Wolfpaw's Warrior Ceremony

The day of the clash was drawing nearer with each blink. Dusk settled over the camp, the dying light's last rays burning out through the foliage of the evergreen trees surrounding SkyClan's camp. Spottedstar scaled the Tallbranch with ease, an ecstatic energy filling his limbs despite the looming future. "Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the Tallbranch for a Clan meeting!" A warror ceremony. His first as rightful leader. He regretted missing Flowerthorn's; she deserved more from him. He would take her out again, perhaps, and see if she still hated him. Until then, he had a job he was proud to take care of.

His father's call made Wolfpaw lift his head from the patch of sunlight where he'd been dozing, taking a rare moment of respite in the hectic craze of back and fourth the past couple weeks. Amber eyes blinked lazily, ears pricking forward with interest as he debated whether to stay where he was and listen, or to go front and center. With a tired sigh, he hauled himself to his paws, dutifully padding over beneath the highbranch and blinking a greeting to the clan leader as he waited for the remainder of the clan to gather.

Spottedstar allowed the clan to gather before continuing. Making meaningful eye contact with the black apprentice in the crowd, the leader called out, "We gather here today to give one of our apprentices their Warrior name and rank. Wolfpaw has proven himself worthy to climb the ranks of SkyClan and receive his Warrior name." That sounded right, at least. He was sure Tinylegs said that at his own ceremony. "Step forth, Wolfpaw."

It was delightful to say that. Honeypaw was his eldest, but some cats learned faster and others learned slower, and that was alright by Spottedstar. Wolfpaw had grown strong under Foxfire's mentorship, and the spotted tom couldn't be prouder. "I, Spottedstar, SkyClan's leader, call upon our 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. Wolfpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Wait, this was his warrior ceremony? Wolfpaw immediately straightened up, desperately trying to save face, and act like he hadn't begrudgingly left the warmth of his sunning spot to attend this clan meeting. His tired eyes immediately brightened, every nerve in his body screaming with excitement to the point where Spottedstar's question didn't immediately register in his buzzing brain. It took an extra half-second, but seemed to him like an eternity, of the leader's question hanging in the air, before it finally caught up with him. "I... I do!" he confirmed.

He smiled widely, allowing this small victory to overshadow any other concerns on his mind. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Wolfpaw, from this day on you will be named Wolfcall. SkyClan honors your loyalty and level-headedness." Spottedstar jumped from his high place, landing at the base of the Tallbranch and approaching Wolfcall. He rested his muzzle atop his son's head, a purr rumbling in his chest. "Congratulations, Wolfcall. I'm glad I got to be the first to call you by your warrior name."

Pride bubbled up in Wolfpaw's chest as Spottedstar announced his warrior name to the clan. Wolfcall, he thought, the sound of it foreign in his mind. That's who he was now, and who he would be from this day forward. He leaned into the clan leader as Spottedstar approached, tongue swiping across the the spotted tabby's shoulder. "Thank you," he said quietly, "I will protect SkyClan with my life, and make you proud."