Mountainpaw’s Warrior Ceremony

Though it pained her to do so without Sneezingpaw present, Ivystar leaped onto the Willow Branch, intending to begin Mountainpaw’s Warrior Ceremony. Though the she-cat still had a bit of growing ul to do, she had rightfully completed her training as an apprentice and earned her warrior name, so today, she’d be honored with just that. “All cats old enough to catch their own fish, gather beneath the Willow Branch for a Clan Meeting!” She meowed, voice echoing across the relatively busy camp.

Mountainpaw looked around, not approaching Ivystar just yet. Sneezingpaw wasn't here yet. She had to become a warrior with her, or else Sneezingpaw would be sad that she missed out. Mountainpaw didn't want Sneezingpaw sad. She must be out hunting, though why she'd do that without Mountainpaw the cream apprentice couldn't fathom. Come to think of it, she hadn't seen her since the morning after her moonstone trip. She wouldn't leave her alone for this long, would she?

Maybe she was working on a big surprise. For the ceremony. Mountainpaw loved surprises. Yeah, that must be it. She wouldn't be gone for this long unless she was planning something. Appeased, Mountainpaw bounded up to the Willow Branch with her signature grin. The sooner this meeting (which just had to be her ceremony, she could feel it) started, the sooner her sister would pop out from the forest with whatever warrior ceremony present she'd been planning all in her own.

Once Mountainpaw approached, Ivystar gave her an encouraging nod and spoke up, trying to suppress the urge to fidget with her paws. "Today we've gathered to witness the rise of RiverClan's newest warrior. Honeytongue has assured me that Mountainpaw has earned her warrior name. Mountainpaw, if you believe this to be true, step forward now and your ceremony will commence." She meowed, emerald green eyes locked on the she-cat below her.

Mountainpaw grinned even wider, no mean feat given that she'd already been smiling like the Cheshire cat before Ivystar said her name. It was her ceremony! She knew it! She stepped forward and looked up at her mom. Soon she'd be a warrior, and Sneezingpaw would show up and become a warrior too! She wondered what her name would be. She was practically buzzing with excitement.

Another simple nod from Ivystar signified her acknowledgment of Mountainpaw’s agreement, and without missing a beat she meowed, “Very well. I, Ivystar, leader of RiverClan, call upon our ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a warrior, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Mountainpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a warrior and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Though Ivystar ultimately wasn’t entirely sure that Mountainpaw was… er… mature enough to make such a promise, that would come with time.

Mountainpaw nodded vigorously. She was ready! So ready! She was gonna be a grown-up! "YES! I promise! Even at the cost of-uh, whatever you said!"

A slight flicker of her ear was the only sign of Ivystar’s amusement at the she-cat’s enthusiasm, and she carried on accordingly. “Then from this day onward, you shall be known to all as Mountainheart, for your optimistic and caring nature.” With a slight smile, the she-cat let the name sink in before clearing her throat and continuing. “Tonight, as tradition demands, you will hold a silent vigil and watch over camp as the rest of the Clan sleeps. Until then, however, we will celebrate the rise of a new warrior.” Leaping from the branch, Ivystar approached Mountainpaw and reached up to rest her chin on the she-cat’s head, almost having to ask her to kneel down so that she could reach. Pulling back, Ivystar offered her a genuine smile and mewed, “You’ve made me proud, Mountainheart.”