Acknowledgments:

Mudheart- thanks! I'm still keeping that in mind.:)

Apprentice Ceremonies

(Hector's pov)

As the DivineClan cats were examining their new home, Aeneas, Hector's best friend, bounded to his side. His eyes were bright with excitement.

"That was awesome," Aeneas purred. "Simply awesome."

"It sure was," Hector agreed. "The way Lightningstar received his nine lives; it was incredible." He sighed in contentment.

"And then the StarClan territory," he mewed dreamily. "It was such a magical place, all bright and colorful. Then there are the rulers, Glacier and Wojtuso. They are like the gods and goddesses we used to worship."

Aeneas shook his broad head. "No, no, no," he said, purring in amusement. "I'm not talking about StarClan. I'm talking about the battle. Did you see the way Achilles tore into Graystripe? He must have been two times bigger than Achilles, but Achilles sure whipped him good. As much as I don't like him, he sure is a good fighter."

Hector nodded in agreement, but what Aeneas said next made his fur grow hot with embarrassment.

"And you were awesome as well," Aeneas mewed in envy. "You sure showed that Lionpaw that you were not a kit to mess with. I wish I had your skills."

"Yeah," mewed Hector, a little sadly. He had always been proud of his fighting skills, but he would rather have peace then fight. In Hector's opinion, fighting should only be used for self-defense.

"I wish we could've received nine lives," Aeneas muttered.

"Who wants to have nine lives?" Achilles sniffed disdainfully. He then stalked off with his tail in the air.

"Somebody's prickly today," Aeneas growled, glaring after the golden tabby kit.

"He must have woken up on the wrong side of the Moonpool," Paris purred in amusement. Hector gave his brother an affectionate cuff on the shoulder, and then turned to Aeneas.

"This is such a great place," he mewed. "Are you excited for the Gathering tonight?"

"Oh totally," Aeneas mewed, his eyes shining. "I can't wait to meet the other Clans. Do you think we'll get our apprentice names by tonight?"

"We'd better," Achilles growled. "And they'd better be good."

"You wouldn't know what good was, you filthy piece of…"

"Shush," Hector slapped his tail over his friend's mouth. "Let's not fight."

"It would be best we got our names by tonight," Andromache fretted. "What would the other Clans think if we showed up with kittypet names?"

"I don't care what they think," Achilles spat. "I'll rip their disgusting throats out."

Hector and Aeneas exchanged an exasperated glance. Briseis came to stand beside Achilles.

"I wonder what the other leaders are like," she mewed, eyes bright with curiosity.

"They're probably all very different," Hector replied. "The StarClan warriors didn't tell us anything about them."

"Hopefully they'll accept us," Aeneas meowed nervously.

"Well they have to; we were sent by StarClan," Hector pointed out.

"True," Aeneas murmured, though Hector could tell he was still unconvinced.

"At least Firestar and his ThunderClan warriors accepted us," Briseis mewed gently. "We should be grateful for that."

"You're right," Hector replied, giving her an affectionate lick on the ear. Briseis was his cousin, and he had always admired her gentleness and positive attitude about life.

"I rather admire Firestar," Aeneas mewed to Hector. "He seems like a real cool cat."

"I admire him too," Hector purred, though secretly he wondered if he admired Firestar more than Aeneas. Firestar was honorable and courageous, but he was also confident and listened to reason. He could have driven them off, but he had listened to what Leafpool had to say first. To Hector, those attributes were what made a good leader.

"How about this for a medicine den?" he heard Lightningstar meow to Gentleheart. "It is close by the river, so sick cats have an easy access to water."

"And there are cracks to put herbs in," Seastorm added. Hector could see that they were examining a tree stump right by the river.

"This is perfect," Gentleheart replied joyfully. A little way off, Corntail had found two large rocks clumped together; the rocks had formed a small cave. She showed it to Lightningstar.

"This can be your den," Corntail meowed to her brother. Lightningstar examined it and gave a pleased purr.

"Hector, come here!" he heard an excited mew. Hector whipped his head around to see Stealthystep, Lightningstar, Achilles, and Helen.

