#Sundrown patrol

[bonefall]

Sorry if you’ve already answered something like this! how does Warrior Bites work into the initial journey in TNP? I don’t recall how long the journey to the sun drown place took, but I feel like with how cooked food is preferable due to diseases and parasites, did Bramble and co have to get dewormed when returning to the clans? Or perhaps the Tribe could help them with that on their way back, as a thanks for how they help drive out Sharptooth?

I feel like it’d be difficult to sneak out with extra rations with how the Clans were struggling, plus it’d be difficult to carry all the tools required to cook every time they set up camp. It’d be easier for them to eat their prey raw, at least during certain parts of the journey.

Would also be an interesting opportunity to introduce the cast to different foods, too! Rogue groups in twolegplace using vegetables from gardens for flavor, for example. I couldn’t find if there’s salt beds in English mountains, but if there is the Tribe would have way easier access to it than the Clans do. I bet they’d have wildly different cuisine as a result.

Sorry for the long winded ask but your ideas tickle my autistic brain just right fjahfhsh

The Tribe mountain MUST have salt under it, right? The Appalachians and the Caledonians are the same mountain range split up by tectonic shift and I know there's salt in the Appalachians because it's, like, pre-life-on-earth old right? Hangon

*le googel*

YEP there's a lot of salt in Cheshire, one of the counties I use as a model. Which I could have just learned by googling "uk salt mine." However, my brain is a rube goldberg machine.

The Sundrown Patrol DEFINITELY needed a deep cleaning! They would be full of fleas, probably be carrying a couple of bad knots or a couple of mats, and one or two of them definitely caught worms. Probably Squirrelpaw tbh, knowing her impatient little butt (affectionate).

The Tribe wouldn't do a deep deworming though, because that takes time and the Clan cats would want to get home as quickly as possible. They just stayed for the quick celebration to gather some rations and planned to leave... but then the appearance of Sharptooth changed their plans.

(btw if you wanna see how the Sundrown Patrol's Journey to the Lake goes in Bonefall TNP, I made a map and a synopsis!)

Setting up a basic cooking fire wouldn't be TOO hard though! You just keep a couple of sticks to use as spits and roast your prey over the open fire, like either a roast or a marshmallow. Beats dealing with tapeworms for the whole trip.

Funny enough I actually think it's Crowfoot/feather who's the main cook of the little patrol, I keep feeling like Mudclaw was a pretty good chef. He would have passed that onto Crow.

Tawnypelt: "It's almost sunrise, Crowfoot is late... if he doesn't come soon we'll have to go without him."

Crowfoot: "Hold your hedgehogs I'm here. I was making tunnelbuns for the trip."

Squirrelpaw: "Where- what-- how did you do that so fast??"

Crowfoot: "youre weeeeeeeeelcome."

Stormfur: "Hang on, you didn't steal from your own Clan in famine, did you?"

Crowfoot: "??? I mashed my personal larvae stash to make into travel rations and this is the thanks I get??? you think my clanmates were gonna keep my mealworms alive while I was gone?? Mousebrain!"

Brambleclaw: "Yuck, who wants to eat mashed bugs?"

Squirrelpaw hiding how appetizing it sounds because her buddy Sorreltail opened her eyes to how good grasshoppers can taste.

[mud-castle]

I was thinking, instead of the travel group discovering the lake, and all the clans agreeing to leave because of just how at each other's throats hey all are

What if Starclan essentially went "HEY DIPSHITS, YOU ARE GOING TO DIE IF YOU STAY HERE" and have them a general direction for the lake. Then Basically everyone immediately packs up and independently hauls their entire clan up there, probably fighting all the while and trying to strategically place themselves in the best position in this new territory.

I was gonna give an immediate "no," but the more I think on it, the more I think that actually might work better. There's not really a use in the story for the individual cats to go to the Sundrown place, especially considering all but two of them don't do anything after that.

I don't want Starclan to interfere so directly, cause then the clans kinda have to move their asses at the same time and that's kinda boring. So instead, how about the send dreams to the cats who would be the Sundrown patrol in the canon books before the twolegs start destroying the forests that they gotta haul ass soon.

But, in typical Starclan fashion, they're very cryptic about it. I'm having Feathertail and Stormfur follow Mistyfoot back into Riverclan cause Thunderclan has too many cats and Misty needs them to back her up later. Anyway, only Tawny tells her leader while Feather tells Mistyfoot and the other two don't tell anyone for the time being.

Brambleclaw doesn't because he's not the most popular warrior and also doesn't believe Starclan would want him for anything. Crowpaw for similar reasons and also cause he's an apprentice so why wouldn't Starclan talk to Mudfur about it Both of them kinda dismiss the dream while Blackstar dismisses Tawny's concerns.

But then the twolegs come and, to keep a long story short, Windclan leaves first, followed by Thunderclan, Shadowclan, then finally Riverclan. While there's like a few moons between Windclan and Riverclan leaving, they all arrive within a quarter moon of each other, thanks to the dangers of the mountain, fighting and infighting, losing their ways, Sharptooth, blizzards, and Starclan intervention.

[harriertail]

Au idea where Ashfur is the cat chosen for the sundrown patrol, and that changes his entire arc, to where he never goes evil. (He and Squirrel never get together either, but he never goes incel either.) Thoughts? How do you think this would affect Bramble?

So no Bramble POV? Hey, remember how bramblestars arc was about his connection to tigerstar? Remember how both ashfurs parents were killed by tigerstar? I don’t think you can stop Ashfur turning.

