#apprentice ceremony

“But I don’t know anything about teaching an apprentice!” cried Aldertail, pelt poofing up around her shoulders. 

“Neither do I,” said Barleybee with a shrug. “It’s supposed to be a learning experience, that’s what Goldenstar said. We learn how to teach as we do it.” 

“But what if I mess it up? What if I mess him up?! Oh, Russetfrond will be furious!” 

“You’re not going to mess him up,” Oddstripe said calmly. “Especially not if you ask for help whenever you need it.”

“But-”

“Sure, you’ll make mistakes,” he continued, “but everyone does. You’re not going to make any mistakes you can’t come back from.” 

“How do you know that?” she whined, dancing in place like a petulant child. She hated how out of control and needy she felt right now. It was embarrassing!

“Because I have faith in you,” he smiled, focused on her entirely for a long beat. Her face went hot and a different, heart-fluttering discomfort mixed with the panicked one she had been overwhelmed by. Why did he have to look at her like that and say those kinds of things with his earnest face and his big, compassionate eyes? Why did he act like there was something in her worth having faith in? 

She pursed her lips and whined anxiously as she turned away from his gaze. “I still don’t understand faith at all. I’m going to be a disaster, I just know it!”

“Aldertail, it’s gonna be okay,” Barleybee said with what Aldertail thought sounded like pity. “Remember, you can ask me for help with anything. We can train together until you feel comfortable doing it on your own.” Aldertail was pretty sure that was never going to happen but she didn’t want to insist on being a burden for the entire mentorship. 

Instead, she searched for a different objection. “How am I even going to teach him? I mean, look at him! They’re both practically as big as I am already!” 

“It’s gonna be fine,” Barleybee said again, more firmly this time. “Just take some deep breaths, okay?” 

“Okay,” she nodded, realizing she was quite breathless. “Okay. It’s fine, it’s gonna be okay. It’s gonna be-” 

“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Stoneperch for a Clan meeting!” The call cut through the quiet of camp, reaching them even down inside the burrow of the Healer’s den.

“Oh, no, oh, jeez,” Aldertail wheezed under her breath, panicking again. 

Barleybee got up and came to press her side into Aldertail’s. “You’ve got this. Deep breaths.” 

“Okay,” Aldertail’s voice wobbled pathetically but she tried her best to comply. 

It wasn’t long until everyone had gathered under the noonday sun for the meeting. Near the front of the crowd sat Bluekit and Yellowkit. They were massive for kittens, almost as tall as their father already and twice as fluffy. Bluekit, despite his coloring, looked quite like his father, if his father were pleasant, especially in the stripes on his face. It was Yellowkit who looked surprisingly like Mystique, with his slouched posture and pale chest fluff. It wasn’t enough to startle or scare Aldertail but it was enough to make her think about Mystique, which was never a necessarily calming experience for her. 

As she watched, Russetfrond gave a warning mrrp to Yellowkit who straightened his posture and stopped watching the clouds. They seemed well behaved at least. That was good. 

Goldenstar cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention and smiled. “Alright, everyone! It’s with great pleasure that I get to announce that Bluekit and Yellowkit have finally reached the age of six moons and it is time for them to be apprenticed.” 

“About time!” Ospreymask jeered playfully, half on her side with her pregnant belly sitting at an awkward angle that must have been comfortable somehow. “They were too big for the nursery moons ago!” Several cats laughed although Aldertail noticed that Russetfrond’s ear twitched in irritation. The kits themselves just seemed a bit sheepish. 

Goldenstar chuckled and said, “Yes, I’m sure you’ll enjoy having the space all to yourself now. If I could have the two of you step into the center please?” 

Bluekit hopped immediately forward and stepped into the center, checking the placement of his feet before he looked up dutifully at his leader. Yellowkit was distracted by something and Russetfrond had to flick his tail against the kit’s side to get him to follow his brother to the middle. 

Goldenstar said, “Bluekit, from this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Bluepaw. Your mentor will be Barleybee. I know she has a lot to teach you and I trust you both to learn from each other.” 

