Silverpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Even in the midst of famine and disaster, life in ShadowClan carried on. They rose and fell with the moon and the stars, their stubborn will to survive keeping their heads high even still. And those rare moments of honor and celebration were made all the sweeter as they provided a much-needed break from the harsh reality of the oncoming leaf-bare.

Leopardstar ascended the Jaggedrock, her voice carrying over the muddy hollow that her Clan called home. "All cats old enough to silently stalk in the shadows, please gather in the shadow of the Jaggedrock for a Clan meeting!"

Pineblossom

Pineblossom was aware of whose warrior ceremony this was because Leopardstar had let her know a few days prior. Pineblossom arranged for another queen to look after her kits in the nursery while she headed out to take her place near the Jaggedrock. Her son was finally earning his warrior name and she was excited to find out what it would be. She was proud of him for enduring all of the tragedy that life threw at him, and she knew that his warrior name would reflect his strength and determination.

ShadowClan • Tier 5 • She/Her • 70 | 160 • #6699ff

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Silverpaw

Leopardstar's voice brought Silverpaw's attention up from grooming his chest flat. He'd gotten a bit obsessive with cleaning his pelt lately; he knew his ceremony was meant to be soon, and even if everyone in the Clan looked pitiful, he refused to stand ignobly while receiving his name. After a final swipe of his tongue, he rose to his paws and moved closer to the Gathering crowd, spotting Pineblossom on her way out of the nursery among them. He loped behind her until she found her own place, where he settled down at her shoulder with a quiet greeting before turning his attention onto Leopardstar.

Leoparstar began to speak, her voice echoing over the hollow.

"We are gathered here today to witness the naming of a new warrior. Silverpaw, I ask you to step forward."

She waited, and waited perhaps a moment too long before continuing the ceremony.

"I call upon the warriors of ShadowClan to gaze upon this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of our honorable code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in turn."

Seeing the excitement, the awe, and unique expression in each apprentice's eyes; that was something she'd come to look forward to. She wondered what expression Silverpaw would make when she met his gaze.

"Silverpaw, do you swear to uphold the warrior code? To protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Silverpaw

Interest shone in Silverpaw's eyes at the announcement this meeting would be a ceremony, though there was hardly enough time for his ears to turn forward before she called out to him. His name. The breath he'd been taking got caught in his throat. He wanted to look to Pineblossom, seek confirmation or encouragement, but he feared he would falter waiting forever. He did not need her nod to guide him forward. Silverpaw released the choked breath and rose smoothly to his paws. He would not delay at his leader's call. Once, he had doubted that, however much it tormented him to... but Leopardstar proved mostly reasonable.

Every step was measured as he moved the few paces closer to the Jaggedrock. Silverpaw held himself perfectly: chin lifted and ears at attention, neck stretched to add to his height; shoulders pressed back to make him look firm, paws planted steadily. His tail swayed low, just a whisker above the ground, behind him. It was a fight not to duck Leopardstar's attention and look his coat over again. Though he made every attempt to look noble, to appear as the idealized image of a warrior in kit's minds, he was not so sure. The eyes of the Clan were upon him as Leopardstar called on their mass blessing. The only betrayal of his uncertainty was a single twitch of his whiskers. In the quiet waiting for his response, he could hear their jeering. His pelt crawled.

Even though phantom ants tormented his skin, Silverpaw kept his attention squarely on Leopardstar. His gaze did not waver. There had been a few moments, once he'd taken his place at the front of the Clan, where his eyes had grown dark. Not with some anger, but with simply an absence of visible emotion. The light returned now, though, forest green suddenly bright again with eagerness. He only paused long enough to let the Clan take a breath before answering, "I do." His voice was clear and steady, ringing across the hollow. He didn't even have to think about his answer; he had known since he could comprehend the idea that he would swear to give his life to ShadowClan someday.

In just a few heartbeats, he would be a warrior. Finally, a warrior. His talent and worth were being acknowledged now. The very points of Silverpaw's claws flexed to graze the very top of the earth. He wanted to tremble with anticipation but he determinedly held himself still. He didn't need to entertain any doubt. The ceremony was here, happening now, and he would make the finest warrior ShadowClan had seen whether they wanted him or not.

"Then it is my honor to name you as a warrior before all of ShadowClan."

