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!
News & Updates
11.06.2022 The site has been transformed into an archive. Thank you for all the memories here!
Here on Classic we understand that sometimes life can get difficult and we struggle. We may need to receive advice, vent, know that we are not alone in our difficult times, or even just have someone listen to what's going on in our lives. In light of these times, we have created the support threads below that are open to all of our members at any time.
HEAD OF THE CLASS (March 2021): Sunpaw (woof) HEAD PROFESSOR (March 2021): Daydreamer (complacentdevil)
Not as many kits to promote this moon thank Starclan, but that was balanced out by the several new litters who were playfully scampering around the nursery. It was one of the best parts of Newleaf in Ratstar's opinion, and both Wispycloud and Pantherclaw seemed to be glowing with pride as they cared for their newborns. But then his gaze happened to meet Orchiddrop, and his cheerful expression faltered. Why did tragedy after tragedy have to attack such a kind and pure-hearted family? It simply wasn't fair. But as much as Ratstar felt compelled to do something, anything, to right these wrongs, he knew as well as the rest of the clan that it was out of his paws. Life had to go on, regardless. "As y'all are well-aware," he meowed evenly, turning his attention back to the crowd. "Our loyal Deputy Rosethorn has decided t' step down following a...personal loss. One that some o' y'all are far more familiar with than I am. Rosethorn's served our clan with both strength and grace, an' the hearts o' everyone are 'ere with 'er in this time o' need. We honor 'er fer all she's done fer us, an' with 'er blessin' I stand before y'all today t' choose 'er successor." Usually when choosing a Deputy, Ratstar took the time to thoroughly look over all of his warriors, weighing his personal instinct against the opinions of his Medicine Cat, the Redguard, and the Senior warriors. But this time, there was no such contemplation. From the very start he knew who he wanted. His next words were spoken clearly and confidently, without a hint of hesitation.
Sootstep understood that. Frankly, he didn’t feel drawn to the position to begin with, but after devoting his entire life to serving this clan, after journeying across foreign lands to rescue his clanmates, after every early patrol he had been picked to lead, he thought he had been moving in that direction. A natural progression. As if revolted by the potential other leaders saw in him, Ratstar spit in his face and tore him down, again and again. He sat there and laughed and the clan idolized him for it. Sootstep had been patient. He has held his tongue, he had listened to his deputy, he had voiced his concerns in private. He took no issue with Rosethorn’s appointment, and if another qualified cat was chosen, he would stand by again.
But this?
Before any cheers could begin, if they even would, the grey tom threw back his head. “Hold on,” he snarled, his cobalt gaze raking the clan. Sootstep stalked through their ranks to stand before Ratstar, turning his stone cold gaze on him next.
“Devotedcrow is very young, barely a warrior. He grew up in a different place and only recently came to this clan. He doesn’t follow your own rule about staying within our borders, I’ve seen him go myself.” Sootstep spoke clearly. Practical. Painstaking. “And he’s brought a SunClan warrior into our midst.” Devotedcrow’s sister wasn’t even a former warrior, she was still one of them! “I know you like this cat, and I can’t blame you, but he isn’t ready. You need a real deputy, Ratstar. I know you aren’t going to pick me,” he bared his teeth, “and I’m not asking you to. I’m asking you to pick ANYONE else, anyone who might be remotely qualified. You’re choosing the worst cat in the clan for this job; maybe some other day he’ll be ready, but not now. You’ve always been unfair, Ratstar, but this is ridiculous. I’m surprised you didn’t choose one of your own kits, if you’re going to be biased at leave be obvious with it.”
The last few days were a whirlwind that all seemed to culminate into this moment, into hearing his name spoken over the cheers of the clan as they dwindled down, and when SummerClan's brightest eyes met Ratstar's, there was the echo of grief, confusion, and slow realization. But he didn't even have time to question it before someone else did. Oh, so they were doing this.