So Ashfur gets the dream from Bluestar to travel to the sun-drown-place, why? Because. He meets with the other cats who helped to kill Bone Tawnypelt, Stormfur, and Feathertail, so they already know each other, with Crowpaw, and Squirrel, who tags along becoz she’s Firestar’s daughter and is bored! Midnight and Moonrise go as normal, with Ashfur determined to prove himself as a warrior and help his Clan- thinking of himself as aligned with Firestar and the Good of ThunderClan. We get to the lake, and there’s no Greystripe. Well. We need a deputy. Ashfur is friendly, and crushing on Squirrelflight, who likes him back but isn’t ready to commit just yet, that’s fine- she’ll come around when she realises how Good and True Ashfur is. Ashfur’s a good warrior- trying his hardest to prove himself to Firestar. He starts to want deputyship. He’s got an apprentice already. He’s chosen by StarClan. Brambleclaw, who’s the grouchy type we know him as in TNP, is also rumoured to be chasing deputyship as well. But how is that fair if he gets it? Tigerstar ruined ThunderClan- Tigerstar killed Ashfur’s parents- and Tigerstar’s kin is going to be deputy? That’s not fair. He’s evil. The whole of ThunderClan knows he’s evil, it’s in his blood. Ashfur and Brambleclaw find themselves in direct competition for deputyship, and Squirrelflight. So Ashfur steps up. He does every patrol, every hunting mission, neglects his friends, neglects his future mate, to prove himself to his leader.

Firestar bleeds out on the lakeshore. A RiverClan cat is dead. Brambleclaw is made deputy while his pelt is still drying. Squirrelflight goes to him. How, how?, did the cat chosen by StarClan, blessed by Bluestar, aligned with Firestar, lose? It’s not fair. It’s never fair. He did all that work, all those miles to the sea front, all the trekking and bleeding and hurting, and you didn’t win. Evil wins. Better luck next time kid, have you learnt you lesson yet?

[troutfur]

I will reiterate once more: Brambleclaw should have not gone on the Sundrown Place patrol and should have replaced Leafpaw as the back home PoV, with that PoV being confined to a SE whose plot would be about setting him up to step in as deputy for Graystripe once he got captured and forming a working relationship with Hawkfrost.

[fallingstarsau]

Star Leafpool AU:

————

Some context for this AU!

Medicine cats -> Herbalists

-star suffix for leaders -> Star [Insert Leader name here.]

LGBTQIA+ cats exist! Whoa! What a wild idea /sarcasm.

More minor roles, IE Head of the Nursery, Patrol Head, etc.

————

The idea for this AU is that instead of running away with Crowfeather, Leafpool decides to stay for another few days… and when the badger attacks, Firestar is permanently killed, luring the badgers away from camp. Cinderpelt is also gravely injured, but able to live for another 4-5 minutes. In this AU, herbalists are seen as secondary leaders… with the idea that if both the Leader+Deputy die, they can take over. If you remember the second half of TNP, a deputy isn’t accepted till after Sunset… thus thrusting the role of leadership onto Leafpool.

[That, and a prophecy that I’ll explain more about later.]

So! Leafpool is thoroughly traumatized TM, and now has to deal with a grieving, unstable, angry clan. Something that Brambleclaw resents her for.

I mean, after all, it would be the best thing for her to step down! She’s an inexperienced Herbalist. He would obviously be a better candidate- he’s a mature warrior, and he went on the sundrown trip! Or, at least, that’s what he thinks.

And whoopsie! Leafpool is still pregnant… but no one but her knows if it was before or after she became leader. So. There is that.

I’ll post more about this tomorrow-

[the-starry-pool-au]

Intro:

Hello! I am Void, the creator of the @fallingstarsau. I use they/them pronouns. This blog is an ask blog- about the Starry Pool AU.

Some context for this AU!

Medicine cats -> Herbalists

-star suffix for leaders -> Star [Insert Leader name here.]

Ie Star Fireheart.

LGBTQIA+ Representation.

More leadership roles are established- There is a Head of Patrolling, a Head of the Nursery, and a Head of the Training.

+— Plot —+

The idea for this AU is that instead of running away with Crowfeather, Leafpool decides to stay with Thunderclan… and when the badger attacks, Firestar is permanently killed when he lures the badgers away from camp. Cinderpelt is also gravely injured, but able to live for another 4-5 minutes. In this AU, herbalists are seen as secondary leaders… with the idea that if both the Leader+Deputy die, they can take over. If you remember the second half of TNP, a deputy isn’t accepted till after Sunset… thus thrusting the role of leadership onto Leafpool.

So! Leafpool is thoroughly traumatized TM, and now has to deal with a grieving, unstable, angry clan. Something that Brambleclaw resents her for.

I mean, after all, it would be the best thing for her to step down! She’s an inexperienced Herbalist. He would obviously be a better candidate- he’s a mature warrior, and he went on the sundrown trip! Or, at least, that’s what he thinks.

And whoopsie! Leafpool is still pregnant… but no one but her knows if it was before or after she became leader. So. There is that.

The asks timeline will start before Leafpool’s first gathering as leader! Feel free to ask away!

[warriorcatsamino]

i love this poster styled artwork by katdraws. the colors that they used are simply stunning! i'm especially a fan of the contrast between tigerstar and feathertail at the top, as well as how the sundrown patrol is drawn at the bottom!

be sure to check out the original post and show the artist some much deserved love!

-frostedskies 🌙

[yuridovewing]

Since I’m deleting the Tribe of Rushing Water from RV I’ve been toying with having the Sundrown Patrol stop at SkyClan instead, but I’m also toying with the idea of them meeting with a revamped version of The Sisters. Like maybe Feathertail decides to ask them to mentor her or something? Idk I’m still leaning heavily towards SkyClan

[doritopaw101]

You see Sam, the answer is quiet simple: bad writing and misogyny.

Nightheart’s whole shut should’ve been SPARKFIRE’s arc. Yes, Sparkfire. I will forever be pissed that’s not her name. She looks just like him. Where’s the pressure for her? The expectations of living up to the firekin? To be as glorious as Firestar?

Nope, this kind of thing went to her brother the was basically how half way through.

Half the clan is related to Firestar thanks to Lionblaze and Cloudtail. Being related to him means jack shit.

