The Rise of Froststar (RP)
The rise of Froststar:
Frostclaw sighed in irritatation, her tail flicking, she was late for a lone patrol along the thunderpath, she was hoping to bring Frogpaw but it seemed, that she didn't want to go. Frostclaw knew she should have made her but she didn't have time to do that, and so she went alone. SHe quickly made her way to the southern edge of their territory where the thunderpath started, she sighed as she looked to make sure no monsters were coming before going up right beside the path and started down it making sure their scent markers were still intact she was almost done when she saw something upon the path that stopped her in her tracks, a stone dropping into her stomach and her heart feel heavy. There was a cat, next to a next to a tree,a and it wasn't moving. She quickly made her way over to the cat only to freeze in her tracks. It was Froststar! She cried out as she dashed over to her, and cringed when she saw her. It was obvious that she had been hit by a monster, with all the blood and how broken she looked. She had never seen Froststar so broken and fragile. Tears sprung to her eyes as she laid down next to her, sobs tearing through her body, she couldn't bring her back looking so horrid, so she began to try and clean the blood off. She knew she couldn't get it all out but she tried to at least make her look presentable, cleaning her face and some of her pelt, and it would give her some time to grieve alone. When she had finished what she could, she sighed, her tears had dried but her heart was still heavy, as she grabbed her scruff and began to drag her body back to camp, to make sure she got a proper Burial. As she finally got back to camp, she solemnly brought Froststar's body to the center of the camp, and jumped up on the clan meeting rock and hoarsely called out, due to crying, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the high rock for a clan meeting."
Blacktail got up with Antmask and padded towards the rock. When they got to the center and saw was was there, Blacktail almost hurled; Antmask eyes widened. "WHAT HAPPENED TO FROSTSTAR?!" Blacktail yelled, looking back at the dead body of her.
Frostclaw sighed, feeling older than she was and much more were as she looked down at her clanmates, and shook her head, clearly and somewhat coldly stating, "I do not know exactly what happened to her, I was on a lone patrol when I found Froststar against a tree along the thunderpath, it can be speculated that she was hit by a monster and flung against the tree, the damage done must have been severe to have taken all nine lives. Tonight we will honor Froststar for her service to the clan and kindness to everyone she met. Also tonight I will appoint a new deputy before Moonhigh. I leave tomorrow morning with Antmask to go to the moonstone to receive my nine lives. But tonight we will sit vigil for Froststar. If you have any question, please speak to me privately.
"But she JUST became leader! Why on starclan would they take her now?!" Antmask growled.
Frostclaw had jumped down from the Rock and was on her way to sit it the shade when she heard Antmask's question, she turned to him, and mewed quietly,"I do not know Antmask, Starclan did not speak to me, and they did not answer my questions on why she was out alone and what she was doing."
Antmask was still confused. Starclan wouldn't take the leader THAT early..right?
Frostclaw sighed as she saw Antmask's confusion, she wanted to tell him that she had nothing to do with it but she was deputy, she should've known where she was and she hadn't a look what happened, she shook her head quietly, to shake away the guilt that was starting to form, and whispered to him," If you don't believe me, just examine her, she was as broken and cold as she is now when I found her, all I did was clean some blood off, I didn't think the clan needed to see her soaked in it. Two leaders within a moon... She paused weighing her words before adding softly and hollows and sadly, Maybe we're just cursed. And that's all I have to say about it. And with that she padded away and looked around camp, noticing some cats were watching her, before spotting Mistela, she headed towards her, she nodded in greeting before mewing to her,"I just wanted to let you know, that I haven't forgotten about you, I know the other leaders didn't get around to accepting you, but I will, perhaps we can hold your apprentice ceremony once I come back."
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Frostclaw yawned, as she padded out of the leaders den, and sighed, as she made her way towards Froststar who was still laying in the clearing. She pressed her nose to the former leader shoulder before noticing Sagepaw and Bluepaw, she sighed in grief for the young cat, two mentor with in a moon, she certainly hoped who she picked for the young cat would not leave the cat as their predecessors had she thought to herself as she padded over to the young apprentices, " Good morning you two, I just wanted to ask Sagepaw, if you would like to help me with the burial of Froststar, you don't have to of course but I thought I would ask. You can too as well Bluepaw, if you would like.
