Marshpaw's New Mentor Ceremony

Blizzardstar sighed before leaping onto the Highrock. Marshpaw had been around ThunderClan for a while, yet no proper mentor had been given to him due to circumstances beyond her control and that had prevented the former outsider from getting a chance to become a true member of the clan…it was time to change that “All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather under the Highrock for a clan meeting!”.

The large dark tabby lifted his head from where he had been watching Eaglepaw attempt to stalk a scrap of moss when Blizzardstar yowled. He looked around at first to see if there were any new wounded cats. Anything to signal that this could be a negative affair, but with no new injured to be seen, he slowly stood and ambled to the back of the gathered cats. Despite his attempt to fit in with the clan, he couldn't help but feel like a bit of an outsider still. Unable to hunt or do more for the cats who had taken him in. He tried not to let that helplessness sting, but it did.

He glanced around for Sharptooth. The only face besides Eaglekit that had come distinctively familiar to him as a friend and even family.

"I caught it, Marshpaw!" His triumphant yowl rang throughout the clearing but was overpowered by the leader's call. He glared at Blizzardstar for a quick second for the interrupting him, but obediently padded over. The leader was respectable and there was no way he could ignore the leader's words. Eaglepaw went over to join the rest of the clan and settled back. Maybe the fluffy, white she-cat had decided that he needed to be a warrior. It had already been a couple days since he was made a warrior and the tom believed he was ready. Besides, he had already been training with Newttongue once. And, he'd done alright. Just in case, he smoothed down his fur from next to Marsh and sat up straight with his puffed out proudly.

Sharptooth padded out of the nursery, her tufted ears flicking. 'Another ceremony, perhaps?' She thought to herself, sitting down heavily near the outside of the gathering of cats, her dull eyes focused on the ground.

“Marshpaw, step forward” The leader looked at the apprentice. Usually she would introduce outsiders to those in the clan, but after being in camp for about a moon she guessed that introductions were no longer needed “Marshpaw, for reasons you could not control the clan where you received your apprentice name no longer can be called your home. After being brought to our camp by Coyotefang, you have asked to join us and by doing so you have accepted to let go of the old ties that bound you ShadowClan and be loyal only to ThunderClan” She allowed some seconds to let the words sink in.

She might had decided to let him join the ranks of ThunderClan, but she wanted to make clear that no split loyalties would be tolerated. He could still have friends and family over there, but if at any time they had to face each other in battle she wanted to make sure she could trust him just as much as she would trust any of her other clanmates “You will be trained in our ways, learn our traditions and prove that you can be trusted. Nighthawk will be your mentor” With that she jumped off the Highrock, dismissing the clan.

Marshpaw restrained a flinch as Blizzardstar called his name. He stepped forward with slight intimidation. Was this it? The moment he was cast out because Coyotefang could no longer vouch for him? He resisted the urge to sigh in relief as she continued on. He'd have a chance. Marshpaw nodded seriously to her words. He could do this. He could be the cat that they needed, be a warrior at last, and defend his new clan... even against his old one.

After pressing his nose to his mentor's, he padded a couple paces towards the white she-cat. His head bowed in a proud yet respectful manner.
"Thank you, Blizzardstar. You honour me with this opportunity." He thanked her calmly. It seemed rude to not do so afterall.

Nighthawk was now standing a few lengths back. She jumped up with wide green eyes when the leader had called her name to train Marshpaw. She had stepped up to the tom and touched noses with him. She then nudged him and had given him a close-eyed smile. She was super excited to begin training this special apprentice. Blizzardstar clearly saw that she was ready to take on a responsibility like this.

"W-what?" Eaglepaw glanced over at Marshpaw, who still clung to the apprentice name as well. This wasn't his warrior ceremony? After recovering from the initial shock, he blinked. His entire life, Marshpaw had lived with Thunderclan. Despite his mixed origins and Eaglepaw's normal feelings of disdain on the matter, the former Shadowclan tom was still kin. And that reminded him of his rogue father and origins. It did feel strange to know the tom who helped raise him alongside Sharptooth was not actually even a clan cat.

"So, guess you're an apprentice now, like me? Bet I can make warrior first!" This was the closest thing to a congratulations the young tom could muster as he padded over to Marshpaw. There was a challenging glint in his eyes, but also something else. There were hints of satisfaction there too. As disappointed as he was that Blizzardstar hadn't just made him a warrior, he was rather happy to see his father's uncle a step closer to officially joining the clan. Although, he would never admit that.