Blazestar waits for his Clan to gather, their expectant faces tilted towards his, and a thrill rushes through him - a thrill of pride. SkyClan is nothing like it was when he first declared himself leader. Those who had lost so much, including their identity, thrust under the leadership of a kittypet with no idea how things should be run.
But perhaps their losses have strengthened their bond, along with their victories. The Ragdoll has to stifle a purr as he observes them. His Clanmates, his friends and family. Missing only one, soon to be many.
He clears his throat. "Stephen King, Tallulah, you have chosen to put a paw in both worlds and serve SkyClan as a daylight warrior. We welcome your strength and dedication. By the power invested in me by StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Stephen King, you will be known as Steveheart." He tilts his head toward the red tabby. "StarClan honors your curiosity and your bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SkyClan."
He glances to the fluffy torbie at his side, the pale silken collar dangling on either side of her delicate throat. "Tallulah, you will be known as Tallulahwing. StarClan honors your ferocity and your spirit, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SkyClan."
He will wait for his Clanmates to cheer for the newly-dubbed Steveheart and Tallulahwing, and he wrinkles his nose in humor at the way the names sound coming from their mouths. The kittypet names that become warrior names are so mysterious - who knows what any of it means. It's almost as though they're from another world entirely, rather than from just the Twolegplace.
He finds Daisyflight's kits next, groomed with shining pelts and bright, excited eyes. He nods to each of them, pride bursting from his heart and setting his blue eyes ablaze. How proud his deputy must be! Will that be him someday soon, sitting on the Highbranch and giving names to his own sons and daughters to continue SkyClan's legacy?
There's a brief thought, Or ThunderClan's? that crosses his mind like a wisp of cloud before a burning sun.
"Violetkit, Figkit, Greenkit, and Snowkit, please step forward." He nods to each in turn. Then, remembering the young kittypet who'd followed SkyClan back from the Twolegplace, he spots another in the crowd: "And Luna."
"Violetkit," he begins, "from this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Violetpaw. Your mentor will be Steveheart." Dark eyes flick to the daylight warrior, and he nods for them to touch noses. "Steveheart, you are ready to take on an apprentice to solidify your place in this Clan. I expect you to pass on all you know to Violetpaw."
Realistically, what does Steveheart know that Violetpaw doesn't? Blazestar admittedly isn't sure, but he moves along without dwelling on it too long.
"Snowkit, from this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be Snowpaw. Your mentor will be Deersong." He nods to Deersong in the crowd. "Deersong, I expect you to teach all you know to young Snowpaw."
The little red tabby she-kit is practically bouncing on her paws. Blazestar attempts to hide his smile. "Figkit, from this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be Figpaw. Your mentor will be Tallulahwing." He waits for the torbie and Figpaw to touch noses. "Tallulahwing, I expect you to teach all you know to Figpaw."
Blazestar finds Greenkit next. "Greenkit, from this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Greenpaw. Your mentor will be Churrodream." The tawny warrior is a good match for little Greenpaw, he feels. "Churrodream, I expect you to teach all you know to Greenpaw."
And, finally, Luna, who travels as Harpyfall and Churrodream do, looking at him expectantly. "Luna, from this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Lunapaw." He flicks his gaze to Batshriek. "Your mentor will be Batshriek. I expect you to teach all you know to Lunapaw." Part of him had wanted to give Lunapaw another daylight warrior as a mentor, but Pantherpelt, well... after the way she'd abandoned their patrol, he does not think her capable of instilling any sort of loyalty into an outsider.
Blazestar would normally have moved from his post at this point, but he does not. His paws stay rooted to the Highbranch, and he inhales sharply before letting the breath go in a soft puff between his jaws. "SkyClan, we returned from the Twolegplace exhausted, but stronger. We have made friends and bonds that SkyClan will benefit from for moons. We've experienced hardship, but look at us - we are prospering regardless. In fact..." He pauses and gazes almost bashfully at his enormous paws. Some of you may know Little Wolf, a ThunderClan warrior and the deputy's daughter. Prepare to see more of her in SkyClan's camp - she is expecting my kits. She will not be driven out or harmed. All of you are to treat her with dignity and kindness when she and my kits visit." He grooms his chest, anxious under the gleaming eyes of his Clanmates.
"ThunderClan is our friend. ShadowClan and RiverClan are existing peacefully, as we are, it seems. But we were all at the Gathering. We cannot - will not - forget the atrocity that WindClan has committed, and continues to commit against other Clans." His smile vanishes. The Gathering still hangs over him like the scent of smoke over the forest. "We must not allow ourselves to think the matter has been solved. Sootstar did not like being humiliated, and because the other leaders looked to her critically, I do fear for everyone's peace. SkyClan must remain strong - and prepared."
He finds a red-pointed tom in the crowd, a longhaired cream feline, and he nods to both. "This is why I have chosen to implement lead warriors as Cicadastar and Sootstar have. These cats have shown themselves to be fierce and loyal, but disciplined enough to help Daisyflight and I maintain peace."
After a heartbeat, Blazestar meows, "Deersong, Redstorm, would you join our ranks as lead warriors?"
// CONGRATS TO BOTH ZAEYA AND JAY ON BEING SKYCLAN'S FIRST LEAD WARRIORS!!!
PENNED BY MARQUETTE
