Chapter Seven
Passage
"Sandpaw, Shiningpaw, and Stonepaw come here," said Sydvicious. The named Apprentices pad up to Sydvicious' side.
"What is it, Sydvicious?" asked Sandpaw.
"Have you seen my Kits?"
"They are inside the Apprentices' den with the other Apprentices," answered Shiningpaw. Sydvicious pads further into the den and sits by the entrance.
"Jaykit, Hollykit, Lionkit, come on, we need to get you cleaned up for your Ceremony." The three Kits bound to Sydvicious' side ready to be groomed for their first Ceremony. The three Apprentices give their pelts one more thorough grooming.
"Sydvicious, do you think we will good Warriors?" asked Jaykit. Sydvicious licks between Jaykit's ears.
"Of course, little one, now come on."
Camp Clearing
Sydvicious, Jaykit, Lionkit, and Hollykit leave the Apprentices' den and lay in the clearing for their grooming. They clean their entire bodies while Sydvicious cleans the top of their heads. Nightstar bounds up to the Highrock.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting." The Clan gathers rather quickly beneath the Highrock. Nightstar looks at Stonepaw who is sitting next to his Mentor Snowfur.
"Snowfur has Stonepaw trained hard enough and well enough to be named a Warrior tonight?"
"Yes, he has."
"Then I, Nightstar, Leader of CloudClan, call upon my Warrior Ancestors to look down upon this Apprentice. He has worked hard to train and understand your noble Code, and in return, I commend him to you as a Warrior in his turn." Nightstar looks at Stonepaw again. "Stonepaw, you have trained to be a Warrior for a long time. Do you, Stonepaw, promise to defend your Clan and follow the Messenger Code even at the cost of your life?"
"I do!"
"Then by the powers of HeavenClan, I give you your Warrior name. Stonepaw from this day on you'll be known as Stonefur. HeavenClan welcomes you as a full Warrior of CloudClan." The Clan calls Stonefur's new name. Nightstar looks at Sandpaw who is sitting next to her Mentor Shadowfur. "Shadowfur are you satisfied with Sandpaw's training."
"Yes, I am." Nightstar turns to look at Sandpaw again.
"Sandpaw, you started your training at the same time as Stonefur and you have proven your loyalty continuously. Do you, Sandpaw, promise to defend your Clan and live by the Messenger Code even at the cost of your life?"
"I do!"
"Then by the powers of HeavenClan, I give you your Warrior name. Sandpaw from this day on you will be known as Sandstone. HeavenClan welcomes you as a full Warrior of CloudClan." The Clan calls Sandstone's new name. Nightstar looks at Shiningpaw who is sitting next to her Mentor Lightfoot. "Lightfoot has Shiningpaw proven she is worthy of becoming a Warrior."
"Yes, she has." Nightstar looks at Shiningpaw again, her eyes shining.
"Shiningpaw your strength and determination is unrivaled by your littermates. Do you, Shiningpaw, promise to defend your Clan and live by the Messenger Code even at the cost of your life?"
"I do!"
"Then by the powers of HeavenClan, I give you your Warrior name. Shiningpaw from this day on you shall be known as Shiningtail. HeavenClan welcomes you as a full Warrior of CloudClan." The Clan calls Shiningtail's new name. Nightstar looks at Pollen who is sitting next to Crystalheart and Moonshadow just outside the Nursery. "Pollen, you have joined the Clan this morning and you told me that you want me to change your name to that of a Warrior. Do you, Pollen, promise to defend your Clan and live by the Messenger Code even at the cost of your life?"
"Yes, I do!"
"Then by the powers of HeavenClan, I give you your Warrior name. Pollen from this day on you will be known as Pollenfur. HeavenClan welcomes you as a full Warrior of CloudClan." The Clan calls Pollenfur's new name. Nightstar signals for silence as she looks at Sydvicious. "Now, I hear that Sydvicious' Kits are ready to become Apprentices." Nightstar looks at Jaykit who is sitting in front of Sydvicious. "Do you, Jaykit, promise to train long and hard and live by the Messenger Code?"
"I do!"
"Then from this day on until you earn your Warrior name you shall be known as Jaypaw." The Clan calls Jaypaw's new name. "Tornadoclaw, you are ready for another Apprentice. You are strong and determined; pass that onto your Apprentice, Jaypaw." Tornadoclaw and Jaypaw touch noses briefly before sitting down. Nightstar looks at Hollykit who is sitting on Sydvicious' left. "Do you, Hollykit, promise to train to the best of your abilities and live by the Messenger Code?"
"I do."
"Then from this day on until you receive your Warrior name you will be known as Hollypaw." The Clan calls Hollypaw's new name. "Cinderpelt, you are ready for your next Apprentice. You are the best Hunter and Fighter that the Clan has to offer, please pass these traits onto your Apprentice, Hollypaw." Hollypaw and Cinderpelt briefly touch noses and then sit side by side. Nightstar looks at Lionkit who is sitting on Sydvicious' right. "Do you, Lionkit, promise to learn everything you can as an Apprentice and follow the Messenger Code?"
"I do!"
"Then from this day on until you earn your Warrior name you will be known as Lionpaw." Nightstar looks at Mapleleaf. "Mapleleaf it is time for you to receive your next Apprentice. You are strong and protective; pass these traits onto your Apprentice, Lionpaw." The Clan calls Lionpaw's new name. Mapleleaf and Lionpaw touch noses. Stonefur, Sandstone, and Shiningtail sit in the middle of the clearing watching the camp entrance. Jaypaw, Lionpaw, and Hollypaw run to the Apprentices' den to pick out their new nests. They end up lying together again like in the Nursery.
Warriors' Den
Sydvicious makes her way to the Warriors' den to see if she can get a nest near her mate Lightwing. She finds Lightwing curled up in his nest asleep; the nest next to his is empty. Sydvicious lies in the nest and picks up her own scent from when she shared the nest with him. "I'm glad to be back with Lightwing," said Sydvicious quietly. Sydvicious curls up with her mate in his nest. Everybody settles in for the night.