A Time Of Ceremony [Warrior Ceremonies] DONE

[Fawntastic]

Lionstar

The crown is getting heavy
But they've written my name in the stars

It was a poor time for den expansion. Never mind the hard fact that they could not make the wooden walls of their dens expand as needed. They would have an easier time finding a new encampment altogether.

TreeClan's five new warriors would have to stay in the apprentices' den a little longer - but with new names each.

Though it was a few hours before they would leave for the Gathering, Lionstar called together a Clan meeting. As he stood upon the stump, he could hear the eager, curious rustling as Brackenkit led his mother and sisters out of their den and in front. His son's eyes glowed, watchful and bright.

Lionstar smiled, suppressing a low purr as he looked over his kits. Pay attention, some day you will hear these words - or even speak them yourselves. No one could say what the future held, but Lionstar believed they would each find their place within the Clan. Even Lilykit.

"Berrypaw, Fawnpaw, Thornpaw, Finchpaw and Ravenpaw. Come forward," he rumbled to the crowd, watching as the summoned apprentices gathered before him. They represented well the diversity of the Clan; tiny Fawnpaw, full grown yet noticeably petite, to the sons of Silentsong and Zephyrfang, who towered above nearly everyone. Berrypaw and Ravenpaw both looked sleek and lean by comparison; each reminded him of their sire more than their mother. They were all TreeClan, through and through.

"Your mentors have taught you well. Gorsetail, Zephyrfang, Nightfury, well done. And well done Maplebrook. Some of you were first-time mentors, and you exceeded my expectations." The golden tom smiled. There were many apprentices to get through today, so he condensed the ceremony somewhat.

"Ravenpaw, Zephyrfang spoke highly of your battle prowess and intelligence, and for that you will be known as Ravenstorm. Fawnpaw, Berrypaw, you have both become excellent hunters in your own way. From this day forward, you will be hailed as Fawnspring and Berrythorn."

Lionstar's gaze rested on his own student, Thornpaw, and the pupil of his deputy, Finchpaw. "StarClan knows you two have been a pawful these past moons," he smiled through the chuckling crowd. "But I am pleased to call you both warriors of TreeClan. For your optimism and thoughtfulness, you will be called Finchcloud. For your compassion and loyalty, you will be known as Thornheart."

Lionstar directed his next words to the heavens, after touching his jaw to each warrior's head. (Fawnspring had to stretch to reach him).

"I, Lionstar of TreeClan, call upon StarClan to look upon these five who have trained hard to understand the ways of a warrior. Ravenstorm, Berrythorn, Fawnspring, Thornheart, Finchcloud. Do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code, even at the cost of your life?"

He received a chorus in answer.

"Then I welcome you as full warriors of TreeClan."

The chanting began at once, and Lionstar leaped from the ancient stump, allowing them all to bask in this new ranking as friends and family rushed to greet them. Zephyrfang was one of the loudest (and proudest) of the gathered Clan cats, and took it upon himself to cheer his sons’ new names with gusto.

I've been building up all these kingdoms for so long
It's good to be king

84 Moons || TreeClan || 517 Words || Silver Bloodrose Taxx Kahani Phoenix Zeneka Smokefur the Fluffydorable

[Kahani]

MAplebROOk

32 Moons || She-Cat || TreeClan

Maplebrook's nerves had only grown these last few days, the Gathering was approaching fast and while she had been reduced to light duties by Gorsetail, she still carried the title of Warrior, at least until Falconstorm ordered the expecting mother into the nursery. Lionstar's acknowledgement  of her pregnancy had caught her off guard and she was overwhelmed by congratulations whenever she walked past. 

Maplebrook oft smiled in a polite thanks but inside her heart broke, she dared not even think of her kit's father, the hatred she felt for that tom overshadowed any affection she may of felt at one time. Not to mention her dislike of Dovecloud had actually reduced when she released Dovecloud had suffered more than she had.