Sagepaw dropped his squirrel and quickly nodded. "Yes please, I'd love to help."
"I'll help too," the she-cat said putting her rabbit down.
Frostclaw nodded, "Alright then, meet me out of camp and pick somewhere nice for her to be, can you do that? "
Bluepaw nodded. She looked at Sagepaw, knowing he should be the one to pick the place.
" I think we should bury her by the lake. I think she'd like that." Said the tom.
Frostclaw nodded, pleased with his decision, " A wise choice, let just get her and you can lead the way.". And with that she turned and padded over to Froststar and carefully grabbed her scruff, and then proceeded to drag her out of camp following the two apprentices, it was time to mourn but it was also time to move on as well.
Sagepaw led their way, careful not to speed up to fast for his friend and new leader. His heart still ached as they continued forward, but he knew he must save his grief for later.
Frostclaw sighed through her nose as she and Bluepaw dragged Froststar, following
Sagepaw, as they neared the lake, she stopped, carefully dropping Froststar's scruff, asking, "Sagepaw, this is beautiful, I can see why you would pick this place, is this where we're gonna bury her?"
Sagepaw nodded quietly. "yeah, I think she'd like it here."
Frostclaw nodded, "Alright, let's get started then." And with that she started digging a sizable whole to bury the former leader in. Frostclaw sighed, the hole was dug quickly with the three of them digging, and it was time to fill the hole back up as she dragged the former leader to her second final resting place, the first being Starclan with their ancestors. She sighed as the burial was finally complete, maybe now the clan could move on to better times, she turned to the two apprentices, and mewed, "Do you have any final words you would like to say?"
Sagepaw's thoughts fumbled around a bit on deciding what to say. "Even though she was only leader for a short time, Froststar still was a good leader, and it's a shame that she didn't get to lead us as long as she should have."
Frostclaw nodded respectively, agreeing completely that she didn't get to lead as long as she should. Frostclaw decided to chime in as well though she sounded calm and collected she was struggling for words,, " You were a great leader, though you were taken too soon from us. I will never forget your kind words and gentle guidance. Though you won't be forgotten, I hope you find peace and endless hunting with our warrior ancestors."
Bluepaw was speechless, so she said a silent thank you in her head. She looked at Frostclaw, who now has a whole clan to look after and her best friend Sagepaw who had taken so much recently. She hoped that her clan would be able to sort itself out soon, for everyone's sakes.
Frostclaw sighed before turning to Sagepaw and Bluepaw and mewing, "Come on, it's time to get back, Antmask and I have to go to the moonstone and then I have to come back and assign you another mentor Sagepaw. " And with that, she turned and started padding back to camp without looking back, it was a new start and one she would make better.
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As she entered camp, she quickly went to the medicine cats den, and called out, " Antmask? Are you there? "
The small tom turned around. "Oh, yes! Im here!" He called out, scattering to his paws and trotted to Frostclaw.
Frostclaw nodded, "Good, I wanted to tell you, that after I announce our new deputy, I would like to leave for the moonstone, soon after, as long as you're okay with that.
Antmask nodded. "Oh yes yes, that'll be fine!" he meowed.
Frostclaw nodded at Antmask and padded back into the clearing and jumped up onto the high rock, and called out, "Let all cats old enough to to catch their own prey gather for a clan meeting." She paused waiting for the cats to gather, and when they did, she started again, " As you all know, with a new leader comes a new deputy, and I have chosen mine. I say these words before the spirits of our warrior ancestors so they may hear and approve of my choice.The new deputy of Shadowclan will be Blacktail!"
Blacktail was honestly shocked. He never thought he would get this far! He hid his excitement by bowing at Frostcl-..er, Froststar. "It is an honor to serve this clan as deputy, Froststar." He said after standing back up. "Eyy, look who's deputy!" Antmask whispered to Blacktail. He bumped at his leg.
The long furred silver tabby bowed her head, smiling softly, I know you'll serve the clan well. Clan dismissed. And with that Frostclaw padded over to Antmask and Blacktail, a smile was still on her face when she asked, " Are we ready to go?"
Antmask nodded. He stood up, flickering his ears.
