple words that conveyed a feeling without hiding it. He was not the same scared kit he was those moons ago but he was still as quiet as he respected the simple and straightforward way of speaking. Perhaps when around the other Clans he was still rather timid but here - with the knowledge that all of StarClan was watching and taking in those two words he had uttered, he felt as brave as one could be. Today was his moment, and he was that he was going to be a warrior under a fine leader like Ashstar.

Ashstar nodded, slightly in awe of the determined strength in the tom's eyes. Mottlepaw has such a good heart. That's it- that's his name! "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Mottlepaw, you will be known as Mottleheart. StarClan honors your loyalty and determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan." The she-cat jumped down from the Tallrock and rested her muzzle ceremonially on the tom's head, before breaking tradition and nuzzling him happily. "Congratulations- you deserve it," she purred.

Mottleheart. His chest swelled, knowing he was going to wear his name with pride as it was given to him. He watched as Ashstar jumped down from the rock and strolled over to him. He smiled as she rested her muzzle on his head but blinked in surprise when suddenly she nuzzled him instead. His mouth open to say something but instead he quickly closed it as he gently nuzzled her back with a small purr. "Thank you being a wonderful mentor," he responded with a smile. He couldn't say where he would have been without having Ashstar as a mentor - she was like a mother to him and helped him grow as an apprentice to become the warrior he was now. He knew his loyalty would lie with her forever and always and whoever would be the leaders after her.