Open to Join Three to Ascend [Apprentice Ceremony]

I’m not different. Am I?

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Wolfkit had already woke by the time Palestar called, the ragged tom's fur was a little smoother than usual, he had decided to clear up the strands himself in the way they flowed instead of going against the grain to try and make it as neat as possible, this way, he was sure he looked neat, as neat as a scruffy tom could be.

He was finishing up a mouse at the nursery entrance when the call rang across the camp. the young tom finished off his mouse and disposed of the bones, cleaning off his snout before stepping closer to the briar patch, closer to Palestar.

With his fluffy tail, he gestured forward to his sister to follow, He didn't want to be the first at the briar patch, it was their day too, not just his own, if anything, he hoped all three would step up together. "Come." He called quietly, not taking another step. Instead he waited dutifully for his sisters, he wanted them to get their mentors first, their purpose wasn't clear, but his was to protect his clan, to protect them, he knew what he wanted, but he wanted to see if his sisters would fit in just as well.

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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Today would mark for a special announcement in the case of one of Emberdust's kits. Flutterdream had come to them some time ago to discuss the topic. The pointed she-cat waited until paws filled the space before she continued.

"Flutterdream has informed me that she is ready to pass on what she knows to the next generation."

With an easy sort of smile Flutterdream stepped forward. Palestar continued. "Flutterdream you will be mentor to Muddypaw. If it is StarClan's will, teach them all you know."

Next would come the fateful trip to Highstones to see if Muddypaw would be seen as worthy by Starclan. She had been named, so she would leave the rest to Flutterdream as the tortie met the young Muddypaw nose to nose. They'd have to make the journey soon and together they'd find out what the medicine cat already suspected.

I’m not different. Am I?

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When one of his sisters was announced to be the medicine cat's apprentice, Wolfkit didn't move from where he sat. However, his ears pricked at the new name, Muddypaw, the first of the three to get their name and arguably the most memorable. Wolfkit nodded, it was befitting to her. Though part of him wondered how she would do in medicine cat training, the litter didn't exactly come from... careful lineage, quite the opposite actually, but Wolfkit noticed how his silence made him different from Emberdust and Specklenose, so Muddykit might just surprise him.

Wolfkit's lip quivered for a moment, trying to find a word to congratulate his muddy colored sister, however he had a feeling that she would know his words before he spoke them, a habit of hers, part of Wolfkit wondered what training would be like being so far from her. Hopefully his mentor would be able to handle a little quiet.

He hesitated to reach his paw out to make contact with her fur, this was her moment, and if her name was mentioned to Palestar as Flutterdream's apprentice, she must be special enough to be given that honor. So instead to reaching for his sister, he stayed put, curling his tail around his paws in patient wait for Palestar's next announcement.

For all will come naturally.

Let’s have some fun!
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Muddykit’s mottled ears perked up excitedly when Palestar called a clan meeting. Was today the day? She was about six moons old based on what her mother kept answering when she questioned her relentlessly. As Palestar continued and called her forward, Muddykit’s tail stuck straight up in excitement and she raced to be the first to arrive before Palestar. The reddish brown torbie quivered in excitement as she joined her brother, her unique gaze staring up at their leader in excitement. Muddykit smiled at her brother as he waited for their sister to join them. As was often the case, she was about a pace in front of her littermate as her desire to be the first and the best fought with her love and compassion for her siblings.

Muddykit’s attention snapped fully to Palestar as she began to speak and surprise rippled through the little torbie at the mention of Flutterdream. One of them was to become a Medicine Cat? Muddykit glanced at Wolfkit and Swampkit, wondering which was to be called forward. The little she-kit had always assumed all three of them would be warrior apprentices together and it had never crossed her mind that one might be a suitable medicine cat apprentice. This was especially true since neither of her siblings had struck Muddykit as remotely interested in herbs. Although with Wolfkit’s reserved nature, maybe he did want to be a healer rather than a fighter. It would make sense.

While Muddykit was certainly somewhat distracted by her rapid thoughts, she wasn’t too distracted to miss when Palestar announced her as the new Medicine Cat apprentice. Shock widened the young she-kit’s eyes before they swiftly filled with wonder and she stepped forward to meet Flutterdream and touch noses as was custom. Her? A Medicine Cat? It had never entered Muddykit’s, no, Muddypaw now, mind that she might become a Medicine Cat. Sure she loved the smell of plants and easily remembered between the varieties, but did she really have what it would take to learn every remedy and commune with Starclan?

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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It wasn't everyday that a medicine cat apprentice was named. Palestar blinked fondly towards the pair before she switched paws and addressed the next kit in need of a name.

"Heronsong you will be mentor to Wolfpaw. You are diligent and kind. Pass all you can to this young apprentice." In some ways the two cats were similar and Heronsong would help the young tom open up.

Being different means being unique and that's what makes the world an exciting place to be in.

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At the mention of his own name, Wolfpaw's ears twitched, he would be mentored by... Heronsong? He recalled her as the mentor of Duskmantle, but not too much else. He narrowed his eyes in thought for a moment. He wasn't complaining, but more-a-less thinking of what she might be like, what the training would be like, what life beyond the nursery would be like without his mother in the same den. Regardless, he took a few paces forward and nodded his thanks to Palestar, then turned to the grey she-cat padding toward him.