After all the Lightningclan she-cat had to deal with the embarrassment of knowing her mate cheated on her, impregnated another cat and knowing that telling a soul would destroy her reputation. Nevermind that she had to look at  his face everyday. Maplebrook had it easy, she could retreat to the relative safety of her clan, with only her swollen belly and broken heart to remind her of what she had done.

Her pity party however was soon interrupted by Lionstar calling an announcement and it was with great delight and eagerness that Maplebrook caught the eye of her apprentice and smiled brightly, guessing the reason for his announcement before he spoke.

The ceremony was a little brief but Maplebrook did not fuss, she was the loudest cheer for Fawnpaw as she received her new name, Fawnspring and once the ceremony was over was the first to greet her former apprentice. " Congratulations Fawnspring, you have earnt this, I am so proud of you" she spoke softly, nudging the new warrior's head affectionately before pulling back to allow Moonfeather to congratulation her daughter. 

Maplebrook waited only a few seconds more, before she retreated to the warrior's den for a much needed nap. The expecting warrior was soon to be ordered into the nusery and have her official title changed to Queen. 

She was a princess,
with the strength of a warrior

---

Fawntastic ( Fawnspring, Lionstar, Harestrike mentions) 
Calico ( Dovecloud mention) 
Justice ( Falconstorm. Moonfeather mention) 
Phoenix ( Gorsetail mention)  

[Bloodrose]

SOME LEGENDS ARE TOLD, SOME TURN TO DUST OR TO GOLD

ThoRnHeaRt

15 Moons || Tom || TreeClan

The large tabby tom stood tall and straight as the golden lion's eyes moved toward him. Thornpaw barely breathed while Lionstar spoke first to his brother, granting him the name Finchcloud. Despite the desire to congratulate his ginger sibling on a well earned name, Thornpaw found himself unable to move as Lionstar began addressing him. Names had been on his mind a lot lately. They'd all been so close to warriorhood for so long... And now it was here. Briefly, he wondered just what name Lionstar would bestow on him. As a kit, he'd been fond of Thornfang, for the strength of which it spoke. It likely helped that Zephyrfang bore the suffix, and he thought of his father as the mightiest of warriors.

"For your compassion and loyalty, you will be known as Thornheart."

For a moment, the newly named tom paused. Thorn...heart. He tested it out in his mind, uncertain at first. Didn't that make him sound... Well, mean? But then he thought of Lionstar's reasoning. Loyalty and compassion. The name was strong, but with something more underneath. In a flash, he decided it was a name to be proud of. However, his business was not done yet. Even as the chorus of voices erupted around them, Thornheart kept his gaze fixed on Lionstar as the Clan leader descended.

Stepping forward, the tabby warrior touched his former mentor's shoulder with his nose, a gesture both symbolic and appreciative, before he stepped back and dipped his head. "Thank you. For everything." His voice was steady, but his eyes gleamed with the excitement for life he demonstrated on a daily basis. With his piece said, the tabby warrior turned toward his family, bounding forward to join Finchcloud next to their parents.

Zephyrfang was still cheering their names as loud as he could, pride evident in every fiber of his being. Silentsong seemed nearly overcome with emotions, her plume-like tail trembling excitedly behind her as she buried her face in Finchcloud's fur. She was quick to do the same to him as Thornheart slowed to a stop, and the big tom couldn't help but chuckle as she rasped her tongue over his shoulder. He could feel the purr rumbling in her chest, the same one that had brought him comfort so many times as a kit. "Love you, Ma." He told her, pushing his nose into the warmth of her fur.

Though he lingered with his family a little longer, he excused himself eventually, for he had another important stop to make. After making sure she had had an adequate amount of time with her own family, the big tabby strode up to his best friend, a rather serious look on his features. He scrutinized the petite she-cat momentarily, as though something were bothering him. "Fawnspring." He spoke the name deliberately, as though testing it. Of course, it didn't take long for the facade to crumble, and for that trademark grin to split his features. With a flick of his tail against her flank, he rumbled. "You'll always be Fawnleap to me." Stepping forward to press his forehead against her shoulder, he closed his eyes and steadied himself.

