#Lakestar

[forestclan-clangen]

MOON 4 (Final)

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- Redstar tries to feed the woods. She really does. But the woods are silent. Nothing tries to take her. Feeling dread, she remembers Lakestar’s words when she was a ‘paw herself – that the Woods could smell StarClan’s scent if it tried to be fed again. It hated being tricked.

(Redstar, leader, female, 63 moons)

---

Redstar had waited with her back turned from the Woodcrawler nest for several hours now. She watched as the sun set on the horizon, and the nocturnal creatures started emerging from their dens. Crickets sang and the occasional owl called in the distance.

Still, she waited.

She had to.

The woods darkened even further as the claw-shaped moon peeked through the canopy. Redstar gazed up towards the sky. She was greeted with the shining stars of her ancestors above, their light twinkling with determination to fill the sky enough to make up for the moon's minimal presence.

So why did Redstar feel so resentful?

Her tail twitching in anger, she disrupted her vigil and turned around to stare at the very same den that a Woodcrawler had killed her from, several moons ago. When she first came here in newleaf, looking to feed the woods, she encountered the most disturbing effigy that she had ever seen a Woodcrawler emerge from. At the time, she could only feel pure terror as the hollowed eye sockets of a cat's skull bore down on her; its unhinged jaw was stretched unfathomably wide as mimicry of her words clawed its way out of its throat.

Only when she was finally home, back within the safety of the camp walls, did she decide that it must've been decayed remnants of a Fake Cat - weaponized by the creatures of the woods one last time before being absorbed back into their underground dens.

And that angered her.

She knew that the woods had no mercy and no sense of morality. It had no qualms about using the skins of the dead to lure their prey. It was just one more way to torment ForestClan and anything else they hunted. So what was this, exactly? This freakish disinterest in hunting her, taking her, whatever it was that Woodcrawlers did. This was the fifth time she went out in the middle of the night, to this same den, only to return to her clan with nothing. She could feel the disappointment and the worry in their eyes. She was failing them. She was scaring them, and she didn't know what else she could do. She couldn't just attack the roots around the den - if StarClan couldn't heal her fast enough, she could lose multiple lives while she was being dragged away by an agitated monster. But if she had to go one more night without being taken, then...then...

Redstar's heart sunk in her chest. She recognized the heaviness of her eyelids. She sat back down and closed her eyes, sighing deeply. She never thought it would hurt this much to, out of all things, have the woods reject a meal.

Did they catch an unfortunate Twoleg? Did a poor rogue or loner wander too close to a tunnel?

Was it her?

Redstar's tail thumped against the ground as her memories stirred in her head.

She remembered when she was an apprentice, a long time ago, before she held any resentment towards Lakestar. It was a cold leaf-fall morning, and Redpaw at the time felt numb. Iciclepaw had just lost her only sibling to the apprentice trials, and while Cliffpaw was comforting the white she-cat with a gentle touch, Redpaw just felt confused, and empty. She didn't know what to tell Iciclepaw.

Lakestar decided to help train Redpaw while Redpaw's mentor was in the medicine den. It was then that Redpaw prompted her leader. "Lakestar? Is it true that you have nine lives from StarClan?"

"Used to, yes. I have less now."

"...But still more than the rest of us, right?"

"You don't need to play coy, Redpaw. I know what you're asking. And no, I cannot sacrifice my lives to feed the woods."

"How come?"

"It just doesn't work that way. The Woodcrawlers can tell. My scent, and those of protectors of secrets - StarClan touches us in a way that the woods can smell."

Redpaw must've given her some kind of look, because Lakestar's sharp green eyes pierced her own. "The woods can remember being tricked, Redpaw. And it remembers when someone's wronged it."

As Redstar opened her heavy eyelids and returned to the present, she couldn't help but ruminate on her predecessor's words.

For the longest time, she thought she was simply lying. There could be no other explanation for her refusal to sacrifice her lives, other than cowardice.

But now, she shook at the thought. Was she telling the truth?

"...You will take my lives," she hissed at the black den before her. "You will gorge yourself on them and nothing else. Do you understand? You won't ever get a choice. Not anymore. I don't care how long it takes."

The crickets and the tree frogs sounded her reply.

Redstar turned her back towards the den coldly. She looked up at the stars one last time.

She wasn't sure where Lakestar went after she died. She tried not to think of it. Especially not after she heard her screaming over and over as Living Tendrils stole her remaining lives, while she begged StarClan to not let the roots trap her. Redstar spared her clan mates the task of confirming her final death - but she never forgot the sound she made as the deep roots swallowed her into the pit.

Still, Redstar thought. Maybe this was one last vengeance, one last trick from Lakestar. If she were here, she would laugh at her. Laugh like the woods were surely mocking her now. Go on. Jump in. Feed the woods.

She wouldn't give up. No matter what, she wouldn't ever bow to the woods and the cruel traditions of her predecessors. That time of ForestClan was over.

She will be different. She will be better. She will bring lasting moons of peace to ForestClan, and allow her clan mates to feel safe, for once in their lives.

She made a promise to them. She had to.