If they wanted being Firekin to be a special thing, half the clan shouldn’t be related to him and they must be pretty noteworthy like Squirrelflight who was on the sundrown patrol or Founder of the moonpool Leafpool.

But nope. Cats like Hollytuft or Sorrelstripe don’t struggle at all, when definitely have more reason for it, especially Hollytuft and Tigerheartstar, like come the fuck on.

it’s all Nightheart Nightheart Nightheart. The erins precious meow meow who never did anything wrong in his life (second only to bramblestar)

That’s not even getting into how Spark is treated by the narrative and the erins.

Look I haven't read the most recent arc... but like??? Whats with the whole "bec I was named after Firestar I will now receive extra expectations? Thing??? Maybe I'm just neurodivergent but I don't understand why the name would be the big factor there... wouldn't it be the blood relation?? Wouldn't any of Nightheart's siblings also get the same treatment??? Especially since Night doesn't even look like Firestar!!!

Anywaysss why is it that Night is the only one facing extreme pressure and expectations when there have been MANY Fire kin before him??? (Actually a lot of them did have high expectations put on them but the writers decided to ignore that and not resolve it at all until Nightheart 🙄)

I may be completely wrong on this since I haven't read the books + I have trouble understanding things like this... so like maybe I am just being nd idk...

[kudossi]

Doubt

Ashfur’s tail lashes as she turns from him, her ears flattened and tail dragging through dust. His face, crumpled and weary, is etched in her mind — she tries to shake it away, but the image only becomes clearer. His shock feels as overwhelming as the great waters of the sun-drown-place, beating against her with overwhelming force. She is not trying to be cruel — she doesn’t love him, and that is that; she won’t pretend in order to make him happy, and there is nothing wrong with that. She is allowed to be happy, and whole, and if that is achievable with Brambleclaw — well. Then she owes it to herself to try. Still, even if she is right, she feels the weight of it for seasons to come.

He seems understanding, at first — he and Brambleclaw had been denmates nearly all their lives, and had gotten along well. Maybe she’s naive when she purrs at Ashfur from Brambleclaw’s side, when she invites him to share a rabbit, when she accompanies him on hunting patrols. But soon his equanimity turns frigid, and he turns away from them both when they invite him to meals. If the Clan notices, they say nothing — but she catches Ferncloud watching her sadly sometimes, her paws shuffling on stone.

—

Slowly, life returns to something like normal. The forest is gone, but the lake is here. It’s peaceful, usually, but she gasps for breath when it’s not, as if salty water is pushing her beneath the surface. Once, when Brambleclaw is out on sunset patrol, she speaks to Ashfur, who knows her sundrown nightmares intimately. Instead of sitting with her, washing her fears away with soft words and assurances, he snarls at her and turns tail; hurt, she never brings it up again. Instead, she vows to avoid the water’s choppy surface altogether, and nudges Brambleclaw along when he lingers. He seems bemused, more than anything — but when he asks, and she tells, he takes to keeping away as well. She knows that the avoidance is for her, not him, but says nothing — the relief is too palpable, too real. Some days, though, she pushes the fear aside and sits where Hawkfrost’s blood mingled with Firestar’s, wishing that things could have been different.

—

Her sister’s pregnancy should have been obvious, in hindsight — but Squirrelflight hadn’t wanted to acknowledge her sister’s brief absence, and certainly didn’t want to speak about Crowfeather, of all cats. Her sister — her littermate — had been willing to betray ThunderClan — to betray everything she’d worked for, to betray her own blood — for a WindClan warrior still grieving for a she-cat from yet another Clan. And Leafpool — with thought, certainly, as she never did anything without thinking, and didn’t that make it that much worse? — had done all those things, and had betrayed Squirrelflight besides. So maybe Squirrelflight is much happier pretending that those particular days never happened to begin with. Until — until Leafpool tells her about kits, and asks her to adopt them, and asks her to lie, and she can’t ignore it anymore. Squirrelflight says no, of course. She ends up taking them anyway.

When she brings the kits back to camp from where they’ve been born out in the snow, away from the protection of the Clan, she hopes that, at the very least, Ashfur will finally see sense. She is Brambleclaw’s mate, not his — she will never be his (even if the kits aren’t Brambleclaw’s. Even if the kits aren’t hers). But his eyes widen as she pushes through the gorse tunnel, Leafpool slumping in awkwardly behind; he starts, pelt bristling, something flickering behind his gaze that she hopes isn’t hate (even if she knows it is, late at night, feeling ice across her pelt. She’s never safe from him).

Brambleclaw is strong and imposing, and his face is one of joy and near-rapture, but there’s claws wrapped around her heart. She’s lying to him, after all they’ve been through — after his lies had nearly killed her; after Hawkfrost’s blood had turned peaceful blue to bright, fearful red; after her father’s eyes had lost their glaze and had stopped shining with stars. She had begged him, then, on ground stained by the lives of both their kin, never to lie again. Never to trust blindly what others couldn’t see; never to assume the worst of her when all she was trying to do was help him.

And yet here she was, purring and entwining her tail with his and looking down on kits that were borne by some other cat (by the sister she loves, has always loved, and will love until the stars themselves blink out). Here she is, lying to his face while he collapses among kits too young to truly interact with him. He’s whispering affections to them and spinning adorations for her; she can stop him at any time, can spit out the awful truth and let his joy turn to anger and upset, can relieve herself of a burden she hadn’t wanted -- and yet she does not. She presses her nose into Lionkit’s fluff instead, hiding her purrs as they choke in her throat.

