A New Era [RiverClan's New Deputy]

The laws of old time dictated that a deputy had to be appointed before moonhigh of the very same day a new leader stepped up. For all of recorded history, such had been the custom. Thus, even though Scorchclaw was far from ready, he found himself standing at the base of the willow tree when dusk fell. The last rays of the dying sun glimmered over the horizon, casting an almost reddish glow across the island camp. Perhaps the large tabby's imagination was acting up, for he fancied that the river water, glimpsed through a break in the reeds, was scarlet with all of the blood Jaystar had lost in it. His rational side scoffed, wondering if he had finally gone mad from the pressure. But the somber mood that permeated the air was all too real. To be able to feel such pain, surely he had to be sane! His clanmates were grieving―grieving the loss of a leader that had led them through thick and thin. As for himself... it was no different. He had thought that he hated the silver tom; in fact, he still believed he did. Maybe he was right. But, just for today, he would allow himself to grieve. Surely that was allowable... Bunching his muscles, he leaped up unto the Willow Branch.

Scorchclaw inhaled once and then exhaled. The time had come; delaying any longer would do no one any good. Straightening up so that he stood at full height, he lashed his feathery tail. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Willow Branch for a clan meeting!" The green eyes that glimmered in the shadow of the willow trees were colder, more inexpressive than usual. A shadow dwelled within their depths, one that had only grown stronger with time. The tom still had no idea if he could truly lead RiverClan, but there was no one else who would take the job. He had been the one chosen by Jaystar; he had to fulfill his duty. Only time would tell what the future ahead of him was like.

Hold your head up. They need you.

If there was one thing Scorchclaw was certain about, it was his choice for the next deputy of RiverClan. It had taken him some time to settle on a decision, but once he had, he knew he had made the right one. It was possible that those who would oppose his decision existed, but he could not care any less. He would not allow anything like the Shade-incident to occur again.

Dappleshine had been staring at nothing, between the loss of their leader and the swift departure soon after Jaystar's final breath of Sparkfrost, her daughter going after him, she was cast into a dull silence. The camp was so quiet, without Dacepaw around... She wasn't sure what to tell everyone. For the time, she just said that they had gone together, but she wasn't sure where. It was only partly the truth, and though her heart yearned for the two to return, she knew that Sparkfrost had no intention to. He was following the path he chose for himself, and that path was one he would have to walk alone. No, not alone. Dacepaw, her dear, sweet kit, would walk it with him, keeping his paws in line. She had been so quick to go after her father, and though Dappleshine's mind and heart screamed to beg her to stay, she couldn't bring herself to try to force her to leave her father to walk away... Even if it meant that she was left behind herself. A familiar voice speaking familiar words, although they had never mixed this way before, raised her head from where she mourned for the loss of not just her leader, but her family as well.

She didn't move, still hoping without hope that she would hear the familiar pawsteps of her daughter returning, but her eyes met her adopted father's with an unspeakable sadness shadowing their depths.

Berrycloud left the warrior's den and sat down next to Dappleshine, quiet, lost. Jaystar's death was one thing... especially considering the recent reveal of him being his true father but Sparkfrost? What he did... was so selfish. He just left Riverclan with Dacepaw, leaving his siblings, his family behind and stripping the poor young she-cat from her kit. He had always loved his brother but now... all he could do was... despise what he had done. Sparkfrost could be many things but what he would have never expected of him was being a traitor and a coward. Somehow... he hated him but couldn't stop worrying about him and that just made him mad and sad.

He didn't lift up his head to look up to Scorchclaw. He wasn't interested in being deputy anyways and he doubted he would ever be one. For Berrycloud, being a loyal, good and accepted warrior of Riverclan, his true home was enough. His gaze shifted to Dappleshine, whose blue eyes seemed dull and empty, somehow similar to his own. Empathetic, he gently touched her tail with his own bushy one, as a way to say: "you're not alone... I understand..."

