![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6b0789_a40beb15b32a45a8812e81e75b5d958b~mv2.gif)
Spottedkoi
Riverclan Deputy No one could have expected her first gathering as deputy to be the Thunderclan leader threatening the other clans to surrender all their “code breakers.” There was no way Copperstar or Spottedkoi would agree to such terms, they would protect their clanmates with their last breath. Copperstar had been busy handling things with the other leaders, working on theories and strategies to handle Juncostar and Hawkstar, so even more so than before the day to day protection of the clan fell on Spottedkois shoulders. She wasn’t sure if she was up for the task but knowing Venomrose had her back the molly felt confident in her choices. The deputy had daily meetings with her warriors, she needed to be on top of anything even slightly out of the ordinary that happened on their patrols. The younger warriors were in charge of morning patrols, while she had senior warriors handle night patrols knowing they had more knowledge and experience should something happen during the night. Everyone had been affected by the delusional leaders demands, even the apprentices were no longer allowed at night, meanwhile queens and elders were too restless to sit around and often were found helping Venomrose prepare his herb storage and stocking up on items that would be needing should Thunderclan and Shadowclan attack.
Warriors were posted in different corners of their camp as guards, should they challenge her clan they were prepared. At least that’s what Spottedkoi and the rest of the clan assumed, but nothing could have prepared her for the dark cloud hanging over their heads.
The air had an eerie stillness to it, even the crickets seemed to have checked out for the night. Spottedkoi could feel something watching her, constantly glancing over her shoulder. The deputy herself decided to stand guard this night in an attempt to quiet her uneasy nerves, she found herself pacing back and forth most of the night, making sure all corners were covered. During the changing of the guard is when all hell broke loose, felines flying into their camp from the shadows, yowls from the cats jolting the rest of their camp awake. The combined forces of the two clans easily overpowering Riverclan, the fearful thoughts of her clanmates ringing loudly in her mind, their only option was clear to Spottedkoi they needed to leave. Grabbing the closest Riverclanner to her, barking orders to evacuate the elders and nursery, while demanding another to help Venomrose with his stash and meet at the rendezvous point. Spottedkoi wasn’t known for being very loud or vocal but she knew if she didn’t search for her voice Riverclan would be separated and they’d lose their clanmates, digging deep Spottedkois voice boomed within their clan. “Riverclan Retreat!” Thank Starclan they had practiced and discussed their rendezvous points during their meetings so she didn’t waste time mid battle telling them where to meet. Spottedkoi made sure she was the last one loyal to Riverclan to leave the camp, her eyes glazed over in horror as she scanned the clearing. The ground was decorated in clumps of fur and blood, friend and foe alike, the scent of blood thickly tainted the air. They might have lost their clan but she was proud of her clan, they fought tooth and claw for each other, she knew they’d be able to figure things out together.
Spottedkoi kept the pace at the back, while her most trusted warriors kept to the front and both sides of the traveling clan, in charge of making sure no one got lost or left behind. Once safely outside of clan territory, Riverclan set up a temporary camp, sheltering first their youngest and oldest. Apprentices were in charge of being the extra paws around ‘camp’ making sure the kits didnt stray and the elders were comfortable. Meanwhile the warriors were split into different groups, some guarding their temporary base, others hunting for food and gathering items to build shelters, Venomrose working hard to heal their wounded. Spottedkoi counted and counted again but she knew some of her clan was missing, panic rising in her paws as she was unsure if they were simply lost or if they chose to side with Thunderclan and Shadowclan or if…. No, she refused to think the worst. Her clan needed her here and now, she couldn’t focus on those who didn’t escape camp, not now. She’d go back for them later, but safety of the group was her first priority.
