Swiftpaw's Warrior Ceremony

It seemed like it had taken quite a while, but Swiftpaw was finally ready to become a warrior. Rippedstar was sure of it. They needed good, young warriors to set an example for the younger cats. He had already begun to consider the concept of Swiftpaw helping assist with Hazelpaw's training if he was up for it. They could talk the next day after the vigil was over. Much like Otterpaw's ceremony, he was driven on by the idea that they were growing the clan stronger. The leader flexed his claws and scanned the clearing. Soon, it would be filled with the clan, and soon there would be another cat stepping into a full warrior rank. Skyclan was thriving, even when he was struggling. That fact alone seemed to give him some hope for the future, pushing through the bleakness of rogues and clan politics.

"Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the tallbranch for a clan meeting!" Rippedstar finally yowled, ready to finally see Crowstar's former apprentice earn his name.

Swiftpaw sat indolently by the entrance to the nursery, purring contentedly after a visit with his mother, Moonlight. Ever since she'd retired to the nursery, he'd been able to spend more and more time with her, and it was something that he was definitely enjoying. He'd always been closer to her than he'd been with Tinylegs, for reasons that were unknown to him. His ears perked slightly at the call to gather under the tallbranch, but he shrugged it off, assuming it was just another call for an apprentice younger than him to receive their ceremony. He was nearly the oldest apprentice in the den; second only to Firpaw, and she had an excuse! Swiftpaw was perfectly healthy, so there was no reason that his ceremony need be pushed aside for so long. The fluffy white tom was older than SkyClan's current deputy, something he winced at the thought of. He'd watched Poplartooth's apprentice, warrior, and deputy ceremonies come and go, while he just sat back at lived through the mellow life of patrol after patrol, nonstop.

With a small grunt, he got up and padded below the tallbranch, looking anywhere but Rippedstar's eyes.

The fluffy white tom seemed ignorant to the fact that it was finally his time. He had been pushed off for far too long. However, Swiftpaw had more than proven himself. As soon as the clan had settled down, the apprentice among them, he continued, "Today, we welcome another apprentice into the ranks of the warriors. He has more than earned his place and it is my honor to present him before Starclan. Swiftpaw, please step forward." Rippedstar waited silently. Had it been before, he would have smiled softly at the apprentice, encouraging him on. But, now, it merely came in the form of a stiff nod.

Once the tom was standing before the clan, waiting, the black and white leader let his voice ring out once again, "I, Rippedstar, leader of Skyclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this cat. He has trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Swiftpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" One thing that had not changed was still how he looked to Starclan for the ceremony. However, now, he hopelessly sought out Crowstar among them. Turning his gaze back to the apprentice, he waited silently for the response. Then, he would officially join the warriors.

Swiftpaw's ears only flickered to focus on Rippedstar's words when he heard his own name. 'Me?' He was astounded, he'd finally be receiving his name! He stepped forward, beaming. He couldn't wait to tell Rookpaw! He hadn't seen her in so long, and he was beginning to get worried. But nevertheless, he looked up to Rippedstar, a glow in his eyes that hadn't been there since before his mentor had died. "I do!" He tried his best to stay calm and collected, his mane of fur poking out just slightly, while the rest of him remained well groomed.

He was sure. Good. They needed good warriors more than ever. With a stiff nod, the black and white leader let the words ring into the air with a finality that even surprised him a bit, "Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Swiftpaw, from this day forward, you will be known as Swiftflight. Starclan honors your patience and devotion, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Skyclan." A mild surprise sunk in as he finished. Unlike the dull, near life-less apprentice ceremonies as of late, he found himself invested in this one, potentially a little driven. It was still nothing like the deputy he had once been but... better. Rippedstar shoved the feeling away and leaped down from the tallbranch to congratulate their newest warrior. Although the one word came out, for the first time in a while, he found himself wanting to say more. Instead, he opted for the usual retreat back to his den. Maybe another day.