[Fawn]

Lionstar

The crown is getting heavy
But they've written my name in the stars

This wasn't supposed to happen.

Gorsetail lay wounded in the medicine cat's den; Lionstar had been pulled aside and given the grave truth. Gorsetail, even if he recovered, would be unfit to remain as deputy - unfit to take over TreeClan in Lionstar's stead.
"Cats of TreeClan, gather to me. Tonight we have much to discuss." His voice rang out cold and sharp from the Ancient Stump, the weight of his grief and his fury put an iciness in his eyes that was seldom seen. Normally so warm, jovial even, but as the sun sank below the horizon and the moon gleamed overhead, so too did Lionstar's amiability.
These were times of strife and betrayal.

"No one needs reminding of what we have lost this leafbare. Trust between Clanmates, the deer path, and now, our deputy." The gazes that glinted back at him were full of hard eyes and tight jaws; the air was heavy with the seriousness of this meeting. Lionstar filled his lungs with air, continuing. "Some of our strife was born right here in the Clan, and there is no easy cure for the distrust and unease Magpiewing has stirred up with his actions. I will say this; I believe there is more good found in TreeClan than anywhere else in the whole valley. One poisonous vine does not taint a whole forest. Do not let that rogue's last wish be fulfilled - to stir up dissent among cats who should be trusting and valuing each other."

"What about NightClan?"

Lionstar's golden eyes were met with a matching shade of gold, Brackenstride's own full of fire and a burning need for revenge. Lionstar hissed under his breath, the narrowing of his eyes a clear order; do not interrupt me again. Yet the ripple of murmurs throughout the Clan confirmed that Brackenstride wasn't the only one upset about the recent turn of events.

"Yes, NightClan." Lionstar spat their rival's name as if it were a bitter taste on his tongue, his tail flicking in undisguised contempt. "They have taken the Deer Path. This back-and-forth fighting over territory has always been our relationship with NightClan. However, what they have done now is inexcusable." StarClan, how heavy his heart felt. Flashes of that dreadful day flickered through Lionstar's eyes like candlelight; Gorsetail's broken body borne on the backs of his Clanmates, his son's eyes wild with shock as the truth spilled from his lips like blood. NightClan did this.

"Their warrior died fighting for the Deer Path. Blackwolf's death was unfortunate but inevitable. NightClan does not see it this way." Lionstar's grimace was sharp, his fangs showing. "Instead of accepting the consequences of battle, they've taken it upon themselves to be petty and malicious. They went after Brackenstride to even the score; I have every reason to believe my son would be dead if Gorsetail had not put himself in harm's way for his Clanmate."

Brackenstride flinched, and both father and son looked to the medicine cat's den where Gorsetail remained, his tabby fur splattered with herbs and cobwebs, his breathing labored from uneasy dreams.

"I will be honest with you all." Weariness touched Lionstar's voice, and the tom lowered his chin into the dense mane of fur along his neck. Pain and anger seared the tom's next words. "I would like nothing more than to bring a battle patrol right to NightClan's camp and make them pay for what they have done to Gorsetail. But, we can't behave like this. We will never give them the satisfaction of seeing our honor crumble. NightClan may be nothing more than a warmongering Clan obsessed with vengeance, but we are not. We are strong enough, wise enough, to know when to keep our claws sheathed."

Brackenstride's jaws parted at once, but Lionstar's ears flattened in warning. He wasn't finished yet.

"It grieves me to see Gorsetail's deputyship come to an end, but for the sake of TreeClan, a new deputy must be appointed. Gorsetail's recovery will be long, and he will need all of his strength for that." Lionstar sought out the powerful gaze of the warrior he had chosen. His chest felt tight with from the weight of his choice, but he found the words. "I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of TreeClan is Pumafang."

Before the Clan could acknowledge Pumafang's ascension, Lionstar spoke directly to the freshly appointed deputy. "Your new rank as deputy will begin in the morning." Then, to the Clan. "Tonight, we are going to honor Gorsetail's bravery by thriving. By reminding ourselves of who we are as a Clan. Tonight, all of us will share tongues - young and old, apprentice and warrior, queen and elder - and prepare ourselves to work even harder tomorrow. Tonight shall be Gorsetail's last night as deputy, and we are going to spend as a family. "

I've been building up all these kingdoms for so long
It's good to be king

99 Moons || TreeClan || 818 Words

Newleaf 10 The winds are still as storm grey clouds blanket the skies and blot out the usual brightness and warmth of the Newleaf sun.
(Set 2 days after Gorsetail's injury by Darkstorm. PRP of the event is Here.)

