Shadepaw's Warrior Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the willow branch for a clan meeting!" Ivystar yowled for the whole clan to here, bolstered by the recent victory against WindClan. Though their clan wasn't that much better off, they were doing that tiny bit better with the new territory to support them alongside the herbs. And the fruits of their labour was seen in how Shadepaw had thrived, a handsome young tom ready to fight for their clan. He was a bit overly dramatic, quick to anger, but she trusted that with a few sharp nudges from her, he would shape up and learn humility.

Shadepaw blinked up at Ivystar, having a feeling as to what the meeting was for. He stood tall and proud with a wide, confident, grin.

Reedclaw stood in the back of the gathering of cats to watch his son. He knew why Ivystar was calling this meeting, it was time for Shadepaw to received his warrior name.

"Shadepaw, it has come to my attention that you have proven yourself ready for the burden of warriorhood. If you agree, step forward so we may begin your ceremony." Ivystar meowed with a neutral tone, allowing the apprentice to make his own choice. She would not judge him either way, though she believed that lingering in apprenticehood wouldn't be particularly helpful for the tom.

Shadepaw took a few steps forward, away from the gathering cats and up to the clearing. He was more than ready to prove to his Clan that he had the skills and mentality to protect every single one of them. ...Even Sweetheart. Even if he absolutely despised his mother, she was still his Clanmate; he could not be biased with his Clan no matter how much he wanted to.

(OOC: Bump?)

The blue tabby tom took the lead of the rest of the ceremony just like his mother requested him before it started. He was nervous and anxious but after doing so many apprentice ceremonies... he didn't feel scared anymore to speak his voice. From the top of the branch, he looked at the fierce tom with piercing green eyes. "I, Jaystream, deputy of Riverclan, 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, Shadepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" He mewed remembering every word his leader used to say during this ceremonies. They didn't come out naturally out of his mouth but at least his voice didn't tremble.

OOC: I'll continue the ceremony from now on.

”Yes,” Shadepaw meowed confidently, looking up with excitement shining in his amber eyes.

"By the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this day forth, you will be known to all as Shadefang. RiverClan honours your unconditional loyalty and your fierceness to face adversities." The tall tom mewed with a satisfied smile by the former apprentice's response. Despite his sharp tongue and aggressivity, Shadefang was a cat willing to protect his clan and clanmates. He was brave, young and strong. Jaystream was glad to have him as clanmate and hoped that he could find happiness among the rest of the clan. He was a Riverclan warrior and the young tom knew that so he should be welcome as one of them.

"Tonight, you will hold a silent vigil as the rest of us sleep. I trust you will protect us well and that Starclan lights your next steps to warriorhood. Congratulations, young Shadefang. Let's celebrate your new rank in the clan." The deputy left the branch with a graceful leap and he approached the brown tabby tom with a calm expression. He nodded at him, congratulating him for the name he earned. Silently, Jaystream hoped he could be just like his mentor and turn into a good, strong-willed Riverclan warrior.

Shadefang smiled gratefully at Jaystream and bowed his head respectfully.

”Shadefang!” Sweetheart ran up to her son and purred loudly, her eyes shining with immense pride. ”Oh, Shadefang, I am just so proud of—“

But the newly named warrior had turned to walk over to Silverfang, as if he hadn’t even noticed his mother at all. He bowed his head to her, making sure not to speak as that would disrupt his vigil. There would be time for words later, so for now he would show his former mentor his gratitude through gestures.

Sweetheart’s heart seemed to break. Even as a warrior, her dear son still wanted nothing to do with her... She hung her head and slowly turned to head back to the warriors’ den.

Silverfang who was watching the ceremony from afar with a serious look, finally stood up when her first apprentice was named a warrior. She smiled, a bit surprised too because he shared the same suffix as her. That was probably Jaystream idea but she liked it.

When she saw him approaching, the fiery warrior bowed her head respectfully, showing in that way that he wasn't an apprentice anymore but her equal as a warrior. Shadefang now was going to share the den with her and the rest of the warriors. That was the place he deserved.