The Summonings of Dawn

[Amber]

Ashstar sighed as she exited her den, after seeing the rays of the sun enter. The gray she-cat yawned, still a little exhausted from her long journey. She had gotten back a little before moonhigh, in time to tell the Clan about the kits. The leader hoped that they would get the kits she was promised, one way or another ThunderClan was going to have kits, she would make a way. She wasn't going to let her Clan dwindle away into little more than a forgotten memory in moons to come. No, ThunderClan would make a comeback. Stretching her paws her eyes shifted to the warrior's den, wondering how Bramblestripe was doing. They had a wonderful time together, and even though she didn't want it to end, it had to come to a close and they had to get home.

Looking around the camp with her soft green eyes she spotted the three apprentices that would be assessed today. Part of ThunderClan's growth was making the three oldest apprentices warriors, or so she hoped. Her own apprentice should have been made a warrior a half moon ago, but Ashstar had been so busy taking over the Clan, she hadn't even thought about it. A smile crept onto her face, this would be her first warrior ceremony as leader. And Ravenkit, when the time came would be her first apprentice ceremony.

"Mudpaw, Softpaw, and Lionpaw are you three ready for your assessment? If so, then go into the forest, and bring back as much fresh-kill as you can. Like any other assessment your mentors and I will be watching, but you will not see us. If you do well, a warrior ceremony will be held for each of you when we return. You have from now until Sunhigh to find all the prey you can. Hunt well, and may StarClan guide your paths." Ashstar said as she padded to the three apprentices and dismissed them to begin with a flick of her tail.

Once the three apprentices left, she would follow her own apprentice, Mudpaw would do well, she knew he would.




-insert Frostwind still asleep-

[Yoko]

Rainstorm sat proudly across from Lionpaw, though a few paces behind Ashstar. His feeling was one of the utmost confidence in his apprentice's skills, but he toned it down so Lionpaw wouldn't get a big head. This was his apprentice's time to show everything he had learned.

He had trained his share of apprentices, his own son included, but Lionpaw had been an interesting and excellent apprentice. It was a shame that their time together would end so soon. But maybe now he would finally get a break. Training an apprentice took a lot more out of the seasoned warrior than he would care to admit. As Ashstar was speaking, Rainstorm could not help but notice the extra observers. The black kit in the nursery entrance who looked at Rainstorm so darkly that the warrior had to look away. And the calico apprentice who seemed to always hang about Lionpaw whenever the apprentice was in camp. She looked rather sad, but she was a good apprentice and would no doubt be a warrior some day soon.

[☆ Y e l l o w ☆]

Swallowfang sat nearby the other gathered cats, a wide grin on her face. When she heard that the oldest apprentices would be having an assessment, she had wasted no time letting Softpaw know the news. If all went well, her first apprentice would be made a warrior today. That was a proud moment not only for the apprentice, but for the mentor as well. When an apprentice was made a warrior it was a huge success for the mentor, knowing they had done a good job and worked hard.

She had spent a good part of the morning grooming her black fur, and now her short coat shone healthily. Greenleaf had been good to ThunderClan so far, providing plenty of prey for the small Clan. The events and deaths in the recent past seemed to be behind them, and ThunderClan could start to regain their power in the forest. That was going to start with three new warriors, hopefully.

"You're going to do well, Softpaw. I know you will." She tried her best to sound, and look, as wise and calm as Rainstorm. But she failed. Her tail was twitching anxiously, and her eyes were bright in anticipation. Softpaw had been a great apprentice, serious and dedicated to his training, and not at all disobedient. But she was eager to help him earn the honor of receiving his warrior name. It was a great experience for her and she hoped it would be for him, as well.

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[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Softpaw awoke on his own just before dawn, too excited to oversleep. It wasn't like the soft-furred tom to be overly-excited, but it would be a sad apprentice who wasn't overjoyed at the prospect of warriorhood. The lithe tom was no exception, but he kept his feelings to himself, as he always did, and sat quietly in the cool, grey clearing, savouring the few moments of relaxation before he would be sent out on his assessment.

Soon his mentor, and those of the other apprentices, would rouse and send them out, and he would have no more time for relaxation. The young tom did not doubt that he would be able to catch a repectable amount of prey - hunting was his strong point - but it wasn't something to be relaxed about. Whatever he did, Softpaw put all of his effort and focus into it, and today he would be trying even harder than usual. Today was the day he became a warrior.