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She looked at Antmask and flicked her tail for him to follow and proceeded to pad out of camp and quickly made her way towards the Moonstone. They had been traveling for most of the day when they reached the thunderpath that they had to cross. Crossing was easy and they finally made their way to the high stones. It was dark out when they arrived, so Antmask and she made their way down the tunnel, they both settled down and Frostclaw touched her nose to the stone as soon as the moon hit it and lit up the cave.
As she entered her dream-like state she saw nine cats lined up before her some she recognized and some she didn't.
The first cat to speak was a light brown tabby tom with distinctive blue eyes, " Welcome to Starclan, Frostclaw. I am Thistlestar. I came before Darkstar. You have been brave for keeping Shadowclan together when two leaders have come and gone in less then a moon. And I'm honored to give you your first life. " He padded up to her and touched his nose to her forehead and finished saying, " With this life I give you courage. When you feel doubt, let your heart lead you forward, not back. You'll need it for times to come." And with that he stepped back.
The second cat to step forward she recognized immediately, it was Pineheart, her father! She purred immediately and smiled at him, " It's great to see you agin! I've missed you! Is she here as well?" She was stopped when he put his paw up, he smiled gently, his voice warm,"It's nice to see you as well, Frostclaw, and yes she is here, but this is my life to give. Long ago, you fell from an old oak tree and almost never became a warrior. I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you before it was too late. I should have guided you better. With this life, I give you loyalty, to your clan and to the cats who love you. Promise you'll use it wisely." And with that he touched her head with his nose and stepped back.
The third cat who stepped forward she didn't recognize, it was a small little white and black patched cat, probably no older than an apprentice. " I'm Littlepaw. I died when I was on 7 moons old. I died because the camp flooded and the leader at the time didn't think it was necessary to evacuate. Frogstar should have never been appointed leader, if only he had seen the lives that would have been lost before hand and what lay ahead...I give you the life of farsightedness, for understanding what the results of your actions might be, however distant in the future. It will be the hardest and most lonely part of your duty as leader, Frostclaw, but essential to keep your clan safe. Do not rush into anything. Look forward and choose the path that leads to where you would want your clanmates to be." And with that he touched her forehead and stepped back.
The fourth cat was one she recognized as a cat she saw she was a kit, it was one her mothers best friends, it was a long legged orange tabby tom, " I am Flamefoot. I give you this life for forgiveness. No death need ever be avenged. Forgiveness brings peace far more surely than vengeance. I'm sorry you had to learn the hard way, Frostclaw."
The fifth cat was one she didn't recognize, it was a pure white she cat with blue eyes, " You won't know me, Frostclaw. My name is Whitetail. I walked in these woods long ago, before you were even dreamed of. But if we had met before, would you have noticed me, I wonder? I give you a life for understanding that size isn't everything. Strength does not always mean power, and you should respect your enemies, whatever they look like. Beware the small cats."
The sixth cat was one she recognized of a cat she saw as an apprentice one of her temporary mentors at the time, it was a pretty mottled tortie with green eyes, " I'm Ferncloud. With this life I give you trust. Believe in your Clan and in yourself. Never doubt that you know the right path to take."
The seventh cat was another cat she didn't recognize, it was a scarred blue shecat with blue eyes and a missing ear and blind right eye, " My name is Losteye. Formerly known as Blueface. I was once loved for my beautiful long fur and memorizing eyes, but that changed when a badger attacked camp and I alone first took it on, I thought I would have died but I didn't and I have the scars to prove it. For a long time I hated the way I looked but as my life was ending I realized that the life I'm giving you is what kept me alive and I'm grateful for it. With this life I give you endurance. Use it to keep going, even though you feel as though all hope and strength have left you. Endure it. Have faith in your own strength."
The eighth cat was one she knew well, it was her mother, Brindleface, a pretty brown brindled tabby with green eyes, she purred and lit up with warmth and love when she saw her, Brindleface smiled at her, " Hello Frostclaw, I've missed you so much, look at what you've accomplished. You have sacrificed so much, and our Clan walks a safer path now. With this life I give you pride, so that you may know your own worth and the worth of your Clan. And with that she touched her nose to her forehead and licked her cheek before stepping back.