"We've found a huge meadow just beyond the Dark Hollow. It would be a great place to train you all how to fight," Stealthystep explained. "We're calling it Green Meadow. Come and see it!"

She bounded off and Hector followed with the others close behind. When they reached the Dark Hollow, Hector could see why it was called that. Surrounded by large evergreen and pine trees, it was shadowy and eerie, and it was hard to see the sky. He gave a fierce shudder. Beside him, Helen let out a tiny whimper. She hid behind him, and he gave her a soothing lick on the ear.

"Cool, I bet there are hairy demons and long, black shadows in there," Achilles purred in wicked amusement. Helen let out another whimper, and Hector bristled. When it came to gloom and darkness, sometimes Achilles was worse than Darkshadow.

"Oh shut up, you," Stealthystep snapped. She turned to Lightningstar.

"This could be where the warriors sleep," she meowed thoughtfully. Lightningstar nodded his consent, but Achilles complained.

"Why can't the apprentices sleep here?" he wailed. "I don't care if it's dark; I like the darkness," he snarled. The other kit's ferocity surprised Hector. He heard Helen whimper again and felt her shaking.

"Hector, he's scaring me," she squeaked, still hiding beside him.

"I know," he whispered soothingly. "But he's not always like this; he has good in him. He's just had a rough life." He glanced at the golden tabby kit. Achilles was still baring his teeth in a fierce snarl. He saw Lightningstar and Stealthystep exchange sad glances, and he wondered why they looked so sad. Did his leader know something that he didn't?

Stealthystep and Lightningstar padded through the hollow until they reached Green Meadow. The meadow, indeed, was very beautiful. Surrounded by leafless, snowy trees and covered in bright, white snow, Hector could see why Stealthystep thought that it would be a great place to learn how to fight. It was wide and spacy, and therefore, many apprentices could practice in it. His attention diverted, however, when he set eyes on a huge, very tall tree.

"Look at that tree!" he gasped. "It is so tall." Stealthystep purred.

"That is the squirrel tree," she explained. "The warriors will have an easy time hunting squirrels there."

"I'm going to go climb it," Achilles hissed, dashing forward.

"NO!" Stealthystep cried, lunging after him. "That is not a tree for young kits!" She caught up with him and lifted him up by the scruff. Achilles let out an outraged squeal and bit her nose. Stealthystep dropped him with a hiss. Lightningstar bounded up to them, looking very angry.

"Biting my daughter now, are you?" he growled, "Well, mark my words, you will be assigned a strict mentor at the apprentice ceremony."

Achilles just spat and bristled.

"Let's head back and see what the others found," mewed Stealthystep. Lightningstar nodded. With a glance at Achilles he mewed, "As the leader of DivineClan, I strictly forbid any apprentice to climb the Squirrel Tree. Is that understood?" he growled, addressing Hector and Helen.

"Yes Lightningstar," mewed Hector, dipping his head in respect. Helen also dipped her head.

"Very well," he mewed, turning on his heel. The five headed back with Achilles following in a sulky silence. When they reached the camp again, Darkshadow and Seastorm bounded up to greet the patrol.

"We've found a place for queens and kits," Seastorm reported. "It is a fallen tree."

Lightningstar nodded. "Good."

"We've also found a place for apprentices," Darkshadow rasped. "Follow me, I'll show you."

Lightningstar bounded away, and Shellclaw, Sunburst, Moonshadow, Youngstripe, and Braveheart poured into the clearing with prey in their jaws. They deposited their catch by a cache next to the river. Orion looked at the hunters in awe. He sprinted up to Sunburst.

"Oh, can't I please go hunting with you? Please, please, please?" the long-legged brown kit begged. Sunburst purred in amusement.

"I would love to take you," Sunburst mewed. "But the warrior code states that kits may not hunt into they are apprentices. You know that."

"But we'll be made apprentices tonight," Orion pleaded. "And I'm a good hunter. I could catch you lots of prey. Oh, please?"

"I'm sorry," Sunburst mewed firmly. "That's just how it is."

