A New Deputy

The shock of losing Spottedstar had barely settled in. They were out of home, out of territory, and many cats were left dead. But ceremony and tradition marched on. Darkflight hopped up onto a particularly large rock and called out to the cats around her. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather here for a clan meeting." She was leader now, but hadn't gotten her name yet. As the code stated, a new deputy had to be named before the next moonhigh.

Thinstripe padded out of the warriors den, she looked up at Darkflight, she was sad about Spottedstar's death but was happy for Darkflight.

Gentlepaw lifted her head from a squirrel she head been eating, padding closer and taking a seat near Thinstripe. Who would be the next deputy? There weren't many warriors to choose from... She almost thought it was too soon. Spottedstar's death was still fresh in her mind, and rightly so. Besides, wasn't it a little weird to be carrying out a ceremony in a place like this? The apprentice shook her head dismissively. It didn't matter, they still needed a leader regardless of the circumstances.

Tulippaw padded over and watched she had a feeling this was a deputy ceremony and sat to watch the new deputy's face light up with honor.

Frozenflame padded over to the large boulder that Thunderclan's new leader, Darkflight stood upon. Spottedstar had been a great leader, and the tom had respected her more than any other cat he knew. Now that there was a new feline in charge, and Frozenflame's respect and loyalty was shifted fully over to her. The warrior sat down among his fellow clan mates and stared up at Darkflight. His ears drooped with mourning over Spottedstar's death and his soft amber eyes were darkened with tiredness, but Frozenflame was still very strong and forced himself to keep going, for the sake of Thunderclan....or what remained of Thunderclan, at least.

The clan was small. The few cats gathered around her did not dishearten her, however, but only showed how much they could grow. Darkflight took a deep breath. "Thunderclan, I stand here before you as your deputy. Soon, I will visit StarClan to receive my nine lives and bring our clan back to its full strength. I will be choosing a cat to serve as our new deputy." She stopped for a moment to imagine many more cats among them, the rock she was standing on higher. That they were in their rightful home as she did this.

"I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our ancestors may hear and approve my choice," The she-cat locked eyes with the older tom below. "Frozenflame shall be the new deputy of Thunderclan."

Thinstripe turned to Frozenflame with a smile "Good job" she meowed.

Surprise struck Frozenflame as he was chosen to be the deputy. The tom didn't know what to do, so he stood up and smiled. "Thank you, Darkflight, I will carry out my duty to the best of my abilities. May the clan prosper with my help and support, and with your leadership and guidance." Delight filled him while he looked over at Thinstripe, who had congratulated him. "Thank you, Thinstripe." He dipped his head respectfully to her and everyone else.

Gentlepaw dipped her head to Frozenflame, not surprised in the slightest. She had great respect for the older tom. Darkflight couldn't have picked a better cat for the job. "Congratulations" she purred with a warm smile.