Pinepaw's Warrior Ceremony

Though the time when her father had been thrown out of the clan had been extremely difficult, Nettlestar was now retrospectively a bit grateful that she had had the chance to learn the basics of leadership before actually becoming ThunderClan's leader. The fact that her position was now permanent meant she still had a lot of uncertainty and doubt about how well she would do, but there were certain things she really did feel much better prepared for. One of which was definitely conducting warrior ceremonies.

Today would mark her very first warrior ceremony as ThunderClan's official leader, and there was something about it that made her new position feel all the more real. Which was a bit of strange feeling. Not a bad one, just a strange one.

She stood on the Highrock and made the call.


"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highrock for a clan meeting!"

The message Emberheart had delivered to Pinepaw didn't sit well with him. It threatened his prophecy of greatness. He hadn't been greeted by Leopardclaw or Blizzardshine - two of the most influential leaders that currently resided in StarClan. Instead, he'd gotten a lecture on family and kits of all things. Kits! He didn't know the first thing about kits! Pinepaw had been a kit once, sure, but what did that have to do with his life? It wasn't like he had a pregnant mate. Imagine!

The tom unfurrowed his brow as he padded from out underneath the apprentice's ferns. It was alright, he wouldn't let his thoughts ruin his image on this date. If StarClan couldn't foresee his glittering destiny, then Pinepaw would pave his own way. The tom raised his head to meet Nettlestar's eyes. She was far more youthful then ThunderClan's previous leader, something Pinepaw noticed quickly. He'd been there for the change of ranks, watching as Thrushpaw's father, Minkstream, became deputy. Times were changing, and so was he.

His russet pelt was smoother than the finest of oak leaves. Pinepaw's green eyes shone handsomely, whiskers glimmering, shoulders stretching beneath toned muscles. It was time. His life, all of the pieces would fall together on this moment. And he'd shine just as brilliantly. The tom meant Nettlestar with his chin high, not even a hint of hesitation. Stars, was he gorgeous? Did he glow as the fields of StarClan did?

Nettlestar's green eyes dropped towards where the apprentice sat. She nodded at him. He seemed to her to be more than ready to become a warrior, and it had been a little while since the clan's last ceremony. It would be good to have another capable warrior join their ranks again.

"Pinepaw, take a step forward, please," she called. "I, Nettlestar, leader 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. Pinepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Her eyes remained steadily fixed on the soon-to-be warrior, awaiting his answer.

Nettlestar's words rang out into the clearing. Pinepaw lifted his head to hers, gazing up at the Highrock with the hope of a kitten. He stepped forward with ease, muscles rippling under a smooth ginger pelt. It didn't matter what Emberheart had said to him. All that mattered was the future. He'd achieve perfection.

The leaves overhead whistled as a gust of wind rattled their brittle forms together. The creak of branches groaned and sang, and the grass whispered. A large, handsome grin fell over Pinepaw's face, and he looked back at his family and smiled, feeling warm. This was it. He was the first of his denmates to achieve warriorhood, and he'd shine as brightly as the moon.

Nettlestar's question hung in the air, and Pinepaw didn't hesitate for a second, dipping his head with meaningful solace. "I do." Pinepaw spoke, voice having deepened into that of an adult. He'd grown into his skin, and felt ready to take on the world.

Nettlestar noted the lack of hesitation in the tom's answer. He would indeed make a good warrior.

The gray tabby was reminded suddenly why she liked conducting naming ceremonies so much. The future of the clan was in the paws of these young cats. Beyond whatever messes and tragedies lay in their past, ThunderClan's leader had hope for the days yet to come.

"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Pinepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Pinefrost. StarClan honors your orderliness and bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan. Congratulations,"

With that, Nettlestar joined with the growing chants of the warrior's new name.

Cedarheart had gathered at the base of the meeting. It was some sort of ceremony, and she had heard that Pinepaw was nearing the end of his training. Sitting down behind him, she paid special attention. When Nettlestar confirmed, and her younger brother stepped forward, her eyes welled with pride. Barely able to contain her excitement, the moment the leader finished speaking she burst out in chant.

”Pinefrost! Pinefrost!”

Both of her brothers, whom she loved so much, had made it too warriorhood. She had 6 siblings who had been lost on the way, 4 littermates, and 2 that were a part of Pinefrost’s litter. She wished they could’ve made it here, but she knew that they were cheering him on from the stars.

A shiver ran down Pinepaw's spine as he gazed up at Nettlestar. Pinefrost. He'd never seen frost before, but the elders had spoke of its chill. The newly named warrior closed his eyes and imagined what leafbare must be like. Icicles hanging from the trees like claws. He could only dream so much. And now he was as cold as snow, as sharp as frost. Nettlestar jumped from her perch to chant Pinefrost's new name, and the tom grinned wide. The clan erupted around him in cheer, and Pinefrost grew warm once again. He was everything. He was the sun on his back, the whisper of the leaves, the frost on the branches. And this was just the beginning.

Harefoot, hanging close to the elder's den to give his independent son some space, called out the new warrior's name with unrestrained glee. "Pinefrost! Pinefrost! Pinefrost!" It was a wonderful name, sturdy and reliable-sounding, just liek the tom who bore it. The elder quickly approached Pinefrost, a purr rumbling loudly from his chest, and swiped his tongue over his cheek. "Well done, my boy! A warrior at last! I'm sorry I couldn't get you there, but I'm proud of you. I can't wait to hear about all your adventures. You'll still visit your old dad in the elder's den, won't you?" He asked, a smile on his face and his tail waving emphatically.