A shadow leaped into a towering oak with one especially long, winding branch. It looked down at the green hollow below, smoothed and orderly from generations living in it's cool burrows and earthy caves. The figure opened its mouth to speak to the figures waiting patiently below.
"Emberkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Emberpaw. Your mentor will be Nightshade. I hope Nightshade will pass down all he/she knows on to you.
"Nightshade, you are ready to take on another apprentice. You had received excellent training from Blueclaw, and you have shown yourself to be clever and strong. You will be the mentor of Emberpaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to her." Volestar, leader of WildClan, gazed from the High Branch and nodded decisively. His brown pelt was already thinning from moons of stress and battle scars, and his muzzle was tinged silver, though the dark blue eyes above burned with a fierce clarity as he gazed down upon his family. Emberpaw, amber eyes filled with excitement, barely held still as Nightshade touched his nose to hers. His golden eyes clearly betrayed his amusement through his facade of serious poise. The deputy smiled at his apprentice as her smoky grey fur ruffled itself into a chaotic tangle of joy. But as Volstar opened his mouth again she managed to stay still.
"Larkwing, please come forward."
A beautiful silver and white she-cat stepped forward, her knowing jade irises studying those gathered around her. "Cats of WildClan" She began in a soft voice, "as many of you know, I will not be around forever. So it's time that I took an apprentice. I have chosen a cat who has shown compassion and gentleness. Your next medicine cat will be Sandkit, who will be known as Sandpaw from this day forward.
"Sandpaw, do you accept the post of apprentice to Larkwing?" Volestar meowed.
The light ginger tom took a deep breath, looking determinedly at his leader. "I do."
"Then at the half-moon, you must travel to the MoonTree to be accepted by StarClan before the other medicine cats," Larkwing announced.
"The good wishes of all WildClan will go with you," Volestar said, and leaped from the High Branch.
At the same time their leader soared from his perch, the warriors lifted their heads. A low rumble came from the mouths of the toms as they began to chant the newly named apprentices' names. It grew louder and higher in pitch as the she-cats joined in, then almost deafening as queens, apprentices, and elders lent their voices to the cacophony: "Sandpaw, Emberpaw! Sandpaw, Emberpaw! SANDPAW, EMBERPAW!"
The two former kits shared a look of pure joy, struggling to keep their calm as the vibrations of their celebrating Clanmates' voices rolled through them.