ShadowClan Deputy 2020

It had been some time since Flintshard had his...Conversation with Mothglow. He was certain it was the first of many as they struggled to make sense of the reality they were now in. They had buried Thornstar and he had ended up slipping back into her den...His den and now simply laid curled there as he basked in her scent - although it was already stale as she had been spending time in either the nursery for Mothglow's den as she recovered from her sudden illness. Soon it would fade all together, he supposed. He sighed, taking in a deep breath as he pushed himself from the nest and padded from the leader's den.

As much as he wanted to remain in there, there was still one last thing to do for the night. He had to name a deputy. A huff escaped him as he jumped onto the Jaggedrock, glancing at the camp which was eerier quiet as everybody took time to themselves or were only speaking in hushed whispers. Would ShadowClan ever be the same? He doubted it, Thornstar's presence had always been a powerful one, even when she had fallen ill. Her absence was noticeable but that was how it was. She was always going to leave them one day, he supposed. "ShadowClan! Gather in the shadow of the Jaggedrock!" he called out finally.

It was time.

Sitting among the growing crowd next to the newly named Tulipfang, Daisyflame and his daughter stared up at Jaggedrock. Daisyflame had been to more deputy ceremonies than he could count and it wasn't anything out of the ordinary for the white and ginger tom. Though tragic and sometimes hard to get past, leaders would die, some sooner than others, and Daisyflame had learned to cope with the losses over the years. So, once again, he sat bellow his new leader, wondering which cat would be named the next deputy of ShadowClan.

Juniperkit pranced our of the nursery and sat down. Her fur smoothe, and her mother sitting behind her. She kept herself clean, and never liked to go to an important meeting looking like a mess. Her mother had taught her to always try and look nice, even if the cause isn’t a good one.

Redpaw entered the camp right as her Clanmates started gathering under the Jaggedrock. She dropped her prey on the fresh-kill pile, and sat down with her Clanmates.
Is this the deputy ceremony?

Flintshard stared down at the gathering of cats beneath him, scanning the crowd for the cat he had chosen. He knew his choice was...A strange one but he had faith in his choice. He wasn't looking for might at his side - he had enough of that. What he truly needed was a heart to guide him. "As the new leader of ShadowClan, I cannot rule alone. Another must take my place as deputy and that is why I have called you all here. I say these words so that Thornstar may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of ShadowClan...Is Ravenmist." His eyes fell onto the blind warrior as he said those words, hoping he had made a good choice. The other Clans could perhaps scorn him for choosing a sightless deputy but in truth, he hoped that Ravenmist would serve a greater purpose.

The tom failed to understand emotions, the small things that could drive cats to make strange and unthinkable choices. He also needed somebody who would keep him on the straight and narrow - somebody who perhaps would question his choices. With Ravenmist and Mothglow at his side... He wasn't sure of his previous choice to agree to StarClan's demands. ShadowClan was safe for now but for how long? He could only hope that if ShadowClan did somehow gain the wrath of the Stars agian...The two would serve as allies to help him make the right choices. For as blind as Ravenmist was, he was certain that she saw the world in a way that he failed to grasp and that was what he needed most of all in a time like this.

He jumped down from the Jaggedrock, stepping toward her as he dipped his head - even if it was a meaningless gesture. "I have faith in you, Ravenmist. I have need of your heart, not your fighting skills whatever they may be. You will do ShadowClan proud, I have no doubts in that."

Listening as Flintshard went on and continued his ceremonial words, he knew it must've been hard for the younger tom, being put up on the rock without his mother's guidance. It had to be hard for any-cat to be up there, especially after their leader had been lost in battle or brutally murdered... Great StarClan, now that he thought about it, times had become rough for ShadowClan lately.

Once Flintshard called out the ShadowClan's new deputy, Daisyflame's voice rose into the air with his clanmates as he chanted mate's name. "Ravenmist! Ravenmist!" the tom chanted along with his daughter and clan. The she-cat whom he called his love, though impaired in her eye-sight, was a noble cat and he was certain that she would serve their clan well. "I'm so proud of you," he purred to the dark pelted she-cat.

Ravenmist stuttered for a moment, utterly shocked. Her? Of all the cats in the Clan? Daisyflame was more capable than her, so many others more confident. And yet Flintshard chose her. The blind warrior. She was born to her father when he was only deputy, and now she was being called upon to follow in his pawsteps.

She flicked her tail, dipping her head. "I promise to serve and protect this Clan to the best of my abilities. Flintshard, thank you." Her words sounded so much more confident than she felt, stepping towards the rock on shaky paws. Would she be able to do this, sightless? She had gotten this far. She had trained two apprentices. Perhaps she could do this. Whatever happened, she had to. She couldn't let Flintshard down. Couldn't let her Clan down.

Her mate's voice only strengthened her resolve, and in his voice she could almost imagine the voice of Scorchstar, cheering her forward. Supporting her when her world suddenly went black for the first time. She would follow in her father's path. She wouldn't let ShadowClan down.

Crowpaw was a bit surprised at her mentor's choice in new deputy but she knew had watched and seen her clan grow as warriors and apprentices even while she was a kit. She knew the skills and morals of her clan. In times like these Crowpaw knew that the clan needed a strong backbone to keep themselves together. Ravenmist was a bit of a nervous mess but her heart was in the right place even while everything went on in under Thornstar's rule. The black and white molly apprentice padded over towards the new deputy and despite not being good at showing much emotion she did have a soft spot for cats like Ravenmist. She hoped that her small smile at least echoed in her words as the older warrior wouldn't be able to see it on her face.

"Congrats Ravenmist. I know Flintshard's choice was surprising to us all but he speaks from the heart even if he doesn't always think he does. He finds strength in you and I hope that you will be able to guide him when he's lost his footing." the apprentice meowed to the elder warrior.

"Shadowclan is going through so much in such a short time but as long as we got strong hearts and fighting spirits to get us through we will be alright together as a clan and family. That's something you and Flintshard both need to realize and keep in mind. We will be there every step of the way to be able to help you when we can! My mentor's a bit of a thick skull sometimes so he'll definitely need your logical and more...moralistic side of things." she teased aiming to ease the nervous cat before looking towards her mentor and gave him a small nod.

"Changes are in the air Flintshard....Just don't forget your promise and your dream to make this clan great again! We don't expect more than you are capable of giving us as our new leader. I'm sorry it had to be this soon though I know you will do just fine. And you have the right cats on your side." she dipped her head towards him and smiled slightly before brushing a tail along Ravenmist's shoulder in silent congratulations before stepping away hoping she did not speak too boldly out of term.