Beside Aldertail, Barleybee stepped forward to join Bluepaw in the middle of the clearing and touched her nose to his. She barely had to lean down and he dipped his head politely when they were done, looking excited but restrained. Yellowkit was starting to shuffle anxiously. Aldertail braced herself for the look of disappointment he was surely about to give her. 

“Yellowkit,” Goldenstar continued, once the first pair stepped off to the side, “from this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Yellowpaw. Your mentor will be Aldertail. She has learned a lot since she joined our ranks and I’m confident she’ll be able to pass that knowledge on to you.” 

Aldertail hesitated and Yellowpaw cast his head about looking for her. When he found her, she smiled nervously and a bit of concern furrowed his brow but he stood up straight to meet her and she was able to force herself to walk out into the middle of the clearing. Her cheeks burned when he had to bend down slightly to touch noses with her and there was a slight electric shock between their noses that left them both rubbing their muzzles with a paw. A couple cats laughed quietly under their breath and Aldertail wanted to explode. 

“And with that, our meeting is concluded!” purred Goldenstar. “Congratulations, all of you!” The crowd cheered, some cats chanting out the apprentices' new names, and Aldertail felt small and ugly. 

A few cats came in to wish the boys good luck. 

Branchbark stepped close to Aldertail and said, “Hey, congrats on an apprentice! I’m still waiting on my first one.” 

“They should have given him to you,” she blushed, making sure she lowered her voice enough that Yellowpaw didn’t hear over his conversation with Ospreymask. “I have no idea what I’m doing!” 

“You’re gonna do great,” he said, but she swore she caught a trace of jealousy in his smile. That sent her brain spiralling out of control. She hadn’t considered that getting an apprentice would alienate her from her friends! This was terrible! By the time she realized she ought to say something, she looked up and he was gone, helping Ospreymask back to her sunning spot. 

Instead, Russetfrond had approached her. She swallowed and straightened her posture, shrinking subconsciously in submission. He had a stern expression on, but that was his usual expression. Seeing her nervousness, he forced a bit of a sympathetic smile through his features, which looked a bit odd when mixed with his furrowed brow and squinted eyes. 

“Aldertail,” he said and he didn’t sound disappointed. “I wanted to thank you for agreeing to mentor Yellowpaw. I suggested you specifically for the role and I’m confident you’ll be just what he needs.”

“Y-you did?” Aldertail gawked. She couldn’t believe her ears. 

“Mhm,” he nodded. “If you ever need help, I’m happy to step in and give you some pointers. Mentoring is a balancing act and I’ll gladly help you stay on course.” 

She was quiet for a beat too long before she remembered to speak. “Uh, th-thank you! I-I’ll be sure to take you up on that.” 

“Good,” he said, seeming satisfied. “He’s a bit distractable, but you just have to keep him focused. Good luck.” 

 “Thank you,” she started, but another voice interrupted her stumbling appreciation. 

“Goldenstar!” cried a young brown cat with white on their chest and tail as they bounded down the slope into camp. All heads turned towards the stranger and Russetfrond stepped away from Aldertail without a word. Goldenstar had been talking with Yarrowshade and Scorchplume near the Stoneperch and she slipped between them to approach the cat as well. 

“Erminepaw,” she greeted them with warmth despite her caution. “What brings you to RisingClan?” 

“It’s coyotes!” the apprentice said and several cats in camp gasped. “There’s a pair of them trying to nest in our territory. Orangestar sent me to get your mediator. She can talk to them, right?” 

“Well, anyone can talk to them,” called Fogstalker, bounding over from the prey pile, “But I’m happy to help! Is it just two?” 

“Yeah,” nodded Erminepaw. “They’re setting up a den in the deep woods, south of the river. Can you come right away?” 

“Of course,” grinned Fogstalker.

“I wanna go!” Aldertail jumped as Yellowpaw spoke up beside her, not loud enough to interrupt the others but not exactly quietly. It was with horror that she realized he was telling her. “Can we go see the coyotes?” 

