Deadfoot

[Syco]

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Name: Deadfoot
Age: 40 moons
Gender: Tomcat
Breed: Short-haired
Clan: Formerly WindClan, now LionClan.
Rank: Deputy?

Look in my eyes tell me I'm alright
I don’t know if I’m still alive

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Build: Agile, swift, lean.
Fur color: Midnight black
Markings: Small patch of white on his chest.
Eye color: A magnificent green
Scars/wounds: Many scars, scratches, and wounds that signify that moons spent as a seasoned Warrior. His right side is also bruised from the battle with BloodClan when two of the enemies slammed him into a tree. His shoulder also is healing from a deep but not dangerous wound. His front left paw is also twisted from an incident that took place long ago.

If this is goodbye forever’s just a lie
big enough to make you want to try.

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Personality:
~ Proud
~ Devoted
~ Self-conscious

Deadfoot is a seasoned Warrior, he has moons of knowledge and skills acquired through his moons of life in WindClan. He is proud of the abilities he has achieved in his lifetime and he has gained much respect throughout all the Clans for his seasons of experience and service. Long ago, however, his paw was injured in a battle and it never healed properly. From this he was renamed Deadfoot, dubbed this name and forever burdened with his impurity as the only thing cats choose to notice about him. He’s learned to live with it, however, and he’s fought and struggled through moons of ridicule to become the best Warrior he could be. He had to. He had to prove that he could do it – That he could be the best Warrior ever. But he was always conscious of his handicap, the thing that limited him for so long; that made his Clanmates doubt his skill. He will always feel like less than what he is because of his twisted paw, self-conscious of this limitation, but he has used it as incentive to make himself as best as he can be. And he did, when he proved to his Clanmates and himself that he was a worthy Warrior when he became WindClan’s Deputy. He loves his Clan, and would do anything to protect them. He is determined and head-strong and has proven that he can achieve anything he sets his mind to. Now that he has survived the battle with BloodClan and the journey to the new land, he finds himself with his new Clan, his new family, and he still remains loyal. Still, his permanently injured paw will always be something he is self-conscious of, and he will continue to prove he isn’t hindered by it.

~ Patient
~ Easy-Going
~ Trustworthy

This tom loves training Apprentices and even teaching kits a move or two. He is very patient with all cats and is respected for his easy-going and understanding nature. Associating with cats is something he do rather naturally, and he can strike up a meaningful conversation with any cat. Deadfoot has learned to balance seriousness and adopting a leader-like persona when it is needed most, but also to be friendly and solid to ease scattered minds around him. He keeps a level head in the most chaotic situations and cats look to him for his wisdom and advice. His moons of dedication and unwavering service to his Clan has gained him an air of respect among all the Clans, and cats aren’t afraid to put their trust into him.

~ Intelligent
~ Strategic
~ Defensive

This tom’s mind is sharp and constantly moving, he notices things with ease and not much gets by this cat. He is intelligent, his senses are sharp and he’s had seasons to develop his strategic nature and intelligence which have both heightened from the experiences he’s had. His age is sometimes seen as negatively by some cats, but for most it is a relief. Deadfoot carries with him many memories and experiences of the “good days” of the four Clans and the knowledge to understand many generations of cats as well as all four Clans. He is somewhat of an anchor to Clan cats with his deep rooted connection to their forest home, the memories he has and the experiences he has shared made there. From his experience, he has become an excellent strategist, the reason why he was chosen as Deputy of WindClan as well as LionClan. He’s a tom who follows his heart above all else, it is his guide and it will always lead him down a path that he can be proud of. This can be turned into a weakness, however, because he gets defensive of what he believes in and will fight to defend what he has faith in. His dedication to his family will never waiver – Whether it be WindClan, LionClan, or to the Tribe, whom he has new found respect for.

~ Reserved
~ Self-reliant
~ Wavering-faith

I can relate to others better than most cats, and I am considerate towards them and their feelings. But I am reserved when it comes to my own feelings; I would rather help others than focus on my own misgivings. I would rather suffer on my own time then reveal what I am feeling to other cats. I feel it is a weakness to admit to others how I might be struggling, so I hide it by working hard to help my Clan. I tend to work better at things on my own, though, and I am good at thinking up solutions on my own. I don’t like to rely on others and cats always tell me I am very self-reliant. It comes from all the moons of doubt and ridicule I received when I was young and twisted my paw. I learned to fight and defend myself, and to rely on no one else. I always relied on StarClan to guide my paws though. . . With anything that happened I always knew my ancestors would guide me. But ever since the devastation of BloodClan that ravaged his home, destroyed his Clan, and tore apart his family. . . His faith has wavered. They don’t speak to the Clan anymore and he is beginning to lose faith that they are still with them. Why is StarClan silent? He always asks himself this question, and there’s always a second that follows: Have they abandoned us?