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Hellion @zen Ghost the Undead Goddess BlooRey DVD Phoenix Taxx Justice @jet

Thank you to Abyss and @jet for applying for deputy of TreeClan! It was a tough choice, and I really enjoyed reading your answers for the little mock scenarios. Ultimately, I went with Pumafang and felt like he had a stronger, more natural rapport with Lionstar. I'm really pleased with the deputy choices I had. Picking Pumafang instead of Foxfire is NOT a slight against the character or their creator. In fact, I hope you'll consider applying for deputy in other Clans, Abyss.

Thanks again!
-Fawn

[Deleted]

BELIEVE IN STRENGTH

Pumafang

TREECLAN - WARRIOR - 30 MOONS

"The new deputy of TreeClan is Pumafang."

The colossal chocolate black tom was likely not hard to pick out among the sea of pelts. He heard his name called, though he couldn't pin a particular emotion to what sparked in his chest before it was quenched by logic. Deputyship meant responsibility. It meant perhaps a less boring life than that of a regular warrior.

He was eager to find out, though he glanced sullenly towards the medicine den before locking eyes with Lionstar, the tom's voice addressing solely him in his next statement before moving on to address the whole of TreeClan. Pumafang had given Lionstar an acknowledging dip of his head, and whether his leader noticed it or not didn't bother him. The golden tom had moved to consoling what really mattered: the clan. Pumafang was impressed with Lionstar's tact and compassion, and although the black tom could always improve his communication, his leader's charisma was on a different level.

It wasn't long before eyes sought the black warrior out, almost all at once the clan seemed to shower him with a myriad of alien emotions glinting in their eyes.

Anger? Frustration? Admiration? Grief? Shock?

He couldn't tell. His stony, amber gaze took in all of TreeClan in one sweep, finding his mother staring at him with the look of a thousand souls, admiration and a parent's pride pulling her to her paws as they locked eyes. He felt his heart stutter from the impending responsibility, though fear was unknown to him. Eagerness was what pulled him to his paws and embraced his clanmate's gazes. He didn't quite know how to react in the spotlight, though his mother had pushed her way through the crowd, being the first to acknowledge his impending advancement.

"Blackwater," Pumafang meowed deeply, greeting her in his usual, detached way.

"Congratulations, Pumafang." She returned lovingly, offering her son a brief lick on the shoulder before padding to the fresh kill pile.

Pumafang's amber eyes were unwavering as he gazed at Lionstar.

You made an excellent choice. He thought, staring at TreeClan's golden icon with a look that boasted fearlessness and strength. I will not fail.

Word Count: 382
Tags: Fawn  
Notes: xxx

[Abyss]

Today was different. Something was going to happen. The deep red she-cat felt it in her chest. It was kind of a mix of excitement, anger, curiosity, and frustration all in one. Hearing Lionstar's voice call through the Treeclan camp only furthered these feelings. She had gotten to her feet quickly and bounded to the area beneath Lionstar, looking up towards him. In a way, she almost felt like an Apprentice about to become a Warrior. Unknown to her, there was almost a hopeful gleam in her amber eyes as she looked up towards her Leader. It was going to happen. She knew it was. Gorsetail laid in the Medicine Cat den, condition unknown to her. But, in a cruel sort of manner, she didn't care. She didn't know what happened to him really; she hadn't been paying much attention when the tom returned injured to camp. Or she might have been out hunting. She couldn't remember. But she felt something.

As the cats of Treeclan gathered around, Foxfire ignored all of them, eyes remaining glued to Lionstar. There was a feeling of determination in her gaze, as well as an intensity that could be seen when she was hunting or fighting another and had every intention of getting her way. As she waited, Lionstar's first statements were spoken, but they went in one ear and out the other. She was waiting for the start of what she was waiting for. At one point a flare of anger rippled through her chest at the mention of the clan losing the Nightclan border, but it faded just as it arrived. Don't focus on the battle that she wasn't assigned to.