The last cat to step forward she knew very well, one who had shared nights with her in secrecy from both their clans, one who was taken away too early, a dark brown spotted tabby tom with a white chest and paws with crisscrossing scars on his muzzle and shredded ear with kind blue eyes, he stepped forward with a gentle voice, it was Leopardheart, " Hello again Frostclaw, you look as beautiful as ever, I'm sorry our time was cut short so soon. I was close to asking If you wanted to be mates but I was killed before I could do so. The last life is mine to give. And I hope you use it well. Frostclaw, I give you a life for compassion. Use it to shelter the weakest in your Clan, the kits and the elders and the sick. Use it to show mercy to your enemies and to choose the path your paw steps will follow." And with that he stepped forward and touched her forehead, he pause and licked her cheek whispering, "I will always love you but I give you permission to move on should something happen." And with that he gave her a tender look and stepped back.
It was then Thistlestar stepped forward again and called out, "I hail you by your new name, Froststar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of ShadowClan. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity."
And everyone started cheering "Froststar! Froststar! Froststar!"
But before she could wake up the vision changed,and she stood in the camp clearing, dead cats all around her blood and fur too, she looked around her horrified when she heard someone laughing, she turned and a rogue stench hit her nose as a blurred cat came lunging at her going for a killing bite, she cried out and woke up.
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Antmask purred while Froststar gained her lives, but woke up before the vision changed. He jumped a bit when the new leader cried out. "What's wrong? Did you see something?"
It too Froststar a moment to regain her senses, looking around her before stopping on Antmask, and shook her head, and took a deep breathe, " Let's get out of here first and start making our way back to camp." And with that she got to her paws, a little shaky and making her way out of the cave.
Antmask got up and followed Froststar. He honestly wanted to know what was bugging her in that dream, but it wasn't his business.
As they neared camp, Froststar stopped and sat down and sighed, she turned to Antmask and mewed quietly,"Just as everything was finishing up and they calling my name, I had another vision, one of blood and death, slain cats all over the camp clearing, and as I looked, I heard cackling and I turned and a blurred figure lunged at me, but before it did I smelled the scent of rogues, that's what I saw Antmask."
The cat's eyes widened. He shook his head. "That must be a prophecy. From what im hearing we're going to war.." he said, his ear flattened.
roststar's stomach dropped, as she closed her eyes in resignation, she had hoped it it wasn't but in her heart she new it was. It wasn't something she wanted to hear, especially when she had just become leader. She sighed before opening her eyes and asking, " Well we already have a loner in our camp, should I heed the warning and distrust her? Or should I have her apprenticed as the former leaders would have down? "
"So far the loner has caused no harm, I think apprenticing her is fine, just be more aware of her." Antmask suggested. He knew Froststar didn't really want to hear stuff about the prophecy, but he had to be one paw step ahead.
Froststar nodded, thankful for the consul, she was already leaning towards apprenticing Mistela, and hearing Antmask's opinion just made her more confident in the decision. "Thank you Antmask. I suppose I have a apprentice to name when we get back. And when we get back, I'm going to send out a patrol, the prophecy vision has sent me on edge, we don't want any surprises."
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A few moons later....
Froststar nodded Antmask, "Alright, we'll have it now then. " And with that she backed out of the den and made her way towards the high rock and leaped up and called out" Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the high rock for a clan meeting! "
Froststar sighed deeply as she stared at the cats below before starting, "This past moon has not been good to Shadowclan. First the loss of two leaders, and now the loss of a beloved queen. Wolfpelt has passed to join our ancestors in the sky. Tonight we honor her for her kindness and loyalty to the clan. And let her know Sunspot will take care of Smokekit and Spiderkit in her absence. Let us sit vigil for her. " She paused trying to get her thoughts together before starting again, trying to rouse their spirits once more. " We have lost much in the past moons. And will continue to in the coming seasons. It's inevitable, and sad to know but we are Shadowclan. We are accused of having our hearts chilled by the cold mountain winds and have darkness in our hearts due to our night hunts. But I say, let them think what they want, we are loyal! And Proud! And will take on any at that threatens our way of life! Now I ask you, cats of Shadowclan! Are we going to cower away in our nests due to some unpleasant situations? Or are we going to rise above these and be the clan we're known to be?! Because I'm not going to, I will lead you to the best of my ability and I hope you would follow. " She paused again, hoping that helped to bring these downtrodden cats up to the spirits again, and she did as they cheered. 'Perhaps we're not as cursed as we thought' Froststar thought as she smiled softly at the clan below who had survived so much and would continue to do so for many moons more.
