Aspenwood
Shadowclan Leader ?
The dark gray tom had returned from Mercuryrose’s funeral, alone. Looking back, there was brief emotion on his face as he thought about the death of his former mentor and aunt. The former Shadowclan leader had died a brave death, saving her clan from the hands of her murderous father. Looking down for a moment, Aspenwood had bit the inside of his cheek at the thought of his father.. Juncostar. The two were closer than anything, the other former Shadowclan leader had literally given the entire world to Aspenwood, he knew his father would have went to hell and back for Aspenwood without hesitation. It had felt like a part of him had also died when Juncostar had joined Starclan, his innocence mainly. Looking towards the direction of the High Point, it held a lot of memories.
There were memories of Juncostar taking him over to the High Point to pretend that he was leader, calling out for ‘clan-meetings’ and the funny part was that everyone would attend them.. Aspenwood suspected that it was his father who did that. Mercuryrose had brought him in that area too when they first took a tour of the camp, he wouldn’t forget the moment how courageous and beautiful his aunt looked standing on the High Point. There were so many good memories, but also very horrible ones.. The latest one, witnessing his aunt throwing herself off the High Point with Twilightfoot in order to kill him.. But her injuries had caused her death also.
Sorrow.. That’s how he felt.
Mercuryrose had chosen him as deputy during one of her last moments of life, he would lead Shadowclan. Of course, Aspenwood wasn’t ready for such an important role so soon in life.. But Juncostar did always say that Aspenwood was destined for greatness, it was almost meant to be that Aspenwood would become a leader.. His father was leader, his aunt and former mentor was leader. Clearing his throat for a moment, the large dark gray tabby made his way to the high point and leaped on it, a sense of pride entered him. Aspenwood wouldn’t let his family down, it was time for him to take his rightful place as heir of Shadowclan. “Let all those old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the High Point for a clan meeting!” Aspenwood’s voice boomed through the area. A couple of felines looked confused as to why Aspenwood was on the High Point, but he couldn’t figure out why.
Once a crowd gathered below him, Aspenwood was thinking of his words before speaking “Our beloved Mercuryrose had given her life to defend her clan, and we will never forget her spirit and courage.. My aunt and former mentor was many things.. But she was truly the most inspiring woman I ever knew, my father being the most inspiring man” Aspenwood said, a bit choked up at the thought of Mercuryrose and Juncostar. Stars, how was he able to lead a clan without even becoming a deputy for a full 24 hours? “Waspsight and I will be taking the journey to the Moonpool to receive my nine lives, but I will name my deputy no-“ Aspenwood said before cut off by another booming voice that caused everyone to jump slightly
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
Ravenclaw
Shadowclan Leader ?
Exhausted.. That’s how Ravenclaw felt in that entire moment. The black tom’s golden gaze remained on the ground as many thoughts were going through him. His mother was dead. Mintstrike and Widowsting stayed behind the burial spot of Mercuryrose to have a couple of more moments, Silkweb and Cowtuft stayed behind with them as well. The massive tom was grieving, but he couldn’t really show it, not when his family’s world felt like it crashed. Biting the inside of his cheek, he remembered Auroraskies’ reaction to her littermate’s death. Firestar couldn’t calm her down, having to drag her away as she was sobbing uncontrollably at the loss of her sister. It was a massive loss in their entire family, nothing would ever be the same after this.
Ravenclaw was wondering what was going through his mother’s mind when she named him deputy, he wondered what kind of potential she had seen. Biting the inside of his cheek, the massive black tom shook his head slightly. Usually he would go to Snarlingbadger for advice if he needed some kind of parental guidance, but Ravenclaw didn’t have enough time with the funeral and becoming leader. Once hearing a familiar voice calling for a clan meeting, golden eyes narrowed. Of course Aspenwood’s ego wouldn’t let the clan have a moment of mourning Mercuryrose, it was always about him. “What do you think you’re doing?” Ravenclaw’s booming voice came through the clearing, the massive tom stalking through the entrance. From the facial expression on Aspenwood’s face, he wasn’t overly impressed with Ravenclaw.
They had a childhood rivalry since they could both remember due to the fact they were children of high ranks.