—

The kits are WindClan, through and through. How does no one see this? How has no one even twitched a whisker toward the moor? This can’t work. This won’t work, not with the scrutiny the Clan affords them. Kin of their beloved leader! Of course they’ll be on display! Lionkit’s pelt might be fluffy, disguising his shape, but Hollykit and Jaykit are smaller and leaner, with short pelts and long limbs. Their faces slope like a full-blood WindClan warrior’s, and yet no one finds it strange; instead, they blame it on kittypet traits that even Firestar doesn’t possess. They murmur tales of odd-featured kittypets, make ill-considered jokes that they look more kittypet than their half-kittypet mother, and move on. She bristles at the snide comments, but encourages them all the same; after all, she has no doubt that if one cat finds out, two will; if five cats know, the rest of the Clan will by sundown. Secrets don’t stay secret, not in such close quarters; while loners and rogues might be able to hide, Clan cats rarely could. And if, StarClan forbid, Ashfur were to find out — he will ruin her sister, just to ruin Squirrelflight herself. He will do it without mercy, without quarter; he will burn her to cinders where she stands, and he will take anyone who speaks up for her down with the embers. He is a senior warrior, and well-respected; he can do what many other cats cannot.

[bonefall]

Trip to the Lake: REDUX

I have been re-planning how cats move between the Lake, Mountain, and Forest for a long while. Since @halogenwarrior​ asked some specific questions about it this morning, I finally sat down and made a 1st draft of the Between-the-Territories map, and a quick guide to the Sundrown Patrol’s Expedition.

NOTE: this is still a rough draft. SkyClan’s territory wasn’t included because it isn’t relevant at the moment, and Midnight’s den is nondescript beach as I’m still working out what it looks like in the revamp... since Midnight is a god now, and should have a cooler den.

(also i considered casually ‘revealing’ this is a world totally unlike our own by having the sun set in the North instead of the West at one point but im not that funny... yet.)

[ID: A map of the territory between the Warrior Cats ‘forest territory’ and the ‘lake territory’, including several landmarks. A Beach and an Unknown Town are labelled purple. The Tribe Land and its Stone Ward, Cave Ward, and Valley Ward are marked in blue. The Mouth of River Chell and Mothermouth are marked in red. The bottom of the map is marked “FARMS” in a purple box. The top of the map is marked “LAKE” in green.]

The Tribe’s waterfall feeds into nearly every waterway in the area at some point, and the Lake is the northernmost point between them all. Just above the forest territories is farms. There is now a sizable wetland below the lake territory, at the base of which is the Tribe’s third settlement, the Valley Ward.

In that wetland is probably more farms, roads, factories, and various types of human structures.

Travel time has been given hard definitions; it takes an adult warrior, traveling alone at maximum reasonable speed (not marathon-running), a full week to go from the Mothermouth to the Lake. That’s two weeks for a round trip.

This journey becomes longer with multiple traveling cats, or cats who don’t know the way. In addition, a lone warrior will have a harder time hunting in the unknown land and be more exposed to the dangers of the wild.

An adult warrior, traveling alone at maximum reasonable speed, takes 2 days to reach the beach. Going to the town is easier; that trip takes a little over a day. Round trips double the time, more cats are slower but safer.

So let’s take a look at the new Sun Drown Patrol Roadmap!

[ID: The same picture as above, but grayed out in color with red dots marking the journey of the Sun Drown Patrol over the TNP journey. They start at the Mothermouth, go north to the Lake, then go west to the Beach, go southeast and hit the Tribe Lands, and end in the Farms.]

Set-up Changes:

The beginning of the journey is a bit different and there are some changes to Bonefall TNP as opposed to Canon TNP worth noting;

Bonefall TNP is split between the perspectives of the Four Tigerkin; That’s Tawnypelt, Brambleclaw, Hawkfrost, and Mothwing.

Tawnypelt is the new leader of the Sundrown Patrol.

Crowpaw is a full warrior before going on this journey. His name was Crowfoot, he requests -Feather as an Honor Title.

Gods are real now; Sharptooth and Midnight are deities for Summer and Spring respectively.

They are starting this trip at the Mothermouth

Bonefall TNP: The Sundrown Patrol’s Expedition to the Lake

StarClan no longer sends them to the ocean. They sent them directly North, to the Lake.

Something happens that sends them on a detour west, to the Sundrown Place. I’m not sure what it is yet; I’m thinking it could be Fallen Leaves (is now Time Travel Hollyleaf) appearing to be a StarClan warrior and completing a time loop, or, Midnight creating a false sign to coax them over because she’s a lonely god who wants company.

From the Sundrown Place, they do a little bit of basic geography and realize they need to travel southeast. That’s when they hit the mountain.

There is no more Silver Warrior prophecy. The Tribe cats help the Sundrown Patrol cross the mountain, but recognize they’re long-lost descendants of the ancient Sun Trail Cats. There’s a happy celebration, interrupted by the resurrection of Sharptooth, a god who has plagued the Tribe through history.

The Tribe has killed Sharptooth before and they’ll do it again. They assure the Sundrown Patrol that they will survive... but the Patrol looks at the graves of the cats who helped them cross the mountain, slaughtered suddenly by what they think is a LionClan warrior. They realize that the Tribe will survive, but there’s no way of knowing what individual cats won’t.

(technically Sharptooth is a European Cave Lion but they don’t know that)

The Sundrown Patrol makes a choice; Do they run home to complete their mission, or do they stay and help?

They unanimously agree to kill the beast. The Tribe says they’re family, and this is what family does. A bit of a moment where the cats of the Sundrown Patrol decide THEY are family, as well.

Feathertail, of course, dies. Crowfoot is never the same. Sharptooth will return someday, but when he does, this time he will haunt the Clans... or at least, the Forest Territory they left behind. That part isn’t decided yet.

Because of all the detours, size of the patrol, and fact it was unknown land, the Sundrown Patrol’s Quest takes well over a month.

The Clans leave, together, shortly after. It still takes coaxing from each member of the Sundrown Patrol to get all of the leaders on the same page, but the extra territory-pummeling helps to encourage Blackstar in particular to be less stubborn.

[mud-castle]

My bad about the OOTS ask lol, too classified. One thing I was wondering about was Midnight and Sol. How is that going to work with the Dark Mirror AU?