“W-Uh-” How was she supposed to respond to this?

“No, you don’t have any battle training,” said Barleybee, stepping close with Bluepaw in tow. “You’re not going to see coyotes for a long while if we can help it.”

“Aww…” the big yellow apprentice sighed. 

Back with the others, Goldenstar was putting together a patrol. “Alright, Fogstalker, Pantherhaze, and Sparrowsway, you go to EarthClan. Help them however you can, alright?” 

“Yes, Goldenstar,” nodded Sparrowsway. 

“Gladly,” smiled Pantherhaze. 

“Come on,” Fogstalker was already walking. “Let’s hurry so we can finish up before sunset.” Aldertail thought that was very optimistic for dealing with a group of coyotes, but that wasn’t her problem right now. 

“Can we go on some kind of patrol instead?” asked Bluepaw, bringing her back to the conversation she was actually a part of. Barleybee looked at her as if she had some say in the decision which made her realize that she did, in fact, have some say in it. 

“Um, sure,” she said, shrugging nervously, and the boys brightened. 

“Thank you,” smiled Bluepaw, nudging Yellowpaw gently. 

He started and said, “Oh, yeah, thank you.” 

Barleybee chuckled and said, “Do you guys want a tour of the territory or should we go do some hunting?” 

“Hunting!” both the boys said immediately, Yellowpaw more excitedly than his brother. 

“Hunting it is!” laughed Barleybee. “Does that sound good to you, Aldertail?” 

“Y-yeah,” she nodded. “I’m not sure I’ll be very good at teaching, though, so sorry in advance.”

“You’ll do fine,” Barleybee purred confidently. “Come on, let’s head out towards the river and see if there’s anything to catch.” 

“Ooh, can we go swimming?” gasped Yellowpaw. 

“Not unless you want to freeze solid,” Barleybee said, starting to lead them away. “Once the weather gets warmer we can do some swimming practice.” That sounded like hell to Aldertail but she kept quiet. Absently, she wondered if the desire to swim was genetic. 

The four of them headed out of camp, the boys asking Barleybee questions every so often, but Aldertail was struggling to stay present. She watched her pawsteps as they went and tried to tell herself that her worries were unfounded but it was hard to believe herself. 

It shocked her when Barleybee leaned in to press their pelts together and offer her a smile. She blushed in embarrassment and smiled back. 

“You’ve got this,” Barleybee whispered. 

“Yeah,” breathed Aldertail bashfully. She desperately hoped so.

Redspider and Sonderpaw are both in the Mommyclan's elite Ghostbusters squad, so that's a first thing in common right off the bat! Sonderpaw is outgoing and loves to learn, a great first apprentice for Redspider, who... seems to have a bit of learning to do himself!

I think taking on an apprentice will help Redspider learn some responsibility and Sonderpaw will have an older brother figure to be close to, even as he seems to close himself off and grow less talkative towards the end of his apprenticeship...

Last week, he had asked Goldenstar if he could mentor Lakekit. She had been hesitant at first, given his age, but had eventually agreed because of the bond he already had with the kit. He still couldn’t believe that had worked. Once again, he was reminded that he had the best mentor in the world. 

The ceremony was today, at sunset, Goldenstar had said, but Floodstrike couldn’t wait. His mind raced over possible things to do with his apprentice once the ceremony was over. What would she want her first lesson to be? He knew she enjoyed trips to the river to swim but would she want to do that now or would she rather have a tour of the territory? Would she prefer battle lessons or hunting practice? He didn’t know. As much as he was confident he could handle Lakekit, he was having second thoughts on whether or not he would make a good mentor in general. 

“I’m sure it won’t be much longer,” Oddstripe said. “Just breathe and try to-”

“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Stoneperch for a Clan meeting!” Floodstrike jerked towards the sound, ears flipping forward attentively.