You had your scars but I never thought
that you would give me mine.

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Family: All have joined StarClan.
History: *Pureblood WindClan cat.
*Originally named Crowkit.
*Apprenticed to the Warrior Talltail.
*In a horrible accident when Crowpaw was nearing the end of his training, disaster struck. Crowpaw and a new denmate, just six moons old, were out with their mentors. They raced on ahead to explore when the neared the falls and Crowpaw’s paw got stuck in a hole a mere foxlength from the falls, his denmate just ahead of him on the edge of the swirling rapids. He/She turned around to help when the ground crumbled beneath their paws and the new apprentice fell. They didn’t, however, fall to their assured death in the river below. They clung on for dear life on the edge. They both cried for help, but their mentors were far off and Crowpaw couldn’t reach her and he couldn’t break free. There was no time to think, adrenaline was pumping through this young toms heart; the heart of a Warrior. He did the unthinkable. With a sharp crack that split the air and a cry of agony following within a heartbeat, Crowpaw intentionally leaped forward with as much strength as he could, breaking his own paw in the hole. His paw slacked and slide limply from the hole as he propelled forward. Crowpaw was all on adrenaline now, the pain unbearable but the task at hand rang clear in his mind. He leaped forward and down and just as her claws slipped for their hold, his teeth sunk into her scruff. Crowpaw clung to the edge desperately and hauled her to safety, she was light as a kit and he was strong as a Warrior. They stumbled back clumsily at least a tree length away as their mentors came storming up, I could see their lips moving as they approached. But the energy was draining from my body, and shadows were pushing in on the edges of my sight. I fainted due to the shock and trauma of my denmates near-death situation as well as the breaking of my own paw.
*I was hailed as a hero in WindClan. The Leader insisted I attend the gathering that followed about half a moon after my injury. My paw still wasn’t feeling right, and our Medicine Cat said it never would. But my Leader insister I attend, and he made me a Warrior right there at the Gathering, telling the other Clans of my heroic story and how I sacrificed myself to save a Clanmate. Every cat said that’s what a true Warrior would have done. I heard every single voice at the gathering cheering and shouting my new name: Deadfoot. WindClan was loudest, ThunderClan voices declared respect, RiverClan’s yells praised me, even ShadowClan’s call sounded impressed. My Warrior name was not meant as an insult; however, the Leader told me it was meant as a symbol of what I gave to save the life of another. Of the sacrifice I made so another could live.
*Even after I received my Warrior name I continued to train with Talltail many moons after so I could learn to live, hunt, and fight with my paw and to truly become the best Warrior he could be.
*Eventually trained many Apprentices into fine Warriors.
*Fought in many battles and even developed his own tactics for fighting with his twisted paw. Earned the rank of Deputy, under his former mentor who became Leader.
*Fought bravely in the battle with BloodClan, but he had to follow the retreat that Sandstorm gave.
*There are some cats who think that he should be the Leader of LionClan from the experience and length he’s had serving as WindClan’s Deputy. But he humbly denies the implications. He feels he is better suited for Deputy, and his experience and knowledge will merely serve as an aide to Sandstorm, whose youth, determination, and strength is what the Clan really needs. Deadfoot supports her Leadership.

And now war's declared
trying the battle lines.

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Sample post:
It was her first day out of camp, her first day as an Apprentice of WindClan.

The occasion was always a joyous one for all of the Clan, but it meant the most to cat receiving her new name and mentor.

Her name was Ashpaw.

Then, of course, she was six moons old and just out of the nursery, not the seasoned and skilled Warrior you probably recognize her as today.

“Crowpaw, Crowpaw!” The gray she-cat came barreling into me, as her ceremony just finished up. I was fond of the young cat and often visited her in the nursury, we had grown close since my denmates had received their Warrior names ahead of me, Onewhisker and Tornear, and she had lost her sister to whitecough a few moons back. Now we were equals, though, and I could see the great potential that burned beneath her pelt, like a fire that couldn’t be tamed. “Morningflower said we were gonna go out with you and Talltail to explore the land.” The pretty she-cat had been announced as the lively Ashpaw’s mentor, but the experienced Warrior could certainly handle her.
I grinned at her eagerness and flicked my long black tail over her ear, “Sounds good to me.” With a joking purr I added, “Try to keep up, though, huh?”

