Beetlepaw's Warrior Ceremony

Marshstorm leapt to the top of High-rock. His dark tabby pelt gleaming in the rays of the newly rising greenleaf sun. It would be quite warm soon, and he found himself wanting to begin the ceremony while the rock itself wasn't so hot on the pads of his paws. For a moment, he missed the marshes of home. The coolness of the marsh must be nice compared to the heat, but he shoved those thoughts away like crowfood. Everything he ever wanted, or needed, was here. Disgust pricked in his pelt as he forced himself not to think about it.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath High-rock for a clan meeting!" He yowled, looking for the pelt that was Beetlepaw's. Today would be a joyous day for the young tom as far as he knew.

His friend was already a warrior so he should be one too. That was why he immediately rushed to the meeting point and looked up at the deputy of Thunderclan. He didn’t like him but he preferred Marshstorm over Leopardstar. At least he had some blood of the clans in his veins... Hiis blue eyes looked up at him, waiting with a serious expression. If this wasn’t his ceremony, he would be very pissed.

Snowdrop slipped out from the warriors’ den to sit down at one of Beetlepaw’s sides, purring loudly and happily. She was so glad he would finally become a warrior as well, because the warriors’ den was quickly becoming more and more lonely without her best friend and crush by her side. Now the two would never be separated after today, and that made her very happy indeed.

He watched as the apprentice padded over swiftly. His amber gaze on the young tom as he watched him with a calm and confident smile. Though his amber eyes were light with heavy with the joy of a new warrior, he also couldn't help but fear once more over the safety of his clanmate. The young tom would be laying his life on the line for his clan... but really, was there any better thing?

"Beetlepaw, step forward." He ordered firmly, knowing the answer. Of course not. Being a warrior was a high honor, and he knew the tom would be a good one, just like Snowdrop would hopefully be. "Beetlepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

The white and black tom stood straighter as he padded closer to the deputy. In the end, he was right. It was finally his warrior ceremony. He greeted Snowdrop with a quick smile before stopping in front of the brown-furred tom standing on the top of the rock. His blue eyes looked at him determined, a passion running through his mind and heart: he had to make Thunderclan as great and pure as it was in the past. But for that... he had to prove himself as a warrior, not as an apprentice.

Beetlepaw already knew the words and what he had to swear. He had no doubts about it. The young tom was loyal to the Code from birth. There was nothing that could change that in him. "I do." He mewed, completely sure of himself.

With a firm and decisive nod, Marshstorm sat up straighter as he spoke the final words.
"Then by the power of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Beetlepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Beetlemask. StarClan honours your strength and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." He mewed seriously. His stern voice matched by his calm eyes and light smile. He was worrying too much, he knew it. "Congratultions." He offered before he leapt off High-rock and tilted his head to Snowdrop as he chanted Beetlemask's new name.