“Well there you go,” Oddstripe laughed a little bit. Coming up to stand by his son, he laid his tail over Floodstrike’s shoulders and said, “Come on. Let’s go join the others.” 

“Alright,” Floodstrike nodded. 

The two of them padded out into the clearing where cats were starting to gather. Russetfrond sat near the front of the crowd, Yellowkit and Bluekit tucked against his belly. Sparrowsway and Barleybee were sitting side by side and waved for Floodstrike and Oddstripe to join them. Floodstrike followed his father but his eyes were searching the crowd for Lakekit. He found her sitting off to the side, Slatepaw giving her a last minute groom. She looked nervous, her tail tip twitching, her ears pressed backwards. Floodstrike wanted to comfort her but decided it would take too long. He could comfort her after the ceremony. 

Goldenstar raised her tail and began speaking again. “Today we gather to name a new apprentice! Lakekit, you have expressed your interest in becoming a warrior and today is the first step you will take on that journey. Would you please come to the front of the crowd?”

Lakekit nodded shyly and stepped forward into the center of the crowd. Her tail curled tightly around her back leg as she stared up at Goldenstar. 

“Lakekit,” Goldenstar smiled, “from this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Lakepaw. Your mentor will be Floodstrike.” At this, Lakepaw whipped around to stare at him, eyes wide. He smiled and started forward through the crowd. 

Off to the side, he heard Ospreymask mumble, “Oh, come on.” 

Goldenstar continued despite the comment. “Floodstrike has proven himself a strong and capable warrior and I have no doubt that he will be able to teach you to do the same.” Floodstrike leaned in to touch noses with Lakepaw and she carefully stretched up to meet him. Even though she was smiling, her nose trembled against his as they touched. 

“It’s alright,” he whispered, “I promise you’ll do great.” She nodded, shyly biting her lower lip. 

“Lakepaw!” Fogpaw started and the whole Clan joined in. “Lakepaw! Lakepaw! Lakepaw!”

“And with that,” Goldenstar said as the chanting faded, “our business is concluded. Thank you all.” She leapt down from the Stoneperch and the force that had been keeping the crowd in an orderly semi-circle disappeared. Cats thronged around them, all offering congratulations, and Lakepaw pressed up against his side to get away from them. 

“Congrats, Lakepaw!” he heard Fogpaw’s voice. “Now we can go on patrols together and stuff!” 

“Yeah, it’s gonna be great!” Slatepaw chimed in. 

“Mhm,” Lakepaw mumbled.

“Hey, congratulations, Floodstrike,” Sparrowsway was saying, “You’re gonna do great.” 

“Uh, thanks-” Floodstrike said dazedly as more voices started to overlap.

“Oh, I’m so proud of you!” Oddstripe purred, butting his head against Floodstrike’s shoulder. “I can’t believe you’re so grown up!” 

“We should go do something!” Fogpaw was loud in his other ear. “Like, go hunting or see the territory or-”

“Fogpaw,” Scorchplume’s voice cut through the din. “Give her some space.”

“Yeah,” Floodstrike said, emboldened by the statement. “You guys are all great but I think Lakepaw is a little overwhelmed.” 

“Oh,” Fogpaw said, taking three steps back. 

“Sorry, Lakepaw,” mumbled Slatepaw. 

“It’s alright,” Pantherhaze said. “Why don’t we let her and Floodstrike go off together and we can patrol with them later.” He met Floodstrike’s gaze and Floodstrike nodded with a grateful, breathy laugh. 

“Okay,” Slatepaw said, her eyes round and sorrowful. 

Floodstrike took this opportunity to shepherd Lakepaw towards the edge of the clearing. He gave his family a polite nod as he did and they seemed to understand. Lakepaw stayed close against his side until they were out into the grass. 

“Sorry about that,” she said. “It was just really noisy.” 

“Yeah, it was,” he agreed. “You don’t have to be sorry, kiddo.” 

“Okay,” she smiled, letting a mouse-length of distance grow between them. “What are we going to do first?” 