Midnight's role is relatively minor, she points cats in the direction they need to go in. When the Sundrown patrol gets separated, she directs Brambleclaw to go through the mountain and Squirrelpaw, Crowpaw, Talonpaw, and Primrosepaw through the twoleg place.

They all get into a mess of shenanigans, and meet up again at some point.

Midnight also directs Sol in a direction that just so happens to cross with Leaf's on her way to the clans.

Speaking of Sol, he meets Leaf on her Journey-of-self-and-societal-reflection, and they travel together. They separate when Leaf reaches the Lake as Sol isn't really about that clan life. But they meet from time to time at the border. Leaf discovers the clans to be worse than she remembers and plans to leave around the time she discovers she's preggers with Sol's kits.

Leaf leaves (ha), has her kits, her kits are stolen. Since Sol is unknown to the clans he decides to get them back. Cue there being a stranger with an odd amount of knowledge on clan life appearing. Who uses what he sees and the stories from Leaf to pick at the cracks of the clans to turn them against each other, and turn clan members away from their clans (notably those at the bottom of the hierarchy). Whose interest in the three is assumed to be (by Jay) because of them being the Three.

Tensions rise, along with the growth of Leaf's group, which causes more tensions. Thunderclan and Riverclan are looking at war with Shadowclan and WIndclan, Leaf's group is being a nuisance to all, Firestar refuses to take any actions that could lead to the harm of his daughter to the chagrin of...everyone, Brambleclaw leaves, Lionblaze grows ever more dangerous and frightened. Jayfeather is disillusioned to Starclan while Hollyleaf is drowning herself in the kool-aid, yeah tensions have got to snap at some point.

Sol in the end somewhat succeeds, he and Leaf sow the seeds for the clans' destructions, but they only get 1/3 of their children back. Which they enjoy for a little while before Sol is killed.

[cogentranting]

Who wants to read the 20 page Warrior Cats fanfiction I wrote when I was twelve that I have no memory of writing but that was just mailed back to me by a friend I haven’t seen in probably eight years?!!

You’re in luck! Here it is, in all its glory, with spelling errors, inconsistent capitalization, typos and weird storytelling choices all left perfectly intact in order to truly capture my childhood essence. Also it’s missing the first nine pages but I swear they don’t matter. 

Also available on AO3 if you prefer: https://archiveofourown.org/works/25077949

She-cat called Mousetree sat flicking her ears irratabley. “One of those kits should have been mentored by me. I’m older and more experienced and I’ve never had an aprentice.” Mousetree wailed.

              The Thunderclan deputy, a large silver and black tabby with a twisted foot, Thistlefoot, listened quietly. When he responded his voice was calm and even. “It was up to Moonstar to decide who mentored them. She believed that there were things that Poppypelt and Pinecloud could teach them that you could not.”

              “Such as?” growled Mousetree.

              “Poppypelt and Pinecloud are very calm and reserved. Those aprentices need caution more than anything. And you tend to have a bit of a temper, something kits with that much energy don’t need. I’ll look into getting you an aprentice but there’s not much I can do. Now, I believe I asigned you to the dawn patrol. You’d best get some rest.”

              Thistlefoot was well respected in all the clans, and few could match him as a fighter. Despite his bad paw he was swift and strong. He was expected to be a strong Leader.

              As Mousetree stormed off the lovely Moondust entered. “Who’s going to the gathering tonight?” Moondust mewed politely.

              Thistlefoot sighed and listed the cats. “Rosesky, Swamppaw, Sunpaw, Snowfur and Thunderpaw, Foxtail, Lion’sMane and Sundrown and you. AcornHead’s being left in charge while we’re gone. Can you tell everyone for me? I have to talk to Moonstar.”

              “Okay. I better get on it.” Moondust mewed.

              Thistlefoot slowly made his way to The leaders den beneath the highrock.

              “Moonstar? I have an odd feeling that something strange is going on.” Thistlefoot began worriedly. “We haven’t seen any of the clans for a moon.”

              “Shouldn’t that be considered a good thing? We don’t want trouble with the other clans.” Moonstar did not seem scornfull or indifferent only puzzled.

              “I agree, but why should they be so peacefull? I’m only saying that we should be prepared.”

              “Thank you Thistlefoot. I’ll remember that. Its time to leave for the gathering.”

              “Yes Moonstar.”

************

              Sundrown, a golden tabby she-cat, stared across the clearing at FourTrees. Shadowclan and Windclan had arrived but there was no sign of Riverclan.

              Sunpaw came over and sat down by Sundrown.

“Where could Riverclan be? They should have been here by now”

As soon as the words were out of her mouth Riverclan appeared over the crest of the hill.

“Where’s Broadstar? They only brought the deputy, Mossbird.” Puzzled Rosesky approaching Sundrown.

Mossbird ran straight across the clearing and leaped onto the greatrock. The Windclan leader, Ravenstar, and The Shadowclan leader, Tawnystar, looked at each other in confusion.

“Cats of all clans I have important news!” Mossbird called proudly without waiting to discuss with the leaders who would speak first.

Ravenstar moved forward and faced Mossbird.

“I hope Broadstar is well, no bad news I hope?”

“Broadstar is fine. Our clan just has many preparations to make. Broadstar did not wish to come,” Mossbird answered stiffly. “Once again I have important news. Change is coming to the forest. Riverclan has seen it. If we join together Riverclan can lead you through the dangers!”

Moonstar eyes were wide with disbeleif. “What is this danger Mossbird?”

“Why should I, I mean How can I Riverclan help you if you do not join us? Broadstar will give you one moon to make your decision.” She curled her lip in a sneer. “I’m finished. You may continue with your worthless gossip of kits and warriors, soon that will all be a thing of the past.”

The rest of the gathering passed uneventfully, every cat was to busy thinking over the odd proclamation of Riverclan to pay much attention to the rest of the talk. Every cat seemed bewildered, even Riverclan.

