Jun/Jul Ceremonies and Deaths

It was dusk when Ebonystar awoke. The sun had already sunken below the towering trees, though the weak, retreating rays were what caused the dark Tom to stir. Beside him he felt the warmth and comfort of another cat. Craning his stiff neck, he raised his head and rasped his tongue affectionately over her cheek.

"Look, he lives, the great sleeping oaf." Pigeondive purred, coquettish and frisky as ever. Pointing her nose and face away from him, she glanced coyly at him with the tips of her golden eyes "You were asleep all day, I had thoughts of leaving."

His face transformed to one of a mock look of horror. "You wouldn't dare!" his voice hitched quite dramatically.

The silver tabby shrugged. "Probably not, though now that you're up I think it's time for you to address the clan yourself. I've had to shoo them continually away all day. Shiverclaw is especially clingy considering how stoic and collected he comes off."

Ebonystar listened to her as she spoke, though said nothing and made no movement besides the twitch of one torn ear. "I don't want to." he finally said. Rubbing his head against her fluffy chest, he continued. "I think I'll stay here awhile longer."

Suddenly and cruelly, Pigeondive stood up and moved to the edge of their nest. "I'm leaving now, so I guess you can stay here by yourself." She turned with such assurance, knowing he would no doubt chase after her.

She was right. With a huff, the ebony warrior rose to his paws, cracked his stiff bones, and trotted after his dawdling lover.

"Alright, alright. I'm moving, now we can continue talking?"

Pigeondive flicked his shoulder lightly with her tail. "It's not me you should be talking to." Her amber eyes panned the whole clearing and to each of the cats residing in it. A few had caught sight of them, and watched them now out of curiosity. "Say something to them. I'll be here the whole time, stop acting like a timid mouse." She chided him lightly. On that note she left him alone, joining up with a Dawnclan acquaintance of hers.

Sighing, the jet-furred leader leapt onto the broken stump of a fallen tree as to give himself leverage over the cats of both Pebble and Dawnclan in the make-shift camp they shared. He wasn't eager to begin this meeting. In his absence a terrible, unfortunate accident had occurred, resulting in several limp bodies in the clearing. While not as traumatic, but equally devastating Cliffpeak along with Scratch had gone missing. He didn't know if they had only abandoned Pebbleclan or if some greater event had called to them. Emberlight, a former refuge of Moonclan, had somehow managed to escape from their clutches, and they had not been abducted with her and they other hostages.

Enough fleeting thoughts. He was atop his perch and several had already taken notice and began lining themselves up below. Might as well get this started.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather below for a clan meeting." He called, voice raised and ringing throughout the open camp.

Many more cats joined the crowd that had gathered before he had even summoned them. Some cats he didn't recognize, Dawnclanners no doubt, responded to the summon as well, which he figured was fine. They were sharing the same dens. There wasn't a need to be shy.

"Cats of Pebbleclan and Dawnclan, too, I have good and bad news to share today." he began. "After my visit to Fireclan, I was able to travel to Shining Cave and managed to contact Starclan. From there I did receive their approval, and they granted me nine lines and a new name: Ebonystar."

Before he could move on to the next piece of news, the cats in the clearing took a moment to shout in chorus for the new leader.

"Ebonystar ! Ebonystar"

With hint discomfort and embarrassment, Ebonystar cut off their cheers with a dismissive flick of his black tail, and moved onto the next bit of news. "Though, in my absence, a terrible accident has occurred.. Unfortunately, Birchleap, Lashpaw, Primrosepaw, and Cricketpaw are no longer with us." He looked away from the crowd for a moment, casting his eyes on the limp shadows that were near the edge of the split camp.

Sucking in a dry breath, he didn't dwell on the topic and instead shifted gears. "Tonight, though we mourn our losses, there are three apprentices who are ready to be welcomed as warriors amongst our ranks."

"Mudpaw, Stripepaw, Forestpaw. Please step forward.

The two umber pelted siblings stepped forward, followed hesitantly by the grey figure of Forestpaw. The brother and sister exchanged a few words in hushed, excited whispers, though their posture reflected sadness too. Cricketpaw should've been with them, and Dogpaw hung near the back of the clearing, looking a little resentful as his siblings achieved their warrior names without him.

"These past few moons have been tough on us all, but each of you have endured and trained through it. Starclan knows you all have earned it, so it brings me great joys do present each of you with your warrior names. Do each of you swear to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your lives."

"I do." they all responded in turn, each straining their backs, sitting a little straighter as they were called upon.

"Then by my powers as leader of Pebbleclan, I hereby give you your warrior names."

"Mudpaw, from this day forward you shall be known as Mudstorm for your speed that rivals any thundering storm."

"Stripepaw, from this day forward you shall be known as Stripetail. Pebbleclan recognizes your dedication and great work ethic."

"Forestpaw, from this day forward you shall be known as Forestrose for your gentle but fierce nature."



The clans cheered for the new warriors and Ebonystar leaped from his perch in the spotlight.