|☾ ☼ ϟ ≈ Skyclan: The Resilient and Tough |☾ ☼ ϟ ≈ ☁| ☼

Pond shifted her paws nervously when listening to the conversation between the leader and Warblerpaw. Her chest tightened as the black and gray she cat asked what Warblerpaw’s thoughts on her were. Pond didn’t think the, what they call an ‘apprentice’, trusted or liked her very much. She sighed, preparing for another rejection. 

Warblerpaw stepped forward. "If I may," he began. "I propose that, if she is to become a Clan cat, she should have to prove her worth, first." 

Pond’s heart lifted as she heard those words. She had a chance to prove herself to every cat in the ‘clan’. She leaped to her feet. “I will do anything to prove my abilities!” Pond meowed confidentially. “I promise I won’t let you down!” She said, her gaze shifting to the leader of the ‘clan’. Pond’s eyes shined bright with determination.

“Hm.” Spiritstar hummed with a nod. Pond’s determination spoke volumes, and the silver she-cat felt a flicker of instinct in her chest. More than anything, Warblerpaw’s assurance was enough, as well as Plumwillow’s quick agreement with her apprentice.

“Warblerpaw is right. If you can prove your wits about you, and your dedication to Skyclan, then you may be accepted to join us.” Lifting her tail, Spiritstar motioned for the Clan to gather to hear her words.

“Through this loner’s return of our prey, and her witnessed skills, Skyclan will allow her a chance to join our ranks. As all beginning members, Pond will be inducted with training, and will be henceforth be known as Pondpaw until she has proved her skills to become a fledged Warrior. Mudwasp.” Spiritstar looked up at the young Warrior, knowing his battling skills were fresh and kept up under Cobrafang’s teachings.

“You are an ideal choice to teach Pondpaw the remaining skills she requires. This may also count as an official mentorship for you, as well.” She assigned.

Redspring did not look too happy, though Frostyfoot was alot more welcoming, giving Pondpaw a welcoming flick of his tail.

Emberpaw whispered. “Well… I didn’t expect to get a new cat joining us, but… she doesn’t smell like any other loner I’ve ever known before. Maybe she’s special?” She shrugged.

Withermist tipped his head slowly as he stared at Pondpaw, before he rasped to Frostlight once more. “Mudwasp… hm. This is… there’s something there. Important, but… I’m not sure.” He fretted suddenly, huffing as though imitating an annoyed growl.

Mudwasp narrowed his eyes when Spiritstar called his name and tried to hide the scowl on his face. Seriously? My first apprentice and it’s an outsider who barely even needs training. The brown tabby tom stood up and made his way down from the cliff to approach the newly named Pondpaw.

Hawkpaw gave her own shrug, watching as Spiritstar addressed the clan.

Firepaw eyed the trees carefully before deciding on one that had plenty of branches for him to place his paws. The black and ginger apprentice gathered his strength in his haunches before he launched himself into the tree, sinking his claws into the bark and slowly started to climb the tree.

Frostlight flicked her ear, watching as her brother made his way to his new apprentice, “Well, he’s certainly not happy about it, that’s for sure.” She commented, seeing the tip of his tail twitching in annoyance. “Honestly, he’s been even more arrogant since we’ve become warriors.” Frostlight added with a snort.

Noticing Willowkit’s sudden demeanor, Sunnykit quickly nudged her sister and promised quickly. “I bet she’s super cool, just like you! We can be her friends!”

Spiritstar nodded to Mudwasp with approval, having not noticed the narrowing of his eyes. Rather, she was hopeful that having Pondpaw be trained by a younger Warrior, that she could relate better to them. Spiritstar looked at Whitesun as he led his patrol back in, waving her tail to signal that she would speak with him as soon as she could.

Buzzardfall watched Firepaw select his tree, before she situated herself to best monitor from the ground. “As soon as you reach the half-way point, I’ll let you know!”