Back at the camp Thistlefoot entered the leaders den to see Moonstar pacing wildly.

“Are we going to join Riverclan Moonstar” Thistlefoot mewed quietly.

“I’m not sure. They would not say what the danger was.” She frowned. “I’m going to speak to Riverclan. I must see Broadstar. I’ll take only Thunderpaw with me.”

“Thunderpaw? Why?”

“He’s an aprentice. A medicine cat aprentice. A sign of peace to show we don’t want to fight. But Thunderpaw is also one of the strongest cats in the clan so if we are unjustly attacked we will be able to defend ourselves.”

“Yes Moonstar.”

As soon as Moonstar and Thunderpaw were out of the camp Thistlefoot arranged to lead a patrol along the Riverclan border.

Thunderpaw tagged along behind Moonstar. He cautiously looked around at the unfamiliar Riverclan territory. It seemed an odd mision to him. Riverclan obivously was not going to tell what the danger was, so why were they crossing into enemy territory?

The wind carried fresh Riverclan scent to Thunderpaw. He stiffened and looked at his leader. Moonstar’s ears were pricked but she merely continued walking. Out of the brush stepped a Riverclan warrior. He growled and took a step backward.

“Take me to see Broadstar,” Moonstar demanded. “I must speak with him.”

The tom nodded and walked forward into the brush. Moonstar followed.

The Riverclan camp was a bustle of activity. The was no fresh kill pile and it did not appear that there were any patrols out. In the center of the activity was Mossbird, shouting orders. When Mossbirds saw them she turned and stormed over.

“Moonstar, what do you want?” It was not spoken as the customary deputy to a leader. It was said as one leader to another.

Moonstar’s voice was cool and even. “I must speak to Broadstar. Take me to him.”

“You come here with one of your strongest warriors and expect to be lead to our leader. Really Moonstar.”

“Mossbird I’m surprised. Thunderpaw is an aprentice. And whats more a medicine cat aprentice. Surely he is not a threat?”

“Hmph. Broadstar does not wish to see anyone, not even his own clan. Why should I take you to him?”

Moonstar’s long white pelt bristled at Mossbird’s arrogant tone.

“Let her in Mossbird,” came a voice Thunderpaw recognized as Broadstar’s.

Mossbird grunted and led them to a thorn bush. Thunderpaw could see a cat moving inside through the leaves.

“The aprentice will stay with me,” growled Mossbird.

Thunderpaw couldn’t hear what Moonstar and Broadstar saying but he could tell by the otne of their voice that something was wrong. After awhile Moonstar rushed out. Her fur was fluffed out and her eyes were stretched wide.

“We’re leaving. Now.” Her voice made it sound as if the world were collapsing beneath her paws.

They left the Riverclan camp in a hurry but Mossbird bounded after them.

“Don’t go the way you came, don’t go over the Stepping Stones. We’ve scented rogues over there. Follow the river to Sunning Rocks. Near there is a fallen tree. You can cross over that way.”

Mossbird nodded a farewell and raced back to her own camp.

As the cats neared Sunning Rocks Thunderpaw stepped in a small hole and fell to the ground. His muzzle was next to a hole identical to the one he’d stepped in. A strange scent flooded his nose. Thunderpaw’s eyes widened in alarm. He raised his head just in time to see a reptilian head emerge from another of the small holes.

“Moonstar!” Thunderpaw’s alarmed call was just enough to urge Moonstar to turn her head. The snakes head darted out to bite Moonstar’s hind leg. Thunderpaw leaped just as the glistening fangs connected in Moonstar’s leg.

Thistlefoot’s patrol pricked their ears. The sounds of a tussle near Sunning Rocks drew them closer. They bounded across a fallen log into Riverclan. A small patch of land lay ahead. Dozens of snake holes littered the ground. Moonstar lay on the ground, gritting her teeth in pain. Thunderpaw was franticly looking about. At his feet lay a dead adder.

“Moonstar! What happened?” mewed Thistlefoot in alarm.

“An adder. I have to get back to camp,” Moonstar muttered.

“Deerleg, you and the others take Moonstar back to camp. Thunderpaw and I have to go warn Riverclan of the adders.”

Thunderpaw once again found himself in the Riverclan camp.

Mossbird came up to greet them.

“Well its the wasted aprentice and the proud deputy. Yes such a waste of a strong cat. Now what do you want this time. An attack?”

“We came to warn you. You have adders near Sunning Rocks. We killed one but there may be more.”

“adders? Really. I trust no one was hurt?”

“We are fine thank you.”

As they turned to leave Thunderpaw glanced back to see Mossbird glaring after them.

The camp was in an uproar. Every cat wanted to know what had happened. Thunderpaw hid in the shelter of Snowfur’s den. Snowfur was worriedly treating Moonstar. Thunderpaw felt like his exhaustion would overwhelm him yet he could not sleep. However sleep finally overcame him.

Thistlefoot’s eyes opened to see Snowfur prodding him. It was the middle of the night and everyone else was asleep.

“It’s Moonstar,” Snowfur wailed. “She wants to see you.”

Thistlefoot imediately jumped to his paws.

At Moonstar’s den Thunderpaw was busily working.

“I’ve got to get some herbs for Moonstar. Thunderpaw will be here,” Snowfur’s meow sounded scared.

Moonstar’s head turned so that she was facing Thistlefoot and Thunderpaw. When she spoke it was in gasps, as if a full sentence would be to much.

“Riverclan… danger. Help… Broadstar. Grab for power. The clan… needs… strong leadership. Beware… Riverlcan. Be a… strong… leader.” Moonstar’s breaths were coming in gasps.

“Moonstar rest, please. You’ll soon be better.” Thistlefoot pleaded.

Moonstar shook her head. “You will… be a strong leader. The clan… is strong.”

“Moonstar. I need your help, Moonstar!”

