Ravenpaw awoke to the prodding of a paw, and opened his eyes to see Sandpaw hovering above him. "Ravenpaw, wake up, it's time for the ceremony."
He pushed himself to his feet, then pressed his black pelt against her ginger pelt for a moment. "Thank you for waking me."
Sandpaw let out a soft purr, then exited the den with Ravenpaw padding behind her. Bluestar was already on Highrock, and it was already surrounded with the clan. Sandpaw sat beside Dustpaw, and Ravenpaw had almost sat beside Sandpaw, but he noticed Fireheart and Graystripe were staring at him. He dashed over and sat beside the large gray tom. "What was that?" he asked, confusion in his amber eyes.
Ravenpaw blanked out. "Err… nothing. It was nothing."
Fireheart and Graystripe cast him a long suspicious look, then turned back to their leader.
"It has occurred to me," Bluestar yowled, "that Brokenstar, ShadowClan, rogues… any enemies we have only attack when I happen to be out of camp. Because of this, I have decided to spend a great deal more time in the camp, than usual. I do wish it didn't have to be this way, but-"
"It wouldn't have to be this way if we killed that apprentice! He's the one telling our enemies when to strike!" The voice was Darkstripe.
"Stop it!" hissed Sandpaw. "He's more loyal than you!"
Dustpaw whacked her. "Don't speak to warriors like that!"
"Silence! This is out of control!" Bluestar growled. Slowly the rumble of cats died out.
"When did Sandpaw start sticking up for you, Ravenpaw?" Fireheart asked. Ravenpaw replied with a shrug, hoping to give little or nothing away.
"Today, we will have more warriors enter ThunderClan. I am convinced they are ready for the task, so I ask them to come forward." Dustpaw stepped forward instantly. "Dustpaw, and Sandpaw," Bluestar meowed. She seemed lost in thought for a moment as Sandpaw stared at Ravenpaw, regret in her eyes. Ravenpaw lied by shrugged his shoulders, pretending it mattered not to him. "And Ravenpaw, come forward," she meowed at last. A jolt shot through him and he jumped to his feet. He padded beside the other two apprentices, and stood beside Sandpaw. She flicked her ear at him in greeting, and he touched her side with his tail.
"In the fight earlier today, you three fought bravely, despite your questioned loyalty," she meowed, glancing at Ravenpaw. "But you three have proven yourselves to me, and for this deed, I will make you three warriors.
""I, Bluestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these three apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn." She looked at the two apprentices, and meowed, "Sandpaw, Dustpaw, Ravenpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this clan even at the cost of your lives?"
"I do." Dustpaw respond almost before she had completed her question.
"I do," Sandpaw meowed respectfully.
"I do," Ravenpaw replied shakily.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names: Dustpaw, from this moment, you will be known as Dustpelt. StarClan honors your skill and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior to ThunderClan." She rested her muzzle atop his head, and he bent to lick her shoulder.
"Sandpaw, from this moment, you will be known as Sandstorm. StarClan honors your bravery and cunning, and we welcome you as a full warrior to ThunderClan." The she-cat repeated the gesture, as tradition, a new light shining in her green eyes.
"And Ravenpaw, from this moment, you will be known as…" she paused, searching for the name StarClan willed this apprentice to earn, "Ravenflight. StarClan honors your determination and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior to ThunderClan." Ravenflight bent his head, and licked his leader's shoulder as the blue-gray queen touched her muzzle to his head.
"Sandstorm! Dustpelt! Sandstorm! Dustpelt!" The cats cheered. More faintly, Ravenflight could hear his own name. From only a few cats. He saw them after a bit, Fireheart, Graystripe, a few senior warriors like Whitestorm, and Yellowfang. Tigerclaw was staring with an expression of shock, anger, and hatred mixed.
"Our three new warriors will guard camp on a silent vigil until dawn as tradition, while we sleep. Good luck," she meowed, dipping her head to the three new warriors, then departing for her den.
Ravenflight, Sandstorm, and Dustpelt sat together in the center of the camp as warriors came over to greet them. Darkstripe came over to congratulate his own apprentice, Dustpelt, along with Whitestorm, who spoke to all of them. Fireheart and Graystripe spoke to Ravenflight, but most cats that came ignored him. After a while, all the cats had gone to their dens to sleep, and the three warriors were the only left awake.
Sandstorm yawned, and flicked her tail slowly as she grew more tired. After a bit, she rested her head on Ravenflight's shoulder. He instantly felt happy, as if all the enegy he had woken with had returned to him now. (Author note: Similar to the way humans feel after drinking espressos) With Sandstorm beside him and Silverpelt above him, Ravenflight knew he would make it through the night.
