Thornpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Despite the sudden change to their routine with ShadowClan now staying within their walls, life carried on as always. And that, of course, meant there were more ceremonies to conduct. It seemed like there always were. Leaping onto the Tallbranch, Birdchaser called out, "Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the Tallbranch for a Clan meeting!"

Thornpaw heard Birdchaser's call, pale ginger ears flicking slightly at the sound before the apprentice herself stood from her spot and made her way over to the Tall Branch. She knew that there were plenty of apprentices getting their warrior names soon.. part of her wondering if she was among them. Was it finally her turn? Was she good enough to be considered a warrior despite her small size?

Soon enough, Thornpaw appeared among the crowd, and Birdchaser nodded down at her as she settled in among them. Wasting no time with preamble, she called out, "Another warrior joins our ranks today. Thornpaw, step forward, please." She paused, tail flicking as she waited a beat for her to do so, before carrying on. "StarClan, I call upon you to look down on this apprentice. She's trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in turn. Thornpaw, do you promise to protect and to defend your Clan, to uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?" Birdchaser's eyes never left Thornpaw as she spoke, waiting patiently for the apprentice to respond.

She didn't know what she was expecting. Birdchaser's nod should have given everything away, but the small She-cat was still in some disbelief when her name was called. The pale She-cat moved forward, weaving through the crowd til she was at the front. Blue eyes were steady as she listened to the next part of the ceremony. "I do." She answered, her voice firm. She would do anything for Skyclan, even if her size didn't allow her too.

Unlike Lichensun, there was no long moment of deliberation. Thornpaw was shocked, it looked like, that her name had been called, but she wasted no time in standing before the crowd and agreeing to the same vow they had all sworn. Birdchaser bowed her head in silent approval, taking her own moment to stretch the silence before she spoke again. "Then I grant you your warrior name. From this day on, you will be known as Thornstalker. SkyClan honors your tenacity and determination. Remember your silent vigil." With that, she jumped off the Tallbranch, joining her Clanmates in celebrating their newest warrior.

Wolfblossom looked on from her place in the crowd with pride as her apprentice Thornpaw was called forward. She'd make a fine warrior, Wolfblossom knew. Thornpaw was given the name Thornstalker, and the ceremony concluded. Jumping to her paws, Wolfblossom padded forward with a wave of her tail. "Congratulations, Thornstalker." She purred, "You trained hard, I'm proud of you."