I have Sky!

Frostpaw wants Shimmerpelt, Icewing, Duskfur, or Lizardtail. But she knows they're the wrong choices because they're "obvious".

Splashtail is kind, but considered "too young".

Mallownose and Sneezecloud are experienced, but "too old".

She picks Owlnose, noting that he was Jayclaw's littermate. He's kind, a good fighter, an excellent hunter, and while he gets angry sometimes, he's a very good cat. Owlnose is absolutely stunned and is too shocked to say anything. RiverClan argues that Frostpaw is picking him because he's her uncle, like what she did with Curlfeather, but Shimmerpelt brings up that Owlnose certainly isn't an obvious choice. Mallownose says it'll be hard because he's never had an apprentice, but he's glad the next leader is his son. Everyone ends up agreeing because Owlnose is generally a good guy and they're willing to give him a shot.

Thirty pages!? Jeez! That said, I'm sorry, but the idea of Lightleap trying to flirt with Nightheart is honestly kinda funny in an incredibly awkward sort of way, and now that they've had more interactions, I'm definitely convinced NightxSun is going to be a thing in at least some capacity.

Owlnose is either so dead or so going to reject the position for some reason. But anyways, good luck my dude!

For some reason, it hadn't occurred to me that there might be a love triangle between Sun/Night/Light, I just chalked it up to Lightleap being a somewhat flirtatious cat in general without really meaning anything serious by it and we also haven't had a love triangle in a pretty good while anyway, unless you count Bristlefrost's unrequited feelings for Stemleaf.

Now that the alternative has been pointed out, though, really not looking forward to it. And okay, love triangles aren't inherently bad, but I really don't trust the Erins to do this one well at all.

Please, literally have them do anything except a love triangle. I can't stand them in general and the ones in this series are so badly written that it makes my head hurt. Let there be drama with Lightleap and Blazefire getting together because that could at least be fun but no love triangle, not again. I'm just so tired of them.

Frostpaw contemplates on who to choose for RiverClan's next leader. She decides that Shimmerpelt, Duskfur, Icewing, Lizardtail, Mallownose, Sneezecloud, and Splashtail aren't qualified. As the morning comes she begins to panic, knowing Mothwing will be expecting an answer. But then a name pops into her head, and although she tries to find a reason to shove it away, she can't. She happily decides that this cat will be their next leader. Frostpaw bounds out and asks Mothwing to call a meeting. As Mothwing goes and calls the warriors, Splashtail asks who the next leader will be. Frostpaw says he'll find out soon enough. He says he knows the past few moons haven't been easy for her and he's glad she's reached a decision.

As the meeting begins, Frostpaw begins with that she thinks she's reached a decision, resulting Duskfur groaning "You think you know?" And Frostpaw affirms she does. She looks at Owlnose, and says he should be their next leader. Owlnose stiffens in shock. Frostpaw simply gleams at him, knowing he was Jayclaw's brother and therefore her kin. She thinks about how great he is, but Owlnose can only mutter a whispered "Me...?"

Gorseclaw mews he's never had an apprentice, while Mallownose points out that the code says only deputies need to have had an apprentice, not appointed leaders, thereby making Owlnose qualified. Nightsky mutters it's an interesting choice. Shimmerpelt adds that it's not an obvious one either. Several others point out that Owlnose was Jayclaw's brother, and their last leader happened to be Frostpaw's mother. Frostpaw feels her confidence ebb away, but then Icewing shouts that she believes Frostpaw is making the right call. Fognose hollers that Owlnose is a good warrior. Brackenpelt, who is sitting beside Owlnose, nudges him forward. Owlnose pads up to Frostpaw and promises he'll do his best, but he's still clearly shaken by the fact she chose him. Frostpaw assures him it's what StarClan wants and tomorrow she'll take him to the Moonpool for his nine lives. Everyone else seems to agree with Owlnose now, but Frostpaw can't read the reactions of Duskfur or Shimmerpelt. Duskfur eyes Owlnose, but then goes "Frostpaw has consulted StarClan and made her decision. We have a leader, and we should respect his decisions and honor his wishes. Owlnose has always been devoted to RiverClan, and I'm sure he has RiverClan's best interests at heart." and then whispers to Owlnose that their prey pile is empty, before leaving camp with Shimmerpelt.

Mothwing then suggests Owlnose to start organizing patrols. He agrees, and as he assigns patrols, he begins to contradict his earlier decisions. Splashtail approaches him and offers to lead one, which Owlnose agrees to. Frostpaw feels her hope fade away as Owlnose seems to have difficulty making a single decision. Owlnose then asks Havenpelt and Harelight to mark the borders. Havenpelt asks which one, but Owlnose keeps switching between ShadowClan and WindClan. Annoyed, Havenpelt says they're going to leave before he changes his mind again. Mothwing tells Owlnose that he'll get used to leadership in due time, which makes Frostpaw think she should have given him some heads up before annouceing it to the Clan. Splashtail takes her aside and says he thinks Owlnose will make a good leader.