Angling his head at the sound of pawsteps, Softpaw saw Ashstar, Rainstorm, and Swallowfang appear from their respective dens. He nodded politely to all three cats, though his expression towards his own mentor was slightly more familiar and less formal. Ashstar got straight to the point, which the young tom appreciated. He nodded slightly at her words, and then got to his paws. "Thank you, Swallowfang," he mewed, a rare, genuine smile lighting upon his face. "I'll make you proud." Then the tom turned on his tail and padded briskly out of camp, heading into the forest.

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[spike]

Mudpaw had left the den that morning with his usual casual gait. He yawned several times in a row until he was hit by a firm ray of light. The sun made him cringe but then he blinked away the pain in his head. Finally awake, he walked towards where Softpaw was but he stopped himself as Ashstar wandered near. Was his mentor already up for training? He bowed his head quietly, politely, then perked his ears for the message.

Assessment! That was right, he remembered her mentioning something about that. He, Lionpaw, and Softpaw were all apparently ready for names. Though Mudpaw did feel a bit sad knowing he was older than either Lionpaw or Softpaw but he was earning his name along side them. Be thankful you are getting a chance, he told himself. Just make Ashstar proud. You're the leader's apprentice! You can't let her down.

That thought was really nerve shaking though. "I'll, um, do my best, Ashstar," the tom murmured as he passed her. He adored Ashstar because she treated him with patience. It was the one thing he really needed, after all. He beamed and waited for Lionpaw and Softpaw. If they were going to hunt for their names on the same day, they might as well leave together.

[nightstorm]

(1st post with Spiderpaw! Yay!)



Spiderpaw had woken up early that morning, but had decided to stay in the apprentice's den for as long as possible, attempting to sleep a little more. But finally, he roused himself, and entered the clearing, his eyes narrowed sleepily The sleep vanished from his eyes, however, as he heard Ashstar's orders. Going up to Mudpaw, Spiderpaw gently nudged him. "Congrats," he murmured quietly. "You're going to do great! I know it! And before you know it, you'll be sitting vigil, freezing in the cold night air." He chuckled slightly.

Though his voice was quiet as ever, the apprentice's eyes shone with happiness for his friend. "I wonder what your warrior name will be? I'm going to miss having you in the den, though." Spiderpaw sat and tucked his tail around him. "You'd better get going soon though, before the sun gets too high, and all the prey scatter back into their holes for a little midday nap!" he joked. "Good luck.."

[:c a i:]

Lionpaw's entire body was suddenly filled with a surge of energy, adrenalin coursing through him as his eyes took on a new, fierce shine, a slight smile curving his mouth as he first looked to Ashstar, dipping his head into one nod of consent. This would be his time. There would be no questions asked about his readiness for warriorhood after today. All the months of hard work - both Rainstorm's and his - would culminate in this single hunt. One, last hunt as an apprentice. Just the one.

And boy, would he make it count. Lionpaw listened as the other two apprentices paused to share words with their mentors, but as he himself looked towards Rainstorm, the old, wise tom who had guided him for all these moons, he found that no words needed to be said. All was already made clear; Rainstorm's task was nearly complete. And Lionpaw was, in that moment, so inconceivably grateful for everything his mentor had done. He realised today was not only about him becoming a warrior, but it was also Rainstorm's reward for putting so much effort into training him.

Thank you. Lionpaw said with his eyes, fixing his gaze upon the familiar face of his mentor. As he looked away, his gaze fell upon a certain calico she-cat whose face spoke of despondency as she looked back at him. Lionpaw knew why, but it was time for this to happen. He hesitated by her briefly, then in a sudden gesture, he dropped his nose to touch Patchpaw's and then hastily kept going. Without speaking, Lionpaw padded with strong strides towards the exit of camp. The other two apprentices would do what they would do. This was one hunt each of them would make alone.

The forest beckoned.

[Yoko]

Patchpaw had been awake since the second the apprentices started sneaking out of their nests, in the darkness of dawn. After Lionpaw, Mudpaw, and Softpaw had left, she had crept out herself. The sky had been tinged with growing pale light. She had moved out of the entrance and was sitting up straight right beside the Apprentice Den. She strained to hear every word, take in every detail. She wanted to be happy for them.

She was suprised when Lionpaw came towards her. She wanted to smile. She wanted to say congratulations, but she could not help her sadness. She looked up at him with amber eyes shining, but she did her best not to let them tear up. When he touched her nose, she was suprised and not pleasantly so. She watched him hurry away in slight disbelief. Then, after a few shocked blinks, she smiled brightly. He was going to be a warrior today for sure, and she was going to be one as soon as she could manage.

I have training to do! she thought proudly.