---

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[nachosforfree]

leaders from me and @cosmiicorvid 's warrior cats story

[faith-clan]

moon 1

moon 2

[moons-of-peachclan]

Prologue - Part 3

[Image ID: Two large text boxes and one small one. The small one in the top left reads "Newleaf - Moon 0." The first big text box reads: Siltroot is too exhausted to visit StarClan and receive his nine lives and dies without them. In the following days, many other cats die from a combination of exhaustion, smoke inhalation, exposure, insufficient nutrition, and illness caused by the above.

The second big text box reads: Ghostpounce, Batleaf, Snowstripe, Drytail, Beetlepelt, Shellflower, Minnowfoot, Thornmuzzle, Heronpaw, Mousefang, Cloudkit, Leafkit, Lilymouth, Amani, and Spiderdrop have died. Lakedapple, Goldkit, and Seri are in shock. End ID.]

Many cats have died. The lead healer scrambles to find who is next in line to be leader. (More below the cut!)

[Image ID: Three cats, two adults and one kitten. Above the first says "++ New Player: Lakedapple. Tom, 78 moons. Strange, guardian, & great navigator." Above the second says "++ New Player: Twilightkit. Tom, 2 moons. Daring, quick to help." Next to the third it says "Dashdawn. Molly, 101 moons. Reserved, great singer. Lead healer."

Lakedapple stands with Twilightkit between his paws and Dashdawn across from him. In the text box, Lakedapple says, "So it's me, then. I'm the leader." End ID.]

It was early in the night when Dashdawn entered the temporary nursery. Lakedapple was curled near the entrance with his paws tucked underneath him and his kit, Twilightkit, safely against his side. For a second Dashdawn thought they were both asleep, but Lakedapple's eyes opened as soon as she stepped inside. He relaxed slightly once he saw her, looking up at the lead healer with tired eyes.

Seri was also in the nursery, a tuft of Amani's fur between her front paws. She was heavily pregnant and sleeping fitfully. Goldkit was laying behind her, in his own nest but still near her body for warmth.

Dashdawn's head lowered with her voice. "Lakedapple... I thought you should know first. Spiderdrop just passed away."

He looked past her more than at her. He was a million miles away-- everyone was. She gave him a moment, and then his eyes focused on her. He looked tired and he sounded it, too. "So it's me, then. I'm the leader."

She shook her head minutely. "Not until you get your lives." A beat passed before she added, "I'm sorry. I know you didn't want this."

Which was an immense understatement. Turtlestar and Siltroot had died, which meant the next best claim was Minnowfoot's, but then they'd died, which meant it passed up the line to some grandfather or other and back down from there to Mousefang, who died. Then it was down to her son Cloudkit, who also died and was too young to inherit anyway-- so back up the line it went to StarClan only knew who else and then to Spiderdrop, his uncle.

And now that Spiderdrop was dead... to him.

"Don't be," he said. "Someone has to do it."

Dashdawn nodded. "Driftstreak and Frostpeak finished a makeshift raft a few days ago, and you're well enough to travel, so we should really go as soon as possible."

Lakedapple looked down at Twilightkit, who was sleeping soundly through the whole conversation. His heart leapt into his throat like a jackrabbit. How could he? What if he didn't come back and left his son an orphan? What if something else got him while he was gone? Ghostpounce would never forgive him for his negligence.

"I can't leave him."

The healer headbutted Lakedapple reassuringly. "It won't be for long. He'll be safe here, Lakedapple." Then, after a long, guilty moment, she said, "We'll leave at first light. I'm sorry."

Lakedapple sat awake like that for a long time, fighting sleep. How could he sleep? He had to protect his family-- this last little piece of it. This last little piece of his mate.

Eventually the moon crawled through the sky and the pre-dawn hours approached. Other cats were stirring and Lakedapple knew he'd have to leave soon or Dashdawn would drag him. He watched his son breathe for a while longer before gently nudging him awake.

"Ba...?" Twilightkit mumbled, his eyes opening groggily. A stab of grief coursed through Lakedapple. He was the mi now, the primary parent-- now that Ghostpounce was dead. It would take both of them a while to adjust to that.

"I have to go for a couple days, Twilightkit," he whispered, wishing with every part of himself that he didn't have to.

Twilightkit yawned and closed his eyes again. He was clearly too tired to really register what was happening, but he still asked, "Mm... Why?"

Lakedapple swallowed hard and tried to sound like he wasn't having one of the worst days of his life. "I'm the leader now. I have to go talk to StarClan."

"Mm... say hi to mi, ok..."

He had to go before he started crying. "I will," he whispered, his voice breaking a little. "Be good, Twilightkit. I love you."

Twilightkit was too sleepy to reply, but he didn't need to. Lakedapple licked the top of his head and picked him up before passing him over to Seri, who was watching the conversation quietly. She looked terrible, but Lakedapple knew she understood; her mate had just died, too.

"I'll take care of him," she said in that odd accent of hers.

Lakedapple dipped his head. "Thank you."

[Image ID: A dark gray background with stars. Lakedapple stands on the right with text underneath that says "Level up! Lakedapple -> Lakestar. Deputy -> Leader." On the left is a Dark Forest cat who is labeled with "++ New Player. Sootdapple. Tom, 28 moons (in life). Flexible, brave pathfinder, & natural intuition." Sootdapple says, "I give you this life for courage. And in your predecessor's absence... I welcome you as Lakestar. Good luck, brother. You're gonna need it." End ID.]