“Ravenclaw, so nice of you to interrupt my clan meeting. I was about to name my deputy.” Aspenwood said, almost sarcastically. Ravenclaw couldn’t help but roll of his eyes at Aspenwood, making his way towards the High Point “That isn’t your call to make, you weren’t named deputy of Shadowclan.” Ravenclaw bit back, to which Aspenwood couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. The dark gray tabby always knew how to get under Ravenclaw’s skin “You must had been blinded or something, obviously Mercuryrose named me deputy! She pointed at me!” Aspenwood said, hearing some agreements from their clan mates. Ravenclaw leaped up to the high point and stalked towards Aspenwood with an unimpressed look on his face
“Mercuryrose had named me deputy of Shadowclan in her final moments, don’t you dare disrespect my mother’s memory because of your selfish desires.” Ravenclaw said to which Aspenwood let out a soft hum, a smirk appeared on his face. It was always amusing to ruffle Ravenclaw’s feathers, it never failed with Aspenwood. A frown appeared on Aspenwood’s face when hearing agreements from felines that thought Ravenclaw was the leader. It was Ravenclaw’s turn to smirk as he turned to look at the felines below him “Shadowclan, you had witnessed Mercuryrose naming me as deputy during her final moments of life. If anyone saw otherwise, speak no-“ It was Aspenwood’s turn to speak, shoving Ravenclaw aside as he looked down at his clan mates “Shadowclan! Mercuryrose had named me deputy of our clan! You all saw it! I’m the rightful leader of Shadowclan, we know this”
The two males began bickering as everyone was confused for a moment .. Who was leader of Shadowclan? | Aspen: 8d7d50
W A S P S I G H T
The past couple of days had been a monumental toll on ShadowClan. They had lost Juncostar to a rockslide and before they even had the time to mourn the loss of their leader, they had lost Mercuryrose as well to an invasion from a rogue- a rogue in which she defeated bravely, but at the cost of her own life. And now they were left to pick up the pieces. He was left to hold ShadowClan together. As the last remaining rank, it was his responsibility. And he knew that it wasn't going to be easy... The calico tom was stuck in his own mind when a Clan meeting was called for- and not long after, the sounds of two toms bickering.
Exiting the healer's den, Waspsight came to face what he worried he would be anticipating: Aspenwood and Ravenclaw atop the highledge, bickering between one another to whom had been named the appropriate deputy of ShadowClan in Mercuryrose's last moments. Frustration welled in his chest at the sight of them, arguing between one another like that. And it wasn't long between the argument between the two of them spurred a full disruption in the clearing. He caught the look of inquiry that Ravenclaw gave him, clearly asking if he had heard anything otherworldly and he wished that he could give the young tom the answers he was seeking, but the truth was that he hadn't been given any more clues than they already had. Mercuryrose's spirit hadn't appeared to him and neither had Juncostar's. If he were still his young, apprehensive self, Waspsight would have begun to doubt if he had lost his gift to speak to the dead... That is, if he didn't continue to see other ghosts every single day. Perhaps his former ranks were evading him with purpose? Did they want ShadowClan to solve this without their guidance? He didn't know. He didn't have the answers.
Peace only came when Grimrose spoke up, logic and certainty in her voice that quelled the gathering cats. Waspsight dipped his head to her, grateful for her interference. As Ratshadow and Cavernsight spoke up, both with valid concerns towards the toms' behavior and their arguing, the medicine cat understood where they came from. And he didn't doubt that many other cats in ShadowClan felt as they did, too.
"For now," He began, stepping forward to the crowd, "I will keep ShadowClan's best interest at heart, as I always have. With the assistance of our senior warriors, they and I will assign patrols and duties for the time being." The calico tom glanced in the direction of the warriors present, pausing for their nods of agreement before he continued. "I don't intend to act as leader of ShadowClan, but I will keep the peace for my Clan in the meantime. Aspenwood, Ravenclaw, I would appreciate your cooperation."
"I promise that we will come to a conclusion as far as Mercuryrose's last words are concerned. In the meantime, the two of you should carry yourselves with nobility worthy of a leader- instead of arguing between the two of yourselves on who gets to be leader. You're not kits anymore. You need to prove that to your Clan that you're the one who should be leading them."