Smokepaw's Warrior Ceremony

Flintstar leapt onto the Jaggedrock, lifting his muzzle to address his clan. "ShadowClan! Gather in the shadow of the Jaggedrock!" he called out as he took his seat, tail curling around his paws as he waited. He had been informed by his deputy that there was another apprentice ready to gain their warrior name. He was proud of the work that Murkystrike had done, helping the apprentices but he could not also forget Fangsnap's work as this was his apprentice. The tom had proven himself since his return to the Clan, barely missing a step in finding his place once again within the camp - only further proven by this. He was certain that Smokepaw would prove herself to be a great warrior like her mentor and he was pleased with how well his Clan was growing.

Smokepaw pricked her ears at Flintstar’s call. Ah, one of the older apprentices was likely being made a warrior. She walked over and sat nearby, quite literally in the shadow of the Jaggedrock, and began cleaning her fur, idly wondering which apprentice was being made a warrior- perhaps it was Hopepaw, or Ravenpaw, the apprentice Smokekit had spoken to moons ago- although not that many moons ago. Or perhaps it was something big happening to the Clan- she quickly sniffed the air for any remaining scent of SkyClan, but there was none. Her eyes saw no brown tabby pelt that she didn’t already know. Maplepaw must’ve gotten past her phase of wanting to join ShadowClan, and perhaps that was for the best. Smokepaw tore herself awa from her thoughts and fixed her eyes on Flintstar.

Flintstar glanced over as Smokepaw approached, feeling a sense of warmth at the fact that she had proven herself so quickly - being one of the younger apprentices but both Murkystrike and Fangsnap seemed to believe that she was ready to become a warrior - and he wasn't about to doubt either of his loyal cats. "I've called you all here to witness a warrior ceremony. Smokepaw, please step forward," he meowed, dipping his head to the young she-cat. He waited for her to overcome her shock and approach before he continued on with the ceremony. "I, Flintstar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Smokepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Wait, what?!?! Smokepaw audibly gasped, glancing around for her mentor and Murkystrike- did they really believe she was ready to become a warrior?!? Was she ready to become a warrior? Had she trained har- okay, that wasn’t something she doubted. Smokepaw took a large step forwards, taking a deep breath. Was she ready to defend her Clan with her life? She thought so, but it might be different when she was staring death in the face, so to speak.

“Yes.” She wasn’t about to say anything else unless she really felt she wasn’t ready to become a warrior. And she was ready. She’d learned a lot from Fangsnap, her fellow apprentices, and even cats from other Clans. She was as ready as she was going to be.

Flintstar remained ridged as Smokepaw spoke, although there was a hint of his face softening as he gave a proud nod of his head. "Then by the power granted to me, I give you your warrior name. Smokepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Smokepelt. We honor your loyalty and enthusiasm, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." As he finished, he pushed himself to his paws and leapt down to land in front of Smokepelt, taking a step forward to rest his chin on her head. "Congratulations, Smokepelt. I know you will do us proud."

Smokepelt, that loyal and enthusiastic warrior of ShadowClan, took a step back, big smile spreading over her face. She was a warrior. A warrior. A warrior! A warrior before the older apprentices, a loyal warrior, an enthusiastic warrior, one to be depended on, one to make ShadowClan proud. For a moment, she held her head high, enjoying these thoughts while they lasted. She was a warrior- she couldn’t wait to show Mothpaw what she knew, or maybe one of the SkyClan cats she’d met. Probably Maplepaw.

Smokepelt knew this was the one night in her entire life she’d get a warrior name. The one night in her life she’d feel this way. The one night in her life she’d stand in front of her Clan the center of attention. (Most likely, this would be the only night she enjoyed it, even if it did happen again.) She held her head high and glanced up at the stars.

I’ll find out about everything down here, and then? Watch out StarClan, here I come!

A smile on her face, she turned away to hold vigil. What a night.