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"You must do whatever you think best. But I know one thing. Nothing meant more to Graystripe than your friendship and his Clan. Even when he was in RiverClan, he longed to go home. He would want to see ThunderClan as strong as it could possibly be, even if that meant accepting that he's not coming back."
Below contains in-depth information for chapter seventeen of Sunset. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.
Leafpool retreats to the medicine catden after a Clan meeting, busying herself by making a poultice for Goldenflower. She feels uneasy having never seen her father's leadership challenged before and she wonders what had caused the sudden attitude. The tabby makes note of what her father had done for ThunderClan, but knows she has other troubles around her. Leafpool's thoughts turn to warnings from Bluestar and Feathertail. Finished with her poultice, she turns towards the elder's den but she comes face to face with Firestar. She worries he is ill, noticing how tired he looks but Firestar reassures her and says he's there to ask advice from his medicine cat from Sandstorm's urging. The tabby allows her father to speak what is on his mind and he tells her that Brambleclaw had visited him. The leader reveals to her that the tabby tom believes Graystripe to be dead and that it is time to appoint a new deputy.
Firestar explains that Sandstorm agrees, but he wants another opinion. Leafpool recalls how she had seen Brambleclaw in the Dark Forest with Hawkfrost and Tigerstar. She does wonder though if she had been judging him too harshly, thinking he may have put aside his personal ambitions for ThunderClan's sake. Firestar asks if StarClan had sent any signs about Graystripe's situation, but the tabby tells her father that he may have to let his friend go. The ThunderClan leader makes reference to losing two of his closest friends as Leafpool comforts him, saying the Clan will mourn alongside him. She tells him to wait in her den, as she fetches Stormfur to help give Firestar guidance. The pair return to the medicine den, finding Firestar recalling his first meeting with Graystripe and how much he regards the gray warrior. Stormfur adds in his own thoughts as the two discuss what the leader should do. He tells Firestar to do when he thinks is best, understanding the pair's close friendship. Leafpool becomes overwhelmed with sadness at the mere thought of Graystripe being dead. Firestar thanks Stormfur for his words, complimenting him in the process as he leaves the medicine den.
The ThunderClan leader calls a Clan meeting as Leafpool watches the Clan gather, spotting Brambleclaw appearing first. Squirrelflight and Brook ask the tabby what the meeting is for, but she tells them to listen as she is still overwhelmed with grief. Firestar recounts to ThunderClan how Graystripe had been taken by Twolegs in the old forest. His voice falters as he announces that he must chose a new deputy for ThunderClan. At that, the Clan goes silent, initially stunned with grief. But slowly a soft murmur arises, offering sympathetic and compassionate words to the leader. Firestar announces they will sit a vigil for Graystripe, and he will announce the new deputy at moonhigh per tradition. Brackenfur, Dustpelt, and Sandstorm all speak up, sharing their memories of Graystripe as Firestar adds on his own recollections of his best friend. Leafpool sits with the rest of ThunderClan in silence, noticing the sky darken with the ceremony. She asks for them to send her a sign, and almost instantly, finds herself dreaming. Leafpool awakes in the forest and is able to scent ThunderClan cats. There she is greeted with the sight of a thicket of bramble, protecting the camp. It's there she notices the thorns are instead claws and she realizes that Brambleclaw is destined to be ThunderClan's next deputy.
She wakes up, and carefully and quietly heads to Firestar's den. Leafpool quietly tells him about her vision as Firestar replies he had given some thought to naming Brambleclaw as the deputy. He also adds he had been considering Brackenfur, but recognizes that the cat he is naming may succeed him as ThunderClan's leader and Brackenfur may not the cat for that role. Leafpool vouches for Brambleclaw, explaining that he is the right choice, despite his lack of an apprentice. Firestar thanks her, and together the pair exit his den so he can make the announcement. Upon naming Brambleclaw as deputy, Spiderleg and Dustpelt openly voice their opposition. The latter pointing out that the tabby hasn't had an apprentice, making it against the warrior code. Mousefur agrees with Dustpelt, sparking an argument that Firestar quickly shuts down. The fiery leader points out the young cat's experience and that he will be given Berrykit as his apprentice soon. He also explains that Leafpool had received a vision, and allows her to explain it to the Clan. Dustpelt respects the decision following that, noting he can't argue with StarClan. However, Ashfur steps forward to challenge the position. He questions if Leafpool would fake a sign to allow her sister's mate to become deputy. Before Leafpool can respond, Squirrelflight retorts to challenge the gray tom, but Brambleclaw steps in to stop her.
Firestar asks the Clan if anyone agrees with Ashfur's claim and is met with silence initially. Brackenfur calls out that Leafpool is an honest cat and that if StarClan trusts Brambleclaw as deputy, then he would make a fine one. At that, Brambleclaw steps forward to formally accept the position, promising to do his best for ThunderClan. Leafpool notices the tension in camp fade as the large tabby is crowded by his Clanmates as they congratulate him. She notices Ashfur standing away from the rest before he retreats to the warriors' den. Left there, Leafpool has to second guess herself as she believes to see the spirit of Tigerstar congratulate his son, as if haunting him even in death.
Graystripe is declared dead after being missing since the Clans left the old forest,[7] and Brambleclaw is named as his successor as deputy.[5]
Ceremonies[]
Brambleclaw's deputy ceremony
Firestar:
The time has come to name ThunderClan's new deputy. I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our ancestors, and Graystripe's spirit, wherever it may be, may hear and approve my choice. Brambleclaw will be the new deputy of ThunderClan.