Lakedapple and Dashdawn filled up on prey and traveling herbs before they left. Then, they took the new raft across the thicker part of the river and to the southern bank. This ancient forest had been neutral territory for as long as any history had recorded it-- this forest and everything in it belonged to StarClan.

Dashdawn led the silent journey to the mouth of the Cave of Eternal Night. They weren't forbidden from speaking until they entered, but this was such a somber journey-- and the two cats involved so introverted-- that neither of them had much interest in chatter.

It had been many moons since Lakedapple had seen the entrance of the cave. It was like the earth itself was yawning, pointed teeth and all. Dashdawn paused before they crossed the threshold and began to follow the small stream.

"Stay close," she said softly, "and remember: you can never speak of what you see here or what is said to you. Not even I may learn of it."

Lakedapple nodded, and then the two of them began their descent.

There was light to see by for a while, but all too soon there was nothing to guide them but the wet, cold stone beneath them, the lazy stream to their right, and Dashdawn's memory. Lakedapple knew that there was no deeper darkness than this place, the place where night always lived and the sun never penetrated. It was so dark that if you tried to concentrate on it, you'd almost go mad.

The sound of Dashdawn's pawsteps and the occasional brush of her tail against his whiskers kept him from slipping or straying-- not that there was very far to stray. After what felt like days but could have only been hours, the stream quieted and Dashdawn stopped.

They were at the pool now. They would sleep here for the night and meet StarClan once the sun had risen up above-- until then, their ancestors would be absent from this place.

Lakedapple was exhausted. He'd never had a more dreamless sleep, and when he woke, there was no direction whatsoever. It was as though all he'd ever known was darkness... until he felt Dashdawn's tail brush against his face and he strained his eyes to look.

To what had to be the north of them, there was the thinnest sliver of light, just enough to make the darkness have meaning again. Dashdawn rose and Lakedapple rose with her.

The two of them carefully scaled the flowstone as the stars returned to the Cave of Eternal Night. They glowed all around them, reflecting off of the water or perhaps becoming unique instances. It was a difficult climb, especially since Lakedapple didn't want to dig his claws into this holy stone, but then they were at the small pool at the top.

There was just enough light to see by, like on a new moon. The two of them waded into the deepest point of the pool, where the water lapped at their bellies.

Lakedapple nodded. Dashdawn placed her paws on his shoulders, he took a deep breath, and then she pushed him under.

He realized immediately that the breath had been a bad idea and released it. The faster this was over with, the better-- but he couldn't make himself breathe in, and when he started to run out of air, he started to panic. He thrashed wildly and surely his claws grazed Dashdawn, but she held him firm until he finally sucked in water, felt his head go light, and then it all went black.

Until the stars rushed in to greet him.

Five cats stood in a semicircle around him, all of their pelts threaded with stars. His eyes were wide with shock as he looked at all of their faces-- but he didn't have much time to gawk before Shrubquiver was clearing her throat to get his attention.

He looked at her, stronger than he'd last seen her but not much younger. "With this life," she rumbled, "I give you trust in your own instincts. Know what experience has taught you-- do not blindly trust reason." She touched her nose to his, and pain tore through him-- when it faded, what he imagined must have been the ache of ancient bones was the last to fade.

Next was Batleaf, an old friend. The tom's ears twitched forward and his tail crooked to the left before he sat back on his haunches and made a series of quick gestures with his paws. Lakedapple was always a little slow with pawspeak, but he seemed to understand it better here as Batleaf said, "I give you this life for determination. With it, you will receive the strength to keep going, even if others think you don't have what it takes."

Batleaf touched his nose and the noises Lakedapple hadn't even noticed faded to nothing as the pain rocked through him. All he could hear was his own blood rushing in his ears-- and with it, the certainty that as long as that sound kept echoing through his skull, he could put one paw in front of the other, no matter the odds.

Then it was Snowstripe. Lakedapple hadn't known Snowstripe well, but he was still glad to see him here. "With this life, I give you stability," he said, stepping forward to touch their noses together. This pain was a stiff one, like wind trying to blow him over but his limbs locking firm. Lakedapple instinctively dug his claws in as it washed over him. When his ears stopped ringing, Snowstripe said, "You'll do fine as leader, Lakedapple. Don't worry."

And then... "Ghostpounce," he whispered, his voice hoarse.

Her eyes were flinty as she stepped forward. He knew that look-- she was doing everything she could not to fall apart. "With this life, I give you unity," she said in a voice like she was using every ounce of willpower not to cry. "Teamwork makes the dream work." She touched her nose to his and the agony that ripped through him wasn't only physical. It was emotional, too-- grief doubled over. This would be the last time for a very, very long time that he would touch his nose to hers, and that was a pain that didn't fade away.

Flarefur was next, looking remarkably more alive than he ever had when he'd actually been alive. He gave a shy smile and said, "You're almost done. I'm certain of it. And with that, I give you this life for certainty, so that you will always know your place in the world and what you're supposed to do with it." The ache of this life was a cold one, like one big bruise, or maybe a fever. His stomach turned but he stood strong.

When Lakedapple opened his eyes again, the StarClan cats were gone. Panic suddenly rose in him like the water he'd choked on-- was that all? Where was Turtlestar? Was he going to be stuck here forever?

