Post by Fawn on Oct 16, 2012 20:56:36 GMT -5
[style=font-family:Almendra SC; font-size:54px;]Lionstep
The sight of Distantstar's funeral procession still repeated itself when he was alone, the idea that TreeClan's fearless leader was now gone was still difficult for him to grasp. StarClan, grant me the strength I need to do this. Ever since he had been old enough to understand what a Clan leader was, Lionstep had strove for that goal, for the title of 'star' added to his name, striving constantly to become Lionstar, the most noble, the most courageous of TreeClan's leaders - the young tom having vainly wished for the ultimate respect and glory a Clan leader could possibly have. Once he'd become a warrior, reality had started setting in; while he still desired the position some day, he had been aware of his faults, aware of things that still needed fixing, aware of truly how young he was.
After Redbird's death, his first apprentice, and after he had become TreeClan's deputy, becoming leader had been the furthest thing from his mind. The golden warrior had felt his very soul shake at the notion that he would one day replace Distantstar. He had prayed, prayed countless times for that day to never come - or at least not come too quickly, not until he had a few more seasons under his paws, a few more apprentices, a few more experiences to draw from, to give him wisdom...
But the fates had other plans for him. Lionstep was only on his second apprentice, and perhaps 2 moons into his deputyship, and already the worst had happened. Distantstar had fallen ill just a few moons before Leafbare, and his nine lives had been lost in what felt like a single heartbeat, leaving Lionstep and the Clan shaken to their core, like a kit lost in a snowstorm, unable to see, unable to hear, only able to feel the unbearable cold.
But Lionstep had to pull them out of this blizzard. Like the sunlight melting the snow, he would have to melt away their anxieties, their fears, the darkness and grief that had momentarily descended upon them, like a storm-front over the lake. Though he needed to become the brightest light he could possibly be, his stomach felt empty and hollow at all the responsibility that had fallen to his shoulders in an instant. It was no secret that his shoulders were broad and his paws were large, but was he strong enough not to buckle beneath the weight?
Only time could answer that question.
Having sat vigil with Distantstar through the night and overseen the burial, there wasn't much for him to do now besides announce his journey to the Moon Tree. Stirring from just outside the warriors' den, Lionstep padded on heavy paws near the Ancient Stump, seeming to draw strength from the symbolic old tree, wishing for the world that he wouldn't have to do this for the next 10, 20 moons. Forcing himself to draw his mind out of wishes, wants and selfish things, Lionstep leaped onto the Ancient Stump with ease of motion, but heavy of mindset.
Clearing his throat of the grief that was clogging up his throat, Lionstep drew in a breath and spoke the words Distantstar had said so many times before him.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Ancient Stump for a Clan Meeting!"
He didn't have to ask twice. Before anyone had set out on patrol or gone hunting, they had said their final goodbyes to Distantstar and buried him early this morning. The warriors and apprentices had lingered around camp, as though unable to leave the fog of their leader's death and venture out into TreeClan territory quite yet. When most of the Clan had gathered beneath the Ancient Stump, Lionstep inhaled deeply, summoning the strength to address them, even when his heart still felt so heavy, so empty.
"Distantstar was a noble leader. He would have given his lives for the Clan, that no cat can doubt, but StarClan took him to the forest of endless hunting before Distantstar had gotten the chance. It's important to remember that, while Distantstar may not've died for us, he definitely lived for us. He was our leader, he saw us through the harshness of leafbare, the rains of new leaf, the heat of greenleaf. Though he is no longer with us, I firmly believe that he is watching us from StarClan right now, and all has not been lost." Lionstep paused to take a breath, his eyes closing momentarily in his own somber second of silence. Opening them once more, this time they blazed not with sadness, but with a vigor that belied his grief, the sight of his Clanmates so emotionally drained spurring him to action.
"As Distantstar's successor, I will now travel to the Moon Tree to receive my nine lives. Whether I am given a single life or nine hundred, trust me when I say this, TreeClan, that I will pledge every single one of them to the safety and well-being of this Clan." Eyes flashing, Lionstep continued, trying to rouse some of his Clanmates from their seemingly perpetual state of sadness.
"Yes, I am young, I have not been deputy for very long, but what I lack in experience I will make up for in dedication. No matter what comes our way, StarClan sent or not, I'm going to see you all through it, the good, the bad, the life-changing." This time, the golden tom dipped his head in a sign of the utmost respect to the whole of TreeClan, his tone softening with sincerity.
"With your blessing, in the name of Distantstar's memory and all that he stood for, I will travel to the Moon Tree to become TreeClan's next leader." Lifting his head, Lionstep straightened into the stiff sitting position he was known for, this time not as a deputy doing his duty, but as a leader of which none would escape his sight, his pose the picture of attentiveness.
"I realize that some of you will still doubt, will still think that I am not ready, and I don't blame you, but, StarClan willing, I'm going to do my absolute best to serve you all."
Forcing himself to keep from rambling, Lionstep fell silent, suffering the longest few seconds of his entire life. Now it was up to TreeClan. What would they throw at him? Mews of support, or yowls of disagreement?
OOC: Sorry about the length. ^^; for some reason, I get really long-winded when it comes to Lionstep.