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The two Warriors fell behind us as I dashed through WindClan territory, confident in my pawsteps and relishing in the feel of the wind through my fur. Ashpaw wasn’t far behind, she kept close pace despite her smaller size. Talltail had suggested I take the lead and show her the land to prepare me for the day I became a mentor with an Apprentice of my own. That day wasn’t far off and I knew it. I had been training for many moons now and I knew I was close to my Warrior ceremony. Excitement tingled at my paws as the idea crossed my mind.

We neared the gorge and I began to slow my pace as the treacherous falls loomed ahead, flicking my tail in a signal for Ashpaw to do the same. But she barreled right through my signal and stood on the edge with her eyes wide and curious. “Wow...” She breathed, mist falling on her gray pelt and the sun’s rays danced down, illuminating the droplets and making it seem like she was sparkling.

“It is beautiful – But deadly as well. Now come back here before yo-“ I took a pace towards her and was cut short. I watched as the ground fell away beneath her paws, and felt the same underneath me. But in a heartbeat I felt earth touch my paws again at the same moment I saw Ashpaw’s grab frankically to the side of the gorge, claws clinging desperately to the edge.

“Help! Crowpaw, please, help me!” She cried, and I could hear her wail reverberate throughout the entire gorge.

“Ashpaw! Hold on!” I pulled at my leg but it wouldn’t budge – my paw felt like it has slipped a different direction and was being held down by an unseen force. I lunged forward, but each time stumbled within a tail length of the struggling she-cat. “Talltail! Morningflower! Help, please!”

But who knew how close they were? Could they hear my desperate cries? Ashpaw may not have enough time for them to reach the gorge. How much longer could she hold on? The Earth looked slippery and unstable from the water that splashed on its surface. It looked ready to crumble again at any moment.

I gritted my teeth in pain and frustration. Adrenaline pumped through my veins and I felt my heart pound against my rib cage like a bird trapped in a cage. There was a choice before me; but I knew what the answer would be when I felt control over my body begin to slip away. “I’ll save you, Ashpaw, I promise! I promise.” I hoped my voice reached her.
I did the unthinkable.

A sharp crack split the air and a cry of unimaginable pain followed within a heartbeat, but I couldn’t locate the source. All I could do was stumble forward on unsteady paws, briefly acknowledging that somehow I was free. My whole body shook uncontrollably and subconsciously I wondered why I kept falling. The task at hand rang clear in my head, though. Ashpaw. She was in trouble. Her name was the driving factor that pushed me forward. Just as I reached the edge and sank my teeth into her scruff, the ground corroded away beneath her claws, but just out of the length of my paws. I dug my back claws into the moist earth, pulling her up with all my strength. Somehow I couldn’t find power in my left front paw, though, but the idea became irrelevant to me. I pulled her back to solid ground, she seemed as light as a kit and I felt as strong as a Warrior. We stumbled back clumsily at least a tree length away from the deadly edge just as our mentors came storming up.

I could see their lips moving as they approached, but couldn’t make out their words. My body gave way then, and I fell to the ground. Strange, though... I had meant to release Ashpaw from my hold now that we were safe but my body didn’t respond and she remained safely in my grasp. The energy was draining from my body, every muscle shutting down as shadows began pushing in on the edges of my sight. I glanced down before the complete darkness could take hold and saw my paw twisted at an abnormal angel, looking limp and broken as it fell to the ground.

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Next thing I knew I was in the Medicine Cat’s den with the scent of herbs wafting around me. Our Medicine Cat told me that I fainted due to the shock and trauma of Ashpaw’s near-death situation... And from the internal trauma of breaking of my own paw.

They said it would never heal right again. The damage was too extensive and irreparable. The idea made my stomach turn in horror and denial... I would never be a Warrior now. The idea constantly nagged at me, hanging over me like a storm cloud. I couldn’t think, couldn’t eat, even Talltail’s constant visits and words of encouragement wouldn’t reach me.

Ashpaw wouldn’t visit me. Did she think I was a freak now? That I was deformed and hideous and useless? Is that why she didn’t visit? Or maybe she felt guilty and couldn’t stand to be around me because she felt responsible in some way... The first idea always reached my mind first, though, and I was hurt and distraught over her distance.

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“Let the Gathering begin!” Crookedstar, the RiverClan Leader called.

My Leader had insisted I come to the gathering a mere half-moon after my accident, even though I wasn’t steady on my paws yet and I still held residence at the Medicine Den. But I couldn’t refuse – It was the word of our Leader, and Talltail was there to guide me gently towards Fourtrees.

