Firestar closed his eyes, his entire body aching. The battle had taken his deputy's life, and he knew he was about to lose his last. Weakly, he dragged himself out of his den, and called as loudly as he could, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting." He watched as the injured cats limped forward, but before he laid his eyes on the next leader,who he knew he would not be injured at all, despite the furious battle. He loudly rasped, "I say these words before the body of Brambleclaw, so that his spirit may hear and approve my choice. Lionblaze will be the new deputy of ThunderClan."
The golden tabby tom froze, his eyes wide. "Me?" He asked, shocked. Next to him, Cinderheart licked his shoulder, her dark grey belly slightly swollen with the kits she was carrying.
"You'll be a great leader." She purred, her eyes soft. Dustpelt snorted, and whispered something to Ferncloud, who rolled her eyes. Jayfeather was smiling proudly at his brother. Squirrelflight padded over to him, and licked his head lightly.
"I'm so proud." She whispered. "Hollyleaf would be to." She hesitantly added, and the tom's amber eyes clouded with grief.
Firestar smiled, as the tom stepped forward, and spoke loudly, "I promise, Firestar, and ThunderClan, I will protect this Clan. I will be a great deputy."
The Clan went silent, when Cinderheart loudly started chanting, "Lionblaze! Lionblaze!" Soon, more cats joined in. Even the tiny kits were yowling, every now and then biting each other or arguing who was louder. The sound was deafening, when Firestar let out a screech of pain, as he felt his last life leaving. He writhed for several moments, and Jayfeather burst up the Highledge, his apprentice, Blossompaw, close behind.
"No!" Sandstorm yowled, as Jayfeather stepped back, the grief on his face telling everyone what they already knew.
They still waited for the words. "Firestar is dead." Jayfeather told them, shock clear on his face.
He heard the gasps of shock, and could feel the pain and shock radiating off them. But one cat felt mostly fear, and desperation.
"Please!" Leafpool rushed forward, her eyes wide with pain. "Father! Wake up!" Her sister soon joined her, and both howled in pain, next to their mother.
Brackenfur stepped forward cautiously. "Lionblaze is our leader." He whispered, and the whole Clan turned in shock, facing the young tom.
Lionblaze closed his eyes, and murmured. "I am leader."