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."
Moonlight
Mysterious Stranger
It took some time to find the center of Shadowclan's marshy territory: the springy, wet ground didn't hold scents well, and the carpet of pine needles left few pawprints. But once he heard the first of the voices - yowling like that, as though there could be no danger from it! - it was easy to make his way toward its source. The single voice had swelled into many, sounding argumentative. Moonlight listened as he made a lap around the edges of the clearing, just out of sight of the Clan cats, who at any rate seemed more interested in their quarrel. Two of them were the principal players, he gathered, and the Clan was divided between them. Not at all what he'd expected. But it may prove advantageous.
After he'd completed his circuit around the camp, he found its main entrance and slid inside. He sat at the edge of the clearing and folded his tail over his front paws, wondering when - or if - he'd be noticed in the commotion.
Morningpaw recognized the call for a meeting, though not the voice that issued it. Poking her head from Waspsight’s den, where they’d been chatting and sorting herbs (he’d attempted to keep her out, claiming that embalming was no activity for an apprentice. Her twin gaze fixed on the tom calling the Clan to order. What was his name again? Morningpaw still knew precious few Warriors names, still being new to this whole apprentice thing.
Oh, what’s this? She watched in silence as another Warrior– this one she did know, Ravenclaw, a tom who’d complimented her hunting once– intervened and began arguing about succession. Oh dear, that’s right… She recalled Hareflight’s speculation on the situation and how the transfer of power had been muddied by the unexpected and sudden death of Mercuryrose. I’m really not a fan of the mortality rate here. What were you thinking, mom?
She’d assumed that the dark-furred tom’s call for order was an indication that a decision had been reached by…whoever’s job it was to do that.The Elders, most likely. Such was the way in the outlands, in family groups. But not here.
“Isn’t there like…some kind of vote we should do?” She muttered to the cat closest to her. Casting stones wasn’t unheard of where she was from, it seemed to her like it would work here as well. She noted Rowanshade standing close by the other tomcat, uncharacteristically quiet. It was clear where Feahterpaw's mentor's stone would be cast.
“I protect and provide for my clanmates and treat them with respect and dignity, and speak out when I find them behaving in a deplorable manner. It wouldn’t do to have Shadowclan looking like a bunch of Starclanless ruffians with no regards towards those they’ve lost, especially one as important as Mercuryrose. Which, by the way, I’m part of your family as well. Though I wasn’t as close to Mercuryrose as some, I still loved and respected her. You would know that if you didn’t have a bunch of bees swarming around your brain, Aspenwood. At least Ravenclaw has the sense of knowing when to act with humility and grace as a Leader should when he has been rightfully called out for unbecoming behavior, and not make a scene.”
He snorted, shaking his head, looking at Aspenwood as though he was a father reprimanding his unruly kit.
Once upon a time Ratshadow may have let an insult to his looks claw and hook deep underneath his skin, but he’d grown up tough after having others put him down for his looks. Also, he was born this way, not much he could do about it but live with it.
At least it had its advantages, such as intimidating other cats in battle who looked at him as if he had some sort of disease. Most would steer clear of him if they could help it. Once, it had been a curse, but now it was honestly a blessing, especially since Ratshadow was not much for socializing. In fact he loathed sharing tongues with his clanmates.
Most of them annoyed him.
“Also, I might not be much of a looker, but at least I treat my fellow warriors with grace and dignity like a real leader should. Not that I wish to have that position, I’m humble enough in admitting that being a warrior is where my place in the clan is. And, though I might not shine on the outside, at least I shine on the inside and I don’t put my clanmates down and have rot in my heart, unlike SOME cats.”
He finished, keeping his voice steady, not wanting to give Aspenwood the satisfaction of eliciting a rise out of him. That’s what the tom wanted in the end, anyway. He wanted to ruffle Ratshadow’s pelt, wanted him to make a right fool of himself, so Aspenwood would look better in comparison.
Well he was yowling up the wrong tree, he wasn’t going to get it. With that he turned his attention to Grimrose and sighed in utter relief that someone here also had a lick of sense.
“I believe that’s our best course of action. I have no reservations. I have also made up my mind on who I think should be leader, but I’ll abstain from speaking my mind for the time being.”
He didn’t need to say it, it was obvious is wasn’t Aspenwood. Therefore it could only be Ravenclaw. Though Ratshadow was all but certain that the tom was cross with him as well, at least he didn’t act like an entitled kit
over it.
Aspenwood
+
Ravenclaw
Shadowclan Leader(s) ?
Aspenwood’s eyes were narrowed slightly when staring down Ravenclaw, his orange eyes were emotionless and hard. Ravenclaw’s golden eyes remained cold as well, the two males staring each other down. It wasn’t until Cavernsight’s broke them out of their trace that caused Ravenclaw turn towards the mountain cat with a snort, narrowing his eyes. While the mountain cat was right, they needed some kind of answer from Starclan themselves.Has Waspsight heard anything from the spirits? Glancing towards the calico tom, he couldn’t read the medicine cat’s expression. This would be harder than he thought, it appeared that the clan was already divided in leadership. The black tom let out a soft sigh, shaking his head slightly.
It wasn’t until Ratshadow opened his mouth that caused both Ravenclaw and Aspenwood to become annoyed.