The rise of Froststar:
Frostclaw sighed in irritatation, her tail flicking, she was late for a lone patrol along the thunderpath, she was hoping to bring Frogpaw but it seemed, that she didn't want to go. Frostclaw knew she should have made her but she didn't have time to do that, and so she went alone. SHe quickly made her way to the southern edge of their territory where the thunderpath started, she sighed as she looked to make sure no monsters were coming before going up right beside the path and started down it making sure their scent markers were still intact she was almost done when she saw something upon the path that stopped her in her tracks, a stone dropping into her stomach and her heart feel heavy. There was a cat, next to a next to a tree,a and it wasn't moving. She quickly made her way over to the cat only to freeze in her tracks. It was Froststar! She cried out as she dashed over to her, and cringed when she saw her. It was obvious that she had been hit by a monster, with all the blood and how broken she looked. She had never seen Froststar so broken and fragile. Tears sprung to her eyes as she laid down next to her, sobs tearing through her body, she couldn't bring her back looking so horrid, so she began to try and clean the blood off. She knew she couldn't get it all out but she tried to at least make her look presentable, cleaning her face and some of her pelt, and it would give her some time to grieve alone. When she had finished what she could, she sighed, her tears had dried but her heart was still heavy, as she grabbed her scruff and began to drag her body back to camp, to make sure she got a proper Burial. As she finally got back to camp, she solemnly brought Froststar's body to the center of the camp, and jumped up on the clan meeting rock and hoarsely called out, due to crying, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the high rock for a clan meeting."
Blacktail got up with Antmask and padded towards the rock. When they got to the center and saw was was there, Blacktail almost hurled; Antmask eyes widened. "WHAT HAPPENED TO FROSTSTAR?!" Blacktail yelled, looking back at the dead body of her.
Frostclaw sighed, feeling older than she was and much more were as she looked down at her clanmates, and shook her head, clearly and somewhat coldly stating, "I do not know exactly what happened to her, I was on a lone patrol when I found Froststar against a tree along the thunderpath, it can be speculated that she was hit by a monster and flung against the tree, the damage done must have been severe to have taken all nine lives. Tonight we will honor Froststar for her service to the clan and kindness to everyone she met. Also tonight I will appoint a new deputy before Moonhigh. I leave tomorrow morning with Antmask to go to the moonstone to receive my nine lives. But tonight we will sit vigil for Froststar. If you have any question, please speak to me privately.
"But she JUST became leader! Why on starclan would they take her now?!" Antmask growled.
Frostclaw had jumped down from the Rock and was on her way to sit it the shade when she heard Antmask's question, she turned to him, and mewed quietly,"I do not know Antmask, Starclan did not speak to me, and they did not answer my questions on why she was out alone and what she was doing."
Antmask was still confused. Starclan wouldn't take the leader THAT early..right?
Frostclaw sighed as she saw Antmask's confusion, she wanted to tell him that she had nothing to do with it but she was deputy, she should've known where she was and she hadn't a look what happened, she shook her head quietly, to shake away the guilt that was starting to form, and whispered to him," If you don't believe me, just examine her, she was as broken and cold as she is now when I found her, all I did was clean some blood off, I didn't think the clan needed to see her soaked in it. Two leaders within a moon... She paused weighing her words before adding softly and hollows and sadly, Maybe we're just cursed. And that's all I have to say about it. And with that she padded away and looked around camp, noticing some cats were watching her, before spotting Mistela, she headed towards her, she nodded in greeting before mewing to her,"I just wanted to let you know, that I haven't forgotten about you, I know the other leaders didn't get around to accepting you, but I will, perhaps we can hold your apprentice ceremony once I come back."
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Frostclaw yawned, as she padded out of the leaders den, and sighed, as she made her way towards Froststar who was still laying in the clearing. She pressed her nose to the former leader shoulder before noticing Sagepaw and Bluepaw, she sighed in grief for the young cat, two mentor with in a moon, she certainly hoped who she picked for the young cat would not leave the cat as their predecessors had she thought to herself as she padded over to the young apprentices, " Good morning you two, I just wanted to ask Sagepaw, if you would like to help me with the burial of Froststar, you don't have to of course but I thought I would ask. You can too as well Bluepaw, if you would like.
