Mothpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Unlike the other two more recent apprentices, Mothpaw's tenure as an apprentice had been much shorter compared to Honeylight and Lighttail, and for that, he was almost grateful. There was nothing wrong with an apprenticeship that stretched past what it should have been, but with more warriors under his paws, the less he needed to worry. They were growing and prospering, that was for certain. Nightstar leaped onto the Jaggedrock, his paws becoming familiar with the grips as he padded up. "All cats old enough to silently stalk in the shadows, gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock for a clan meeting!"

Mothpaw found herself heeding Nightstar's summons. She seldom attended ceremonies, but for once, she figured she would go. Whisper had it that she would be earning her name soon - and she was ready.

Sablepaw gathered with the rest of his clan, eagerly awaiting Nightstar's announcement.

Lighttail had just returned from a hunt. She stopped to deposit her prey before going to sit beside her brother. Was this a ceremony? Couldn’t be. Even the couple apprentices who were older than her brothers were much younger than her, and she’d only just gotten her warrior name!

"ShadowClan! I've summoned you here today to witness the naming of a new warrior. Mothpaw, please step forward." The tom sat silently as the apprentice did so. "I call upon all those present and watching to gaze upon this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of our noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Mothpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Nightstar meowed, waiting patiently for the apprentice to think and respond with her answer. He could be patient, if she needed it.

There was a stunned look as her name was called. Out of all the apprentices, it was her turn to earn her name? Sablepaw had bested her in a spar not too long ago, surely, he would have earned his name first? Nevertheless, she wouldn't ignore the summons of her leader. The cinnamon-patterned feline made her way to the front of the crowd, her green eyes focusing on the onyx pelt of Nightstar. "I do." Her voice was firm, despite the nerves that otherwise threatened to tremble her frame. If they believed her to be ready, she had no other choice. But there was also the simple fact that she truly did believe in her loyalty to her Clan.

"Then it is my honor to name you a warrior before all witnesses present. Mothpaw, from this day forward you will be known as Mothcatcher. ShadowClan honors your Perceptiveness and Focus, and we are proud to welcome you as a warrior in our ranks." Nightstar leaped from his position on the jagged rock, landing squarely in front of Mothcatcher, he then stepped forwards and pressed his nose to her forehead. "You will be sitting vigil tonight, speak with your family, and then take your spot at the camp entrance to begin. Congratulations, Mothcatcher." Nightstar meowed, stepping away to give the newly named warrior some space to speak with her family and friends.

The newly named Mothcatcher felt the pride swelling in her chest as she was given her new name. It was fitting for her, rather beautiful all things considered. It made a wide grin appear on her face, one that would be almost impossible to wipe off. Reality seemed to hit her like a torrential flood (too soon?), her head dipping as Nightstar pressed his nose to her head to seal her fate. "Thank you," She spoke quietly, before parting from her leader to seek out who she would celebrate with. Her first thought was to go talk to Sablepaw.

"I'm glad you came to my ceremony. I'll see you in the warriors den soon too, right? So we can keep sparring and be some of the best guards Shadowclan has ever seen?" She spoke kindly, the smile reaching her eyes.