Devotedcrow wasn't a confrontational cat...usually... especially if the one he was defending was himself, but he forced himself to rise to his paws and lumber away from the nursery entrance, feeling the prickle of his childrens' eyes on him as he headed to the front of the group. When he reached it, he met Sootstep's gaze, his own level and unwavering. "You're right, Sootstep. I'm not that old nor have I been in SummerClan all that long, half a season in total. But I have deeper roots here than you'll give me credit for. I have Orchiddrop here and together we have given SummerClan six healthy, incredible kits that will grow into loyal members of this clan. I have given SummerClan my full devotion. When the borders were closed, I never once laid a paw on SummerClan soil until Ratstar himself allowed me to join. And need I remind you, Sootstep," flames began to tickle his voice, embers rising from that ancient anger welled up inside him, "since you are so quick to toss around the notion, that our borders are open now. I leave, with Ratstar's blessing, to see my family. Are you a stranger to that? Family?" He squared his shoulders, now seeming to look down on the larger tom. "Because the most I've seen of your interactions in this clan have been you arguing with someone or demanding recognition for the very basic tasks expected of you. You are a warrior, but I've seen you act like an apprentice wanting to be called one." He turned away.
The lean, scrappy tom searched the crowd's mixed stares, from the heat in saw in Raystrike's to the distrust he found in some others who stood in agreement with Sootstep. "I'm not going to demand that all of you should trust me right out the gates. That would be foolish. I'm asking that you all reserve your judgements until you've seen who I am and what I can do." Finally, Devotedcrow turned to regard his leader on the high hill, observing the conflict from his perch, and he bowed his head. If there was one thing no cat in SummerClan had trouble seeing, it was the respect the new deputy had for his leader. "I will do my best to make you and everyone else here proud. Thank you for this opportunity."
Post by this is cl eave i forgot2login on Apr 3, 2021 9:26:00 GMT -5
Sootstep was incredulous. Was this tom really so daft? “I didn’t realize having a mate qualified a cat to be deputy,” he growled lowly. “I don’t care if you have kits, that doesn’t mean you’re a capable deputy. A deputy needs to know how to give orders, when to be lenient, and above all the clan needs to trust them. We don’t know you. Borders open or not, you leave our clan to visit family that lives somewhere else — how can we trust you’ll fight them if they wrong is? How can we believe that you won’t sneak them extra prey when their pile is low? How about you earn some trust before you become a deputy?” He couldn’t believe this. This kit was going to be their deputy? He had taken on no responsibility, he was untested, yet they were supposed to do place all their faith in him? “What if Ratstar dies suddenly or has to step down? You don’t know anything about how to be a leader!”
"I think he'll make a good deputy," Markedpelt meowed, the dark brown tabby with prominent dark markings spoke up. The red guard flashed Devotedcrow a grin. "Ratstar was a bit of an odd pick for leader and he's proven to be a great leader. I trust his judgement, and I trust Devotedcrow to grow into the position."
"Come on, you talk like Ratstar's just going to fall over, and like Devotedcrow doesn't have the rest of us to learn from. Not that he doesn't already have a good head on his shoulders." Markedpelt added. "Congratulations Devotedcrow, I think you'll do great."
Ratstar would be lying if he said that he wasn't surprised by Sootstep's sudden outburst, but he was officially done trying to explain himself to the confrontational tom. Nothing he said would change the warrior's mind anyway; with the predictability of the tides, Sootstep would criticize every single decision he made. Instead of answering the questions directed at him, the Summerclan leader took a seat on the hill, watching with interest sparkling in his single eye as Devotedcrow stood up for himself; a chance he wished he had given his previous Deputies.
"Oh, so now you're all for having someone qualified?" Mudthistle chimed in with a dismissive scoff. The tall, chocolate-brown Red Guard had finally reached the end of her patience with Sootstep's antics. "Every Deputy Ratstar's ever chosen has done an outstanding job, and I don't see how Devotedcrow would be any different." If she was being completely honest with herself, Sootstep had made a couple of good points regarding loyalty and trust, but the she-cat was so fed up with his attitude that she refused to give him the satisfaction.
"Ratstar was an odd pick for leader," Sootstep repeated, slowly, "because he wasn't a clan cat. But he was an old cat already, battle-tested, and he knew who he was. He was chosen and approved by StarClan." Sootstep might have objected to Ratstar's appointment if he was a bit older, or if he knew the future, but the young warrior that he was back then was so lost in leading patrols he didn't stop to consider the choice. "I just think-"
Sootstep cut off as a terrible voice intruded on their conversation. He shifted to glare at Mudthistle. He held no anger for her actions when they were younger, but she continued to vex him nowadays by constantly fighting to put him down and drag his name through the mud. You would think she'd have some respect for him, he had raised her son into an excellent young warrior, and she continued to look at him as her mortal enemy. He was tired of it.