“Excuse me, but who are you again?” Aspenwood looked towards the black tom below them with a bored facial expression. The dark gray tabby squinted for a moment as he was trying to remember Ratshadow “I’m sorry, I’m trying to remember any notable thing that you’ve done for Shadowclan besides looking like you needed to be out of your misery with your looks and reek of desperation.” Aspenwood said, unimpressed with the Shadowclan Warrior. Ratshadow was the least of his worries, but he didn’t like how the warrior spoke of Mercuryrose as if he knew her like family. While Ravenclaw had more claim to the former Shadowclan leader as she was his mother.. Mercuryrose was one of the few that truly believed in him, treated him as her own. The former leader had trained him in her image.
“Aspenwood.” Ravenclaw said firmly to his cousin and rival. Aspenwood looked back at the other tom with narrowed eyes. The two males were complete opposites of each other, and they both knew it. Why didn’t Mercuryrose name her heir by name? It was making everything more complicated than it had to be. Aspenwood cleared his throat and spoke to the crowd “While we await answers from Starclan about who will become leader.. I will do leadership duties while Ravenclaw is the deputy in the meantime.” Aspenwood said, pleased with his own choice. A couple of felines agreed with him, while others had looked at him as if he grew another head.
“Absolutely not.” Ravenclaw said, to which he was interrupted by Grimrose. The injured queen was sitting in front of Waspsight’s den, wrapped in bandages from Twilightfoot’s attack. Crowkit and Eclipsekit were passing a moss ball back and forth, clearly bored of the meeting “We should let Waspsight be in charge of the clan.. Until Starclan chooses.” The black and gray oriental molly spoke, to which both males fell silent. Both Aspenwood and Ravenclaw held high respect for Grimrose and Murkywolf as they were very close to Mercuryrose, they were all soldiers together in the city. Grimrose bit the inside of her cheek once noticing the attention was her as she quietly looked down “While we don’t know Mercuryrose’s wishes, it’s best for Waspsight to decide what’s best for our clan.. He will remain in the middle, he won’t be biased.. And I know that Mercuryrose would trust him with Shadowclan while a leader is chosen” Grimrose said, her singular eye shining while looking at the male calico.
“Does anyone object?” Ravenclaw questioned, looking at the crowd.
~Ratshadow~
“And I care not if you forgive me for my reservations.” Ratshadow’s voice followed after Cavernsight’s reproach of the two bickering toms, who were making themselves look quite the fools, “I do not believe that Mercuryrose would approve the fact that you are acting like spoiled little kits, fighting over the role that should have been rightfully hers, if she had not joined the stars. Shame on the both of you for acting in such an unbecoming manner.”
He didn’t give a flying feather who was meant to be Leader, what he felt anger over was the blatant manner in which Aspenwood and Ravenclaw were conducting themselves.
He rose to his paws, and glared at the two of them, a scowl stretched itself across his maw as he stared the two of them down without a hint of hesitation. He was not afraid to speak his mind and would not apologize for what he was about to say.
It was utterly asinine that Aspenwood and Ravenclaw were struggling for the Leadership position, squabbling over it as though it were nothing but a piece of prey, did either of them even know exactly what the weight of Leadership entailed? It was frankly disgusting that they would treat this matter so.... untactfully.
The mere fact that the two were already at one another’s throats showed a lack of grace and tact that a Leader should possess.
“The fact that you two would argue over being Leader, when Mercuryrose has only just left us is disgraceful. You dishonor her with your actions and your words. As far as I am concerned, both of you are guilty of being selfish.”
The audacity of these self-entitled toms was starting to sink into his skin and burn deep into his body. He could only imagine just how Mercuryrose might be feeling as she watched this shameless scene unfold within the clan she had given her life for.
“Instead of waiting for a sign from Starclan that tells you for certain who was meant to lead- you would rather show us how neither of you are fit for Leadership with this audacious display of contempt. Forgoing any attempt at handling this issue like a true Leader with humility, grace and patience, you act like kits fighting over a piece of prey. Leadership is a heavy commitment, not something to be taken lightly! Mercuryrose gave her LIFE for the clan and for the both of you, and this is how you repay her? Going at one another’s throats? You bring upon us all shame in the eyes of Starclan, but more egregiously than that- you dishonor Mercuryrose’s sacrifice with your petty rivalry and your insolent attempts at a power grab for Leadership.” His thin and wiry fur bristled across his spine, as he shook his head. "Neither of you are FIT to be Leader as you are now! Learn some humility and still your tongues! Whoever is meant to be our Leader will be clear in time, and the one who is willing to wait for the sign surely will be the one who is meant for Leadership."
Cavernsight
The quirky mountain-cat of Shadowclan
Mercuryrose's death had hit the clan hard, that much Cavernsight could tell. Admittedly, he was deeply saddened himself. Shadowclan had been nothing but welcoming to him, and for the one who was meant to guide them to thrive to die so suddenly and so awfully, of course it was going to be hard. But what the feather-tailed tom didn't expect was for two young toms to begin squabbling like kits over the burdens of leadership. Whilst he had been sat on his haunches beside Flutterlily, the tall tom felt compelled to stand up and approach the High Point to address the two potential leaders directly. "Forgive me if I... speak out of line, Aspenwood, Ravenclaw." He began, voice level and calm. Whilst it had been a long time since he had joined Shadowclan, his own past of death and despair still haunted him at every moment. With time, the grief had lessened, but it never fully vanished. "But I'm sure both of you would understand our concerns... to have two potential leaders who have less life experience than a more seasoned warrior."
The brown tom stands more upright, "And with the two of you squabbling like kits, how will we ever have any success in figuring out who should become leader in the first place?"