The Crowned Apprentice

[Cover credit to @hollyhockfang!]

Far away in a peaceful forest, by a large stretch of moorland and a crystalline river, there lived four ancient clans. They were bold and glorious, living in harmony and thriving through each season - living for many, many amicable generations. However, their quality of life began to decline.. clanmates begun turning against each other and their authorities, arguing, growing greedy, becoming more corrupt than courageous, and disloyal rather than faithful.

After suffering seasons of these poor conditions and failing leaderships, the clans had reached their limit - growing sick of their flawed and outdated ways. However, never could all of them agree on a new way of leading the clans - so they decided that each clan would rule in their own way, invertedly creating future, deeper divisions.

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WindClan's leader and deputy, who were mates, settled on a hierarchy. Ruling as equals, with an advisor replacing the role as deputy - their eldest kit taking over after their deaths.

ThunderClan's leader and deputy, popular among their clanmates, chose democracy. Holding votes every few seasons to reanalyse the choice of leader and deputy.

ShadowClan's leader and deputy, who struggled to get along, were able to agree on a council of sorts. Multiple cats would share the role of leader, dividing duties between each other.

RiverClan's leader and deputy, both having a strong interest in the changing seasons, found themselves choosing a rather unique way of leadership. They settled on having a different set of leaders and deputies for each season.

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Vixenpaw, a young apprentice of WindClan, is learning everything she can about clan life and how to lead in preparation for the day when she'd have to take over from her parents, and become Queen. However, fate seems to have other ideas in mind, and throws her off course and into a new, unfamiliar world full of enemies, responsibilities and mystery...