“Whatever you want,” he said. “There’s hunting, battle training, a tour of the territory. It’s totally up to you. We can get to the rest another day.” 

“Wowzers,” she breathed. “Um, what do you want to do?”

“I’m good with anything,” he said. “If you don’t have a preference I think maybe some battle practice? It sounds like Fogpaw wants to be the one to show you the territory.” 

“Yeah, I should save that,” Lakepaw nodded. “Battle training it is! I can’t wait to get all big and strong!” Floodstrike swiped at her ear playfully and she giggled, springing out of his reach. 

“Yeah right, you’re always gonna be a teenie tiny little baby,” he laughed. 

“Nuh uh!” she giggled harder. “I’m already getting big!” 

“Nah, you haven’t grown a mouse-length!” 

“That’s not true!” she squealed and charged at him. Laughing, he let her take him to the ground and wrapped his arms around her neck to roll with her in the grass, chomping playfully on her neck. She only laughed harder and harder and the sound of it made him feel like he was flying. Lakepaw was perfect and he was so, so lucky to be her mentor. 

“This way,” he said eventually, “I know the perfect spot to practice.” 

“Okie doke!” she purred, bouncing after him, and together they headed off to train.

A few cats were up and about, likely waiting just like she was. She watched as Floodpaw slank out of the apprentices’ den and arched his back in a long, lanky curve, and she brightened. She bolted for him and slipped underneath him to poke her head out between his forelegs so she could look up at him. 

He jumped and said, “Yikes, kid! What are you doing up so early?”

“Um, I’m gonna be apprenticed,” Fogkit rolled her eyes. “Duh!” He rolled his eyes in return and sat down on top of her. She squealed in delight and thrashed wildly. 

“Huh,” he said, “where did Fogkit go?” 

“I’m here!” she screamed, kicking with all her might. He winced but stayed where he was. 

“Fogkit?” he called. “Oh, Fogkit! Man, that’s a shame. She’s gonna miss her ceremony.”

“No!” she giggled. “No, I can’t!” She rolled onto her back as best she could and kicked hard with both legs. Floodpaw gave a grunt of pain and tumbled off of her immediately. She laughed and sprang on him where he lay curled in a pained ball. 

“Take that!” she declared, swiping at his ears. 

The apprentice simply wheezed, “Good kick…” 

Fogkit laughed and sat down to smooth out her fur again. Floodpaw was so much fun. Sparrowpaw and Barleypaw poked their heads out of the den and Fogkit waved her tail at them with a chipper smile. 

“Everything alright out here?” Sparrowpaw asked, raising a brow. 

“Yep!” she purred. 

“Mhm,” groaned Floodpaw. 

Barleypaw laughed and sat down next to her brother to purr against his side. “She must have got you pretty good.”

“Only ‘cause he sat on me,” Fogkit said. 

“Oh, then I guess he deserved it,” Sparrowpaw smirked. 

“Go hug a badger,” grumbled Floodpaw, finally managing to uncurl his body. 

“Fogkit!” Slatekit’s voice squeaked from across the camp. Fogkit turned to smile at her sister and waved her over. Slatekit hesitated but crossed the distance to huddle beside her. 

“Hey!” Fogkit said, “You excited?”

“Mm,” Slatekit whimpered in lieu of an answer. 

“You’ll do great,” Barleypaw said. “I was super nervous at my ceremony too but it’s really not that scary.” Slatekit whimpered again.

“It’s okay,” Fogkit said confidently. “I’ve been doing spells all week to make sure we get the best mentors.” 

“Spells?” Sparrowpaw blinked in surprise. 

“Yeah!” Fogkit brightened. “Mystique told us all about how wild cats do magic spells to help their friends and curse their enemies. She didn’t know how to do them but I figured it out, I think.” 

“Is that so?” Barleypaw seemed apprehensive. Floodpaw laughed. 

Slatekit nodded. “Yeah, she said that wild cats are magic. We’re wild cats, right?” 

