Here is chapter 1! I am so happy that I already got 1 fav and 1 follower! Thank you Shadowfur1017! I hope you all enjoy this!
Chapter 1: Ceremony
"Then Firestar leaped out and clawed out the leader rats life out. We only lost one warrior that day. Rainfur was greatly missed and will be remembered for the many seasons to come."
The kits all listened with awe as Sharpclaw finished the story of the rat battle that let Skyclan settle in the gorge in peace. Sharpclaw smiled at the kits eagerness to hear the story.
"What happened next Sharpclaw?" Jaykit asked excitedly
"We held a vigil for Rainfur and Firestar and Sandstorm left Skyclan to go back to Thunderclan a little while later."
Flowerkit listened intently to the story. She always loved it when Sharpclaw told the story, and never got bored with it no matter how many times the Elders told it. Cherrytail looked at the kits with happiness and longing. Flowerkit thought she was remembering her kits who had all gone to Starclan, as well as did her little brother Flamekit. He had gone to Starclan a couple of days after being kitted and the clan has mourned for him for a quarter moon. Flowerkit couldn't actually mourn him since she never actually knew him, but she did wish that she knew him more before he died.
Cherrytail leaned forward and looked at all three kits.
"Do any of you have any questions?" She asked
"Do you miss Sandstorm and Firestar?" Robinkit asked swishing her white tail
"Every single day." mewed Cherrytail "Firestar taught me and Sparrowpelt how to hunt. And told us off for bothering Skywatcher when he came to the Skyrock every full moon."
Flowerkit remembered hearing about the old tom. When Firestar and Sandstorm had first come to the gorge, he was the only Skyclan cat alive who remembered his heritage and ancestors. After Skyclan was rebuilt Firestar had found him dead in his den. Everyone was sure he had died happy that Skyclan was rebuilt and would continue to remember their ancestors.
A yowl rang through out the camp and the three siblings looked up the trail leading up the gorge to see three cats coming down the trail carrying prey. The leading cat is a ginger tom with a dark gray tail. The hunting patrol deposited their prey on the Fresh-kill pile and they all went to share tongues with their clanmates. The ginger tom approached a dark gray she-cat, until he was attacked by three small bundles of fur making him to fall to the ground dramatically. He finally got the three kits off and was playfully growling at them. All three kits were circling him while striking out with their soft paws.
"Flowerclaw! Get on that Badgers back!" Jaykit yelled out to her
"On it Jaystar!" she yelled back jumping on her fathers back
"Robinwing! Help Flowerclaw!" yelled Jaykit
"Yes Jaystar!" Replied Robinkit
Flowerkit dug her small claws into her fathers short fur when he rolled on to his back to get Flowerkit off his back. Flowerkit jumped off of Stormtails back, only to get pinned by him. Stormtail smiled at Flowerkit and let her scramble to her paws.
"You still have a lot to learn about fighting Badgers." Stormtail said purring
"Stormtail go easy on them." A dark gray she-cat told him "They're only kits."
"I know Pidgeontalon, but they still have a lot to learn."
"Stormtail. Can you play with us some more?" Flowerkit asked
Stormtail purred and licked her ears.
"I wish I could. But I have to train Silverpaw."
"Awwww!" The three kits said together
"Can we come with you?" Jaykit asked
"Alright. Were going to the training area, I need to teach Silverpaw how to hunt. Wait here while I go get her."
Stormtail walked over to the Apprentices cave and called for Silverpaw. Silverpaw slid out the cave, her silver fur and pale green eyes shining. Silverpaw had only been an apprentice for a couple of days, along with her sister Lillypaw. The other apprentice, Badgerpaw, had been training for at least five moons and will be getting his warrior name soon. Silverpaw walked up to Stormtail and spoke with excitement.
"What are we doing today Stormtail?" She asked
"I'm going to teach you how to hunt today. Lillypaw and Treeheart will also be joining us." Stormtail replied
"We better get going then." A voice put in
All three kits and the two older cats looked to see a brown she-cat with black neckfur, green eyes, a black tuft of fur on her head, and a black tipped tail. And beside her is a light brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes.
"I was just about to get you and Lillypaw." Stormtail told her
"Well, you don't have to now." She told him then looking at the three kits "Are your kits coming to watch us?"
"Yes, they asked to come and I'm sure it will give them some experience for when they are apprentices."