Sagepaw dropped his squirrel and quickly nodded. "Yes please, I'd love to help."
"I'll help too," the she-cat said putting her rabbit down.
Frostclaw nodded, "Alright then, meet me out of camp and pick somewhere nice for her to be, can you do that? "
Bluepaw nodded. She looked at Sagepaw, knowing he should be the one to pick the place.
" I think we should bury her by the lake. I think she'd like that." Said the tom.
Frostclaw nodded, pleased with his decision, " A wise choice, let just get her and you can lead the way.". And with that she turned and padded over to Froststar and carefully grabbed her scruff, and then proceeded to drag her out of camp following the two apprentices, it was time to mourn but it was also time to move on as well.
Sagepaw led their way, careful not to speed up to fast for his friend and new leader. His heart still ached as they continued forward, but he knew he must save his grief for later.
Frostclaw sighed through her nose as she and Bluepaw dragged Froststar, following
Sagepaw, as they neared the lake, she stopped, carefully dropping Froststar's scruff, asking, "Sagepaw, this is beautiful, I can see why you would pick this place, is this where we're gonna bury her?"
Sagepaw nodded quietly. "yeah, I think she'd like it here."
Frostclaw nodded, "Alright, let's get started then." And with that she started digging a sizable whole to bury the former leader in. Frostclaw sighed, the hole was dug quickly with the three of them digging, and it was time to fill the hole back up as she dragged the former leader to her second final resting place, the first being Starclan with their ancestors. She sighed as the burial was finally complete, maybe now the clan could move on to better times, she turned to the two apprentices, and mewed, "Do you have any final words you would like to say?"
Sagepaw's thoughts fumbled around a bit on deciding what to say. "Even though she was only leader for a short time, Froststar still was a good leader, and it's a shame that she didn't get to lead us as long as she should have."
Frostclaw nodded respectively, agreeing completely that she didn't get to lead as long as she should. Frostclaw decided to chime in as well though she sounded calm and collected she was struggling for words,, " You were a great leader, though you were taken too soon from us. I will never forget your kind words and gentle guidance. Though you won't be forgotten, I hope you find peace and endless hunting with our warrior ancestors."
Bluepaw was speechless, so she said a silent thank you in her head. She looked at Frostclaw, who now has a whole clan to look after and her best friend Sagepaw who had taken so much recently. She hoped that her clan would be able to sort itself out soon, for everyone's sakes.
Frostclaw sighed before turning to Sagepaw and Bluepaw and mewing, "Come on, it's time to get back, Antmask and I have to go to the moonstone and then I have to come back and assign you another mentor Sagepaw. " And with that, she turned and started padding back to camp without looking back, it was a new start and one she would make better.
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As she entered camp, she quickly went to the medicine cats den, and called out, " Antmask? Are you there? "
The small tom turned around. "Oh, yes! Im here!" He called out, scattering to his paws and trotted to Frostclaw.
Frostclaw nodded, "Good, I wanted to tell you, that after I announce our new deputy, I would like to leave for the moonstone, soon after, as long as you're okay with that.
Antmask nodded. "Oh yes yes, that'll be fine!" he meowed.
Frostclaw nodded at Antmask and padded back into the clearing and jumped up onto the high rock, and called out, "Let all cats old enough to to catch their own prey gather for a clan meeting." She paused waiting for the cats to gather, and when they did, she started again, " As you all know, with a new leader comes a new deputy, and I have chosen mine. I say these words before the spirits of our warrior ancestors so they may hear and approve of my choice.The new deputy of Shadowclan will be Blacktail!"
Blacktail was honestly shocked. He never thought he would get this far! He hid his excitement by bowing at Frostcl-..er, Froststar. "It is an honor to serve this clan as deputy, Froststar." He said after standing back up. "Eyy, look who's deputy!" Antmask whispered to Blacktail. He bumped at his leg.
The long furred silver tabby bowed her head, smiling softly, I know you'll serve the clan well. Clan dismissed. And with that Frostclaw padded over to Antmask and Blacktail, a smile was still on her face when she asked, " Are we ready to go?"
Antmask nodded. He stood up, flickering his ears.
