"I've made my decision..."

Ferretstar's face shifts to one of cold seriousness.

"You're discharged of your position as deputy.

Puddleclaw blinks, dumbfounded of what he just heard. He takes a step back in confusion.

"What?" The tom asks, fumbling for words. The realization was hitting him hard. "Wait... No, you can't-"

"I can't what? Even now, you're forgetting who you're speaking to." Ferretstar says, flicking her tail dismissively. She pushes past Puddleclaw and drops to the ground.

Puddleclaw frantically follows in suit and then tries to block her path.

"Stop! Ferretstar, you're making a mistake!" He pleads.

"No. I'm tired of your insubordination. You aren't fit for this position."

Puddleclaw sputters trying to think of a response. He continues blocking her path. Ferretstar rolls her eyes and tries to go around him, but Puddleclaw persists.

"Get out of my way, you flea. You really don't want to make this worse than it is." Ferretstar threatens calmly.

Puddleclaw flattens his ears and doesn't move, but doesn't keep moving in front of her. Ferretstar goes around him. The tom hesitates, but then tries convincing her again.

"Okay, okay, I don't care about being deputy or not. But you're being frogbrained. At least think about my plan!" Puddleclaw shouts as Ferretstar is almost to the outside of her den.

Ferretstar lashes her tail and looks over her shoulder dangerously. Puddleclaw hadn't moved, but he was staring at her defiantly.

For StarClan's sake.

He wasn't going to let this go unless she taught him a lesson, wasn't he?

Good thing she knew exactly how to teach him a lesson.

"You know what? I have." Ferretstar says agreeably, "I wasn't sure at first, but then I thought of the perfect cat to act as fake Medicine Cat."

Puddleclaw blinks and comes forward. "Really? Who?"

The scarred tom sits behind her hesitantly and waits for her answer.

But it never comes.

She stares at him silently.

"W..who?" Puddleclaw asks again after a long pause. Ferretstar grins at him in response.

He catches on.

"Me-?!" Puddleclaw yelps in disbelief. He jumps to his paws. "It can't be me- I- I have a mate and kits! I was your deputy! The other clans will think-"

"Think what?" Ferreststar lets out a dry laugh, "Who cares what they think? I shouldn't care so much what the other Clans think, remember?" She continues, echoing Puddleclaw's words sarcastically.

A look of horror crosses Puddleclaw's face. "Ferretstar.."

Before he can finish that thought, Ferretstar suddenly bolts down the steps.

"Ferretstar!" Puddleclaw shouts more desperately.

Ferretstar was aware he would chase after her, but she knew he wouldn't catch up. She was faster than him.

The cream she cat turns the corner and leaps onto a pile of unnaturally straight fallen logs.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around the Woodpile for a Clan meeting."

Ferretstar yowls. A wave of HailClan warriors gather, cutting off Puddleclaw's path to follow her.

Although Ferretstar was mildly amused to watch Puddleclaw squirm, she diverted her attention to address the entire clan.

"As those of you at the Gathering may know, it did not go by peacefully. When we made our announcement to the Clans that Gingerleaf would be our new medicine cat, Foxstar threatened to kill him of we don't get rid of him ourselves."

Ferretstar spotted Gingerleaf eyeing the door. A few warriors seemed to notice as well. A string of murmurs passed from cat to cat, but over all, the Clan's attention was on her.

"However, these threats were not entirely unprovoked. Puddleclaw spoke out of place- bringing up the fallen Bearheart- and agitating Foxstar beyond reason."

The gathered cats were not looking around in confusion, some at Gingerleaf, some at Puddleclaw. Puddleclaw stared at his paws.

"This act of poor judgement is jeopardizing HailClan's safety. I cannot condone having chosen a deputy who conducts himself in this manner any longer. Unless anyone has anything to say on his case, Puddleclaw is discharged of the position."

With this announcement, several cats gasp in surprise. The crowd converses among itself. Birchtail begins to open his mouth, but Puddleclaw shakes his head and walks away from the crowd. In the end, no cat comes forward to speak for him.

Puddleclaw seems to not be able to handle the stares he was getting, and walks out of camp. Only Birchtail follows him.

"With that out of the way," Ferretstar continues, "We need a new deputy."

Her eyes hover over the gathered warriors slowly. Her options were so slim it was depressing. But then, all of the few were better than Puddleclaw.

She ruled out the cats she couldn't pick; Cloverface was too young, and had no apprentice. Birchtail also had no apprentice, and he and Silvercloud were still in the nursery caring for kits.

Lostnose would be a good choice, of she wouldn't outright refuse the position. She was Puddleclaw's mother, and Ferretstar doubted she would agree to become deputy in place of her own son.

That left Brownflower, Dustclaw, Ashtail, Leaffur, and Barkpelt. Who would be the best choice? Who would know best what to do during these troubled times?

Brownflower was the oldest and most experienced choice. Her patience and caring nature would be useful calming the Clan's nerves. However she might prove to be too good natured and lenient, and she was still getting old...

Dustclaw might prove to be more proficient strengthwise. She was the strongest fighter in HailClan, and she would be an intimidating second in command. Ferretstar already had a lot of respect for her, and even chose her to be Molepaw's mentor. However, Dustclaw was still grieving the recent death of her mate, and she might become too stressed out under pressure.

Ashtail, Dustclaw's sister was another option. Ashtail was an agile and loyal warrior, skilled at jumping into action whenever needed. However, her leadership skills leave something to be desired; Ashtail is very much a yes-cat, and tends to agree with cats without thinking what to do for herself.

Leaffur was Ferretstar's half brother and Brownflower's son. He was a close friend of hers, and Mistkit's biological father. He could be a bit lazy at times, but he was trustworthy and kind like his mother. As long as he could keep his nose out of trouble...

Which left the final candidate, Barkpelt -"trouble" could have been her warrior name. Barkpelt was Leaffur's twin, and definitely the brains behind their mischief and pranks. But maybe her tricks could be put to good use and were exactly what they needed to win against BreezeClan. If there was any cat that could come up with a better strategy than Ferretstar, it was Barkpelt.

Taking in a deep breath, Ferretstar knew there was no more time to mull over her options.

"If HailClan is to succeed, we need strong leadership to steer us in the right direction. I say these words before the spirits of our ancestors, so they may hear and approve my choice to change this vital role."

Ferretstar looks up at the sky through the crack in the old twoleg den. The full moon was still shining, and no clouds covered it.

She saw no reason not to proceed.

"The new deputy of HailClan will be..."

Original Poll Options:

25 Votes

1. Brownflower - 28%

2. Dustclaw - 16%

3. Ashtail - 16%

4. Leaffur - 8%

5. Barkpelt - 32%