Crookedstar took a step back, signaling the WindClan Leader forward. “Heatherstar says she would like to begin.”
The she-cat took a step forward, voice strong and powerful. “Some of you may have heard of the tragic incident that happened with two of our Apprentices at the gorge.”

Oh no, I thought, was she going to mention Ashpaw’s mistake about going too close to the gorge? It was an honest mistake, that didn’t deserve to be publically announced! Or was Heatherstar going to publically announce that I couldn’t finish my training because of my paw? That I was just a handicap to WindClan now?

I cringed as the negative possibilities crowded my mind and Heatherstar recapped the story to all the cats unaware to what happened. I heard whispers of shock, horror, and pity spread through all the Clan cats like wild fire. Every cat’s head turned to look at me; I could feel their gazes fall on me from every direction. To hold the attention of every cat like this... The moment felt suddenly overpowering. I didn’t want this. Why had his Leader dragged him to this public condemnation?

What Heatherstar said next caught him off guard. “His sole determination, bravery, and self-sacrifice has made him worthy of becoming a Warrior. I believe that he is worthy to become a Warrior in front of all the Clans because of what he did for his Clanmate is an action that is incomparable.”

Silence followed her words. Making a cat a Warrior at a gathering, it was unheard of! Surely the other Clans would voice their disapproval? And then what?

But he heard cheers rise from all around Fourtrees. Cats called and shouted and praised him from every Clan, the warmth and respect he could feel radiating from all around him was overwhelming. But this overpowering welcome he could handle.

“He’s a true Warrior!”
“I’ve never heard of such bravery!”
“Any Clan would be lucky to have such a noble Warrior!”

Heatherstar nodded her approval, and lifted her muzzle to the sky. “I call upon my Warrior ancestors to look down on this Apprentice.” She paused, finding my black pelt in a sea of whites, browns, reds, yellows, and oranges. “Crowpaw, you have trained hard to understand the ways of the Warrior code, and by the selfless way you saved Ashpaw from certain death every Clan has approved of you becoming a Warrior. Crowpaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Deadfoot. StarClan, WindClan, ShadowClan, ThunderClan, and RiverClan all know the sacrifice you have made and agree that you are truly a worthy Warrior of WindClan.”

I heard every single voice at the gathering cheering and shouting my new name: Deadfoot. WindClan was loudest, ThunderClan voices declared respect, RiverClan’s yells praised me, even ShadowClan’s call sounded impressed.

“Please, Deadfoot, do you see this as an insult; I chose this name as a symbol of what you have given in order to save the life of another. Yes, you have lost the use of your paw, but of not what you hold inside you. You are a Warrior worthy of WindClan – of any Clan. Your Warrior name is a representation of the sacrifice you made so that another could live. That is the definition of a true Warrior. You should be proud.” My Leader finished, eyes meeting mine.

Her words reached me and I lifted my head, holding it high. She was right. I was not weakened. I was still strong, courageous, and brave. I was a WindClan cat, and now I was a Warrior. The voices of all the Clan cats still rang around me, they sounded like they would never stop. Heatherstar leaped down and rested her muzzle on my head, “I am proud of you.” She whispered. To my amazement, the other three Leaders followed behind her, each resting their muzzles on my head in turn.

ThunderClan’s Leader, Sunstar, spoke in my ear, “You did well, Deadfoot.”

“Your courage will be remembered for moons to come.” RiverClan’s Leader purred warmly, following ThunderClan’s Leader.

And finally ShadowClan’s Leader, a head-strong tom named Cedarstar, rested his muzzle on my head, “Not bad – For a WindClan cat.” His mew was affectionate and approving, though, the normally bad-tempered ShadowClan cat dipped his head in acknowledgement to me. Shocked and feeling a newfound sense of respect, I dipped my gratitude back to the Leader.

The cheering continued for a long while after that and my head was raised in honor and pride to receive their approval. I scanned the crowd meeting the eyes of cats of every cat before falling on one in particular. Her eyes were the bluest of any cat I had seen; in her depths I saw an endless sky full of opportunities. Ashpaw met my gaze and with the tiniest nod of her head, I saw the warmth she head in that movement. Of the support she felt for me.

The day I twisted my paw was the day my destiny changed forever. The path to becoming a great Warrior would be extremely difficult, but it was one I was prepared to make. I was Deadfoot, proud WindClan Warrior who would do anything for my Clan.

However, I didn’t just lose the use of my paw on that fateful day. I found something as well. I discovered the love I felt for the cat I saved.

I knew that living with a twisted paw wouldn't be easy, but living without Ashpaw would have been impossible.