Could you draw Splashheart and Reedshine (COTC)? Mentor and apprentice <3
The Mystical Battle and the creation of the Elder rank
Splashpaw dared to crack an eye open, glancing sideways at his mentor, Reedshine. The great old she-cat swayed ever so slightly in the breeze, but otherwise she was so still and content she could have been sleeping. It was still difficult for Splashpaw to believe that Emberstar assigned him to the Clan deputy; though every cat in RiverClan knew both Emberstar and Reedshine had seen more than their fair share of seasons.
In fact, when her grandpaw wasn't paying attention, Emberstar's successor Darkpelt often strutted around camp, boasting how she would soon be Darkstar, leader of RiverClan. The thought of following Darkpelt's orders made Splashpaw's pelt itch, and not in a good way.
"Splashpaw," Reedshine's croaky mew gave Splashpaw a jolt. "I can feel you thumping your tail against the pebbles."
"Sorry," Splashpaw mumbled. "I'm just no good at this meditation thing."
"Yet," Reedshine corrected her apprentice with a wink. "I'll make a proper RiverClan cat of you if it's the last thing I do!"
Splashheart and The Other Reedshine! I actually have a bit of lore for them in WCSR. Will explain under the cut!
Reedshine is the ancient, ancient deputy of RiverClan when Splashpaw is apprenticed to her. This was the early Code era, and Clan customs of succession looked quite different. Reedshine served as deputy for both Floatstar and Emberstar, as deputies did not succeed leaders, instead staying in the position until they were demoted, died, or retired. The leader would also name a successor, who was usually their direct kin and would take the position of leader after they died. (Emberstar's first successor was his daughter Cloudberry, and then the title was passed to Darkpelt, Cloudberry's daughter)
The rank of elder did not exist either. Reedshine would definitely be an elder if it did. So how was the rank created? Well...
Not long after Splashheart is made a warrior, the first fight breaks out at Sunningrocks. Storms had devastated the forest all season, the flooding taking Emberstar's final life and changing the course of the river. ThunderClan now lays claim to Sunningrocks, and Darkstar orders her warriors to defend it. Reedshine's brittle body can barely make the short journey to Sunningrocks, let alone climb them to fight. Sensing the deputy's weakness, Splashheart tries to block his former mentor from fighting, but Darkstar admonishes him for being a coward and a traitor. Reedshine heaves herself into battle, using what little strength she has left. She is slain by a ThunderClan warrior, slashed across the throat right in front of her former apprentice.
Clouds gather, and the battling cats are stopped in their tracks by a great rumbling. Lightning splits the sky, striking Darkstar where she stands. A glimmering apparition appears over her body; the sleek, well-fed form of a RiverClan cat, her dark gray pelt dappled with starlight.
"I am Aspentail," the spirit spoke. "I was the first cat in the Clans to be named for my rank. I fought to defend my clan before even Reedshine's elders were suckling at their mothers' bellies. A cat so old and frail should have been basking on these rocks, not spilling out her lifeblood. So we have ranks to protect our young, we shall have ranks to protect our old as well."
The spirit vanishes and Darkstar awakens, having lost a life. Frightened by StarClan's display of hostility, RiverClan retreats, surrendering the rocks to Whitestar and the rest of ThunderClan. Darkstar recognizes that Splashheart tried to stop her from putting Reedshine in the battle, growing new respect for the young tom's courage. She appoints him as Reedshine's successor, and at the next gathering Splashheart and Whitestar share what Aspentail commanded. The rank of Elder is officially created, and the conflict for Sunningrocks begins its long and troubled history.
"[Splashheart] would catch the plumpest fish he could find in memory of Aspentail and take it straight to the elders' den. And if he ever became leader of his Clan, he would make it part of the warrior code that elders and kits should be fed first, in honor of all they had done, and all they would do, for his Clanmates to come." - Splashheart, Code of the Clans
*added the (star) and the leader symbol because his rule was added to the code, which based on the quote implies that he did become leader after the story
