Warrior Cat Clans 2 (WCC2 aka Classic) is a roleplay site inspired by the Warrior series by Erin Hunter. Whether you are a fan of the books or new to the Warrior cats world, WCC2 offers a diverse environment with over a decade’s worth of lore for you - and your characters - to explore. Join us today and become a part of our ongoing story!
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She always spent a lot of time in the elder's den, where both of her parents spent much of their time. Of course, her parents weren't stuck in the den, they weren't too old to need a chaparone, and even if they were, Aspendust really doubted that her father would allow himself to admit he needed someone to come with him. As such, Aspendust always made sure she had a little time for them on a normal day. This wasn't a normal night, though, and she hadn't come to the elder's den just to chit chat with her family. She needed help, and there was only one cat that she could trust to give her that advice.
"Dad, are you in there?" she called at the entrance of the den, unable to hide the quake in her voice. She wasn't entirely sure how to process what was happening to her. Just yesterday, her life had been... normal. She had adapted to the circumstances of Flamingstar's demise the same way that others had. She'd accepted Phantomstar's leadership. That had all changed not too long ago, when Phantomstar let her know that he was no longer interested in the leadership. Their meeting had been shocking; why had she been the first he told ? It had become clear quickly; she was to be his replacement. "I.... need to go on a walk."
Perhaps it was the tone of her voice or the unfamiliar way she held herself, but as the tom walked up from behind her, a frown pulled down the corners of his mouth and his gaze grew concerned.
“Spitfire?” He rumbled, the familiar name for his precious daughter ending in a question mark that needed no explanation. “Come.” It was an order, but a soft one; he had the innate sense that only a parent perceived that his kitten, for no matter how old she was she would always be that little bundle of fur he laid eyes on so long ago, was about to break down. He knew she couldn’t afford to do so in such a public space; not so much for his image or hers.
Padding out the camp, he waited until they were some distance away and confirmed alone before he turned to her and immediately nuzzled her head. In the eye of their clanmates, he would keep his affection to the minimum, seen as a stern father who only praised the best when he felt it was deserved. While this was true, his dear Aspen was the flame of his heart. She was what kept him waking every morning and going to sleep every night with a smile on his face (albeit a perhaps imperceptible one).
His touch was the first thing that comforted her since her discussion with the former leader. Her father had a unique way of calming her the way that no one else could. Of course she loved her mother, but the relationship between Dawnpoppy and Aspendust was not quite the same as her relationship to her father, who both trained her and taught her to be the cat she was today.
"I.... uh," she looked at her paws awkwardly, her nerves still getting the best of her. Come on, Aspendust, hold it together for just a few minutes. She shuffled to a stop, looking up at the sky. She had done that multiple times since the lofty conversation, trying to ask the ancestors why. Had the tom made a mistake? Was she really cut out for this?
"I'm...." She tried again, her words coming no easier this time than the time before. She took a deep breath, before blurting it out. "I think I'm NightClan leader now."
His heart hammered hard once in his chest and then stopped. It felt like a millennium, but logically he knew it had barely been a second. A multitude of feelings washed over him — surprise, pride, hope, concern, affection, and a surge of protective energy — before he found a breath and the feeling in his paws all at once.
“Little girl, little girl...” He breathed and pressed his flank against hers, settling his head gently atop hers in a fond embrace for a moment before pulling away to gaze into her eyes. “That’s wonderful! I’m so proud of you.”
Warm eyes grew soft, “I know it’s sudden. It’s alright to be afraid. I’ve taught you everything you know and you’ve far surpassed me, sweet one. I have no doubt you’ll make an outstanding leader for our clan. What concerns you the most?”
Taking a seat, knowing above all else getting everything off one’s chest could make the difference between feeling like they were drowning and feeling like they could rule the world, the tom tilted his head slightly and awaited the words he knew were trapped within. He had questions, of course he did, but Aspen was his priority. His curiosity could take a rest.
She hadn't known exactly how her father would react. Perhaps that had been a source of part of her anxiety with her own position. She trusted Lostriver's opinion with her life; what if he had doubts that she was good enough? She wasn't sure how she would be able to cope with that if he believed that she wasn't cut out for a job.
When he responded positively, though, it was if she could breathe for the first time since Phantomstar had approached her. Instead of telling her she wasn't good enough (which she was sure her father wouldn't actually do, although her brain was convinced he would), he told her that he was proud. She lived to hear those words, and every time she succeeded in gaining the pride of her father, things felt okay again.
She smiled slightly when he spoke the next words, her head pressing on her father's shoulder. "Thank you," she meowed quietly. Had she really surpassed her father? The young cat felt unsure, but she trusted Lostriver's words.
"I... I just don't know... why he picked me." Her words were filled with doubts. "There are plenty of cats who are more capable than me. Older, wiser, stronger." This was probably true; there had only been one full set of seasons since her promotion to warrior. "I... I knew that I was one of the cats that was in consideration for deputy. Rumors fly fast. That would have been okay. I could have proved myself, learned how to do it.... But this... this isn't deputy. What if I'm no good? What if Phantomstar was wrong?"
"Aspen," he started, shifting so he could hold her gaze. His own was stormy and commanding, bearing a shadow of the force he was.
"Like your grandfather used to remind me: if it scares you, it might be a good thing to try. There are a lot of what ifs in this world. What if you prove yourself wrong? What if you become one of the clan's greatest leaders?"
He wound his tail securely around her, shielding her from the world.
"Have a little faith in this grumpy old buzzard of yours. My gut has never steered me wrong, little spitfire. It led me here and I would never change that. This is the path you're meant to be on. I know it. Soon, the clan will know it too."
He sighed and rested his head atop hers.
"Now if your brother could find his place, I could pass on in peace."
Images of the tom's second eldest son on his back throwing a kitten into the air the other day flashed before his eyes. He sighed.
Her ear twitched when he spoke, feeling both comforted and unnerved by her father's words. Did she really have this in her? How could this possibly be a good thing try? She wasn't ready... She couldn't be ready... Yet, there was a small part of her that knew that she would. Her father wouldn't lie to her, and if he thought she had the potential to be a NightClan great, there was a small part of her that was inclined to believe him. He was right, maybe she did need to have a little more faith.
"It's just hard to know why..." She meowed, looking at her paws. "He didn't explain.... Just told me that he knew I should replace him." She flicked her ear. "If he was wrong about wanting to be leader, what if he's wrong about me?" She let out a breath... No, Aspen. Don't do this right now. .
When the topic changed to her brother, she nodded slightly. "He'll find his way," she mewed. She was sure this would only... complicate her relations with her siblings, but she did have hope in her brother. "If he doesn't, I guess I have the power to make him now..."
