#Since he was a deputy for Brokenstar and Tigerstar I'd just prefer he didn't take the position again

[frostfour]

Ah Blackfoot/star AU anon again! Last question for now I promise! But would Leafstar still be leader in this AU? I find the idea of Blackfoot giving up a position of leadership in order to allow a loner to become leader to be so compelling! Or does he ignore StarClan and put himself as leader instead? Or or does he make Sharpclaw leader? The two of them are a bit similar so maybe he sees a positive aspect of himself in Sharpclaw OR maybe he tries to avoid past mistakes and decides against it.

Sorry for all the asks 😅 Firestar's Quest used to be one of my favorite warriors books so along with the good idea, I'm double interested ＼(^o^)／

I love getting questions so no need to apologize! Firestar's Quest has a special place in my heart too - that and Bluestar's Prophecy were the only stand alone books I owned and I reread them so much because of it.

So right now I've been keeping the first leader of modern Skyclan vague because there are two ideas running around in my head and I haven't decided one way or the other so far. At the minute it's a tie between Blackfoot himself and Leafdapple. Sharpclaw is very important to the AU but does not become the first leader of Skyclan.

Either way he thankfully stays as Blackfoot for the rebuilding of Skyclan so Blackfoot's Quest fits as a name in both scenarios. I'll break down my thoughts under a read more!

Conflict between Leafdapple and Sharpclaw

Blackfoot is still having to chose a position of authority within Skyclan (either leader or his deputy) so in both instances he has to choose between the two. Leafdapple is focused on the collective while Sharpclaw is ambitious and longing for power of his own.

On a personal level he prefers Sharpclaw, Blackfoot can relate to him and his aggressive tendencies. He's strong, proud and thinks with his claws. He's everything a strong battle centric culture could hope for and would make a good leader for the clan. But Skyclan doesn't border other clans, who would they be battling? Blackfoot might worry about the threat of Thunderclan but Sharpclaw wouldn't. The odd loner? The whole clan is made of outsiders so would the force be necessary? So Sharpclaw is shown to have the potential to become the next Brokenstar or Tigerstar. When the connection is made Blackfoot despite his preference for him choses Leafdapple instead.

Leafdapple joins and becomes far more interested in how the day to day life of a clan works. She challenges his ideas and broader clan customs, asking why it's necessary. Blackfoot wrote her off on a first meeting but she later earned his respect over the constant butting of heads. She would be a good leader too, one that puts the welfare of the community above her own needs. It's not dissimilar to the way people would talk about Firestar at gatherings.

Now Leafdapple is far from Firestar and Sharpclaw is even further from being Tigerstar but they are the comparisons that Blackstar sees and breaks the trend he is accustomed to by choosing Leafdapple.

Sharpclaw's Role

So he may not be leader in my mind but he does get a large role - he takes Sandstorm's role in the original book to bounce off Blackfoot! Scratch would be the first outsider Blackfoot meets on the way to the gorge that he doesn't instantly overlook - like you say the two are similar enough to have respect, both positive and negative. They track down cats to join together and Blackfoot mentors Cherrypaw and Sharpclaw mentors Sparrowpaw.

Sharpclaw is different enough that I think they would be interesting to explore for a large portion of an AU but similar enough that they would be on good terms. Blackfoot has a low opinion of loners? Sharpclaw is one. Blackfoot is reflective post exile? Sharpclaw isn't, he's impulsive. Blackfoot believing in clan culture and religion unquestionably whilst Sharpclaw is only interested in the power and respect that leader or deputy could offer. The two of them travelling together and getting to know eachother, finding Skywatcher and Scratch doing a double take like this is the guy you've been looking for? This strange guy? - they would be a fun duo!

Now onto the two possible outcomes.

Route one: Blackfoot becomes Blackstar

He choses to take the mantle of leader having devoted himself fully to rebuilding Skyclan and makes Leafdapple his deputy. He prepares for his lives ceremony expecting to see the people important to his life back in the forest and is instead met with ancient Skyclan. He doesn't really gain the closure of what his ancestors think of him.

Skyclan Blackstar really shines later in the timeline instead, when they journey to the lake during the time of Darktail. The shock of a whole other clan appearing at the lake, rebuilt and lead by Blackstar whose legacy is of being Tigerclan's executioner. The brute force that supported Brokenstar and Tigerstar.

Route two: Leafdapple becomes Leafstar

Leafdapple ascends to leader and taking Sharpclaw as her deputy, Blackfoot accompanies her and Echosong to the ceremony like Firestar does in canon. He watches the ceremony unfold, a ceremony he thought he would have of his own but is content to watch on. While still crucially important to the clan, often joked as being the deputy's deputy, he gets to live as a regular warrior.

The choice to give up power in favor of a loner gaining lives just bookends his arc so well and reflects his growth. He starts trying with all his might to cling to the power he's entitled to. He doesn't convince people like Leopardstar can and instead bluntly demands the respect and power he is owed. Blackfoot ran Shadowclan in the Bloodclan battle and he is the strongest leader left in his clan - without him they'll fall apart. In contrast he struggles so much to rebuild Skyclan and by the time he has the chance to access the power he tried again and again to achieve he passes on it. Blackfoot doesn't feel the same entitlement to power, what he once wanted so badly he feels he isn't cut out for - he was always second in command but never a leader. So the torch is passed onto Leafstar knowing the clan is safe with her, just how back in the forest Shadowclan is safe with Russetstar.

In my opinion the Leafstar & Sharpclaw route wraps up better as a contained narrative following the structure of Firestar's Quest while the Blackstar & Leafdapple route has more interesting implications further into the timeline. Considering this AU isn't being written up now theres freedom to explore both avenues.

Honestly would love to hear other peoples opinions!