But Moonstar lay still.

Snowfur came in with a bundle of herbs. She dropped them and lowered her head in grief for her dead leader.

Sunpaw awoke at dawn to an eerie wailing.  She padded outside to see The light brown elder, DustThroat, sitting outside the leaders den wailing. The gray and white Tom, Graytail, appeared with the silver taby Tigerstripe. They were carrieing their leader between them.

They placed Moonstar’s body in the center of the clearing. As the rest of the clan awoke and poured out of their den’s wailing broke out at the sight of their leaders lifeless body. Sunpaw searched for Thistlefoot. She spotted him leaping onto the Highrock.

“Let all cats old enough to groom their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting.”

Thistlefoot’s deep yowl echoed throughout the clearing and seemed to reassure the clan.

“Moonstar is dead. Killed by an adder bite.”

His voice was thick with grief and his eyes brimmed with sadness.

Snowfur leaped on to the Highrock beside Thistlefoot and began to speak in her quiet reassuring voice. “As our new leader Thistlefoot will be taking a leader’s name. His name shall now be Thistlestar.”

Thistlestar stepped forward. “Graytail take some cats to bury Moonstar’s body. Foxtail take the dawn patrol out. Deerleg you can take a patrol at Sunhigh. Pinecloud take a warrior and your aprentice hunting.” He paused and took a deep steadying breath. “The new deputy of Thunderclan shall be,” he stopped then boomed, “the new deputy of Thunderclan shall be Foxtail!”

No cat who looked in least surprised excepting Foxtail herself. Thistlestar had hoped to cheer the clan with a new deputy and did cheer them a little but not enough.

Foxtail got to her feet. “I would be honored to be the new deputy,” there were a few scattered cheers before Foxtail continued, “but surely there must be someone better, someone with more experience?”

Thistlestar’s deep tone rang out in the forest. “None that I can think of are more suited than you. Foxtail surely you have heard the rumors that you would be the next deputy? Those rumors were spread not just because it was clear you were favored not only by myself but by Moonstar. Those rumors were spread because the clan thought you could do the job and do it well. Although none thought you would have to do it so soon.” As Thistlestar finished Foxtail nodded slowly, as if giving her consent.

Thistlestar repeated loudly, “Foxtail is the new deputy of Thunderclan!” and this time it was met by the applause of a whole clan. The clan was cheering for a new deputy, a new leader, and a new start.

 Rosesky paced just inside the gorse tunnel entrance to the camp.

“Where is Thistlestar? Should have been back by now. No organization any more.”

Foxtail trotted up to Rosesky, surprised by the pretty gray she-cat’s distress.

“What’s wrong Rosesky? Anything I can do?”

Rosesky looked at Foxtail. Thistlestar had been a different kind of deputy, more strict and commanding. Foxtail organized patrols but she also seemed to more listening and comforting, no cat could really describe what was so different about her. Because she was not Moonstar or Thistlestar the clan seemed to recoil from her new authority as if she were the adder that had killed Moonstar. Despite all that Rosesky looked at Foxtail with respect.

“No.” She shook her head. “I need to speak to Thistlestar. He’s been out hunting Thunderpaw since dawn. He’s only been leader for four nights and he’s already doing whatever he likes.”

”He needs to think. He takes Thunderpaw out because Thunderpaw is to busy hating himself for not knowing what to do for Moonstar to ask questions. I’ll talk to you and then I’ll tell Thistlestar.”

“Fine. I want Sunpaw to be made a warrior. I wouldn’t be surprised if he made his own apprentice, Leafpaw, a warrior as well. They are the two oldest aprentices besides Thunderpaw. Sunpaw deserves to be a warrior. I think Thistlestar should take them out and assess them. It would boost the clans spirits to have two new warriors.”

“I agree. I’ll speak to Thistlestar.”

Thistlestar trudged through the gorse tunnel at that moment. Rosesky looked excited.

“Thistlestar! We need more warriors. I think Sunpaw and Leafpaw should be made warriors.” Rosesky pricked her ears forward waiting for Thistlestar’s answer to her request.

Thistlestar looked thoughtful. “We’ll do it before we eat tonight.”

Rosesky seemed perfectly content with his answer.

Thunderpaw ducked into the aprentice den. Foxpaw sat up as he entered. Thunderpaw sighed as he sat down.

“I don’t think I want to be a medicine cat.”

Foxpaw started.

“This isn’t because of Moonstar is it?”

“No. It’s… don’t you think I’d be a better warrior? I mean I’m big and strong and I’m having trouble controlling my temper. A medicine cat is supposed to be gentle. I’ve seen Rabbitpaw sitting outside the den and listening to Snowfur teach me. I can’t help thinking Rabbitpaw would make a better medicine cat than me.”

Foxpaw thought a minute. “If that’s the way you feel then you should talk to Thistlestar. You’re just as good a hunter and fighter as any warrior. And you’re right, Rabbitpaw does seem to want to be a medicine cat.”

Thunderpaw nodded. “I’ll talk to him now.”

Thistlestar was in his den when Thunderpaw found him.

“Thistlestar? I’ve come to a decision. I want to be a warrior not a medicine cat. I think Rabbitpaw would like to be Snowfur’s new apprentice, after all Moonstar was her mentor.”

Thistlestar nodded “If you’re sure…”

“Yes Thistlestar.”

“Very well. It’s nearly sundown. I’ll talk to Rabbitpaw and Snowfur.”

******

“Let all cats old enough to groom their own fur gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting.”

Thistlestar looked noble and dignified on the Highrock. He held his head with a new air of authority.

“Sunpaw you have trained hard to earn your warrior name. From here on your name shall be Sunset.

Leafpaw you have also trained hard for this moment. Your warrior name shall be Leafstream.

Thunderpaw. You have chosen to become a warrior instead of a medicine cat. Your warrior name shall be Thunderwing.