Wolfpaw's name didn't feel familiar to him at first, but in some ways, he knew it was his to keep, there was no other cat in ShadowClan with his name, no cat he had heard of either, in that way, he appreciated it. Perhaps he may just earn a name that suits him someday, then he wouldn't imagine being referred to by anything else.

It was then, that his rose his chin to meet Heronsong's nose, his tail remaining low but not anxious, simply resting there as if he didn't have much to be proud of concerned about, this was simply a new day. Despite that, a purr rose in his throat, after all, this new day was one of the best.

Let’s have some fun!
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The newly named Muddypaw sat next to her new mentor, her head reeling with thoughts about her upcoming apprenticeship. It was fair to say that Medicine Cat Apprentice was not the life she had expected, but she was excited nonetheless and watched to see which of her littermates would be named next. When Palestar announced Heronsong as Wolfkit’s, now Wolfpaw’s, mentor, she couldn’t help but allow herself a rumbling purr. Muddypaw had hardly paid attention to the personalities of the warriors, too carefree as a kit to worry about it, but now she found herself wishing to Starclan that Heronsong was indeed to be the perfect mentor for her near silent brother.

Muddypaw watched as her brother seemed to ponder for a moment before he, in his usual solemn way, stepped forward and awaited his new mentor. A thrill of happiness caused Muddypaw to grin widely as she watched her brother touch noses with his new mentor just as she had done so with hers. The ruddy torbie seemed to positively glow with pride now that Wolfpaw was officially an apprentice. A part of her had worried that his silence would keep him from being named, but here the day was and it was now official. No longer did she have a littermate known as Wolfkit, but now she had one known as Wolfpaw.

As soon as Wolfpaw and Heronsong had settled in their places, Muddypaw turned her bicolour gaze to her sister. Swampkit was the last to be named and she hoped her sister, too, would get a fantastic mentor soon.

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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The edges of her smile lifted as the pair touched noses. Wolfpaw was a thoughtful, mature young tom for his age and Palestar even considered mentoring him herself, but that desire had come and gone. She trusted Heronsong to make a warrior out of him yet. Last and certainly not least was Swampkit, and the leader continued.

"Quailfeather you will be mentor to Swamppaw. You are patient and steadfast. Pass all you can to this young apprentice.".

If you believe you can, that’s enough to try.

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Quailfeather had be waiting for his name to be called with poorly concealed excitement, the chocolate tom wondered if Emberdust had a play in him becoming a mentor or if Palestar had really seen him as a candiate for mentoring the future of the clan. Whatever the reason, he was more then willing to welcome Swamppaw in as his new apprentice.

The round-faced tom padded forward, dipping his head to Palestar. After a quick glance at Emberdust, his ear flicked and he turned towards the seal torbie point apprentice. He lowered his muzzle to meet her little nose and let out a purr of fondness. He knew all three of these kits well, and that could have been why he had a chance at this. If Quailfeather had anything to say about it, Swamppaw would be a warrior worth talking about.

"You'll do great." Quailfeather whispered softly, pressing his muzzle forward ever so gently before moving to find his space in the clearing. The young warrior puffed up his chest, face beaming with pride. Part of him couldn't really believe it. Quailfeather? A mentor? It seemed to good to be true, bit now here he was, and he would do the best he possibly could to raise Swamppaw to be the best warrior she could be.

"Noooo that's not fairrrr!"

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1. Swamppaw had been grumpy all day. But the prospect of them becoming an apprentice seemed to make them less so, the feline deciding to not give Quailfeather a hard time and nod in thanks before offering their siblings congratulatory smiles. This was the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. And they had to admit, it was an exciting one to look forward to. "Thanks, Quailfeather...."

Let’s have some fun!
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Muddypaw grinned widely as she heard her sister’s new name announced and couldn’t help but allow herself a small purr. All three of them had been given mentors and their new names. Now they could train together and serve their clan like they had dreamed of! The ruddy torbie flinched lightly as she swiftly remembered that she wouldn’t be training with her littermates. They were to be warriors and she was to be a Medicine Cat. A weight settled lightly on the little she-cat’s heart. She would mourn the dream of learning to hunt with Wolfpaw or to fight with Swamppaw. To stride into the hollow of Fourtrees with her littermates at her sides, first as apprentices and later as warriors.

Muddypaw shook her head firmly. That dream might be gone, but one she had never considered was now before her. She was on the path to be a Medicine Cat. An honourable path indeed, and by Starclan would she do her best to prove that naming her the future Medicine Cat of Shadowclan was the best decision ever made. The young she-cat looked up at Flutterdream and smiled. She might never be Shadowclan’s greatest warrior, and the dream of deputy or leader was gone, but she could become the greatest Medicine Cat. Somecat kind and gentle, wise and respected not for battle skill, but for knowledge and a deep bond with Starclan. It was every bit the aspiring dream for Muddypaw and she decided to be happy with this new future.