'Upgrades'

Due to many cats aging rapidly, I will now proceed to make a lot of kits apprentices and a lot of apprentices warriors. Two warriors (who are inactive) shall become elders. I do not take credit for writing this post; I got Ripplestep to, because I'm a lazy person. *w* Everyone, please say thanks to her!


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It was just after twilight and every cat was sharing tongues. Moonstar was murmuring with Bluemoon and Ripplestep. After a while, she leaped onto the Great Boulder. Bluemoon and Ripplestep padded over and sat in the middle of the clearing. Moonstar then yowled, “Cats old enough to catch their prey please come under the Great Boulder for a Clan meeting!” Cats began to appear from dens and a border patrol just walked into the clearing. When every cat was in the clearing, Moonstar began to speak. “I have called all of you here today so we can witness a few things. First of all, Starshine and Lionfang will be the first residents of the elder’s den. They have decided to retire from their warrior duties and spend the rest of their lives knowing that the Clan will care for them.” As she paused, all of the cats cheered, “Starshine! Lionfang! Starshine! Lionfang!” Starshine and Lionfang dipped their heads in embarrassment and stared at the ground. Moonstar leaped off the Great Boulder and laid her tail on both of their shoulders. Then she ran back up the Great Boulder. After the cheering died down, Moonstar continued, “I also called all of you over for another reason. It is time to make some kits apprentices!” Every cat purred in delight and moved to the sides of the clearing to leave space for the soon to be apprentices. “Please come to the center of the clearing as I announce your name. Whitekit, Mistykit, Dawnkit, Nightkit, Poppykit and Sunkit. You are all old enough to begin your apprenticeship.” All six of the kits stepped forward into the empty space in the clearing.


“Blacklash, you have been a worthy warrior and I hope you pass all of your skills to Whitepaw. Rockmelt, you always have found prey for the Clan during leafbare and I hope you can help make Mistypaw a prized hunter. Pearlheart, you are ready for your first apprentice. You shall pass down all of your skills to Dawnpaw and make her the best she can be. Diamondsky, you are also ready for your first apprentice. You have showed loyalty and compassion to the Clan and I hope you pass these traits to Nightpaw. Dreamdance, you have lifted everyone’s spirits even during hard times. You will be training Poppypaw since you both have the same excitement. Last but not least, Hailstorm. You will be training Sunpaw and I hope you pass on the skills you acquired to him.” After Moonstar said that, the apprentices and mentors touched noses and walked back over to the other side of the clearing. The rest of the clan cheered, “Whitepaw! Mistypaw! Dawnpaw! Nightpaw! Poppypaw! Sunpaw! Whitepaw! Mistypaw! Dawnpaw! Nightpaw! Poppypaw! Sunpaw!”

Before any cat left, Moonstar quickly continued, “The last thing I want to announce is that I am about to make some apprentices warriors.” A few cats eye’s sparkled with anticipation. “Stormpaw, Spiritpaw, Wolfpaw, Goldenpaw, Onyxpaw, Ivypaw and Russetpaw, do you think you have all it takes to be a loyal, compassionate and fierce warrior?” All of them nodded and said, “Yes.” Moonstar then called, “Stormsky, Snowheart, Firleaf, Rainfall, Bluemoon and Chillingheart, are your apprentices ready to handle full warrior responsibilities?” All of them nodded in approval. Moonstar yowled, “I, Moonstar, leader of HawkClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Stormpaw, Spiritpaw, Wolfpaw, Goldenpaw, Onyxpaw, Ivypaw and Russetpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?” All of them said I do. “Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior names. Stormpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Stormclaw. StarClan honors your courage and we welcome you as a full warrior of HawkClan. Spiritpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Spiritflight. StarClan honors your loyalty and we welcome you as a full warrior of HawkClan. Wolfpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Wolfnose. StarClan honors your compassion and we welcome you as a full warrior of HawkClan. Goldenpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Goldenfur. StarClan honors your hunting skills and we welcome you as a full warrior of HawkClan. Onyxpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Onyxclaw. StarClan honors your attacking skills and we welcome you as a full warrior of HawkClan. Ivypaw, from this moment on you will be known as Ivyfoot. StarClan honors your stealth and we welcome you as a full warrior of HawkClan. Russetpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Russettail. StarClan honors your honesty and we welcome you as a full warrior of HawkClan.” After the announcement, Moonstar leaped off the Great Boulder and rested her muzzle on each of the new warrior’s heads. All of them licked her shoulder respectfully and the Clan cheered, “Stormclaw! Spiritflight! Wolfnose! Goldenfur! Onyxclaw! Ivyfoot! Russettail! Stormclaw! Spiritflight! Wolfnose! Goldenfur! Onyxclaw! Ivyfoot! Russettail!”

“I know all of you wish to go back to your warrior duties but please bear with me a little longer. There is one more announcement I want to make.” While Moonstar said this, Ripplestep started climbing up the Great Boulder. “Ripplestep wishes to make an announcement.” The clearing exploded with murmurs. When Ripplestep got the the top, she yowled, “Silence!” After every cat quieted down, she continued, “As you all know, me and Plumpaw have visited the Moonpool yesterday night. There, I decided to give him his warrior name. He has learned all he can from me but I hope he can find out more in the future. Plumpaw has rightfully earned his full medicine cat status. He is know Plumfeather!” All of the cats cheered, “Plumfeather! Plumfeather! Plumfeather!” Ripplestep then jumped off the Great Boulder and put her muzzle on Plumfeather’s head. Plumfeather respectfully licked his former mentor’s shoulder and trembled with excitment.

A few moments later, Moonstar announced, “This Clan gathering is over. Everyone return to your duties!” Every cat surged around the new warriors and apprentices, congratulating them.