Sagestar's Elder Ceremony

The gray tabby tom stepped outside of his den, pausing and gazing up at the moon and stars. He wondered again, for how many times - he had lost count, was he making the right choice here? The leader felt extremely uncomfortable, unfinished plans lingering over his head and the threat of WindClan looming over. But what had they to be afraid of? With their strength and numbers, not to mention ThunderClan practically under their control, ShadowClan was poised for greatness. But it couldn't be in his name. He had done much for his clan, he thought, leading them against the Deos, save for his old friend, Almaric. He'd fought with every ounce of his being for his clan, always putting them above all. And then ..
His mind flashed to two young kits in the nursery. His time ended with their birth. He could only trust that now, Nightwing would lead the clan to prosperity, no matter the path taken
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Jagged rock for a clan meeting!"
Did he serve ShadowClan well, he wondered

As soon as Sagestar's yowl entered the warrior's den, Gingerheart quickly got to her feet and walked out to her seat. What could he be calling a meeting for? It wasn't the time for any ceremonies... was it? She was a little confused, but continued to her spot nonetheless. Maybe there was something going on with Thunderclan... or Windclan. Even Riverclan seemed to be off of their side now. She let out a small sigh as she looked up at her fearless leader with a slight look of curiosity.

Thrushstripe glanced over at Sagestar as the leader climbed up onto Jagged rock. It was strange to see how uncertain the leader seemed to be before he called the meeting. Instantly, the young warrior jumped to his feet and quickly made his way over to hear the meeting. What was going on for him to call a meeting? He hoped that Sagestar wouldn't say anything about them losing to one of the clans or possibly even something worse... although he really couldn't think of anything at the moment that could be worse than that.

Nightwing's ears perked up from the spot she was laying. Her bright eyes glanced up at Sagestar, 'It's time.'

As a kit, she looked up to the grey tabby leader as a role model. Someone to look up to, to be like. Being naturally shy as a kitten, she wasn't sure she could fill in Sagestar's paws. She wasn't too outspoken or got going like some of the other kits. Nightwing's dreams had been dampened then. When she became apprentice, words could not have expressed her joy. Sagestar had made her and Cedarfur his apprentices. And, under his teaching, she learned to speak out, hunt, and fight for her clan. Her respect for the slowly growing older tom increased. Soon, she had become a warrior and deputy. Her dreams of leading the clan just as or better then Sagestar did finally did seem within reach. She ad learned to stand her ground, how to navigate the politics of being a leader of a clan. And finally how to teach the young.

It felt like responsibility was slowly being dropped onto her. Like a mouse trying to eat and store as much as it could before winter. The worry, if they would be able to get enough before then, was like her worrying if she would be able to lead the clan well. Would she?

Rising to her paws, Nightwing joined her clanmates for the meeting, her tail swishing calmly as she found a spot closer to the front. Remembering what they had talked about before, Nightwing's heart raced fast. Could she lead the clan well?

Cinderfrost poked her head out of the warrior's den, swearing she heard Sagestar call a meeting. At the sight of the gathering group of cats, her suspicions were confirmed and she stretched, padding out of the den and towards the crowd. Joining next to Gingerheart, she sat down, draping her tail over her paws. Not looking at the elder warrior, she eyed the grey tabby sitting on the jagged rock they used for clan meetings and gathered her thoughts. She didn't know of any ceremonies, was it something concerning the other Clans or something else? And then it struck her-- the black and white deputy, Nightwing. Was Sagestar retiring? No, he couldn't be. He's still got a lot of lives left. Right?

The tom sat down on the rock, his emerald gaze flickering across the clearing as the clan came out to his call. He shot a glance at the black and white deputy who stood in front, sharing a knowing look with her. The clan would be fine, he decided then and there - a bit regretfully in surrendering his position, be he had faith in that the she-cat would do whatever was best for their clan. "ShadowClan -" He started, pausing in the realization that he hadn't himself come up with the right words to say. What could he say? The tabby, as he had done so many times before, glanced up at their ancestors in the sky - hoping that they would provide him with the right words. "It is with deep thought and circumstance, as well as StarClan's guidance, that I announce my retirement as leader." He nearly choked on the words; smirking, as if he could hardly believe them himself, but it had to be done. "It has truly been an honor serving you all and I could not wish for a better clan. By moonhigh, Nightwing and I will be at highstones." He meowed, "The next time you see me, I will have my old warrior name, and Nightwing will be your new leader." He didn't want the meeting to officially last any longer than this, but hesitated still; embracing his last few moments as ShadowClan's leader upon the Jagged Rock before leaping down to meet his warriors.