Then, a familiar scent reached his nose. Lakedapple's head snapped around to Sootdapple, bathed in shadow. Shock, horror, and grief clawed through him better than any enemy warrior.

"Surprised to see me?" Sootdapple asked, a sly grin on his muzzle.

Out of all the thoughts running through his mind, for some reason the one Lakedapple settled on was, "Where's Turtlestar...?"

Sootdapple shrugged. "Off hiding from her shame." Then, his smile returned, but a touch less sinister. "This clan will do well under your leadership, brother. I give you this life for courage-- and lieu of your predecessor... I welcome you as Lakestar."

He touched his nose to Lakedapple's-- Lakestar's-- before he had time to react. This life didn't hurt at all; it just filled him with vigor and made his heart start beating.

"Good luck, brother!" he called, already sounding far away.

"Sootdapple, wait--"

With a laugh, he added, "You're gonna need it!"

...

and then Lakestar was coughing his lungs up on the bank of the shallow pool, Dashdawn vigorously licking his fur the wrong way to get some warmth back into him.

They sat there for a long while so Lakestar could catch his breath, and then it was time to go back.

[what-is-love-babey-dont-hurt-me]

Online friends give you the unintended consequence of being unable to think about lakes normally because ten years ago Lakestar2002 from a now defunct game disappeared and you hope they are okay. You can’t hear a doorbell without thinking about DingusLickisDongus. You see a bird and go “wow just like Xx_Sparrow_xX”. I hope I’ve burned my image into someone when they hear something as simple as a finger snap.

[carniceria]

never be a leader in wcue bro i died so i could log off and my deputy didnt do my burial and a random cat named moonshine tried pushing my body into the water. after all i did to protect and manage that clan now i feel i gotta come back as a dark forest cat that torments riverclan

[identityarchitect]

Because IS-OT didn't want a name that wasn't Lakestar, a new clan (Duskclan) has formed in the Aurora Collective. They don't yet have a medicine cat.

[starryproxi]

Snowdrop is white and brown point she-cat with ocean-blue eyes.

Snowdrop is currently a MapleClan warrior who has served under Lakestar's leadership in the Woodland territories and is now serving under Treestar's. She and her sister, Flake, were born as kittypets to Aspen and Blizzard.

After being carried and unexpectedly dropped by a hawk during a rainstorm, Snow found herself in MapleClan territory of the Woodlands. She was eager to become a warrior—serve and protect her Clan—and assisted in driving out the Brotherhood. She was mentored by Brookshine as Snowpaw and earned her warrior name after passing her assessment. She became mates with Blackthorn and had three kits: Frostkit, Rosekit, and Fogkit (later renamed Ghostcall).

I redesigned her again (for the sextillionth time), but I feel satisfied with her backstory. I don't think I've ever read a character getting carried by a bird of prey and dropped in the books, so I came up with a twist!

[somanybee]

Wooooo another ClanGen cat! Lakedawn, recently named Lakestar, is a very sad kitty (the game says she has “lasting grief”)

[guardiansofsilverpelt]

Welcome Wind kin’s healer, Faithmoon!

Faithmoon was born to Lakestar and Sunnyspeckle along with her brother, Skipkit. her sister Moondaze was the clan’s medicine cat, and Faithkit wanted to follow in her pawsteps. after her brother, sister, and father (Lakestar) died to a fire she becomes reclusive and secretive. she is named Faithmoon by the current leader, as there was no medicine cat to name her.

Artwork by Faithmoon themself!

Did you know we’re hiring? Contact Patchpebble@gmail.com or join the discord today and contact a team lead or site manager! https://discord.gg/GewjTuvnFN

[angel-ignited]

Loving the new graphic novel so much!!!! Had to draw my OC Lakestar like Spottedleaf!

[forestclan-clangen]

ForestClan History: Lakestar's Reign

[Image ID: A pixel art image of an gold cat with brown brown patches standing on a tall rock in the center image, with four cats staring at towards the center uneasily. In yellow letters is the text "Lakestar's Reign". End ID.]

Lakestar was the secret keeper before Redstar - and she would be the last, with Redstar changing the position's title to be the humble leader of ForestClan. While the origin of the secret keeper title is not fully known by normal members of ForestClan, the reason for it was simple. StarClan entrusted both secret keepers and protectors of secrets with a very specific piece of knowledge: the existence of the Iris, and all of its otherworldly hatred. Lakestar's reign, unbeknownst to most of ForestClan, is the result of Lakestar's progressive mental deterioration with having to keep this secret, and her failure to control her fear of the woods after learning of Rootgrove's fate. Her streak of clan-wide fear-mongering, guilt tripping and subsequent abuse of anyone who challenged her left permanent emotional scars on many of current ForestClan's founding members, and the damage she did to the preservation of Clan culture still greatly hurt ForestClan to this day.

This history dive will go over Lakestar's early life, her rule and subsequent plot to be overthrown, and the impact her rule will have on the current narrative.

EARLY LIFE

Lakekit was born to a large litter with four other siblings; two of which were taken by the woods at birth. Birchstar was considered a "status quo" leader at the time, maintaining strict rules that were made by their predecessor. This meant that when Lakekit became six moons old, she and her other two siblings were sent on apprentice trials. Of the three who ventured out, only two returned - herself and Burnpaw. As a result, the remaining siblings became quite close and protective of the other.

