amberpaw's warrior ceremony

At the leader's call, Amberpaw took his place just outside the apprentice's den. Mottlestar's up there. Must be another warrior ceremony. A leap of excitement burst in his heart...after all, he had finished training and was ready to move up in ranks. But, so had many other apprentices. I wonder if it's Shrewpaw's ceremony, Amberpaw decided as he scanned the crowd for his friend. Instead, he spotted her sister: Copperlark. Maybe I'll change things up a bit and sit somewhere else today. Amberpaw rose to his large, pale paws and padded over to the she-cat. He hadn't spoken much to her since the drama had unfolded because Amberpaw wasn't exactly good at handling touchy situations and wanted to give the warrior some space. However, Copperlark appeared to be doing much better. Perhaps it was time to reach out again. 

The large tom sat down beside Copperlark, giving her a nod in greeting. He ignored any glares that he received from associating himself with the controversial warrior. As far as he was concerned, Copperlark was just as much a Thunderclanner as anyone else - despite any Windclan blood or wrongful outbursts - and should be treated as such. After all, a house divided cannot stand. 

Sunlight caused his dark ginger swirls to blaze against his amber pelt, but underneath that flaming fur a different fire burned inside Amberpaw's chest - loyalty to Thunderclan, the desire to see it complete and prospering, the love for his friends and clanmates.

Acornstem swished her tail from where sat at the bottom of the rock - for once seemingly rather awkward. Normally she would be happy - content to simply watch a warrior ceremony happen but something strange marked this one... As she spared a nervous glance up, she could see Mottlestar staring down at her with a nod. It had been decided to use this ceremony - thought she felt a little bad for poor Amberpaw - as a test run, so to speak. In case Mottlestar fell ill or was injured or...Anything, truly, it would be up for Acornstem to take over the ceremonies in her stead.

And of course, it was best to make sure she knew the words for the ceremony now before it was unexpectedly sprung upon her. With a deep breath, she pushed herself to her paws and turned, bounding up the rock to take the lead as Mottlestar stepped back. "Forgive me - this is...New, but it has been decided to allow me to take over this ceremony. To make sure I am prepared in case I need to do one suddenly in the future," she meowed, giving a shake of her pelt. "Do not let this slight change detract from the joyous moment you all have been called to witness - the celebration of an apprentice's hard work coming to an end as a warrior shall be named.

"Amberpaw, please step forward," she meowed, turning her gaze onto the tom with a smile. Amberpaw had been the first apprentice she had been given the honor to name - it was a blessing to be given the chance to name him a warrior as well. "I am blessed to know that my choice of mentor for you was correct - your hard work and training has been noticed and so I call upon our Clanmates to recognize and celebrate your progress. But to be a warrior, an oath must be sworn. Do you promise to protect, defend, and serve your Clan according to the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?"

Amberpaw watched as Acornstem took over for Mottlestar. She's a natural, Amberpaw thought with a smile as the she-cat spoke. And then - "Amberpaw, please step forward." The tom's heart skipped a beat. Was it really his warrior ceremony? He stood up and made his way to the base of the Highrock, where he trained his amber orbs on the deputy. What an honor to be the subject of Acornstem's first apprentice and warrior ceremony. "I do," he said, booming voice echoing throughout Thunderclan's camp.

Acornstem smiled widely at Amberpaw as the apprentice took the step forward and spoke, giving him a nod. "Then let it be known that from this day forth, with the blessing of your mentor Briarrose, that you are no longer to be called Amberpaw." A purr rose in her throat, giving him a lopsided smile - luckily she had already spoken well with the leader about what name he was to have - it might have been her ceremony to do, but she felt it wasn't quite her place to take over naming the warriors on her own. "With the loyalty you have shown ThunderClan and how dutifully you take on what is requested from you, you will be known by your new name - Thunderclan, please welcome Amberblaze as your newest warrior!"

With that, she jumped down from the Great Rock, padding up to touch noses with the new warrior as tradition dictated. "I hope you do not mind me taking over your warrior ceremony - but it was an honor to be given the chance to give you your warrior name, Amberblaze. Enjoy the rest of your day, take pride in your vigil and sleep as long as you like tomorrow," she added with a purr.

As she had hoped would have been the case when she was a deputy, she wanted to allow Acornstem the time to learn what her role would be. Even if she would mainly handle apprentice ceremonies, there would be times that her friend would need to take over. To allow an apprentice to become a full Thunderclan warrior. So, with the nod, the tortoiseshell had stepped back. She would be a steady presence for this ceremony, watching, there to assist as needed. Her tail gently swished before curling around her paws, a smile on her maw.

Acornstem was a natural.

"You did amazing," The tortoiseshell whispered to her deputy, just before they both lept down from the Highrock to congratulate their newest warrior. A massive smile painted her maw as the relief filled her entire frame. Thunderclan was in good paws, and they were growing. She could breathe just a bit once more, that tight knot in her chest that had been there for what felt like moons finally loosening to a tangible amount.

"Amberblaze! Amerblaze!"