Her warriors were tired, running on pure fumes or maybe adrenaline, but whatever it was she was proud of her clan. They knew what needed to be done and were working hard to do it. They needed to address their clan, but it was clear Copperstar was in no state to do so, leaving her leader in Venomroses capable paws the deputy stepped forth, “May all cats of Riverclan join before me for a clan meeting.” Making the decision that all cats needed to hear her words, from the youngest kitten to the eldest elder, and adjusting her calls accordingly
“Riverclan, I know this is not an easy time and I know you are tired. I must thank you all for working hard and protecting our clan. Know now that no matter where we are we are still Riverclan! I assure you we will get our camp back from those false leaders, but for now I must ask you now to push forward, push past the pain, push past the exhaustion and be there for those clan mates who need us.” Standing before her clanmates the awkward and barely verbal Spottedkoi seemingly vanished and her grandmother Wisteriastar stood before the clan instead, the molly trying her hardest to channel the great Riverclan leader and ignore her own want to hide behind her mate. Her words wouldn’t fix everything but she meant every bit of it, they would get their camp back. A new blazing confidence upon the deputy, as she stood before her clanmates.
~Copperstar the reborn and resolved Leader of Riverclan~
Copperstar was truly blessed by the stars, to have such a wonderful clan, because when Thunderclan and Shadowclan had invaded not only did the elders, but the previously sick and injured cats, his medicine cat and even the newly named apprentices stood strong against the stormy sea of the bloody plague that Thunderclan and Shadowclan had brought upon their shores.
They did not give into the demands of Hawkstar, they did not sway or break, when he called upon them to exile their so called ‘codebreakers’ and instead when the time came, they fought with the strength of the might Leopardclan of old. Pride swelled like ocean waves and surged in his chest, as he realized his clan was stronger than he ever gave them credit for.
Since the moment he was named Deputy, to the day he had become Leader, Copperstar didn’t believe he could be the Leader that Riverclan needed. He thought that his leadership would have ruined his clan, left them weak and crumbling.
Yet somehow, here they were, strong and unyielding, even as they had been chased from their home.
It was here and now that Copperstar made a solemn and silent vow to himself, that he should believe in himself more, because despite his lack of belief- Riverclan still believed in themselves and in the stars above.
Copperstar would need to formally address his clan once he was in condition to do so, at current moment, he had many wounds that still burned with the fires of battle. And, more than that, though he hadn’t breathed a word, he had lost a life in the chaos of the claws and the teeth.
Even he couldn’t quite recall the moment he heard a sickening crunch in the back of his skull, nor did he know exactly when after the dark beckoning of death took him, but he knew one thing. He had indeed lost a life, and now only have eight lives left to spare.
The only ones that were perhaps privy to his loss of a life were Hawkstar, Juncostar, Venomrose, Spottedkoi and his daughter Starfishpaw, who had had tried to leap into the fray to protect her clan. Pride and fear flooded his chest, knowing just how brave but also reckless his daughter was becoming gave him pause for thought.
He would have to keep an eye out on her, so that he could correct her from becoming too headstrong, because though he did not blame her, at the end of the day if she hadn’t tried her paw in battle then perhaps, he’d still have all his nine lives.
In reality it was the fault of Shadowclan and Thunderclan that left him down a life, but Starfishpaw also played a role in it. But how could he fault her, she didn’t mean for him to lose a life, and of course Copperstar had no qualms in giving up his life for anyone in his clan.
Still, actions had consequences, and he would have to give her a stern talking to later.
As he sat there, letting his thoughts slowly settle, Copperstar knew that he should at least go around and check on his clan. Even if Venomrose had explicitly told him to stay put, he couldn’t just do nothing. Surely the clan would feel more at ease with their Leader up and about, keeping his eyes out on them and around the clearing for any possible signs that Thunderclan or Shadowclan might return to finish what they started.
Copperstar gathered all the strength he had, and rose to his paws, allowing them to carry him forward to those closest to him, Darktorrent, Honeywisp, Stormytide and Sparrowpaw. He winced inwardly as he took notice of their battle wounds, which would no doubt leave them scarred, for either moons to come or perhaps their entire lives.
“You all fought bravely today,” he addressed the group of cats, giving them an exhausted smile, “I commend you all for your part in the battle, though we may have lost, know that the battle was only lost, and the war will be won by us. Every single one of you did your best today, and you deserve a well-earned rest, especially dear Sparrowpaw. Please, if any of you need anything, do not hesitate to come to Spottedkoi, Venomrose or myself. Even if you may just need a listening ear.”