Lakepaw was mentored by a cat named Chervilpath. Lakepaw butted heads with her mentor often, as she would ask hard questions like, "Why can't we move to a new territory?" and, "Why haven't we sent patrols to search for one?" Chervilpath always reminded Lakepaw that no such territory existed, otherwise, ForestClan would have gone there. Despite their disagreements, Lakepaw did find Chervilpath's actual mindset to make sense - you can't save everyone, so you need to do the next best thing and protect as many people as possible.

Lakepaw and Burnpaw both survived their apprenticeships, becoming Lakeshine and Burnfur.

As the years went on, tragedy after tragedy struck the Clan. Several queens gave birth to litters who were stolen entirely by the woods, and some of whom zero apprentices returned from their apprentice trials. In this time, Birchstar either gave up on enforcing tradition, or became apathetic in leading the Clan. They were tired of seeing kits die every five moons, and said he wouldn't send apprentices out anymore. At the time, the clan was emotionally defeated and exhausted, and grieving many cats, and this news wasn't received with the joy it should have. Many cats were resentful that Birchstar waited until an entire generation of cats were dead before changing his ways. Lakeshine was among those cats.

One day while patrolling alongside Pinegrove, the secret keeper's apprentice, they were both attacked by a Gardener, and Pinegrove was severely wounded - but not without dealing a massive wound at one of the Gardener's legs. Lakeshine desperately carried Pinegrove back to camp, where he was expertly healed by the young medicine cat, Chicoryglint. Birchstar gave his deputy the honor title "Rootgrove", in honor of being able to defeat a Gardener.

Rootgrove began deteriorating mentally, reporting odd dreams and experiencing seizures. Seeing an opportunity to enact change in ForestClan, Lakeshine had grown somewhat close to Birchstar, with she and Burnfur organizing patrols as a team when Rootgrove was nursing illness. Eventually, Birchstar forced Rootgrove to step down, and appointed Lakeshine as deputy in his place.

LEADERSHIP

When Birchstar passed, Lakestar was told the secret of the Deep Roots: that the Iris is responsible for it all, and it is approaching the planet. The only thing they can do is delay the inevitable. She was deeply shaken by this revelation, wondering if it was even worth trying to change things, if nowhere was safe. She tried to maintain her prior optimism for change, even if it was now soured. She appointed her brother Burnfur as her secret keeper's apprentice, and sent a few patrols out with the purpose of finding land outside of ForestClan's borders. While a few cats were excited at the prospect of finding a safe place away from Woodcrawlers, many more were afraid of losing their connection to StarClan.

When Lakestar noticed cats being taken by the woods more often than she remembered in her youth, she turned to Chicoryglint in the hopes that she had received messages from StarClan. Chicoryglint had an answer, but it was rooted in her obsessive tracking of deaths, not in StarClan. She showed Lakestar that apprentice trials HAD a purpose - namely, it disrupted the risk assessments of Woodcrawlers. Without them, the creatures grew bolder and more aggressive. With them, the Woodcrawlers were more hesitant to attack both young and adult cats after about two years' time. Believing that this would protect the most cats in the long term, Lakestar reinstated apprentice trials. Many cats were appalled by this, even when Chicoryglint and Burnfur backed her choice. One cat named Amberthorn challenged Lakestar, and Burnfur fought him and made him yield. Lakestar trusted Burnfur to fight for her, but now felt like her clanmates doubted her leadership.

Eventually, she caught Rootgrove attempting to sneak out of camp with the Clan's kits. After being confronted, he ran off, and Lakestar gave chase. He lured them both into a Woodcrawler den. Lakestar lost three lives from this encounter, and when she had gotten to StarClan, became horrified when she was told that Rootgrove's spirit couldn't be reached - he was trapped among the Deep Roots. Spurred by the terrifying reality that a cat's spirit could be trapped with the Woodcrawlers forever, she started restricting the movements and freedom of her clanmates. This quickly devolved into the need for absolute control over them. She was afraid to die, and she would ensure everyone else shared that fear. The cycle was such: she would ask why they wanted to do something, guilt trip them if it wasn't something she wanted to hear, and if they didn't capitulate, she lashed out and said that if they wanted to die, they could be her guest. A harrowing threat that was commonly heard was, "Fine, go on then! Feed the woods!" She would never actually force anyone to do so.

That is, until her brother Burnfur was murdered by a vengeful clanmate, Whisperpelt, who wanted to avenge Amberthorn. Lakestar exiled Whisperpelt in the middle of the night, commanding him to feed the woods. She appointed her former apprentice from her time as a warrior, Weaselfang, as her new second in command. After that, Lakestar's threats were no longer empty. She lost all empathy for sending apprentices on trials, sent warriors openly disagreed with her to feed the woods, and stayed safe in her den for most of her remaining rule.

ASSASSINATION PLOT

Eventually, after several moons of suffering, a young mother named Iciclepool had enough of loss. She had lost two entire litters - all to the Living Tendrils and apprentice trials. The last straw was when her mate spoke out against Lakestar, and her mate was sent to feed the woods. A young molly named Redpath shared a similar sentiment after watching her clanmates suffer. They had watched Lakestar die to sickness more than violence - and yet come back every time. With so many lives granted by StarClan - how dare she hide while she sent their loved ones to die?