Orion's tail drooped and he hung his head. Sunburst immediately noticed the kit's disappointment because he mewed, "But you may help me scent something."

Orion immediately brightened and put his senses to work. His ears pricked.

"Over there by that tree, there's a squirrel," Hector heard him whisper to Sunburst. Sunburst took off and was immediately upon the squirrel. The squirrel glanced up from nibbling it's acorn and stated to dash away, but Sunburst gave a great leap and caught the squirrel in his paws. Delivering a quick bite to the back of its neck, Sunburst gave thanks to StarClan and trotted over to Hector.

"You need to eat before your big ceremony," he purred, then bounded away to share tongues with his sister. Hector turned to Aeneas.

"Want to share?" he offered. Aeneas nodded enthusiastically and began to tear into the squirrel.

"StarClan am I starving!" he exclaimed. "And this tastes good."

Hector agreed. In his old life, he would have been disgusted at the prospect of eating raw meat. But now, as a cat, the flavors of the wild took his breath away and filled him with energy.

"Give me that fish!" he heard Achilles mew savagely. He was glowering over Helen, who was gazing at him with wide eyes.

"But it's mine," she protested.

"I don't care," Achilles sneered. He bent down and bit Helen's tail. Helen gave a squeal of pain, and Achilles snatched up her fish. Hector and Aeneas bounded over.

"You had no right doing that," Hector growled. He didn't understand how one kit could be so conflicted.

"Yes I did," Achilles spat. "She was sitting there looking pretty and not helping the Clan. It was disgusting."

Helen looked forlorn, and Hector gave her his squirrel. She blinked at him gratefullyand bounded away. Beside Hector, Aeneas let his breath out.

"Great StarClan!" he exclaimed. "What's with Achilles?"

"He's just been through a lot in his old life," Hector told his friend gently. "Just give him time. I'm sure he'll come around once he gets used to Clan life."

"He doesn't have to be as prickly as a hedgehog, though," Aeneas growled.

"That's Achilles for you," Briseis mewed. "But he really is a great cat once you get to know him. He's not all bad."

"I'll believe that when hedgehogs fly," Orion mewed dryly, coming to stand next to the others. "Going to stop eating soon Aeneas?" For Aeneas had just snatched up to mice.

"What? I'm hungry," he replied indignantly, and the other kits let out squeals of laughter. Achilles did not find it humorous, however.

"If you get gas, then you're sleeping outside tonight," the golden kit sniffed.

Aeneas opened his jaws to mew a stinging retort, but Hector slapped his tail over Aeneas's mouth.

"Just ignore him," he purred. "Somebody has to be the prickly one."

Just then, Lightningstar bounded into the camp. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath Juttingrock for a Clan meeting," he yowled.

As the cats began to gather, Andromache whispered in Hector's ear, "This is it. We're going to become apprentices!" Purring Hector rubbed his head against hers and leaned forward to hear what Lightningstar was saying.

"Today we became DivineClan, the fifth lake Clan. We built a camp and established our boundaries. We went on patrols, hunted, and proved ourselves to ThunderClan. But now, night will be coming soon, and it is time for me to do two important ceremonies. He paused and then continued. "The time has come for me to appoint DivineClan's first deputy." Excited mews began to emit around the Clan. Lightningstar raised his tail for silence.

"I know that there are plenty of warriors who would make great deputies," he mewed. "However, I have made decision that hopefully everyone agrees on." He raised his head to the sky. "I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our ancestors may hear and approve my choice. He paused dramatically and then declared, "Stealthystep will be the deputy of DivineClan."

Nobody argued. Sure, a few of the hopeful senior warriors like Seastorm and Darkshadow seemed disappointed, but they also looked pleased. Hector thought that Stealthystep was a perfect choice. Not only was she tough, intelligent, and powerful, but she was also gentle and kind. Several cats called her name and pressed against her, even Warcry. As soon as the noise died down, Stealthystep mewed in a pleased tone, "DivineClan, I am honored to be your deputy. As the first and hopefully last deputy, I will strive to make DivineClan great. More cheering erupted; Stealthystep was obviously a popular choice. Lightningstar waved his tail for silence and the Clan quieted down.

