Fernpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Ashstar leapt onto the Tallrock. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Tallrock for a Clan meeting!"

Fernpaw blinked curiously at the call of WindClan’s leader, and she was suddenly filled with nervousness. Was SkyClan or RiverClan trying to attack them again? Well, she needed to be there to hear what was going to be said, so she squeezed up to Swiftstep’s side and sat down.

Ashstar looked down at the apprentice, smiling in a slightly sad way. Fernpaw was almost exactly like her mother.... "We gather here today to make one of our apprentices a warrior. She has proven herself worthy to climb the ranks of WindClan and receive her warrior name. Fernpaw, please step forwards." Once the she-cat did, she continued with the ceremony. "I, Ashstar, leader of WindClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Fernpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Fernpaw gasped loudly, her eyes flying wide open. How could she have forgotten that today was going to be her warrior ceremony? This was it, this was the day she was going to share a den with Swiftstep and Spiderfur and Softbreeze and her other relatives!

She rushed forward, completely forgetting about composure or professionalism, and at the question she yowled, ”I do! I’ll be the best warrior you’ve ever seen!”

Now she remembered professionalism. She grinned sheepishly, her fur growing hot, then cleared her throat and stood straight and tall, her voice much more controlled. ”I do.”

Ashstar nodded. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Fernpaw, from this moment you will be known as Fernwng. StarClan honors your warmth and energy, and we welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan." The leader leapt down and rested her muzzle on top of the new warrior's head, finishing the ceremony.

The newly-named Fernwing bowed her head as Ashstar finished the ceremony, and she respectfully licked the leader’s shoulder.

She turned to Swiftstep and grinned widely, then began racing towards him, opening her mouth and getting ready to call out to him.

”Well done, Fernwing.”

Fernwing skidded to a half at the voice that she had never heard before. She looked around, trying to identify the cat who had spoken to her. But she couldn’t find anyone who had such a lively and bubbly yet compassionate and motherly voice.

”You have done so wonderfully, my sweet Fernwing. Never forget what you have learned, and continue to grow as a loyal warrior. Take care of your father, and be wary of Thunderpaths.”

Fernwing felt a sudden chill throughout her entire body, as if the warmth was sucking away from her body. She shuddered and shut her eyes, but when she opened them again she could just barely see the faintest outline of a cat with bright dark green eyes looking back at her with all the love in the world. The strange cat was gone when the warrior blinked.

”...Fernfeather?” Fernwing mewed under her breath.

Swiftstep had been watching, proud and loving as his daughter grew into a warfuor right before his eyes. His youngest daughter was now a full warrior! "Fernwing! Fernwing!" he chanted the loudest. He ran up to her and pressed himself against her. "I'm so proud of you darlin'!" he told her.

Fernwing perked up again, rushing over to her father and nuzzling deep into his fur. "Swiftstep, I'm so happy! I'm finally a warrior just like you! And I... Well, this is gonna sound crazy, but I think I saw Fernfeather just now! She told me she was so happy for me, and I think I could see her for a split second, too. She has such pretty green eyes!"