Foxpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Tinystar made his way onto the Tallbranch and called out to the clan, his voice raspy and noticeably downstricken, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Tallbranch for a clan meeting!"

Foxpaw perked from where he had been sitting outside the apprentice den, licking away the remnants of his meal. He jumped to his paws, quick to pad over and join the gathering cats with glimmering eyes, certain that he knew what this ceremony was for...

Spottedleap, fresh from a secret nap in the territory, sat next to the camp exit. Some warriors were updating him on their patrol findings, a responsibility he was still getting used to, but they stopped when Tinystar called the meeting. The deputy moved closer to the front to get a good seat. His thick tail flicked back and forth behind him in anticipation; he’d spoken with the leader not too long ago about his apprentice, a fine young tom with the promise of a bright future. Today was the day they’d trained for.

"We gather here today to give one of our apprentices their Warrior name and rank," he began, looking out upon the gathering clan bellow. "He has proven himself worthy to climb the ranks of SkyClan and receive his Warrior name," Tinystar spoke and then paused for another brief moment before continuing.

"Foxpaw, please step forward."

Once the apprentice stepped forward, the short tom continued. "I, Tinystar, leader of SkyClan, 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. Foxpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Foxpaw’s ears perked at the sound of his name, eyes widening. He had assumed that it had been for him but to actually hear his name being called... He stepped forward with a nervous swallow, ear twitching as he saw Spottedleap pad up and take a seat. Every day since he had become an apprentice and broken his leg he had doubts that he would ever get his warrior name. He was going to make Tinystar and Spottedleap proud. ”I do,” he answered the leader’s question, fully aware of the weight of the promise. He had been told to think for himself, to not blindly follow orders...But he knew he wanted to be a great SkyClan warrior and was willing to put his life on the line to prove it.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Foxpaw, from this day forward you shall be known as Foxfire. SkyClan honors your kindness and energy. Congratulations," he finished. With that, Tinystar leaped down from Tallbranch, with the ceremonial words trailing after him as he offered a soft bump of his muzzle to the newly named warrior in a quiet form of congratulations as other Clanmates flocked forwards as well.

Foxfire! It was an amazing name and made the newly named warrior beam with pride as Tinystar leapt down to greet him. He bent his head, happily returning the nuzzle before he allowed the leader to contuine with his duties. "Spottedleap! I did it! I'm a warrior!" he practically cried as he spun to smile at his mentor - well...Old mentor as it were. He bounded up, happily bumping his forehead against the deputy's as a purr rumbled throughout his body. "I won't let you and Tinystar down, I'll be the best warrior ever!"

He had fought the doubts that he could be a SkyClan warrior for so long, and while he knew he wouldn't be able to escape his fear of heights anytime soon...It was a step in the right direction. He could fight, he could hunt...He now had his name. He didn't know what he would do when - if - he was given an apprentice any time soon...The fear of heights would be a problem for sure but...He could figure it out. But for now, he was just going to show the Clan how great of a warrior he, Foxfire, could be.

"Foxfire! Foxfire!" Basilkit yowled her friend's new name enthusiastically. She still had yet to receive her apprentice name, but she was determined to follow the older tom's path and be just as wonderful as he was. As she yowled and cheered, she bounced excitedly. When Tinystar had pulled away and Foxfire was speaking to the deputy, she bounded over and nuzzled him underneath his chin before looking up with wide, glistening eyes, "You did it, Foxfire! I knew you'd become the greatest warrior in the forest, and you did it!"