Together, with two other cats - Lightfoot and Ferncreek - they hatched a plan. Redpath would pretend to be a staunch supporter of Lakestar, no matter what. She would become her secret keeper's apprentice. And she would then avenge her fallen clanmates.

First, Redpath started acting cold and strict towards her clanmates. She would mimic Lakestar's words, telling cats that Lakestar's actions were for the greater good - she was doing what was best for them. This was difficult for Redpath and her co-conspirators, as she often had to speak out against Iciclepool's well-known vendetta. Eventually, Lakestar brought Redpath into her circle of trust.

Second, they had to get rid of Weaselfang. Using an abandoned Twoleg nest that held Fake Twolegs that Iciclepool and Redpath found earlier, Redpath and Ferncreek brought Weaselfang to this nest to hunt without telling them about its nature, and Weaselfang was taken by the entities and fed the woods. Mourning her former apprentice, Lakestar appointed Redpath as her new one.

Third, they needed to find a method lethal enough to take all of Lakestar's remaining lives - no matter how many she had. More cats started rising in defiance and wanted to stop Lakestar, but were too afraid of Redpath to speak out. Behind the scenes, Iciclepool gained the trust of Barleywave and Cloudthunder. Ferncreek's son, Windpaw, had just started his apprenticeship with Chicoryglint as well, and was afraid of Lakestar enough to trust his father.

Once Redpath knew she had the backing of half of her now-small Clan, she made her move. She told Lakestar that she had found something important - something that showed that feeding the woods was actually causing something to grow. When Lakestar was suspicious, Redpath admitted that she and Iciclepool had found a massive pit of Deep Roots, wide open on the other side of the border. They didn't report it because it was small, and it wasn't on their territory. But over the winter, it had grown, and she was scared. Reluctantly, Lakestar admitted she needed to know what it was. Whether it was Rootgrove or the Iris, she didn't know, but Lakestar had to know what could kill them. When they got to the pit, it was covered in black, fleshy vines, and with no visible bottom.

"What is it?"

"...A grave."

From behind the treeline were several clanmates, standing behind Redpath. They encircled Lakestar's paths of escape.

"I'm sorry, Lakestar."

"You faithless, treacherous she-cat!"

"I am loyal. I am faithful. To ForestClan."

"Then kill me! Kill me by your own paws! Please, I beg of you. Do not send me there. Please."

"That fear is the same one we showed you, again and again. But you never gave that mercy. By StarClan's will, I vow that this will be the last time these words will ever be spoken: go on, then. Feed the woods."

With this, Redpath pushed Lakestar into the pit. Lakestar was screaming the entire time as the roots engulfed her, slowly. As it became clear that her death would not be instant, Redpath meekly asked her clanmates to return back to camp - she would wait until Lakestar was dead. She added quickly that Iciclepool was now her deputy.

Lakestar eventually lost her last lives, and her spirit was freed. Where she is now - Redstar does not know, and does not wish to know. Despite Redstar's newly acquired knowledge of the Iris, she decided that just like with Lakestar, she would not be intimidated by something that claimed to be stronger than them. And if it was, then she will go down giving her clanmates hope, joy, and celebration in their last living memories, not terror. Redstar has thus far rejected fear in the face of the Iris - something StarClan is quietly grateful for.

LASTING IMPACT

Lakestar's reign unfortunately left a lasting impact on present-day ForestClan. Only Hopechase remembers a leader prior to Lakestar. The rest of the cats have only known Lakestar's tyranny, and it has caused them to develop very bad coping mechanisms as a response to perceived aggression. A good example is Redstar and Iciclepool's argument over adopting Shiverkit in Moon 1. Redstar instinctively defaulted to harsh pragmatism - the kit was a runt, the woods were cruel, and trying to imagine a future for a kitten was asking for pain. This rhetoric was not Redstar's own - it was a default reaction under stress. Under any conflict, she trained herself to say something that Lakestar would agree with in order to avoid scrutiny from her. In contrast, Iciclepool becomes defensive and unnaturally logical at even the slightest hint of conflict - trying to give Redstar excuses for why Shiverkit should be brought into the clan, including implying that Shiverkit can feed the woods when Redstar can't. Both very quickly realized what they were doing, speaking their real fears and wants aloud to resolve the conflict. Other cats have developed different coping mechanisms - with Cloudthunder having massive wanderlust after years of restriction, Barleywave being afraid of showing vulnerability or speaking the truth, and Windfur being emotionally dependant on the idea of Chicoryglint, even if she wasn't a saint in reality.

In addition to poor coping mechanisms, Lakestar stopped upholding seasonal celebrations that ForestClan would have, and teaching kits about the history and cultures of the lost Clans became the responsibility of the parents, IF they desired, instead of a designated historian or permanent queen. While Redstar was a staunch lorekeeper that kept that knowledge alive, actively re-teaching that knowledge is a slow and painful process. Cloudthunder and Barleywave barely have any stories of the lost Clans to tell, and Windfur knows none, except for the one of their destruction. Reintroducing this knowledge and these celebrations will take time. Luckily, Hopechase does remember the magic of these festivals from her youth, and has wanted to reintroduce them once the new ForestClan had truly gotten themselves settled once more.

