Marshpaw's Warrior Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!"  After long, long last, Wolffang's brother Marshpaw was about to get the honor he had always deserved; a warrior name and Leopardclaw was honored to be the one to grant it to him.  Leaping up onto the Highrock in a single great bound, he called out to the clan, a smile on his maw.

The yowl caught Marshpaw off guard. The dark tabby tom was in the midst of grooming his pelt, but he paused and padded towards where the golden tom stood on top of the Highrock. He felt concerned, confused and conflicted. Was this going to be an announcement about what had happened just a few short dawns ago? He hoped so. It would provide Leopardclaw with the closure he likely needed.

He padded to the front and sat down, he sought the sight of Eaglefang, but spotted Featherheart, who padded slowly into the group as well. Coat not quite as bright as it used to be, even compared to Marshpaw's which gleamed despite it's darkness.

Once the clan had emerged from their dens, Leopardclaw yowled for silence.  "Today, it is my great pleasure to announce that it is finally time for one of our apprentices to become a warrior."  His hazel eyes sought out the tom as he called him out of the crowd.  "Marshpaw, please step forward."

Marshpaw blinked in shock, surprise made his pelt prickle. Then, he realised what this meant. He was no longer an outsider. He was part of the clan. Swallowing back his joyful yowl, he stepped forward. His amber eyes gazed up at Leopardclaw with respect and gratitude. All his life he had yearned for this moment, and although he desperately wished his family was there, after the moonstone and his talk with Wolffang, he finally let it be. Felt free to truly enjoy and embrace this moment as he waited with baited breath to see what his new warrior name would be.

Taking a deep breath, the deputy began to speak.  I, Leopardclaw, deputy of ThunderClan, 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.  Marshpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?

Marshpaw glanced towards the sky at the mention of their warrior ancestors. A small smile underneath his serious expression. The same stars that had once guided him home, he could only hope he proved to starclan that he was completely worthy.
"I do." He answered solemnly. He didn't even have to turn around to see who was there, watching. He knew he would fight for each and every clan mate, even if war came to the camp, he would fight until his very being couldn't anymore. All to protect them all.

Leopardclaw nodded acceptingly, his hazel eyes glowing with what could only be happiness.  "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Marshpaw, from this moment on you, will be known as Marshstorm. StarClan honors your loyalty, determination, and serious nature, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."  Leaping down from the Highrock, Leopardclaw rested his chin on Marshstorm's head, completing the ceremony.  After a moment he backed away and smiled at the tom, but before he did he couldn't help but whisper so quietly so that not even himself could hear; "Wolffang...I promise that he will be safe."

Marshpaw bowed his head as Leopardclaw spoke the final words. His mind racing until he was blessed with his name. Marshstorm. For a moment, he wondered why not fang, but the thought didn't linger as he thought about everything he'd been through. His entire life felt like a storm, churned and thrown about until hope was nothing but a distant speck in the sky, but now that he was here, as loud and affirming as the forest wildlife.

He was home, and he was Marshstorm now. He looked up after Leopardclaw rested his chin on his head, without hiding his joy at this moment. Sorrow clouded some of his gaze, but as he looked at the golden deputy all he could feel was honour and joy.
"Thank you Leopardclaw. For everything you've done." He smiled, then turned to face his clanmates with his unusually bright look as he padded forward to join them, now as one of them.

Nighthawk walked up to the older tom and bumped her shoulder to his. "You'll do many great things! I hope you know that I'll be there for you if you need me! No longer as a mentor but as a den-mate and friend." she said with a genuine smile. She began to walk back to the warrior's den once she spoke those words.

Sharptooth mustered a smile. "Congratulations, Marshstorm." She mewed, her green eyes flickering with a hint of the light they used to hold.