---

Redpaw was confused, sad and... scared? She wasn't sure. It wasn't long ago she was made apprentice yet so many things had happened. Jaystar, who had always been there even before she was born, was dead. Old warriors said he joined the stars, along with other many great leaders and warriors. And that also meant that her own father, Scorchclaw, had to take his place. She was happy for him, she couldn't deny that. Despite her young age, she understood that being a leader was a great honour but at the same time... that also made her the daughter AND apprentice of the leader and as such, she should be meant to accomplish great thing, wasn't it?

The red-tailed she-cat sat down next to the branch, shifting her paws anxiously because of the crowd but she tried to contain her own insecurities. She had to be there for her papa and mentor. Dealing with the death of his own mentor... his leader... shouldn't be easy. Scorchclaw knew Jaystar way before her. They must have had some bond and even if it wasn't the best one... it must be odd for him to not see him around, leading this clan. It was already weird for her and she was just seven moons old.

With shaking paws, Ivybrook slowly made her way to the middle of camp. She'd hardly had time to think before Scorchclaw was on the branch, calling her Clanmates together for a meeting. She was well aware of what the meeting would be about- as tradition went, a new deputy had to be named by moonhigh, whether the Clan was ready for that or not. Her whiskers trembled as she found a seat next to Berrycloud, finding comfort in the larger tom's presence. She wasn't entirely sure about his thoughts or opinions on their father, or on Sparkfrost... But she knew that he was her brother and that she loved him no matter what. Her silver fur, still soaked with water from the Gorge, stood on end at the thought of her brother and his offspring. Sparkfrost had wanted to leave for a while, apparently, but why now? In a time where his Clan and family needed him the most, he decided to vanish completely. Her chartreuse green eyes were glazed over, cheeks still wet with the tears she'd shed what felt like just moments ago.

Addershade turned as much of his attention as he could to the clan meeting, his thoughts still swirling in a shaking dissonance. This is how the world goes, bad things happen, that's how it is, that's how it is... he kept repeating to himself, as if he were still trying to brace for the impact despite having already crashed to the ground. More than anything, he wanted to rush off like he usually did when stressed or upset, not wanting to show those emotions to anyone. But then he thought back to his warrior ceremony, remembered that moment of connection he had felt, that hope that he would be actually be able to really, truly trust someone...trust his clanmates. And he realized that right now, after what had just happened, was the exact moment where he shouldn't, couldn't, retreat and be by himself. These were his clanmates, and they were just as distressed as he was. He didn't have to isolate himself. Didn't have to be alone. His rushing thoughts quieted for a moment, and he regained his hold on the present, able to now turn his full attention to what was going on around him, not what had happened before or what might happen in the future. His thoughts clear, he now gave his full attention to the announcement. What mattered right now was listening, not overthinking.

Minkpaw sat in the clearing, his dull eyes betraying nothing. Inside, he was as cold and empty as his eyes. It had been... a shock... for lack of a better word. He should have left, and if he hadn't still had things he needed to do.... But eventually his paws had driven back in to camp bare moments before. He knew what was coming, and some part of him was curious to know who would be deputy - the part that wasn't frozen over like the river in the dead of leaf-bare. Of course, it couldn't be one of his relatives, since they were all dead, but maybe it would at least be someone he knew....

He let his mind blank, staring up at the cat who was now their leader. What would happen now?

The clan gathered slowly. From his vantage point in the willow tree, Scorchclaw could take in the view of the absolute grief and devastation that had been wrought on his clanmates. For a long time, Jaystar had been the center of their clan. He had been the one to lead them, to make the major decisions. He had protected them from Lichenmask's genocidal intentions, and he had also been the one to build the clan back up in the aftermath of the flood. Now that tom was gone, and his second-in-command was taking over. The gaping absence the deceased leader had left was already beginning to be felt. To his very last breath, Jaystar had been loved and admired by his people. That love would linger on within them; it was crushing them at this moment, but once the grief had passed, they would enshrine his memory in their hearts.