Withermist grunted again, huffing once, before he suddenly relaxed, and looked at Frostlight with an unreadable expression. “Do you think he will make the wrong choices? Or do you think, he’ll make good ones?” An odd clarity filled his usually softened voice, as though he had reached a sense of finality. Mudwasp stood out to him now, just as much as Briarpatch had, filling Withermist’s mind with muddled conflict.

Pheasantcry watched the impromptu meeting with intent, the senior warrior always touched by Spiritstar's kind heart. However, she couldn't help but notice the disapproval on some of her Clanmates' faces - Mudwasp's scowl, Redspring's unhappy look... it was a hard thing keeping everyone satisfied, wasn't it? And we have Willowkit and Lolo, too, she noted. Will everyone continue to accept these circumstances?

Firefang waved his tail in greeting to Pondpaw nearby. He didn't really have a problem with her joining, and he was also happy to see Spiritstar had regained her typical demeanor and authority.

Willownose bristled slightly beside Redspring. She leaned in to whisper into her ear. "I trust Spiritstar, but haven't there been a lot of trespassers on our territory lately?"

Redspring muttered quietly to Willownose. “The other clans are going to think we’re full of kittypets and code-breaking. I guess this one’s better than a kittypet though, if she can already hunt well enough. Though, she might not be ready for Mudwasp. Cobrafang trained him very well, but they’re not very alike in personality.” She commented.

Sunnykit beamed brightly at Pondpaw as Willowkit introduced them. Tricklefrost, tall and nimble, was able to peer over most of the clan and keep a close eye on the two social kits. She soothed Rainkit and Ledgekit, knowing they were not as keen on meeting new cats just yet.

@angelfire and Moonblazer

As Pondpaw was greeted with some friendly gestures and some scowls, she noticed the same kit from before dashing towards her. This time, with a small golden friend beside her.

“Hi, I’m Willowkit! And this is my sister, Sunnykit!” Willowkit meowed with energy. “I hope you like it here! I was brought to Skyclan too!”

Pondpaw gazed at the two kits, her eyes shining. “Hello Willowkit and Sunnykit!” She mewed warmly. “I hope I’ll like it here too! And it looks like we’ve got something in common!” She said as her eyes flickered to Willowkit.

The way the kits trusted her and spoke to her melted Pondpaw’s heart. She had found her first friends. And no matter how small or young they were, they certainly meant a lot to her.

“It’s not often we get new Clan members this way.” Tricklefrost admitted as she padded close to her kits. She mewed. “I’m Tricklefrost. These two, and the two shy ones behind me, are my kits. Birthed by me, or another she-cat, but my kits all the same.” She nodded, referring to Willowkit’s adoption.

“Skyclan’s the best Clan ever! We climb trees and rocks and jump super high!” Sunnykit explained, happy to see that Pondpaw seemed super friendly. “Mudwasp is a new Warrior, but his old mentor was Cobrafang, and he’s super strong!”

Ledgekit poked his head out from behind Tricklefrost, eyeing Pondpaw carefully.

Mudwasp stayed silent while Tricklefrost and the kits introduced themselves to his new apprentice, giving a flick of his ear, “Get some rest. Your training begins at dawn.” He said with a grumble before stalking off to get some prey from the fresh-kill pile.

Firepaw flicked his tail in response to his mentor, concentrating on his climbing. He reached the lower branches and slowly started making his way up, making sure to place his paws carefully.

Frostlight blinked at Withermist’s question and looked back at her brother, wondering what Withermist could mean by that. “I don’t know. Mudwasp has always been pretty arrogant and proud.” She mused.

Rainkit pressed close to her mother’s fur, wishing that they could go back to the nursery already.

Moonblazer

By this point Willowkit had drifted off, a light snoring from her. Despite the high-riding sun, she was sleeping gently, the murmuring of the Clan rocking her like any other lullaby. Her blue fur was slicked down with slumber and limbs curled tightly under her, despite being rather large for her size, Willowkit appeared smaller than a one-moon old kitten.

