Chapter Text
Chapter Text
》 SCENE 1. CENTER OF SHININGCLAN CAMP. LATE SUMMER.
[Note: Use Deadkit's kit/Deadkit design for this episode.]
It's been some time since the last episode. Breadheart and Deadkit-who is now old enough to be weaned-are sharing a robin.
BREADHEART
You need to be careful of the feathers. If you don't pull them off before you take a bite-
Deadkit takes a bite without listening and spits out feathers.
BREADHEART
Yeah. That.
DEADKIT
(still spitting feathers)
Ew.
Grasstuft approaches them, her kits-Thornkit and Spinekit-in tow. Spinekit sees Deadkit covered in feathers and laughs.
SPINEKIT
Do you like munching on feathers, Deadkit?
Deadkit hides her face behind the robin, ashamed.
THORNKIT
You ate feathers when you tried your first bird, too. Don't pretend you didn't.
SPINEKIT
That's why it's funny!
The group pauses briefly as Loyalstar jumps onto the centerstump.
SPINEKIT
Do you think he's gonna make us apprentices?
Grasstuft leans in and licks a tuft of Spinekit's fur that was sticking out.
GRASSTUFT
You're still four moons old. He's probably going to announce the new deputy.
STRONGCLAW
I can't believe it took so long.
The group turns to face her. She came from the side while they weren't looking and settled beside them with a mouse.
BREADHEART
Blankspots was alive until a few sunrises ago.
STRONGCLAW
And stuck in the medicine den with infected wounds, unable to perform his duties. It's been moons of a catatonic deputy and sunrises without one at all. The warrior code says the new deputy should be chosen by moonhigh after the original one dies. We're far beyond that.
BREADHEART
Palefur only died three moons ago. Loyalstar is grieving. Can't you afford any sympathy?
STRONGCLAW
There's sympathy, and then there's softness. NastyClan is waiting for their next opportunity to strike. We need to be ready.
Loyalstar yowls.
LOYALSTAR
(yelling)
All cats of ShiningClan, gather before the centerstump!
The cats do as they're told and gather before the stump. Since they were already close to the center of the camp, Breadheart, Strongclaw, Grasstuft, and the kits end up at the front.
Loyalstar settles and prepares to speak again.
LOYALSTAR
I cannot delay choosing a new deputy any longer. There are few apprentices in ShiningClan and even fewer cats who have trained them, so the decision was difficult… until Clevertail had a dream.
He motions to Clevertail, who is at the base of the stump. She dips her head.
CLEVERTAIL
I dreamed of a dark, shadowy cat with long claws protecting the camp.
Loyalstar and Clevertail exchange a glance before Loyalstar turns back to the Clan.
LOYALSTAR
The sign is clear. Strongclaw, step forward.
Strongclaw, though surprised, approaches. She stares at him from the base of the stump. Loyalstar gets on his belly and leans down to touch his nose to her forehead. Then, he rises, framed by the moon in the sky.
LOYALSTAR
You are the new deputy of ShiningClan. Use your position wisely.
She grins. It starts small, but expands to something wide that borders on unhinged. Breadheart, still in the audience, stares past her at Loyalstar. Loyalstar doesn't reciprocate.
Breadheart nudges Deadkit and they head toward the nursery. Just as they reach the entrance, Deadkit freezes. She turns the other way and stares at the center of camp, where the Clan is still gathered.
BREADHEART
What's wrong, Deadkit?
DEADKIT
There's a cat that looks just like Loyalstar in the crowd. He's staring at me.
Breadheart scans the crowd. Everyone is facing Loyalstar. He lowers his head and nudges Deadkit toward the nursery.
BREADHEART
(hiding confusion and nervousness)
I don't see anything. How about we take a nap?
NURSERY.
Cut to them laying down in a nest. After Deadkit yawns and closes her eyes, Breadheart opens his. He looks around the nursery, but doesn't see anything, so he lays his head back down.
》 SCENE 2. SHININGCLAN CAMP, just outside the nursery. DAY, FALL.
[Note: Despite Deadpaw getting her apprentice name in this scene, use her kit design to emphasize that it's being done early. Even if it's only a few weeks, I want it to feel more extreme.]
Some more time has passed. Spinekit and Thornkit are just short of six moons, while Deadkit is about five and a half.
Spinekit, Thornkit, and Deadkit are playing mossball while Grasstuft and Breadheart watch. They kick the ball back and forth until Spinekit kicks it particularly hard, and Deadkit misses it. Breadheart pushes the ball back toward them.
The kits continue to play in the background while Grasstuft and Breadheart speak.
GRASSTUFT
They're getting so big now. I can't believe they're almost ready to leave the nursery.
BREADHEART
Yeah, but Deadkit will still be here.
GRASSTUFT
For a half-moon, if Loyalstar even decides to wait. I'm going to miss them when they start training.
A brief silence passes as they watch the kits play.
GRASSTUFT
I hope Loyalstar gives them good mentors. If Blankspots were still around, I would've asked for him, but...
BREADHEART
(with a sigh)
Yeah.
He looks away, but quickly looks at Grasstuft again.
GRASSTUFT
Mentors are the most important cats an apprentice will ever know. I barely talked to my first litter after they were apprenticed. Blankspots was the only one who came around. He was going to visit Spinekit and Thornkit the day that...
BREADHEART
That everything happened.
GRASSTUFT
Yes.
BREADHEART
I'm sorry.
GRASSTUFT
It's not your fault. He died a noble death.
Linger on the moment. The kits are playing.
Then, Breadheart is startled by Loyalstar calling for a meeting.
LOYALSTAR
All cats of ShiningClan, gather before the centerstump!
Thornkit and Spinekit are ecstatic as the group heads over. This time, they're at the back of the crowd.
Loyalstar waits for the crowd to settle before speaking again.
LOYALSTAR
Today, three kits are ready to begin their training. Thornkit, step forward.
Thornkit obeys, practically skipping forward.
LOYALSTAR
Longstep, come forward.
From the crowd, Longstep emerges.
LOYALSTAR
May StarClan hear me as I proclaim the start of young Thornpaw's training. Longstep will guide him through it.
Longstep touches his nose to Thornpaw's forehead. The crowd cheers.
LOYALSTAR
Now, Spinekit and Tremortail.
Spinekit pushes their way through the crowd. Tremortail makes it there just before them.
LOYALSTAR
StarClan, look upon Spinepaw and accept Tremortail as their guide.
The Clan cheers again. Tremortail touches her nose to Spinepaw's forehead.
Loyalstar's face darkens.
LOYALSTAR
Deadkit.
Deadkit tumbles her way through the crowd after being nudged by Breadheart.
LOYALSTAR
It's time for you to be made an apprentice. Your new name will be Deadpaw.
He pauses.
LOYALSTAR
Strongclaw will be your mentor.
For a moment, the Clan is silent. They don't know whether the ceremony has ended or not. When Loyalstar leans back and they realize it has, they cheer.
Strongclaw approaches Deadpaw, but she doesn't touch her forehead. So, Deadpaw brings her forehead up to Strongclaw's nose instead. When she finishes, Strongclaw turns back toward Loyalstar.
The crowd continues to cheer, now cheering all three apprentices' names. Breadheart tries to make eye contact with Loyalstar, but Loyalstar ignores him.
End with the echoing cheer of Deadpaw's new name.