"I've always wanted someone qualified in charge," the gray warrior responded sharply. "Rosethorn was young, but at least she had shown some loyalty." Not the cat he would have chosen, but not too objectionable as far as Ratstar's choices. "Dawnmemories had more qualifications than both of her successors, though even she needed more training, I think we can all agree she had a rough start. Devotedcrow will be a fine deputy with time and experience, but he hasn't had enough yet. How can we trust his decisions when it comes to situations he's never faced? If he gives a bad order, how can I trust that he has a plan, and isn't just naive?"
He slammed his paw onto the earth. "The least Ratstar could do is offer some explanation for his choice. But he has nothing to say because we all know he chose Devotedcrow because he worships the ground our dear leader walks on. Isn't that a problem in itself?" His fur bristling, he met Mudthistle's gaze, challenging her. "A deputy who blindly follows his leader and won't correct him when he's making a mistake? Won't dare speak against him, even in private?"
Markedpelt shook his head, curling his lip as Sootstep went on. His points weren't invalid, but he doubted they came from the place he claimed they were.
"I don't know Devotedcrow very well, but he doesn't seem like a blind follower as you peg him to be," Markedpelt said. "I trust Ratstar he hasn't let us down, and has proven himself to choose wisely. I trust his judgement and you should too," He added tail flicking behind him.
"For the record," Ratstar added with a frown, his eye narrowing slightly at Sootstep. "I've only kept quiet until now 'cause I assumed that Devotedcrow would prefer to defend himself, considerin' you've challenged 'is position in front o' the entire clan. I'm well-aware that he sees me as a father figure, but I know him well enough t' doubt that he'd follow me with such blind worship as ya claim. In words that should sound familiar t' ya; the purpose of the Deputy position is t' teach 'em how t' be a leader. I believe he has potential t' be a good one, with Starclan's blessing."
But the hesitant looks on his clanmates faces told a different story. They might not be as outspoken as Sootstep, but many of them had the same doubts. Taking a breath, the Summerclan leader rose to his paws. "We might never see eye-to-eye, Sootstep, but I do take your words into consideration. Devotedcrow," he turned to the new Deputy. "How d' ya suggest we settle this matter?"
"I didn't know having a mouth qualified you--" But he was cut off, thankfully before going further, and shot an appreciative glance as Markedpelt and Mudthistle intervened. It grated him that Sootstep's outburst was not only correct but persuasive, and Devotedcrow could see the doubt begin to wash through more and more of the assembled cats. He fell silent and simply listened to the arguments being exchanged, their words heavy on his heart. It was one barbed point that caused his head to snap back up, befuddlement glazing his gaze. He worships the ground our dear leader walks on. True: He did follow Ratstar unquestioningly, but wasn't that what clan cats did?
When the leader himself spoke up, he looked again to Ratstar. "Right," he mumbled before turning to address the clan and his own self-appointed judge, Sootstep. "I understand your concerns. There's nothing I can do to change my age or how long I've been here, nor can I show you exactly what you want to see overnight. All I ask for is one moon to prove myself to you and if I fail to do so, I will step down of my own accord and Ratstar can select a deputy the clan approves of then. I will not do so before then. I am loyal to SummerClan above everything and I'm not going to throw away my opportunity to show you." He could have made several points about what he went through as a rogue, leading The Syndicate through the unclaimed wilderness, but that wouldn't change the fact that no one else here, aside from Ratstar and Orchiddrop, saw that for themselves. All Devotedcrow could do now was plead his case and hope beyond hope that his chance to be SummerClan's deputy wasn't taken right out from under him.
Raystrike was glad for her brother, she really was. She liked to think of herself as a family person, and it could be argued that she was. She defended her family and her deity with everything she had. The SunClan Ray smiled at her brother's promotion, and it just as quickly turned to a light growl at Sootstep's comments. If she had known this guy would speak, then she would have painted herself with more red. She rose to her paws and pushed her way closer to the center before raising her voice and staring at Sootstep. "Listen here Hazyeye, my brother his more guts than you ever had in your miserable life! Assuming you actually care about a cat, I know, bold to assume, have you ever challenged an entire Clan because you thought they were alive, despite them being assumed dead for months? Devoteddodo... err Devotedcrow here did that for me. And he would do that for anyone here, even you good sir. He would do what he thinks is right, like you wanted. All I'm hearing is a sorry, bitter hazy-donkey who wants to make everything more difficult. Shut ya' trap, no one gives a damn about what you think."