"Come on! Let's go!" yelled Flowerkit
Treeheart and Stormtail purred and led the the apprentices and kits up the trail towards the training area. The training area is a sandy clearing only one tree-length away from the edge of the gorge. When the seven cats got to the training Stormtail told the three kits to sit at the edge of the clearing to watch the apprentices.
"Me and Stormtail are going to teach you two how to hunt for the clan which will benefit the Clan, especially in Leaf-bare." Treeheart explained
"Are we going to actually hunt today?" Lillypaw asked
"No. Badgerpaw is having his assessment today and we shouldn't get in the way." Stormtail replied
The two sisters looked visibly disappointed that didn't last for long when Stormtail said.
"But that doesn't mean that you can't hunt tomorrow when and if Badgerpaw passes his assessment."
"Alright!" The sisters said enthusiastically
"Let's start with the hunters crouch." Treeheart said
The sisters crouched down. Lillypaw's tail was swishing in the air and Silverpaw was unbalanced.
"Silverpaw you are unbalanced and Lillypaw, keep your tail still, you will scare the prey back to their burrows." Stormtail explained to Lillypaw then noticing the dismayed look on Silverpaws face "Don't worry Silverpaw, being unbalanced is common with new apprentices. I was unbalanced when I was an apprentice, don't be upset about it."
DUSK
The training continued until the sun was setting and Flowerkit and her siblings were to tired to stay awake. They all went back down into the gorge and the two mentors went to talk about the training. Flowerkit was about to fall asleep on her paws and stay there the entire night when Badgerpaw ran up to her.
"Guess what Flowerkit?" He asked
"What Badgerpaw?" she asked
"I passed my assessment today! Leafstar is going to make me a warrior now!"
"Really?!"
"Yes!"
"I'm so happy for you Badgerpaw!"
The two cats sat down and Badgerpaw told Flowerkit about how great he did on the assessment and wondering what his warrior name will be. They kept on talking until they saw Leafstar stiffly climbing up the Rock Pile.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Rock Pile for a Clan meeting!" said Leafstar summoning the Clan
The Clan gathered around the Rock Pile and Badgerpaw went up to the front being guided by his mentor Rainpelt, her gray tabby pelt rippling with every step.
"We are gathered here to welcome a new warrior into the Clan! Rainpelt, has Badgerpaw learned the warrior code and has earned his warrior name?"
"He has and yes." Rainpelt replied
"I, Leafstar, leader of Skyclan call upon my Warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to learn the ways of the noble code and I commend him, to you, as a warrior in his turn. Badgerpaw. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Badgerpaw promised
"Then from this day forward you shall be known as Badgerface. Starclan honors your kindness and courage and welcomes you as a full warrior!"
Leafstar stepped forward and laid her head on Badgerface's head and he licked Leafstar's shoulder with respect as the Clan yowled his name to the darkening sky, with his parents Twilightsong and Cloudheart being the loudest.
"BADGERFACE! BADGERFACE! BADGERFACE!"
"Now in honor of our warrior ancestors, Badgerface will sit vigil until dawn!" Leafstar announced
Flowerkit ran up to Badgerface while Twilightsong, round with Cloudheart's kits, was congratulating him .
"I'm so proud that our first kit has finally become a warrior!" She told him
"Now I will be able to protect you and my new siblings." Badgerface said
"I better leave you now. You have to do your vigil." Said Twilightsong padding away
"Badgerface!" Yelled Flowerkit calling out to him
"Hi Flowerkit! I'm glad you didn't sleep through the ceremony." Teased Badgerface
"Are you kidding? I would never sleep through someones warrior ceremony! I came to say i'm happy that you're finally a warrior."
"Thanks Flowerkit!" He then paused and looked up "I think Pidgeontalon is wanting you back in the nursery." He said pointing to the nursery with his tail
Flowerkit looked in the direction of the nursery to see Pidgeontalon looking at her.
"Okay. Bye Badgerface! Congratulations on being made a warrior!"
Flowerkit ran to the nursery where Pidgeontalon licked her ears, picked her up by the scruff and set her into their nest alongside her brother and sister. Flowerkit yawned and soon drifted off to sleep.
Authors note:
I really liked this chapter and thought it turned out great! There is something I must clear up. I'm not accepting anymore O.C.s except for one or two more characters from a friend of mine who hasn't submitted hers yet.
P.S. Please review!