While ForestClan is not the great bastion of knowledge and culture preservation that it used to be, Redstar and her clanmates are trying very hard to bring that back to how it was. When the narrative won't be focusing on the horrors of the woods, it'll stem from the conflict of rebuilding a culture after all is lost. Hopechase told them that when she was a kit, her uncle told her a story about how after the old Clans died out, StarClan had sent a beautiful vision to the ForestClan medicine cat - a clan of cats, of all cultures and beliefs, living together in harmony, as they were shielded by walls of tall pine trees, ringed in spears. From those spears were glowing stars, repelling the darkness that threatened them.

Since then, ForestClan's goal is to do just that. Despite all adversity, they will rebuild ForestClan, and teach once more the history of the lost Clans. They will be a gentle camp, ringed with spears. But first, they had to survive for long enough to build such a place, together.

[waywardsalt]

so. i've had an idea for a warrior cats fanfiction story, and have spent the last few years hammering out characters, the clans, how they work, the story... a whole lot of stuff. i've tried writing it before, and right now i don't have a current draft of early chapters, but I did recently write out a scene from much later in the story, and i'm pretty happy with it, soooo... here! a warrior cats fic scene i wrote in like an hour a week ago

By the time she led ShadeClan to the Gathering site, Emberstar felt her anxieties lessen. Her foreleg ached from the effort of the journey, but she kept her head high. Beside her, Acornfall glanced back at their clan, then nodded over to Emberstar. He led the clan down into the Gathering hollow, and Emberstar padded over to the slope up to the leader’s perch. PineClan and CliffClan cats were already quietly milling about in the hollow, and up on the overhang she could see Lakestar and Wolfstar waiting. There was no MoorClan scent among the gathered cats.

              Emberstar made her way up the slope she’d seen Gorsestar and Froststar before her traverse. It was a thin path, slowly becoming steeper and steeper as she slunk closer to the overhang, finally reaching the steep, gravelly slope that led up to the leaders’ perch. Down at the base of the cliff, she could see Acornfall joining the other deputies with a polite nod of his head, and Troutfoot was carefully weaving her way through the crowd to meet with the other healers. Emberstar twitched her whiskers when Lakestar and Wolfstar noticed her. She crouched and tensed her back legs and leapt up the slope.

              It wasn’t enough to reach the top, but she reached out with her forepaw and sunk her claws into the loose gravel and dug her back paws into the ground to keep from slithering back down. She slowly inched forward, moving a kittenstep at a time, but she kept her eyes fixed on the other leaders, more determined than ashamed of herself. Emberstar forced herself up the slope, but her heart skipped a beat when the gravel under her paw proved too loose to get a good enough grip- so close to the top, too. What a shame she had no other forepaw to lash out and find a grip with.

              Emberstar felt herself begin to slide back down the slope, but a pair of jaws grasped her by the scruff and hoisted her up onto the overhang. She clawed at the grass and stumbled a step when let go and turned to meet Wolfstar’s amused gaze. “Careful there, three-paw,” the CliffClan leader gruffly purred. “It’s bad luck to fall at your first Gathering as leader.” She brushed past Emberstar to sit back down next to Lakestar.

              With a huff, Emberstar followed her with a shake of her pelt. “I appreciate your help, but I would have been fine on my own. I suppose I owe you now?”

              Wolfstar’s whiskers twitched. “Are you saying ShadeClan is now in CliffClan’s debt?”

              The young leaders stared at each other, then broke out into amused purrs. Lakestar rolled her eyes and wrapped her tail around her paws. “So, you are ShadeClan’s leader now, Emberstar? Or is it still Emberblaze?”

              “It is Emberstar now. I visited the Moon Cavern for my lives only a few sunrises ago.”

              “May StarClan light your path as leader, then.” Lakestar stiffly dipped her head. Despite the brusque words, there was genuine respect in her pale eyes.

              Wolfstar’s own eyes were still bright with humor. “You’ll be great, I know it. What happened to Froststar, then?”

              Emberstar narrowed her eyes and turned her gaze to the gathered cats. “I’ll explain that once the Gathering begins. MoorClan is late tonight.” She surveyed the crowd of cats, peering straight down at the huddled healers. Sitting with her back to her PineClan clanmates, Flarelight was sitting close to Troutfrost. After a moment, she gazed up at the overhang, and her eyes met Emberstar’s. Her eyes grew wide and she stared at her littermate for a long moment until another healer got her attention. Then, as if she’d seen nothing, Flarelight flicked her tail and joined the conversation. Her twitching tail-tip was the only hint that she was distracted. Emberstar blinked. She’d become leader so recently that not even the other healers knew, much less the other clans’ warriors. In the crowd of CliffClan cats, she spotted Sunscorch, sitting with his fur brushing Moonwhisper’s, his eyes wide and his body stiff while he stared at his sister up on the overhang.

              Poor Sunscorch, so softhearted under those honed claws and strong limbs- he was likely to take the news of Froststar’s death the hardest. Emberstar held his gaze, blinked slowly, and turned her head to the sky. The moon was nearly overhead, and still MoorClan was absent.

