Past, Present, and Future. ((All))

[» Sacrifice]

From all the confusion and panic that had happened just a few hours ago, it was no surprise that a lot of the warriors, and apprentices at that, were still awake, too uneasy to sleep for the very sight of their leader, so fallen and just wrong, was disturbing enough to rid them of all hopes for a peaceful slumber. There was a heavier burden though, on the shoulders of the silver tabby tom as he softly leaped up onto the speaking ledge, eyes grim as he watched the cats around him for a moment or so, before speaking. His voice ringing out clearly on the silent night, there was no hesitation behind the words which he spoke.

"All cats old enough to gather their own prey, gather below the Highrock for a clan meeting."

For a moment, there was only silence, and the faint feeling of shock. It usually was only a leader who spoke those words, to call the clan to order. Yet, the deputy had called out the words as if he were the one to replace Dawnstar. But she was going to be fine, right? It was as if those thoughts were in the minds of everyone, not said, but still visible as the shocked looks came across their faces while they seated themselves under the rock, intent on the silver tom Darkangel above them.

"As you know, Dawnstar collapsed in the center of camp tonight. At first, we thought it might have been the sickness. Well, that thought was soon vanished, but something else has come up that is just as bad as the sickness."
Sharp gaze meeting the gazes of the cats below the rock, Darkangel's tone came out hard, assertive, and not something that would be challenged in good mind.

"Do not fool your selfs tonight, do not take in that false hope that this was all a fluke, that Dawnstar will be fine in the morning. Every thought like that is a lie."

Hard words, but the truth. And that was what was needed here, with the shocked and frighten gazes still watching Darkangel in a dim awareness, as if this could only be a bad dream, nothing more.

"Frostwinter has confirmed my thoughts, and also told me some grave news. Dawnstar is not fit to lead this clan anymore. From now on, she shall reside in the elder's den with Screechstar, and her name returned to her warrior name, Dawnflower."

Gazing around at the cats, there was no way someone couldn't fill in the blanks here. Still though, it had to be said, and there was no stopping the new leader of CresentClan now.

"So, it seems that I am to be the deputy of CresentClan no more. Rather, as Dawnstar steps down, I am to step up."

Looking up at the sky, it was time. Maybe a new leader like this, one without his nine lives wasn't suppose to do this ceremony, but there was no other option. Moonhigh would be soon, and CresentClan didn't need anymore bad luck. They had enough.

"With that, a new deputy has to be chosen before moonhigh.

Letting the tension build between the older warriors, Darkstar waited for a few moments, before he began to speak what had been passed through from the generations, all the way from the first cats of the clans.

"The time has come to appoint a new deputy. I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our ancestors may hear and approve my choice. Eternalblossom shall be the new deputy of CresentClan."

Having finished what he had planned to do, Darkstar leaped off the speaker's rock, padding over to Frostwinter.

It was time to get his nine lives...

[B-r-e-z-e--->>]

The medicine cat watched the deputy from the High Ledge as he became leader. This definitely didn't happen every day, yet Darkstar greeted the situation with a clear voice and a head on his shoulders. Although the night was grim, she couldn't help but thinking that he would certainly be an excellent leader in the future. Frostwinter nodded approvingly at Darkstar as he stepped off and padded toward her. She passed him and she walked in front of the warriors that stood looking at her with wide eyes that didn't seem possible of comprehending anything. Some of them seemed to be understanding, but the majority seemed blank.

"Darkstar and I are to travel to the MoonCave so that he may receive his nine lives. As your medicine cat, I advise you to sleep. Those who stay on guard, I forbid you to go near my den unless you are in dire danger. Dawnflower must not be startled, understood? Take heed my advice, Meccapaw has placed some Thyme by the freshkill pile that will help you sleep. We will be back either at or before dawn." She dipped her head formally before rejoining Darkstar. With a flick of her tail, she led the new leader out of the den and toward the MoonCave.

[Destiny]

Eternalblossom was sitting at the edge of the gathered cats, her mind in turmoil, just not showing it. She had kept her gaze on the ground until Darkangel began to speak; she already knew what was to happen, having been witness.
Still, the words hurt and she shied away from the ex-deputy speaking about Dawnstar's sickness, hiding behind some mental barricade which quickly collapsed, leaving her small and alone, defenceless in her mind.
"With that, a new deputy has to be chosen before moonhigh."
With this, she had a flicker of interest. Who would the deputy be? A glance around the cats told her most of what she needed to know; that a lot of the warriors were hopeful for the position, including some of the younger one, who held no chance of being chosen - not if Darkangel was in his right mind, anyway. Who would choose a cat barely out of apprenticeship to be second in command?
However, there were a lot of the more experienced warriors watching the old deputy with rapt attention, some of them with doubtful looks. A lot of them doubted that they would get the position, but the rest just doubted.

"Eternalblossom shall be the new deputy of CresentClan."
His words met shocked silence as the truth hit home. As a ripple of cat's heads turned to look at her, she hid her emotions, nodding once, dutifully, to the new leader.

As he leapt down. she stood to nod once more at him, a respectful wish for a good journey, and also to recieve two apprentices who approached her.
Dejectedpaw's dark gray pelt contrasted against her own shimmering fur as he stood by her.
"Well done..." he sighed in a flat monotone. Eternalblossom nodded back, not taking his voice personally: that was how he always spoke, and how he earned his name.
Behing him was Daypaw, her honey and white pelt light and breezy as always. "Yeah, well done, Eternalblossom." she mewed gently, before turning and padding away with Dejectedpaw, who she was almost always in the company of. Then she paused and turned back to the new deputy, concern on her young face. "I'm sorry, we would be more happy, but Dawnstar..." her voice cracked and she turned away again. Dawnstar was all she had ever known, and the thought that the noble leader was insane hurt the apprentice.
A lot.