"The time has come for these ten young kits to become apprentices," Lightningstar mewed, gazing warmly down at the ten kits that were trembling with excitement. "By naming apprentices, we show that DivineClan will survive and remain strong." Lightningstar glanced at Hector.

"Hector, come forward," he called, and Hector bounded toward him with excitement flowing in through his body.

"From this moment on, you will be known as Noblepaw," Lightningstar meowed. He paused and then added, "I will be Noblepaw's mentor."

The Clan gasped as Lightningstar touched his nose to Noblepaw's. Noblepaw felt joy overwhelm him. The Clan leader was to be his mentor. What an honor! He glanced at Aeneas. His friend was staring at him openmouthed. His eyes looked half-envious but half-pleased for his friend. Lightningstar raised his voice again.

"Achilles, come forward. You will now be known as Battlepaw." He paused, eyes clouding over. He looked deep in thought. His eyes cleared as he declared, "Stealthystep will be your mentor. Stealthystep, I trust you will pass on your courage and wisdom to this young apprentice." As Stealthystep and Battlepaw touched noses, Noblepaw remembered what Lightningstar had said earlier about Battlepaw receiving a strict mentor. Stealthystep would be strict, but she would not be too hard on him. She would give him gentle guidance, but at the same time she would have control over the strong-willed and stubborn apprentice. Yes, she was a great choice.

"Aeneas, come forward," Lightningstar's strong voice broke Noblepaw out of his reverie. Beside him, Aeneas was bouncing up and down.

"Ooooh, my turn!" he squeaked. He bounded forward, but tripped over his paws and went rolling to the foot of the rock. As soon as he regained his footing, he shot the Clan a sheepish look.

"Sorry," he squeaked, ducking his head. The DivineClan warriors purred with amusement and Lightningstar mrrowed, "Aeneas, you will now be known as Riverpaw. Lynxclaw, I trust you will pass on your sharpness and loyalty to this young apprentice." The two touched noses, and Lightningstar waved his tail for silence.

"Now, I have a very special apprentice ceremony to perform. Briseis and Gentleheart, come forward."

Noblepaw gave a start of surprise. His cousin wanted to be a medicine cat? Then his surprise cleared. He thought she would. In her old life she had been a priestess of Apollo, who was now Sunburst. She had been pure and chaste, and now she would remain so as a cat. In her old life, she had dedicated her life to the gods of Mt. Olympus. Now, she would dedicate her life to StarClan, and especially the rulers Glacier and Wojtuso. He felt pride for his cousin flood him.

"Briseis, you will now be known as Leafpaw. Gentleheart, I trust you will pass on your gentleness and compassion to this young apprentice."

"I will," mewed Gentleheart. She touched her nose to Leafpaw's, and the Clan yowled their approval. Leafpaw was the best choice for medicine cat apprentice.

The rest of the ceremony passed by in a blur. Orion became Hunterpaw, and his mentor was Sunburst. Hunterpaw seemed more than happy with this arrangement. Andromache became Mistypaw, and her mentor was Moonshadow. Patroclus became Swiftpaw, and his mentor was Braveheart. Paris became Libertypaw, and his mentor was Warcry. Helen became Swanpaw, and her mentor was Lovinggaze. Lastly, Cupid became Dovepaw, and his mentor was Grapeleaf. As the apprentice ceremony ended, the Clan chanted the new apprentices names.

"Noblepaw! Battlepaw! Riverpaw! Leafpaw! Hunterpaw! Mistypaw! Swiftpaw! Libertypaw! Swanpaw! Dovepaw!" they yowled. Lightningstar raised his tail for silence and glanced up at the night sky.

"Now all that remains is to go to the Gathering," he mewed nervously.

Oooh, I'm leaving ya'll hanging! But yes, the next chapter is the Gathering, I promise:) Okay, so I know in the Allegiances that Darkshadow was originally supposed to be Battlepaw's mentor and Stealthystep was supposed to be Leafpaw's mentor. I changed these around a little for the benefit of the story. You're welcome to look at these changes in the Allegiances. Please read and review!