Finally, the time came. The words Foxfire was waiting for. Lionstar stated that Gorsetail would no longer be able to be Deputy, and a new one needed assigned. As she sat, there was suddenly a prickling feeling at the back of her head. The she-cat could feel a pair of eyes piercing through her like thorns. Her eyes looked to the side of her and she saw the source. Scorchwing. Her father laid at the entrance of the Elder's den, eyes glared and locked right on her. His ears flicked each time the word Deputy was said out loud, and she knew. She knew what he was thinking.

Her eyes turned back to Lionstar as he began the ancient chant that began the announcement of a cat being brought up in rank.

"The new Deputy of Treeclan-"

Don't worry father. I will not disappoi-

"-is Pumafang."

Time froze. The normally intense Amber eyes grew wide, looking suddenly helpless. The words, cheers, grunts, all of it was muffled to her ears. Lionstar was speaking, but she heard nothing.

What...?

As time came back to her, the deep red she-cat slowly turned her head to look to the Elder's den. Scorchwing had suddenly stood from where he laid. His eyes were even more narrowed, his pupils were thin, and his teeth were bared. The flash of rage that crossed his face shot right through Foxfire's chest. She watched as he turned away, disappearing into the darkness of the den.

As soon as the tom disappeared, everything came back. But it was different. Foxfire's pupils were as thin as a blade of grass, the amber within them burned like a fire, and her claws were fully unsheathed. The she-cat stood and turned, eyes suddenly locking onto the large dark tom who's name had been called by Lionstar's voice. She felt the urge to rush forward and claw his eyes out. A sudden seething hatred burned in her chest. But reason remained in her head. She turned quickly, tail lashing quickly behind her as she padded quickly towards the entrance to the camp.

"It's okay sis! Maybe you'll get the spot next ti-" Squirrelskip, Foxfire's cheerful and quirky brother, had been sitting at the back of the gathering. He began to speak as she went passed him, but just as he went to finish his statement, her front paw accidentally stepped on his, her claws digging momentarily into his paw. He flinched and grimaced, but didn't have much more of an expression. She felt the eyes of her brother looking to her from behind, but it didn't matter. Just as quickly as she had arrived beneath Lionstar's perch, the she-cat disappeared out of the camp.

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Words: 730 | tags | Notes: *Foxfire intensifies* Lol

[Justice]

Injuries and deaths, betrayal and change. Differences on the wind and anxiety in the clan. Times were shifting very quickly, and for those that lived through them it would be a period of adjustment. He was sat at the edge of the medicine den, close enough to hear if Gorsetail needed anything at all, if he made the slightest sound of pain, and to send away the well wishers and those that wanted to check on him. What he needed most now was rest. Falconstorm wasn't sure yet if he'd make it, but the now former deputy was strong, he had every confidence that if it wasn't his time then StarClan wouldn't take him early. Some were harder to send away than others. Moonfeather came by just to ask how Gorsetail was doing, if he'd be back on his paws anytime soon, and all he could tell the grey she-cat was he had done everything he could and she should give him time. The she-cat had few friends that were toms, and he knew she trusted Gorsetail and Lionstar the most above all others not her family. She'd been that way since she came to the clan.

As Gorsetail fought for his life the duties of the deputy would pass. Things had to move on. Lionstar was far too old to risk waiting to see if the tom would get better. As much as he hated to see it happen, it was better that a new Deputy was being chosen.

He watched, tail flicking as he sat and listened to the event unfold. He noted the exchange between Foxfire and her aged sire but didn't think much of it. She likely wanted to be chosen, and given how she reacted when Pumafang's name was called out instead he could only roll his eyes and shake his head. They didn't need a deputy that couldn't handle rejection or not getting their way. It was always going to be about the clan, the personal needs of the individual didn't matter. She could have a fit all she wanted, it wasn't going to change things.

Falconstorm was done with this event. He had herbs to sort and organize, a den to clean, and a patient to fuss over and care for. The clan could go on without him. Honestly, he didn't care.