              “You ought to start the Gathering now,” Wolfstar growled to Lakestar. “It’s newleaf, after all, and if MoorClan’s late then they’re late.”

              “We should wait,” Emberstar sharply mewed. “This is my first Gathering as leader, so it would be disrespectful to me as well as MoorClan if we begin without them. It may anger StarClan as well,” she finished in a murmur, flicking her tail-tip up at the sky. Wolfstar just bushed out her stormy gray fur and huffed.

              Lakestar gazed up at the sky. Emberstar looked over at her. For so long, as an apprentice, as a warrior, as the deputy, she’d never dared to be so close to the cold PineClan leader. But now, she was barely a tail-length from the sleek silver tabby, and they sat as equals in standing. Lakestar was likely at less than nine lives and Emberstar was without a right foreleg, but they were equals nonetheless.

              She was knocked from her thoughts by Wolfstar headbutting her. The larger cat nearly shoved her off-balance. “Glad to see that we’re both finally up here. I was waiting to see when you’d catch up, three-paw.”

              Emberstar licked Wolfstar’s ear. “You know I must take things slower than you.”

              “Who’d you pick as deputy?” Wolfstar leaned over the edge to inspect the group of deputies. “Hm- Acornfall?”

              “He’s a good warrior. Older than me by four seasons, so I trust his advice and his skill.”

              “I thought you would have picked Lavenderflash. Or maybe Darknose, you two always seemed close.”

              Emberstar gazed down at Lavenderflash, spotting the pure-black molly quickly- she was almost certain there was obvious fondness in her eyes as she looked at her former apprentice. “Lavenderflash is… young and still training her first apprentice. She is a good, loyal warrior, but not fit to be deputy or eventual leader in my mind. And Darknose…” The tom was sitting at the edge of the crowd, alone. “He is a possibility, but he still mourns his brother even all these moons later, so I don’t know if he would be the best choice.”

              Wolfstar made a sniff of approval, then her gaze snapped to the far hill. A yowl rang out, and the three leaders pricked their ears and the cats in the hollow turned to see MoorClan finally arrive, led by Applestar. Emberstar sat stiffly until she spotted Glowflame in the crowd, side-by-side with Orangeclaw. He joined the cats in the hollow with his clan while Applestar broke off to climb up to the overhang, and he seemed to murmur something to Orangeclaw before she angled her ears up at Emberstar. Glowflame looked up and spotted her, and his jaw dropped open. Emberstar couldn’t help but let out a purr of affection for her brother as he gaped in amazement at her.

              Applestar greeted the other leaders when he finally joined them, nodding briefly at Emberstar, and hurriedly sat down next to Lakestar, his mottled fur standing up along his spine. The leaders gave the cats in the hollow a few moments to settle down. In that time, Emberstar saw her littermates make their ways through the crowd towards each other. By the time Lakestar threw back her head and yowled to signify the beginning of the Gathering, Flarelight, Sunscorch, and Glowflame sat huddled together with their eyes trained on their sister. Emberstar met their gazes for just a heartbeat and felt the final icicles of her anxiety melt away.

She then turned her head to watch Lakestar as she began to announce her clan’s news for the moon, and reminded herself of what she had to announce when it was her turn. She was ShadeClan’s leader, now. StarClan had approved of her. Emberstar lifted her chin and, with a deep breath, finally settled into her place at the head of her clan.

[faith-clan]

hi im wilbur [ he/they ]!! i like warrior cats a lot so i thought making a comic thing like ive seen other people doing would be fun!! i have no update schedule because i have no concept of time <3

i started making this a while ago so the first 2 moons have different art and designs whoops but i picked it back up and now there's cool new designs and better art!! yay!!!

introducing: Faithclan!!

feel free to send the characters asks, i'll do my best to respond to them when i have the time!!

tagging guide below cut

#faithclan moons - moon posts!!

#faithclan answers - answering asks!

more to be added . probably

[moons-of-peachclan]

Allegiances

Last updated 9/21/24 [moon 0]

Leader: Lakestar, male, 78 moons. Strange. Guardian & great navigator.

Heir/Deputy: Thrushshade, female, 22 moons. Lonesome. Learner of lore & great navigator. (Mates with Driftstreak.)

Lead Healer: Dashdawn, female, 101 moons. Reserved. Great singer.

Lead Mediator: Daisyshock, female, 57 moons. Rebellious. Good tunneler.

Hunting Head: Scale-ears, female, 43 moons. Sincere. Team player.

Kitchen Head: Clovenose, male, 96 moons. Arrogant. Steady paws.

Construction Head: Driftstreak, trans male, 60 moons. Cold. Efficiency aficionado & good decorator. (Mates with Thrushshade.)

Educator: None. Unofficially, Thrushshade.

Fadedmask, male, 36 moons. Childish. Great speaker. Mediator.

Seri, female, 117 moons. Cunning. Fast as the wind & sunhigh log.

Laurelfern, female, 101 moons. Trusting. Impressive climber & good sport.

Frostpeak, male, 94 moons. Flexible. Natural intuition.

Goldkit, male, 4 moons. Smug. Good with directions. (Kit of Daisyshock and Batleaf.)

Twilightkit, male, 2 moons. Daring. Quick to help. (Kit of Lakestar and Ghostpounce.)

[shivamthakrejr]

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