“That is what the city calls Clan cats, yes,” said Sparrowpaw, “but-” 

“Yeah!” Fogkit said, eager to share with them. “Magic is easy, you just have to get the right stuff and then think really hard about what you want to happen and sometimes put the stuff in a special place or something! I can show you guys sometime.” 

“I’m good,” snorted Floodpaw.

“Maybe…” Barleypaw laughed awkwardly. “We’ve got to train for our final assessments though.” 

“Oh, yeah,” Fogkit frowned. “You’re not gonna be in the apprentice den with us for very long…”

“Yeah,” said Sparrowpaw, “but you’ll be warriors before you know it. Time flies like that.” 

Goldenstar’s voice rang out through the camp. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Stoneperch for a Clan meeting!”

“It’s happening!” squealed Fogkit, bouncing on her toes. Slatekit whined nervously. 

“Come on, lets go sit closer,” Barleypaw said, wrapping her tail over Slatekit’s shoulders. The group of them moved in to join the other cats who trickled out of their dens and settled in a semicircle around the Stoneperch. Goldenstar sat atop the stone, her fur glowing under the creeping light of dawn. Fogkit kneaded the ground in anticipation. 

“Today,” Goldenstar began, “we name two apprentices who have been waiting eagerly for this moment. Fogkit, Slatekit, you have reached the age of six moons and that means it’s time for you to start your training towards becoming warriors. From this day on, until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Fogpaw and Slatepaw.” Everyone cheered, chorusing their new names. Slatepaw blushed and tried to stand up tall. Fogpaw didn’t stop looking at Goldenstar. She wasn’t going to be satisfied until she heard who her mentor would be. 

“Slatepaw,” said Goldenstar, “for your mentor, I have chosen someone who has proven himself to be a kind and gentle mentor in the past. I entrust your training to Pantherhaze and hope that you will be able to rely on him when times are tough.” 

Pantherhaze stepped out of the crowd, smiling softly. Slatepaw swallowed and stepped up to meet him. Fogpaw could see her trembling as they touched noses. He whispered something to her and she nodded. Fogpaw was happy with the pair. It seemed her spell had paid off. 

“Fogpaw,” Goldenstar’s voice brought her back to attention. “Your mentor will be Scorchplume.” Fogpaw’s jaw fell open in surprise. She hadn’t realized that was an option. “Scorchplume, while this is your first apprentice, I am confident you will be able to teach Fogpaw how to excel at any pursuit she puts her mind to.” 

Scorchplume swished her big, ginger tail up over her back and strode into the circle to meet Fogpaw. Fogpaw was frozen for a moment, unsure. Was this really what her magic had decided was the best mentor for her? 

She glanced around at the other cats, the ones without apprentices. Branchbark, Aldertail, and Ospreymask all sat together near the edge. Ospreymask looked especially disappointed. Fogpaw realized that she wouldn’t want any of them to be her teacher. She looked back at Scorchplume who had raised her brows expectantly and tried to see through her expression to her aura. Scorchplume was bold and sharp and pretty. She was the only cat to have gone to the city and come back safely. Yes, Fogpaw decided, this was the perfect mentor for her. 

Grinning, Fogpaw stepped up and presented her nose for Scorchplume to touch with her own. The warrior gave an amused humm and did so. The touch sent an electric shock through Fogpaw’s nose and she recoiled to rub at it with her paw. Scorchplume wrinkled her nose at the sensation. That had to mean something, right? 

“We’re tied now,” she mumbled to Scorchplume, “you and me.” 

“Really, now?” Scorch whispered back. 

“With that, our meeting is concluded,” Goldenstar said. “Congratulations, Fogpaw and Slatepaw!” Another round of cheering went up for the both of them. Fogpaw looked around the circle and felt tears swelling within her. All of their will, all of their passion, was behind her now, driving her forward. She could almost feel StarClan’s presence on her back. I promise, Mama, she vowed, imagining spellwork being woven into every word, I’m going to become the best warrior there is. I’ll make you proud.