Sparkpaw's Warrior Ceremony

The leader left his den, few moments after his deputy informed him that Sparkpaw was ready to take his warrior ceremony. It was late compared to his brothers' but it was understandable considering how sick Viperstorm was. His son had to train by himself, with the help of fellow warriors and apprentices, just like him in the past. Jaystar climbed the willow branch, his body a bit thinner than usual due to leaf-bare hardships and he glanced over his clan with an absent look, lost in his own thoughts. What did Sparkpaw think of him after the Starlord's incident? The tall tom did not regret letting him go after what he found out what he did with Littlestream but it was undeniable that his kits with Goldeneye had something against him after that. Was it too late to recover the closeness they had? Jaystar just sighed, trying to calm his troubled mind a little so he could start the ceremony. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the willow branch for a clan meeting!"

The moonstone journey was still fresh in his mind when Jaystar called the clan together. Sparkpaw, coat ungroomed and chaotic as ever, joined the rest of the clan under the willow branch. Like the clan leader, his features were already gaunt as a sign of the times. Despite this, there was an energy to his pawsteps. It was undeniable what this time held. He was going to be a warrior of Riverclan. Any excitement was mostly spurred on by that of his clanmates. This was supposed to be the biggest day in any clan cat's life. While he had mostly found himself indifferent to the idea, Sparkpaw was now consumed with joy.

A plastered, half-smile overtook his maw. Finchstream would want him to be ready for this. And Jaystar, no matter the strain in their relationship over Starlord having to leave, his opinion still mattered too. He settled down with his multi-colored tail strewn out wildly behind him. Sparkpaw's gaze flickered between an attempt to focus on Jaystar and the faces of the cats gathering around. He sought out his friends, his adoptive mother, his kin, and Goldeneye. There was a slight pang of sadness as he remembered Ivypaw's determination to have Starlord see them become warriors. Only one face was missing from the crowd today.

The leader soon spotted his son in the crowd, looking cheerful about this day. Seeing his happy face despite all what had happened, made him smile too and he proceeded the ceremony, with a gentle smirk on his face. "Sparkpaw, Scorchclaw had confirmed me that you are ready to undertake your warrior ceremony. If you believe this to be true, step forward now for it to begin." He purred, his green eyes showing how proud he was of the apprentice for taking this important step in his life in the clan. The tom raised his feathery tail slightly, eager for the moment he would name his kit a full-grown warrior of Riverclan.

There was a bittersweet sadness that flashed through his eyes as he watched the transformation of the leader's face. There was price, happiness, and an obvious purr to his tone. Would Starlord have been just as proud to watch him step forward and dedicate himself to the clan? Even if the ginger and white tom held disdain for clan life and for Jaystar himself, it had never hindered his support in helping the kits grow and learn. Nor had he turned his nose up at them as they trained to be warriors. Sparkpaw forced the thought out of his mind as he stepped forward, waiting for the next step in the ceremony.

The leader took a second to speak again, watching how his son walked to the centre of the camp to receive his warrior name. He had grown to have his eyes and fur yet the ginger patches were a reminder of who his mother was. He had the body type of a true Riverclan cat and there was no doubt he had grown into a healthy tom. Even if he didn't win over his brother during the hunting competition, he still had proven to be one of the best hunters in the clan. Even with his unknown, forbidden origins, the leader had no doubt his son would be accepted by the clan and Starclan when his time comes. Sparkpaw was a clan cat now and no cat could doubt it. "I, Jaystar, leader 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. Sparkpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Jaystar mewed to him, his eyes locked on the smaller silhouette of the tom.

"Yeah. Yes. I do!" He said enthusiastically, less than gracefully finding the words as he looked up at the leader with that have grin. His eyes shone with honesty. Already he had fought to give his life for the clan, even without much training under his paws. Sparkpaw was a true Riverclan cat, and would be a true warrior in his turn. He glanced to the side briefly, thinking about how Starlord was probably out there thinking of them now.

The leader had to hold a light-hearted chuckle when his son answered back with such enthusiasm. Even though he may hate him for making Starlord go, at least he turned up to be a good a cat and warrior. That was more he could ask for. "Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this day forth, you will be known to all as Sparkfrost. Riverclan's honours your positivity and dedication. Tonight, as tradition demands, you will hold a silent vigil while the rest of the clan sleep. Until then, we celebrate the rise of a new, young Riverclan warrior who has earned his place and name in the clan. Congratulations, young warrior, may Starclan light your path." The leader dismissed the formal meeting with a final movement of his tail and then leapt off the branch to meet his son among the crowd.

He stood up in front of him and bowed his head, with respect, as he gently touched the forehead of the tom. "I'm proud of the cat you've become, Sparkfrost. You will be a great Riverclan warrior, just like the rest of your siblings." Jaystar purred before stepping back a little to give him his own space. After all, the bicoloured cat was probably still angry at him for what he had to do.