Nodding lightly at Warblerpaw as he moved to show Pondpaw the apprentice's den, Tricklefrost looked down fondly at Willowkit. Today had been a long day for all of the kits. She leaned down, still able to lift the kit up carefully in her jaws as she mumbled through her scruff. "Let's go back for a nap, yes?"

Sunnykit sighed loudly, but didn't want to be away from Willowkit for long, so she relented and scampered after her mother. Ledgekit was thankful for the distraction and to be able to sleep again. He gently nudged Rainkit, knowing that she preferred the quiet of their nest too. 

Specklepaw sighed, resigning herself to a session of high exertion, why couldn't she go back to lounging in camp with the other apprentices? Settling near the edge of the camp she nodded towards her mentor, "Alright, can I see it? We can get this done faster if I watch you do it first." 

Springpaw reached over and batted at Wingpaw's shoulder, "Oh come on! She's my sister, she would never pick you over me! And I'd be a great leader, feathers in my ears and everything" she whined petulantly. "Spiritstar's gotta have a bunch of lives left anyway, we've got a long long time until Skyclan needs a new leader." 

Poppyclaw gave his apprentice a stern look, but soon chose to relax. Specklepaw had a point, and Poppyclaw himself was not one to dally about. If anything, he appreciated her desire to get right to the work. So, he positioned himself right below a large boulder that jutted out from the ground. He nodded. "First step is finding a high ground. In battle, this may be a boulder, a snad mound, or a tree stump. Anything to get you up and over your opponent. The second step is to land and balance on their back. Before we even get to the move, you will perfect your balance. Do you understand?" He ordered.

"Well, don't jinx it." Wingpaw warned, though his voice was casual and airy. "I've heard stories of leaders who have only lasted a single moon, not even that, and they just disappear. Like... what was his name. Oh! Blazestar. Yeah, that story's wild! Where do you think he disappeared to before he could even come back from the Moonstone to lead Riverclan?" He asked. 

Pondpaw smiled at the kit’s words. “It sure will be.” Pondpaw murmured.

As those words came out of her mouth, a silver tabby she-cat padded toward them. “It’s not often we get new Clan members this way.” The she-cat said. “I’m Tricklefrost. These two, and the two shy ones behind me, are my kits.” Tricklefrost introduced. Pondpaw listened as she continued to speak. How does everyone remember everyone? There’s so many names! Pondpaw thought, getting a bit distracted.

Sunnykit spoke soon after. “I’m glad I became a part of Skyclan then! I love being in the trees!” Pondpaw meowed in reply to Sunnykit.

As she watched the kits interact with their mother, Pondpaw heard a low grumble before Mudwasp appeared beside her. “Get some rest. Your training begins at dawn.” Mudwasp growled before quickly ditching her for a pile of prey in the camp.

Pondpaw’s mood quickly shifted. She sighed. She was correct. Her mentor wouldn’t even except her.

She was lost in thoughts as she heard familiar paw steps padded up from behind her. "Well, you heard him. Come with me, I'll show you the apprentice's den," Warblerpaw meowed from beside her. Pondpaw nodded in response, and followed him as he lead her to a cave in the side of a cliff.

"In here.” Warblerpaw said, gesturing for Pondpaw to enter. “You'll have to make a nest, but I can come with you to find materials, if you'd like.". The golden tom paused for a moment. "And, ah, sorry for pouncing on you earlier. You'll learn soon enough what it means to protect your territory, but I still hope I didn't hurt you," he meowed.

Pondpaw smiled. “No need to be. I understand your actions.” She explained. “And also, I bet you couldn’t hurt me if you even tried.” Pondpaw said challengingly. “But sure! You’d be a great help if you would come along especially since I don’t know where anything is or the territory in general very well.”