As the day goes on, Mothwing comments that Owlnose seemed to be fitting in well with his new role, having organized all the other patrols himself. Frostpaw asks about what to tell the other Clans since ShadowClan is hounding them for catmint. Mothwing says to let Owlnose deal with ShadowClan, and everything will go back to normal when he gets his nine lives. Frostpaw then says that she'd like to go to the Moonpool alone, to talk to Curlfeather one last time. Mothwing nods, and says it'd be a good idea to take Mistpaw and Graypaw with her. Frostpaw says no, she wants to do it alone. Mothwing narrows her eyes, like she doesn't agree with denying her littermates this privelege, but says instead to try and spend more time with them because they're mourning too.

Suddenly, they both scent wet fur and fear, and as they exit the den, they see Splashtail helping Brackenpelt into the camp. He explains that while hunting, the riverbank collapsed and Brackenpelt hit her head. Behind them, Owlnose and Sneezecloud are helping Podlight, and Frostpaw notices how small Owlnose looks now. As she inspects Podlight, she sees nothing is broken, and Sneezecloud says he just swallowed a lot of muddy water. Mothwing orders Frostpaw to help Brackenpelt, while Owlnose stands in horror, not moving and staring at Brackenpelt. Mothwing asks Sneezecloud for help, who readily lifts up Podlight and brings him into her den. Splashtail is already in there with Brackenpelt, and Mothwing makes Podlight swallow some yarrow and watermint. Mothwing asks Sneezecloud why they were at an unstable riverbank. He retorts Owlnose told them to cross it. Splashtail agrees, but then says he can't feel his claws. Brackenpelt, still dazed, sits still as Frostpaw forces herbs down her throat.

Owlnose then enters the den, quietly asking if everyone's okay, and then apologizing for getting cats hurt. Splashtail says it wasn't his fault since they've been so preoccupied with other things. Owlnose asks if they should send out another patrol to make sure it's not dangerous, to which Sneezecloud goes "Of course we shoud!" which makes Owlnose flinch. He stammers that he'll send out a small patrol when the border patrols get back, but Splashtail objects and says a small patrol will get washed away. Owlnose says he'll make it a big patrol. Sneezecloud snorts that every bank needs checking. Owlnose says he'll make two small patrols then. Sneezecloud, in disbelief, asks if there's only going to be two. Owlnose insists he'll send two small patrols now, and a big one in the morning. Sneezecloud eyes Frostpaw and Splashtail, all of them realizing Owlnose is trying to please everyone.

Later on, Frostpaw overhears Duskfur and Gorseclaw gossiping about Owlnose. Duskfur grunts that he'll probably change his mind more in the morning. Frostpaw begins to wonder if she really did make the right choice. She loves Owlnose, but can't help but feel she made her decision based on the fact that he's her kin, and because he seemed unlikely. She then spots Mistpaw and Graypaw, and decides to join in on their conversation. Duskfur however spots her, and cuts her off, leaving Gorseclaw to finish their meal. She asks if they can talk. Frostpaw agrees.

Taking her behind the camp, Frostpaw asks if she's okay. Duskfur says not really, but says that above anything, she's happy they have a leader again and it couldn't have been an easy task. She asks how Frostpaw did it, and Frostpaw happily says Curlfeather came to her. Duskfur looks delighted, and asks what she said. Frostpaw explains about how she said to look beyond the obvious choice. Frowning, Duskfur asks what that even means. Frostpaw shrugs, saying Owlnose felt right. Duskfur narrows her gaze and reiterates "Felt right?". Frostpaw explains because it seemed so unlikely for him to become leader, he was the right choice. Duskfur concedes it makes sense, but asks who told her that; Curlfeather, or StarClan. Frostpaw says it doesn't matter because Curlfeather is in StarClan. Duskfur sighs, and looking thoughtful, says she's surprised Curlfeather agreed with them. Frostpaw asks what she means. Duskfur mews that Curlfeather was always a direct cat, and very protective of Frostpaw and her littermates, so she's just confused why Curlfeather would want to make things more stressful for Frostpaw.

Frostpaw affirms she trusts Curlfeather and StarClan. Duskfur gazes at her, and then mews "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be worrying you. You've made your decision, and now it's our turn to support Owlnose. But I hope he starts acting like a leader soon, because otherwise you might have to accept you made the wrong decision."

Frostpaw is taken back. She knows Duskfur loves her, but doesn't understand why she doubts her. Frostpaw then answers with that when he gets his nine lives, they'll all know it was the right choice. Duskfur agrees with her, hoping it'll all end soon. But Frostpaw feels it won't be ending soon because it hasn't been a day and cats are already questioning Owlnose's leadership.

Guys I know this may be a shock

But what if the unexpected leader

is