Silverpaw was clearly excited but remained steady, and she allowed herself to smile. Not every apprentice had the same level of self-control, she recalled; and even those that did she would guess felt some temptation.

"From this day forward, you will be known as Silverhawk. ShadowClan honors your passion and your will, and we are proud to welcome you as a warrior in your own right."

She leapt down to touch her nose to his shoulder, as was expected.

"You've earned this, Silverhawk. If you'd like, take some time before your vigil to celebrate."

Pineblossom

Pineblossom watched with pride gleaming in her eyes as Silverpaw went through the ceremony. She was barely even looking at Leopardstar; her attention was focused squarely on her son. She thought about when Honeylight got his own name, and how excited she had been for him. He had earned that name, speaking of light and love and joy. Silverpaw was a strong cat with a fierceness in his heart to protect those around him. She knew that Leopardstar would choose the perfect name…

“SILVERHAWK! SILVERHAWK! SILVERHAWK!” Pineblossom cheered with a big grin when the name was announced. There was a slight tickling laugh in her chest when she thought of Hawkpaw, and she wondered if Leopardstar chose the name in part because of how close they were. It did still reflect Silver’s personality; his sharpness, keen eyes, ferocity, and protectiveness. She loved him with all her heart.

Pineblossom stepped forward to congratulate him when suddenly there was a kit under her paws. “Hedgekit!” she gasped, and the excitement of the moment made her laugh at the sight of her daughter. “Did you dart out the moment it was done to congratulate him?” She licked the top of her head and then looked to Silverhawk. Her eyes softened and she leaned over to lick his head too and purr. “I’m so proud of you.”

ShadowClan • Tier 5 • She/Her • 70 | 160 • #6699ff

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Hawkpaw had joined the gathering crowd when the ceremony was called with nothing more than idle curiosity. Then, Silverpaw’s name was called, and suddenly Hawkpaw straightened completely to attention. He’d watched plenty of warrior’s ceremonies before this, and had not felt much more than satisfaction with Shadowclan’s strength and a longing to reach his own ceremony. This time, as he watched the proceedings, he felt genuine excitement fill him, and a heady pride, and so much warmth he felt a little dizzy from it. It was a startling feeling.

Leopardstar declared Silver’s new name, and Hawkpaw took a second to blink in surprise. Silverhawk. Silverhawk. It suited him, perhaps more than the name has ever suited Hawkpaw himself, and it didn’t carry the harsh weight that Hawkpaw’s own name gave him. It meant something different with Silver, something prideful and powerful. And there was something else in Hawkpaw's chest too, this… sharp sense of satisfaction to have their names so publicly tied together. It felt like it tied him to Silverhawk in a way that meant Hawkpaw could never be left behind. It felt good.

But, he shook those thoughts away rapidly, and joined the cheers with an intensity that startled even himself. He’s not sure he’s ever shouted as loud as he does when he leaps to his feet and cries, “SILVERHAWK! SILVERHAWK!” Genuine pride and happiness floods his voice. Before he could even start to approach Silverhawk, a bundle of brown darted past his paws and crashed into Silverhawk, and Hawkpaw couldn’t help but laugh a little at the sight.

He moved close, and waited as patiently as he could so he did not interrupt Silverhawk’s congratulations from his mother and sister. But, as soon as Silverhawk was free, Hawkpaw crashed into his side, throwing his full weight at his best friend to send him right to the ground and landing atop him. The movement was aggressive, but in a different context than usual, the kind of aggressiveness that can only come from an overflow of love.

He planted his paws on Silverpaw, lifted up, and met brilliant green eyes. He gave him a smile, one of the biggest Hawkpaw’s worn before. The sound of scratchy rumbling coming from his own throat is yet another surprise, and it adds another layer to his low, gruff voice when he said, “Congratulations, Silverhawk.” He smirked a little, squinting golden eyes. “Suits you,” He said. Then he added a soft, “You’re amazing.” The compliment is so genuine it makes him want to start snarling, so he just presses down a little harder on Silverhawk for a moment to deal with the feeling, then got off him to make room for the other cats coming to congratulate him. He felt a little embarrassed at his own display, but he shook away the feeling. He didn’t mind much, being embarrassing for Silverhawk.