Passing of the torch (ShadowClan meeting)

[hawkstar]

Blood, blood everywhere. A prophecy ringing out over the sound of calamity in the air- all of this echoing loudly in the mind of one single tom. His paws ached and his body screamed with exhaustion- a day after the death of Thornstar, Hawkstar in his place had gone to the moonpool, suffered bone wrenching pain nine times in a row, saw cats he swore he would never see again in their deaths, received a prophecy that sung great disaster, and was now finally picking his way through the marshy swamps of ShadowClan, returning to his own clan.

He had stopped and rested a bit after leaving the moonpool, hunting for himself, and cleaning his fur of any dust and grime- he wanted to look strong, and proud for his clan when he returned, despite his severe exhaustion, and after his ordeal with his nine lives, dust and grit seemed to have worked it's way right to his skin. Now, he paused and inhaled a deep breath- he was within foxlengths of the camp, surveying himself. Despite his hell, he had the air of a leader to him, crisp and clean, handsome and strong, wise... protective, emotions seemed to swamp the cat as the scent of his clanmates, just beyond the dense growth before him reached his nostrils. Had he never realized how much he cared for them? Had he never truly felt pride in them? Was he in shock, or had the lives he had received truly effected him? He blinked rapidly, once again calming himself and bringing back his serious air. He had changed, he held his head a little higher, his voice a bit more authoritative, more meaning and pride in his step, his brain sorted things out quicker.

Why couldn't he sort out that prophecy, though? It was a medicine cat's job, or course, to make heads and tails or prophecies, but from what he had been told, he couldn't share the events of his dream with StarClan with anyone- which meant he would have to put up with this prophecy alone, Cricketleap couldn't help him, no one could. He shook it off, once again straightening himself. It was worrying, but now he could only focus on the present. StarClan would make things clear, or maybe they'd share it with Cricketleap too- then the two could confer on it. Unable to wait any longer, he pushed through the thorn tunnel, heads immediately snapping toward him, a few cats calling out his name eagerly. He nodded to them each, then bounded toward the highrock, up it's steep side, and perched on top, bright eyes looking out over his clan.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting." Of course, it was something he'd heard his entire life, a natural call that brought cats who had been lounging in their dens barreling out to see their new leader, all sitting eagerly below their new leader. Once he was sure all had gathered, he commenced. "I have traveled to the moonpool and received my nine lives, StarClan has accepted me as your new leader. Thornstar will be greatly missed, for he was a wise and strong leader- I hope to do as well." His gaze raked the crowd for a moment, still feeling such an immense pride in his clan. "I was your deputy for only a very short time, and I wish to serve as your leader for a much greater period." His eyes suddenly lit up, "Now, the time has come for me to name my deputy."

I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice." He let his voice ring out for a moment, feeling the anticipation coming in waves off of his clan. From the moment he woke up next to the moonpool, he had been debating who to make his deputy. Every cat in his clan crossed through his mind, the pros and cons, who would do best, who wouldn't- and importantly, who would make a good leader for ShadowClan if he was to die suddenly. His bright yellow-green gaze fell on a lean, yet strong looking gray and white she-cat.

"Thunderbrook will be the new deputy of ShadowClan."

[`thunderbrook]

[/i]
Then, he did it again. This time, RIGHT after he said that. Her heart thumped in her chest again, even though her facial expression didn’t change. She didn’t want to have false hope, after all.

She stared back at him, though, not wanting to break the gaze. If he was going to choose her, then—she broke off her thought as Hawkstar spoke again.

Thunderbrook will be the new deputy of ShadowClan.
All Thunderbrook felt at first was disbelief. HE was choosing HER to be deputy? What sort of mouse-brained idea was that? Didn’t he know that she wasn’t the best fighter, nor the best leader? But, the warrior couldn’t deny the words that had come out of Hawkstar’s mouth.

She was the new deputy of ShadowClan. [/ul]

[cricketleap.]

Hawkstrike was an amazing fighter, a great hunter, and a natural born leader. Of course everyone would want him to become the new ShadowClan leader. He had to. Yes, he was a deputy for a very short time, but it was traditional for the deputy to become the leader when he or she retires, dies, or so on. The Clan had to accept Hawkstrike as their new leader. It had happened in the past that a Clan didn't want the deputy to become leader, or that the Clan was divided and fought with each other. It had happened with WindClan. Mudclaw and his followers didn't want Onestar to become the new leader. They wanted Mudclaw to be it. Some other cats thought Onestar would do a better job even though he was elected deputy over Mudclaw right before Tallstar's death. That argument had soon been settled when a battle took place and Mudclaw was killed in a tree fall. Hopefully it didn't happen in ShadowClan at this time. Hawkstrike was a fine, popular cat within and outside the Clan. He would do fine. StarClan granted, of course. I just hope all will be well.

Cricketleap, the ShadowClan medicine cat, was waiting outside his den. Hope danced in his bright green eyes. He wished that Hawkstrike would return, but it seemed like the more he wished, the more time fanned out. His worry for the new leader lit his eyes, making the hope and delight fade. His white-tipped tail twitched nervously. It's odd how all of the leaders are being murdered. First it was Thornstar of ThunderClan, then RiverClan's leader, now Thornstar of ShadowClan. What could happen next? It better not happen to WindClan for sure. Something is up. He remembered that his mentor had warned him of decoys coming shortly after his tragic death. Decoys, the cats who wanted to kill any other just to be powerful. Or maybe not even for that... just for fun, perhaps. With a cold shiver, Cricketleap looked around. Faint stars dappled the midnight blue sky, shining into his twinkling little eyes. He absorbed their comfort, knowing one of them would be Thornstar, another Foxtrot.

Suddenly, Hawkstrike appeared. His dark brown coat ripped in the dim light, light green eyes brilliant like one of the stars above. The leader's pelt shimmered with light gray, thick shoulder muscles rippling as he leaped to gather the Clan. He summoned the Clan with it's familiar calling, even still it was empty and different. He was used to Thornstar leading the Clan and calling to it. All the sudden, ShadowClan felt different. He felt like an outcast in his own territory. Hawkstar. He mouthed the name gently to himself, scowling with disgust as it brought horrors to his young mind. "Arrogant kit. He's lucky to become leader. I would have done better than him. I'm sure someone like Snowpaw or one of the other apprentices would be a better leader." he murmured under his breath so that only he could hear. But when Hawkstar named the new deputy, he was shocked. It was his sister. His own flesh and blood was becoming a deputy. Odd. I'm medicine cat and my sister will be the next leader of ShadowClan. Even still, he yowled Thunderbrook's name to the sky with the rest of the Clan. He greeted her like she was a new warrior, tail swishing with happiness for his sister despite his misgivings.