Igziq wasn't really part of the Clan, so she stayed out of the way of the meetings, but she still glared daggers at Sootstep.
We might never see eye-to-eye, Sootstep, but I do take your words into consideration.
Life would be so much easier if he believed Ratstar. But when had the tom ever acted on his advice? The leader claimed to listen, but he never did anything about Sootstep's concerns, never acknowledged the truth in his words, never did anything but claim to pay attention. He was sick of it. He didn't want to be like this, always argumentative, always the outcast, but what choice did he have? Someone had to stand up for what was right. Someone had to look out for the clan.
"Why don't you wait for a moon to become deputy, and prove yourself before you step up?" Sootstep knew they were going to ignore him, there was no changing Ratstar's mind, but he couldn't give up now. He was prepared to go on, but as the painted she-cat made her way toward them, he dug his claws into the ground and waited impatiently to get this over with. He wasn't surprised she wanted to defend her brother, just annoyed that she thought she had any footing here to speak.
"Funny," he growled, "I was going to say the same to you. Do you really think you're helping him here? Challenging an entire clan alone is stupid and reckless. Any smart cat would have asked for help. Any smart cat would have tried asking if someone was alive before they marched in ready to wage war. You got lucky that NightClan has gone soft and didn't kill you both for his insolence. That's not the kind of deputy I want. I don't want a deputy who has to fight every battle on his own, or who tries to drag our clans into his stupid plans. He's not ready."
He should have stopped there, but really, how dare she walk in here and insult him to his face? He didn't even know her. The dark gray tom crossed to the center and glared into her eyes, refusing to balk, if she wanted to make him feel self-conscious about his eyes he refused to let her. "Besides," he hissed, "are we supposed to be grateful that he dragged someone like you back here? I go on hunting patrols every day to fill your sorry belly, and you can't show one lick of respect for me or any other warrior that sacrifices for you?"
"Enough." Ratstar's tired voice cut through the arguing, and in one swift movement he stepped in-between Sootstep and Raystrike, turning to the Sunclan ray with a stern glare. "Raystrike, I permit ya t' stay 'ere out'a courtesy an' good-faith towards Sunclan's new High Priestess, but that doesn't give ya the right t' slander on other members o' this clan. I understand ya tryin' t' stand up fer your brother, but Sootstep doesn't need t' hear any other defense except from Devotedcrow 'imself. That goes for y'all too," He glanced over at Mudthistle and Markedpelt, the she-cat's ears falling against her head as she sheepishly backed away. He turned back to the pair of toms, his gaze moving back and forth between them. "I think havin' a moon trial period t' prove yourself is an acceptable compromise, if Sootstep agrees t' it. If Devotedcrow ain't meant t' lead this clan, then Starclan'll send us a sign one way o' another."
Oh boy. This Soot-something really grinded her gears. No one called her useless. No one called her brother stupid but her. No one. Her lips curled up and she got ready to give Sootstep a good ol' slap across the face, claws sheathed of course, just a little wake up call for the heavy sleeper. Unfortunately, Ratstar got in the way and started doing his thing, which of course only made the young, headstrong she-cat even angrier. Her claws dug into the earth as the leader spoke. Oh she had things to say, but she would be 'good' for a bit. Once the leader finished, she spat at Sootstep's face before turning away from both times. "It's not slander if it's true, Lord One-Eye. He's one of the best cats in this place. The fact that Cloudy's so bitter doesn't change that."
Sootstep twitched the tip of his tail. He couldn't help feeling a little smug as Ratstar told the others off, though the feeling was short-lived. He knew better than to believe that Ratstar was on his side. After all, his decision was the reason they were in this mess; he was just trying to cover his tracks down and double down on his choice.
Still, he knew this was the best he was getting for now, and dipped his head. "Fine," Sootstep acknowledged flatly. "He can have his moon." He prepared to go on, but before he could, Raystrike ducked around the leader and spat at him. The gray warrior hissed as fury as her spit rolled down his cheek.
"Hey, deputy," he snapped, turning to Devotedcrow with his ears flat. "If we're ever going to get along, keep your sister in line. She should know better than to insult cats for what they could control." Sootstep had a harsh tongue, but he was never so cruel as to weaponize cats' injuries against them.