Scorchclaw opened his maw, intending to speak. For the first time, however, his mind drew a blank. What was he to say here? He could not fill the gap that Jaystar had left; he was sure of that fact. As the leader, it was his duty to lift RiverClan up when all hope seemed lost. When they were weak, he was to show them strength. He knew that well, but the words were suddenly lost to him. He had never been particularly adept at speaking, but he had always managed to find something. His green gaze scanned the faces of those in the crowd, the dozens of grief-filled eyes staring back up at him. His reflection seemed to appear in those eyes―weak, struggling, desperately attempting to put up a powerful front as he hid behind the shields of tradition and rationality. It was the side of himself that he hated the most. He gritted his teeth, unsheathed claws tearing new furrows in the willow bark. Go away. He ordered the reflection. Leave me be.

The smile Jaystar had displayed in his last moments flitted back into Scorchclaw's memory. It had been the smile of a cat who had finally found forgiveness and peace after torturous moons of struggle. Even after taking his last breath, Jaystar's expression had not faded; it was now frozen on his features for all eternity. Could one take a look at the peaceful rest that had come over the leader, and really believe that he was headed for the Dark Forest? Somehow, Scorchclaw did not think so. What he wanted for the leader had nothing to do with what he believed had happened. Rather, it was a simply a feeling within him. What about his own end? The thought struck him suddenly. Would he have that kind of peace?

"... RiverClan, I believe you all know why I have called this meeting." Shoving the thought aside, Scorchclaw forcefully stumbled into speech. There was no looking back now. He had to go on; it was the only direction open to his future. "Jaystar has passed away. He lost his last lives in the Gorge, while attempting to save one of our warriors." Any praise he could give the leader at this point seemed hollow and fake. The whole clan had heard his outburst at Jaystar's death. He swallowed, and the tip of his tail twitched in betrayal of his anxiety. "The stars have gained one more of their number, and when night falls, he will be seen alongside them. Before I travel to the Moonstone to claim my nine lives, I will appoint a new deputy. I say these words before StarClan, and before Jaystar and Ivystar. Let them approve of my choice. The new deputy of RiverClan will be Ivybrook."

With those words, Scorchclaw's choice was announced to the whole clan. The ceremony was not yet over, however. He knew all too well the danger of having someone who disapproved of his choice. "Ivybrook." He addressed the grieving warrior. He knew that she was not one to feel pleasure at the appointment, especially not in this situation. In fact, it was possible that she had no desire to take up the role. "In comparison to the other warriors, you are young. Perhaps you doubt your ability to lead, but age has never meant much in relation to a cat's heart. Despite what you knew about your origins, you gave your wholehearted loyalty and devotion to this clan. There are few finer qualities to be found in a RiverClan warrior. For as long as you continue to love this clan with all the fervency of your young life, this clan will love you back and accept you without question―that is my pledge. Are you willing to offer that strength and determination to RiverClan?"

The feeling of fur brushing her own startled her, and she turned to meet Berrycloud's gaze. Seeing her own emptiness echoed in his eyes, she simply leaned against him slightly, returning the silent encouragement. She and Berrycloud had never been particularly close, but he was here, grieving as well, even if it was different. Ivybrook settled on his other side, and she looked at her for a long moment before Scorchclaw began to speak once more. Her attention turning back to the Willow Branch, she mentally noted to take a moment to even just sit with the she-cat soon. The words Scorchclaw spoke seemed forced, but Dappleshine couldn't blame him. So much had been lost, and while the river would continue to flow, the cats that were fed by it's current would need time to grieve and recuperate from the shock of the loss of it's leader. The tom honored the late leader before turning the focus to the new deputy, and for the first time she realized what this meeting would entail. Her eyes never left her father as he spoke, announcing the new deputy would be... Ivybrook.

Her heart warmed slightly with pride for the she-cat just tail lengths away, but the weight of the atmosphere made it hard to cheer for her. Still, they were family... Or were they still, after Sparkfrost had left? Now that he and Dacepaw were gone, they had no reason to stay with her, and if they didn't, then she would be alone again. Scorchclaw would be busy with his leadership duties, Magpiepaw still wasn't talking to her, and she wished for a moment she was at the Gorge. Still, she looked over to Ivybrook as Scorchclaw finished speaking, giving her a nod of encouragement and agreement with Scorchclaw's decision. The she-cat would make a fine deputy.

