- Jun 7, 2022
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“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highbranch for a Clan meeting!” Blazestar’s call rings throughout the camp, clear and loud, no longer dismantled by wind. He waits for his Clan to congregate patiently. Though the grief of losing Thistleback has not diminished, he does not wear the defeated stormclouds so familiar to his Clan. His head is still held high, his pelt groomed and shining like pale fire under the rising moon.
“The Gathering is tonight. I will announce who all is to attend, but first…” He smiles—small but genuine. “I have a ceremony to conduct. Coyotepaw, please step forward.”
Coyotepaw will go to his first Gathering six his return to SkyClan as a SkyClan warrior. He will look his former WindClan Clanmates in the eyes without shame, without fear. Blazestar will not back down in the face of Sootstar’s tyranny—for better or worse, they are SkyClanners now, from Mallowlark to Dandelionwish to his apprentice.
“I, Blazestar, leader of SkyClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn.” He blinks warmly. “Coyotepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend SkyClan, even at the cost of your life?”
These are a slight deviation from the traditional words—he mentions SkyClan specifically, and he carefully gauges Coyotepaw’s face for a reaction. Would he notice the change? Would he resent Blazestar for it, or would the young warrior understand?
He waits for Coyotepaw’s affirmation, and then he continues. “Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Coyotepaw, from this day forward, you will be known as Coyotecrest. StarClan honors your loyalty and your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SkyClan.” Yes, he carefully chooses the virtues he gives all apprentices upon receiving their warrior name, but he’d especially pondered Coyotecrest’s.
Loyalty and strength. Blazestar hopes he sees that in himself, and hopes that his Clanmates will come to see that in him again, too.
“Coyotecrest! Coyotecrest!” He leads the chant, ensuring his voice is strong and confident. There is no wavering, no hesitation. Not anymore—not this time.
He leaps from his place on the Highbranch, approaching Coyotecrest and resting his muzzle atop the young tom’s head. “Thistleback always believed in you. Perhaps I was wrong to doubt you… but you will make SkyClan proud. Will make him proud.” He purrs, backing away so Coyotecrest’s Clanmates can cheer for him.
And Snowpath, the warrior who should have earned his name beside you—he must be proud, too.
Once the clamor dies down, Blazestar, sitting amongst his Clan, begins to speak again. “The Gathering tonight has the potential to be interesting. This will be the first time WindClan will see some of these cats again—cats many of them likely thought to be dead.” He flicks an ear, contemplative. “We should not show fear. Everyone of you will continue to be proud of SkyClan. I will be taking Bearheart, Dandelionwish, Duskpool, Quillstrike, Figfeather, Dogskip, Twitchbolt, Brambleheart, Chrysaliswing, Coyotecrest, and Browniepaw. Your apprentices may attend—be sure you let them know before we leave.” He meets the eyes of every cat named, then calls, “Meeting dismissed! If you are going to the Gathering, eat and rest. We leave at moonhigh.”
Name change: @Coyotepaw
Gathering: @BEARHEART @Dandelionwish @QUILLSTRIKE @TWITCHBOLT @FIGFEATHER @Dogskip @BRAMBLEHEART @DUSKPOOL @browniepaw @Coyotepaw @CHRYSALISWING
“The Gathering is tonight. I will announce who all is to attend, but first…” He smiles—small but genuine. “I have a ceremony to conduct. Coyotepaw, please step forward.”
Coyotepaw will go to his first Gathering six his return to SkyClan as a SkyClan warrior. He will look his former WindClan Clanmates in the eyes without shame, without fear. Blazestar will not back down in the face of Sootstar’s tyranny—for better or worse, they are SkyClanners now, from Mallowlark to Dandelionwish to his apprentice.
“I, Blazestar, leader of SkyClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn.” He blinks warmly. “Coyotepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend SkyClan, even at the cost of your life?”
These are a slight deviation from the traditional words—he mentions SkyClan specifically, and he carefully gauges Coyotepaw’s face for a reaction. Would he notice the change? Would he resent Blazestar for it, or would the young warrior understand?
He waits for Coyotepaw’s affirmation, and then he continues. “Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Coyotepaw, from this day forward, you will be known as Coyotecrest. StarClan honors your loyalty and your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SkyClan.” Yes, he carefully chooses the virtues he gives all apprentices upon receiving their warrior name, but he’d especially pondered Coyotecrest’s.
Loyalty and strength. Blazestar hopes he sees that in himself, and hopes that his Clanmates will come to see that in him again, too.
“Coyotecrest! Coyotecrest!” He leads the chant, ensuring his voice is strong and confident. There is no wavering, no hesitation. Not anymore—not this time.
He leaps from his place on the Highbranch, approaching Coyotecrest and resting his muzzle atop the young tom’s head. “Thistleback always believed in you. Perhaps I was wrong to doubt you… but you will make SkyClan proud. Will make him proud.” He purrs, backing away so Coyotecrest’s Clanmates can cheer for him.
And Snowpath, the warrior who should have earned his name beside you—he must be proud, too.
Once the clamor dies down, Blazestar, sitting amongst his Clan, begins to speak again. “The Gathering tonight has the potential to be interesting. This will be the first time WindClan will see some of these cats again—cats many of them likely thought to be dead.” He flicks an ear, contemplative. “We should not show fear. Everyone of you will continue to be proud of SkyClan. I will be taking Bearheart, Dandelionwish, Duskpool, Quillstrike, Figfeather, Dogskip, Twitchbolt, Brambleheart, Chrysaliswing, Coyotecrest, and Browniepaw. Your apprentices may attend—be sure you let them know before we leave.” He meets the eyes of every cat named, then calls, “Meeting dismissed! If you are going to the Gathering, eat and rest. We leave at moonhigh.”
Name change: @Coyotepaw
Gathering: @BEARHEART @Dandelionwish @QUILLSTRIKE @TWITCHBOLT @FIGFEATHER @Dogskip @BRAMBLEHEART @DUSKPOOL @browniepaw @Coyotepaw @CHRYSALISWING
[ PENNED BY MARQUETTE ]