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She looked at Antmask and flicked her tail for him to follow and proceeded to pad out of camp and quickly made her way towards the Moonstone. They had been traveling for most of the day when they reached the thunderpath that they had to cross. Crossing was easy and they finally made their way to the high stones. It was dark out when they arrived, so Antmask and she made their way down the tunnel, they both settled down and Frostclaw touched her nose to the stone as soon as the moon hit it and lit up the cave.
As she entered her dream-like state she saw nine cats lined up before her some she recognized and some she didn't.
The first cat to speak was a light brown tabby tom with distinctive blue eyes, " Welcome to Starclan, Frostclaw. I am Thistlestar. I came before Darkstar. You have been brave for keeping Shadowclan together when two leaders have come and gone in less then a moon. And I'm honored to give you your first life. " He padded up to her and touched his nose to her forehead and finished saying, " With this life I give you courage. When you feel doubt, let your heart lead you forward, not back. You'll need it for times to come." And with that he stepped back.
The second cat to step forward she recognized immediately, it was Pineheart, her father! She purred immediately and smiled at him, " It's great to see you agin! I've missed you! Is she here as well?" She was stopped when he put his paw up, he smiled gently, his voice warm,"It's nice to see you as well, Frostclaw, and yes she is here, but this is my life to give. Long ago, you fell from an old oak tree and almost never became a warrior. I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you before it was too late. I should have guided you better. With this life, I give you loyalty, to your clan and to the cats who love you. Promise you'll use it wisely." And with that he touched her head with his nose and stepped back.
The third cat who stepped forward she didn't recognize, it was a small little white and black patched cat, probably no older than an apprentice. " I'm Littlepaw. I died when I was on 7 moons old. I died because the camp flooded and the leader at the time didn't think it was necessary to evacuate. Frogstar should have never been appointed leader, if only he had seen the lives that would have been lost before hand and what lay ahead...I give you the life of farsightedness, for understanding what the results of your actions might be, however distant in the future. It will be the hardest and most lonely part of your duty as leader, Frostclaw, but essential to keep your clan safe. Do not rush into anything. Look forward and choose the path that leads to where you would want your clanmates to be." And with that he touched her forehead and stepped back.
The fourth cat was one she recognized as a cat she saw she was a kit, it was one her mothers best friends, it was a long legged orange tabby tom, " I am Flamefoot. I give you this life for forgiveness. No death need ever be avenged. Forgiveness brings peace far more surely than vengeance. I'm sorry you had to learn the hard way, Frostclaw."
The fifth cat was one she didn't recognize, it was a pure white she cat with blue eyes, " You won't know me, Frostclaw. My name is Whitetail. I walked in these woods long ago, before you were even dreamed of. But if we had met before, would you have noticed me, I wonder? I give you a life for understanding that size isn't everything. Strength does not always mean power, and you should respect your enemies, whatever they look like. Beware the small cats."
The sixth cat was one she recognized of a cat she saw as an apprentice one of her temporary mentors at the time, it was a pretty mottled tortie with green eyes, " I'm Ferncloud. With this life I give you trust. Believe in your Clan and in yourself. Never doubt that you know the right path to take."
The seventh cat was another cat she didn't recognize, it was a scarred blue shecat with blue eyes and a missing ear and blind right eye, " My name is Losteye. Formerly known as Blueface. I was once loved for my beautiful long fur and memorizing eyes, but that changed when a badger attacked camp and I alone first took it on, I thought I would have died but I didn't and I have the scars to prove it. For a long time I hated the way I looked but as my life was ending I realized that the life I'm giving you is what kept me alive and I'm grateful for it. With this life I give you endurance. Use it to keep going, even though you feel as though all hope and strength have left you. Endure it. Have faith in your own strength."
The eighth cat was one she knew well, it was her mother, Brindleface, a pretty brown brindled tabby with green eyes, she purred and lit up with warmth and love when she saw her, Brindleface smiled at her, " Hello Frostclaw, I've missed you so much, look at what you've accomplished. You have sacrificed so much, and our Clan walks a safer path now. With this life I give you pride, so that you may know your own worth and the worth of your Clan. And with that she touched her nose to her forehead and licked her cheek before stepping back.