Though she felt the stare of Dappleshine fall upon her back, Ivybrook kept her gaze planted on the dirt in front of her. It almost felt like she didn't have the energy or the willpower to move her eyes elsewhere, and whenever she did her gaze wandered, lost and unsure of where to stay. When Scorchclaw began speaking, however, it was like her brain commanded her to lift her eyes, to meet the tabby furred tom’s gaze. The fur on her back, still stained with her father’s blood, rose up with every word. Involuntarily, she flinched at the sound of the late leader’s name, and her heart ached at the mention of the “warrior” that he had attempted- and succeeded- to save. The fact that she was still considered a warrior of her Clan was outrageous to her... Though she’d been such a disappointment throughout her moons, somehow she still managed to clutch onto the title.

Ivybrook didn’t give a mouse-tail about who the new deputy would be at that point, so when Scorchclaw declared that he would be naming the new deputy within the next moment, Ivybrook’s ears flickered slightly. She was still stuck in a state of shock unlike anything she had ever experienced, and she was having trouble handling it. At that very moment, all she wanted to do was go curl up in her nest and sleep, perhaps forever. But instead she kept her paws rooted beside her brother, staying to support whoever RiverClan’s new leader chose as his right-hand-cat.

Despite the fact that the soaked she-cat was listening, it was like Ivybrook was not there at all. Her maw was slightly parted as she made eye-contact with Scorchclaw, her gaze locked with his. She’d expected to hear Berrycloud’s name, or perhaps Dappleshine... What was this nonsense? Surely Scorchclaw had thought something as important as his deputy through, hadn’t he? The thought of being Deputy was the second most horrifying thing that Ivybrook could imagine, the first being losing Jaystar. And now, she was to deal with both at the same time? Had Scorchclaw gone mad? But then, she heard her father’s voice resonating inside her head, the sound overcoming those of her Clanmates surrounding her. ’Love your home... your roots... because at the end... it is what truly matters. The bonds we create... the ones who vanishes... the ones who are re-born... forgiveness, loss, love, sorrow and hope... All are part of life and is worth living it. Don't cry for this old, sad tom. I've lived my life... is time for all of you... to live yours and be better... than I was.’ Tears filled her eyes as she thought of her father’s final words, telling her exactly what she needed to hear at that very moment.

Managing to hold back a sob, she nodded as Scorchclaw spoke up once again. She knew for sure that she would never be as good of a deputy as he had been, and she wasn’t entirely sure that she could hold herself to carry out her duties. But despite that, she lifted her chin as she spoke, with the first time in her entire life, with confidence. ”I am.” Her paws still shook as she took a step forward, maintaining eye contact with new leader. ”Thank you for the chance to fill yourself and Jaystar’s pawsteps. I won’t let you down.” Though her voice was shaky, her words were filled with the strength that her Clan now depended on her for.

It had taken a while, but Magpiepaw had managed to pull himself together and sat among the crowd as Scorchclaw, soon to be Scorchstar, prepared to announce the new deputy.  His eyes bleary from crying, Magpiepaw lifted a paw to wipe his face, noticing through his blurred vision Dappleshine sitting nearby, her face a mask of despair.  Feeling his heart skip a beat, his eyes widened as he noticed that Sparkfrost and Dacepaw were nowhere to be seen; instead, Berrycloud and Ivybrook sat with her.  Where are they?  I can't imagine a reason for them to leave camp right before the new deputy is announced...  The voice of Scorchclaw though interrupted his thoughts, and he turned to look up at the dark tabby tom, his serious air of regality just as impressive to him as during his apprentice ceremony.  As he spoke of the loss of Jaystar, Magpiepaw felt a renewed feeling of despair rise within him, but before he could once more sink into that abyss the new deputy's name was called; Ivybrook?

Magpiepaw's mouth dropped open in shock for a moment, but once his adopted sister stepped up and accepted the position, a great smile dawned on the apprentice's face, the first one that day.  She'll do an awesome job!  "I-Ivybrook!  Ivybrook! I-Ivybrook!"  He cheered along with the rest of the clan, for a moment forgetting his sorrow.  Mama would be so proud of her, I hope she can see this!