~ INTO THE WILD B1 ~

Chapter Five: The Ceremony.

 Cyberstar had angrily trotted into the Warrior den looking for Nightstrike, as Nightstrike had been asleep. ¨Nightstrike. What in the world are you doing in the Warrior den?¨ Cybeterstar asked as Nightstrike jumped to his feet he sleepily overlooked what seemed to be the Warrior den.

¨Oh? I thought I was in my den.¨ He replied shyly.

Uncomfortably he shifted to his feet. And he kept eye contact with Cyberstar.

¨Well you are not. Your ceremony is today, so get ready. And if I see you in other dens one more time, there are consequences.¨ The Cyberstar announced.

¨Oh right! I forgot I had been so caught up in the practice of fighting and stuff. And sorry about that.¨ Nightstrike sighed. ¨I will get ready right now.¨ Nightstrike, trotted out of the Warrior den.

As Nightstrike was trotting through the camp, looking for his Den, he heard Scortchclaw talk with the Leader, who had just left the Warrior den. He decided to go closer to try and listen to what was being said. He crouched down into a bush a little ways from them, as he perked up his ears.

¨I know his ceremony is today, but do we want him here?¨ Cyberstar asked.

¨He belongs in a clan, don't kick him out because you dislike him. The clan loves him and would be truly angry if you were to kick him out so soon.¨ -Scortchclaw replied.

¨I will take this up with Ashclaw, and see what me and her can do.¨ -Cyberstar sighed.

The leader trotted to the clan rock, and sat beside the Deputy, as they began talking. Nightstrike quickly fled the bush far from it so he never looked suspicious. Nightstrike ran into the Leader's den by accident, thankfully no one realized.

Nightstrike looked around as he realized the moss, and the rocks surrounding him. It was a nice den, as well as a table aside that held scrolls on the history of the clan. Nightstrike became curious, as he realized that the den was huge, and the nests below were comfortable, Nightstrike smiled before realizing the leader was coming. He had been talking with Ashclaw as they were walking into the den. Nightstrike panicked as he began looking around for a place to hide. He realized there was no place, so he quickly jumped and used his claws to attach himself to the roof of the den, which was made of dirt, sticks, and leaves.

¨So, Ashclaw. Do you know that newer cat in the clan?¨ Cyberstar asked.

¨Oh. Yes! He is pretty amazing, did you see the wolf and the fox he attacked? Weren't you there?¨ asked.

¨I was there, but I never knew about the fox.¨ Cyberstar thought for a moment.

"Well, know you know, Scortchclaw is doing a decent job being his mentor." Ashclaw smiled.

"Good to know, I will talk about this with Scortchclaw. We will go on about this later." Cyberstar sighed.

Nightstrike realized his claws were starting to detach from the branches and began panicking as he tried re-adjusting himself to stay up. He then realized the leader was starting to look around. Nightstrike held on tighter as he realized a huge hole in the ceiling branch, and quickly started trying to get himself to it.

¨Maybe you should let him stay, no one is as brave as he is, and maybe don't you think he should move clans up faster? Cause he has the bravery of no other cat.¨ The she-cat purred.

¨I will talk to Echo Clan and see what we can do before the war, but I want a cat who can protect the clan before switching.¨ Cyberstar smiled.

Nightstrike paused as he heard them pleading over him. He smiled, then continued towards the hole. He eventually reached the hole and climbed inside, where the Leader and Deputy wouldn't be able to spot him, but he could still hear everything, that was being said. Before a branch broke, he quickly jumped into the hole making a loud bang, The deputy and the Leader looked up at the hole, but saw nothing, so continued their conversation. Nightstrike was breathing heavily, as he was shaking. He could have just messed everything in his future for good if he was spotted.

Eventually, they left the leader's den, and he then took his chance at leaving. He slowly crawled out of the den and ran as fast as he could to his. But before he could get in, Scortchclaw jumped in front of him. "What the hell were you doing in the leader's den?" He asked angrily.

"I wasn't?" Nightstrike said uncomfortably.

"Then why did I see you go in, and out of the den? I am not stupid. Do you wanna get kicked out of the clan?" Scortchclaw asked angrily.

"No, it was an accident I swear Scorch, I didn't even realize where I was before I heard them walking into the den. Don't blame me for this. But I am worried, cause I can see the Lead doesn't like me." Nightstrike sighed.

"He acts like that, but he does for every other clan member, usually Fireblaze." Scortchclaw thought for a moment. "Maybe we can make him like you?" Scorch added, seeming to be caught thinking hard.

"What are you thinking of, should I be scared?" Nightstrike asked oddly.

Just then, before Scortchclaw could explain, the Leader could be seen trotting over, from the rock.

"Nightstrike." He asked angrily.

"Yeah?" He replied shyly.

"Follow me, your ceremony is happening. Join the clan under the rock, please. You too Scortch." The Lead stared at him curiously.

Nightstrike and Scortchclaw exchanged glances and slowly trotted over to the rest of the clan. Sitting under the rock, Nightstrike looked up. Scortchclaw looked at Nightstrike anxiously, then followed his gaze towards the leader.

"Hello, everyone." Cyberstar started.

"As you couldn't tell a new cat has joined us for a little while, learning with Scortchclaw who has stepped up as his Mentor. Scortchclaw, would you walk forward please?" He smiled.

The cats frowned as Scortchclaw slowly stood up, and walked forward, sitting back down. His gaze brought back to Nightstrike. Nightstrike seemed anxious but smiled, which Scortchclaw smiled happily back.

"Nightstrike has saved the kits and protected our lands from a fox. He was seriously injured both times, but he did it for us." Nightstrike couldn't hold back his smile, as he was pleaded by the cats.

Nightstrike looked around. "Nightstrike has learned a lot from Scortchclaw, so would everyone take their bows to Scortchclaw." He asked.

The cats bowed before Scortchclaw. Unhappily, Nightstrike felt left out, seeing as his success was only being pleaded because of Scotch. Nightstrike wrapped his tail around his back paws and looked down, remembering how he worked for the success, and Scortchclaw barley did anything for him.

"Nightstrike?" The Leader asked.

Nightstrike looked back up nervously. "May you step forward?" He asked. Nightstrike immediately stood up and slowly walked forward. Sitting comfortably beside Scortchclaw. A lot of nervousness took over him, as he quietly panicked, he looked at Scortchclaw angrily.

"Thank you. And I want to give a special thanks to you for risking your life two times for our clan. I want to thank the newest member of our clan Nightstrike!" He smiled. And all the cats around us bowed and cheered.

Nightstrike looked around uncomfortably, confused who they where cheering and bowing for now. Nightstrikes happiness grew though. And then, he knew what he wanted to be.

.... Leader.