"We made it." He murmured, his voice tinged with something akin to disbelief. "We finally made it."

BUT YOU WILL REMEMBER ME FOR CENTURIES

~545 words Fawntastic <3 <3 <3

[Fawntastic]

Fawnspring

16 MOONS - SHE-CAT - TREECLAN

Fawnpaw had held her breath for that entire ceremony; standing beside her fellow apprentices - Thornpaw, Finchpaw, Ravenpaw, Berrypaw - gave the moment more significance. Apprenticeship had never been a solo venture; this was a group effort, something they had all been striving towards. It prickled Fawnpaw to know that she could not stand by Amberwing's or Aspenpaw's side - it pained her especially that her littermate, her brother, was not experiencing this with the rest of them.

When Lionstar spoke her new name, Fawnpaw's already large green eyes seemed to grow even wider, warmth bursting into her chest like a solar flare as she was dubbed Fawnspring. It was a beautiful name, just as lovely as Amberwing, and Moonfeather, though her mother's name had not been chosen by Lionstar. I really am a Clan cat now. No one can say I'm a loner anymore. She was just as good as every other cat here.

Not that anyone had ever gone out of their way to make her feel inferior. It was more a matter of pride and accomplishment, to know that her hard work had paid off and that where you were born didn't matter anywhere near as much as the effort you were willing to put in to your Clan.

The chorus of names filled TreeClan's camp, and Fawnspring felt swept away by the support and approval of their Clanmates. She walked on wobbly paws over to her mother, Moonfeather, but was intercepted by Maplebrook - the she-cat she owed everything to. "Thank you so much, Maplebrook. I'm a warrior because of you." And Skyfall, Fawnspring added, remembering the battle training session with the much more senior warrior.

It was dizzying to think that she would be sleeping in the same den as TreeClan's veterans, their deputy, and her best friends' parents.

With a warm purr, Fawnspring rubbed her nose against her mentor's shoulder fur - too short to reach Maplebrook's ears - before a familiar, large tabby shape dominated Fawnspring's view. It was Thornpa--heart, Thornheart. Fawnspring beamed, taking two eager steps towards him when she caught him scrutinizing her, her new name spoken aloud as if he wasn't sure he liked it or not.

A quiver of indignation and self-consciousness fought through Fawnspring's mind, both dissolving into relief as Thornheart grinned at her like she'd hoped he would. Fawnspring gave him a soft headbutt, her ears briefly disappearing into the semi-long, cushiony fur of his chest. "We made it, Thornfang," Fawnspring's eyes glittered, acknowledging the warrior names they'd given each other when they used to play in the nursery together. "I like your new name. I think it suits you."

Knowing him as well as she did, any suffix but heart just didn't seem to fit.

As we soared above the town that never loved me
I realized I finally had a family
❋

459 Words ❋ Kahani Bloodrose Justice ❋ Notes

[Silver]

So the time had finally come. She had managed through terrible Mentors and lessons she found redundant and stupid to begin with and now, finally, she was to be named a Warrior. Ravenpaw felt someone sad that she'd never gotten the chance to try and make up with Lionstar, but she figured he didn't want to at this point. It hurt, even now, but she had to move on. The clan had gathered and Lionstar stood up there and spoke each of the Apprentices, and then he said the words that started the newest chapter of her life. 

"Ravenpaw, Zephyrfang spoke highly of your battle prowess and intelligence, and for that you will be known as Ravenstorm."

She held herself up proudly, tail sitting high and stance confident and calm as she took in her new name. It was fitting really; considering her personality. She accepted the name with a firm nod and a respectful bow towards Zephyrfang for helping her along. So she was Ravenpaw no more, now, for whatever the future held for her, she was Ravenstorm.

--

Tags | Fawntastic [Lionstar mention, Zephyrfang mention]