The last cat to step forward she knew very well, one who had shared nights with her in secrecy from both their clans, one who was taken away too early, a dark brown spotted tabby tom with a white chest and paws with crisscrossing scars on his muzzle and shredded ear with kind blue eyes, he stepped forward with a gentle voice, it was Leopardheart, " Hello again Frostclaw, you look as beautiful as ever, I'm sorry our time was cut short so soon. I was close to asking If you wanted to be mates but I was killed before I could do so. The last life is mine to give. And I hope you use it well. Frostclaw, I give you a life for compassion. Use it to shelter the weakest in your Clan, the kits and the elders and the sick. Use it to show mercy to your enemies and to choose the path your paw steps will follow." And with that he stepped forward and touched her forehead, he pause and licked her cheek whispering, "I will always love you but I give you permission to move on should something happen." And with that he gave her a tender look and stepped back.
It was then Thistlestar stepped forward again and called out, "I hail you by your new name, Froststar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of ShadowClan. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity."
And everyone started cheering "Froststar! Froststar! Froststar!"
But before she could wake up the vision changed,and she stood in the camp clearing, dead cats all around her blood and fur too, she looked around her horrified when she heard someone laughing, she turned and a rogue stench hit her nose as a blurred cat came lunging at her going for a killing bite, she cried out and woke up.
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Antmask purred while Froststar gained her lives, but woke up before the vision changed. He jumped a bit when the new leader cried out. "What's wrong? Did you see something?"
It too Froststar a moment to regain her senses, looking around her before stopping on Antmask, and shook her head, and took a deep breathe, " Let's get out of here first and start making our way back to camp." And with that she got to her paws, a little shaky and making her way out of the cave.
Antmask got up and followed Froststar. He honestly wanted to know what was bugging her in that dream, but it wasn't his business.
As they neared camp, Froststar stopped and sat down and sighed, she turned to Antmask and mewed quietly,"Just as everything was finishing up and they calling my name, I had another vision, one of blood and death, slain cats all over the camp clearing, and as I looked, I heard cackling and I turned and a blurred figure lunged at me, but before it did I smelled the scent of rogues, that's what I saw Antmask."
The cat's eyes widened. He shook his head. "That must be a prophecy. From what im hearing we're going to war.." he said, his ear flattened.
roststar's stomach dropped, as she closed her eyes in resignation, she had hoped it it wasn't but in her heart she new it was. It wasn't something she wanted to hear, especially when she had just become leader. She sighed before opening her eyes and asking, " Well we already have a loner in our camp, should I heed the warning and distrust her? Or should I have her apprenticed as the former leaders would have down? "
"So far the loner has caused no harm, I think apprenticing her is fine, just be more aware of her." Antmask suggested. He knew Froststar didn't really want to hear stuff about the prophecy, but he had to be one paw step ahead.
Froststar nodded, thankful for the consul, she was already leaning towards apprenticing Mistela, and hearing Antmask's opinion just made her more confident in the decision. "Thank you Antmask. I suppose I have a apprentice to name when we get back. And when we get back, I'm going to send out a patrol, the prophecy vision has sent me on edge, we don't want any surprises."
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A few moons later....
Froststar nodded Antmask, "Alright, we'll have it now then. " And with that she backed out of the den and made her way towards the high rock and leaped up and called out" Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the high rock for a clan meeting! "
Froststar sighed deeply as she stared at the cats below before starting, "This past moon has not been good to Shadowclan. First the loss of two leaders, and now the loss of a beloved queen. Wolfpelt has passed to join our ancestors in the sky. Tonight we honor her for her kindness and loyalty to the clan. And let her know Sunspot will take care of Smokekit and Spiderkit in her absence. Let us sit vigil for her. " She paused trying to get her thoughts together before starting again, trying to rouse their spirits once more. " We have lost much in the past moons. And will continue to in the coming seasons. It's inevitable, and sad to know but we are Shadowclan. We are accused of having our hearts chilled by the cold mountain winds and have darkness in our hearts due to our night hunts. But I say, let them think what they want, we are loyal! And Proud! And will take on any at that threatens our way of life! Now I ask you, cats of Shadowclan! Are we going to cower away in our nests due to some unpleasant situations? Or are we going to rise above these and be the clan we're known to be?! Because I'm not going to, I will lead you to the best of my ability and I hope you would follow. " She paused again, hoping that helped to bring these downtrodden cats up to the spirits again, and she did as they cheered. 'Perhaps we're not as cursed as we thought' Froststar thought as she smiled softly at the clan below who had survived so much and would continue to do so for many moons more.