Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors or any part of the ceremonies. All rights of character belong to Erin Hunter alone.
A/N
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge!"
Bramblestar inhaled sharply from atop the Rockpile, glittering amber gaze flickering uncertainly. The new leader's mew echoed for the first time around the camp walls, bringing cats to the dusty area beneath the Highledge. Foxleap dropped a bundle of twigs by the apprentice's den and hurried over to Dustpelt and Cloudtail, who were already settled expectantly with ears pricked. Toadstep stumbled from the medicine den, cobwebs plastered in thick layers over his legs and ears. Behind them, the sun was beginning to sink, and waves of bursting color flooded the sky.
The ThunderClan leader waited until the last of the cats had turned their attention to him. "Cats of ThunderClan," he began, praying to StarClan that his meow sounded confident. A few sunrises ago, Firestar would be addressing the Clan, not me. "We have won the battle against the Dark Forest!"
Cheers and yowls of approval erupted from the Clan below. Every warrior's eyes were glowing with triumph and exultance, victory glowing from every twitch of a tail or flick of an ear.
"We honor those who sacrificed their lives last night," Bramblestar continued more solemnly as the noise died down, "Hollyleaf, Ferncloud, and Mousefur... We wish them endless moons of good hunting with our ancestors."
A hushed quiet rippled through the gathering of cats. Bramblestar watched noiselessly as Dustpelt closed his eyes, whiskers quivering. Purdy stared at his paws, matted tail drooping. Leafpool tipped her head up to the sky, as if desperately searching the countless twinkling stars for her lost daughter.
Bramblestar drew in a sharp breath as he prepared to speak the words that would draw piercing grief from the smallest kit to the oldest elder.
"Firestar is no longer with us." Bramblestar paused as the old leader's name echoed softly through the mass of cats below, voices tinged with sorrow. "He was loyal, determined, brave, noble, and most importantly-" here he broke off to steady his faltering mew, "Our leader always put his Clan first, even when faced with the shadow of death. Firestar, your Clan will forever honor you. May StarClan light your path."
As Bramblestar spoke, a bright, luminous star appeared on the horizon, shining with a radiance no cat had seen before, though the sun had not yet set. Reverent silence rippled through the clearing.
Finally, quieter than a sigh, a soft breeze swished through the soundless camp, and Bramblestar felt all his anguish being carried away on gentle wings of air. The whole Clan seemed to take a breath of peace, then turned their hearts and minds to the present.
"Sandstorm." Bramblestar broke the silence and motioned for the pale ginger she-cat to stand on top of the Highledge with a subtle flick of his dark tabby tail. "Is it your wish to give up the life of a warrior and join the elders of ThunderClan?"
Whiskers shaking, Sandstorm dipped her head. "It is."
"Graystripe." The stocky gray warrior bounded up beside Sandstorm, aged muscles still rippling under his thick pelt. "Is it your wish to give up the life of a warrior and join the elders of ThunderClan?"
Firmness and a flicker of pain glowed in Graystripe's eyes. "Yes, it is."
"Dustpelt." Shoulders sagging in mournful sorrow, the dusty brown tom leaped up the tumble of boulders and stood beside Graystripe and Sandstorm. "Is it your wish to give up the life of a warrior and join the elders of ThunderClan?"
Dustpelt's eyes were seared with grief. "It is."
"Sandstorm. Graystripe. Dustpelt." Bramblestar's mew was stronger now, and he felt courage and confidence flicker through his pelt. StarClan will give me the right words! "Your Clan honors you and the countless moons of service you have given us. May our ancestors grant you many long seasons of rest." He touched each of the cats with his tail, and they licked his shoulder respectfully in turn before leaping down the Rockpile to join the others below.
"Sandstorm! Graystripe! Dustpelt!" Cheers of honor and praise echoed through the clearing.
When the camp was once again quiet, Bramblestar exhaled sharply, ready for one of his biggest tasks.
"I now turn to one of the most important ceremonies a new leader can perform." Bramblestar glimpsed Lilykit and Seedkit, heads held straight up and fur smoothly groomed. Dovewing and Ivypool exchanged an excited glance. "Lilykit and Seedkit have reached their sixth moons, and are ready to become apprentices of ThunderClan." Both kits scrambled up to the Highledge, eyes bright.
"Ivypool." The silver-furred she-cat sprang up the Rockpile and stood beside Bramblestar.
"You will mentor Lilypaw," Bramblestar stifled a mmrow of amusement as the young tortoishell-and-white cat's tail lashed wildly in excitement. "I am confident that you will pass on your courage and loyalty to your apprentice and teach her the skills that will make her a brave warrior of ThunderClan."
Ivypool dipped her head and padded over to touch noses with the newly apprenticed Lilypaw. Lilypaw gave Ivypool's shoulder a respectful lick. Both then plodded over to stand on Bramblestar's other side.
"Dovewing." The light gray warrior bounded up the Rockpile in a few strong leaps. "You will mentor Seedpaw. I am sure that you will pass on your intelligence and discretion to your apprentice and teach her the skills that will make her a brave warrior of ThunderClan."
Dovewing nodded solemnly and touched noses with Seedpaw, and the pale ginger she-cat licked her mentor's shoulder in response.
"Lilypaw!" all of ThunderClan cheered, "Seedpaw!" Sorreltail leaned against Brackenfur with pride sparkling in her eyes, while Whitewing's tail curled up in delight.
"Clanmates! I will travel to the Moonpool now to receive my nine lives from StarClan," Bramblestar announced when some of the noise had died down, relief washing his over his paws. "We are not the weak, codeless cats that the soulless warriors in the Place Of No Stars had expected. We are ThunderClan!"
"Sandstorm! Graystripe! Dustpelt! Lilypaw! Seedpaw! Firestar! Bramblestar! ThunderClan!" Deafening yowls exploded into the darkening night sky, roaring through the forest. Stars began to twinkle and shine in their radiant glory as the Clan's voices reached for StarClan.
We are not just cats living around a lake in a forest.
We are ThunderClan!
A/N
Review! ;D More to come!