Rabbitpaw, Moonstar was your mentor. You have chosen to train to become a medicine cat. Snowfur shall now be your mentor.

Thunderwing, Sunset and Leafstream you will sit vigil tonight and gaurd the camp.”

Thistlestar jumped down from the Highrock to signal the end of the meeting.

Stormcloud the black and white she-cat, prowled through the undergrowth with her aprentice, a large ginger tom called Horsepaw, behind her. She scented mouse but ignored it. She wasn’t hunting. Stormcloud was patrolling the Shadowclan border.

Shadowclan scent flooded her nostrils and Tawneystar stepped out of the undergrowth. The Shadowclan leader aproached Stormcloud.

Tawnystar’s ears twitched self consiciously.

“Stormcloud. I came over to warn Moonstar that we’ve seen rogues on your side of the thunderpath. I’d be gratful if you would tell her for me.”

Stormcloud sniffed. She could smell a large Shadowclan patrol. This was no friendly warning.

“Horsepaw go tell… Moonstar… Tawnystar’s.. message. Quickly. I’ll be right behind you.” She turned slowly. Sharp claws grasped her sides and a weight dropped onto her back. Yowling broke out and Stormcloud saw a lean warrior leap on Horsepaw.

Stormcloud hissed and threw off her attacker. Fear for her clan lent her paws speed. Horsepaw stretched out and ran beside Stormcloud. They leapt down the ravine with the Shadowclan cats just behind them. They plunged into the camp.

The prickily Graytail leaped to his feet smelling their fear scent. His closest friends Deerleg and Onestripe were right behind him.

Lion’sMane burst out of the warriors den. “What is it?”

“We’re being attacked.” Yowled Stormcloud.

“Attacked? By one of the other clans?” Wailed Lion’sMane in disbelief.

“No genius. The mice chased us here from the Shadowclan border.” Snapped Stormcloud. She was Foxpaw’s close friend and shared her dislike of the golden tom.

Shadowclan burst into the camp. Graytail flexed his claws and leaped at Tawnystar. Onestripe battled beside him. Moondust and GoldenRain raced into the clearing followed by Thunderwing. It had been five nights since he became a warrior and his choice had left him satisfied. All around the clan was leaping into battle, driving out the Shadowclan cats. As the last Shadowclan cat fled Thistlestar made his way through the triumphantly yowling cats. He leaped onto the Highrock. There was no need to gather the clan, they were already looking up at him.

“With the warnings of danger from Riverdclan, Windclan and Shadowclan are desperate to prove that they are strong. I believe that is why Shadowclan attacked. We must not show weakness and invite attack. That is why I feel that we should not inform the other clans of Moonstar’s death  until the next gathering where I will announce it.”

Graytail frowned. “So we should show our strength and attack them!”

Stormcloud growled and got to her feet.

“Oh yeah, Tawnystar looked real strong sitt’in there in the woods lookin’ at her paws and mumbling something about rogues on our side of the Thunderpath!”

“Quiet!” Thistlestar snapped regaining quiet. “Thunderclan does not attack without cause. It was that way with Moonstar and it is that way with me. Skypelt, take Sundrown, Mousetree and Acornhead to make sure Shadowclan has left our territory.”

The tortoiseshell she-cat nodded and led the other three she-cats into the forest.

“Snowfur and Rabbitpaw, start tending wounds. Poppypelt…” He was cut of by Snowfur.

“That reminds me. Poppypelt needs to move into the nursery. Another warrior will have to take over Spottedpaw’s training.”

Thistlestar looked over the cats in the clearing. Skypelt and her patrol had stopped to see who the new mentor would be. Mousetree was looking up hungrily. She had wanted one of these aprentices for herself but Thistlestar new she was not the right cat. Still his decision could make him very unpopular with the firey she-cat. Six other cats stood out at him. Graytail, Deerleg, Onestripe, Thunderwing, Sunset, and Leafstream. Graytail didn’t have the patience for a cat like Spottedpaw. Deerleg showed a strong dislike for the apprentice. Leafstream and Sunset were quite young. That left Onestripe and Thunderwing. They were not as calm as Poppypelt, but maybe they could get Spottedpaw to put her energy to good use.

“Spottedpaw needs a new mentor. Her mentor shall be… Onestripe.”

The white warrior leaped to his feet. He had one ginger stripe running along his flank.

Thistlestar realized that this was the young warrior’s chance to show that he was not just Graytail’s follower. It was his chance to prove himself. Snowstorm, a gray queen, moved forward to congratulate Onestripe.

Something was nagging at the back of Thistlestar’s mind.

“Thunderwing. May I speak to you in my den.”

Thunderwing entered the den to see Thistlestar pacing wildly.

“Thunderwing. Why did you go that way?”

“What?” Thunderwing was bewildered.

Thistlestar snorted impatiently. “Why didn’t you and Moonstar cross at the Stepping stones?”

“Mossbird told us they’d scented rouges near the stepping stones. She told us to follow the river until we’d reached a fallen tree. Why?”

Thistlestar didn’t appear to hear the young tom. The nagging had only grown stronger. Something was out of place.

“You can go now Thunderwing.”

Skypelt, Sundrown, Mousetree and Acornhead stood at the Shadowclan border. They had seen the raiding party cross the hard gray thunderpath and disapear into the undergrowth.

“Let’s wait for a minute to make sure they don’t come back,” suggested Acornhead mildly.

The other she-cats nodded in reply. Soon Skypelt got up to leave. Her thin gold and black body tensed as the roar of an approaching monster on the thunderpath. She turned to see a glistening white monster approaching.

Its hard shiny pelt gleaming in the sun as it swerved as if it were a young kit, still unsteady on its paws. The she cats mouth opened in a yowl of suprprise as the monster leapt of the path and came towards them! The warriors leaped out of the way as the monster collided with a tree. It lay on it’s side, black paws churning in the air. The twolegs inside the monster’s belly looked trapped and began to yowl soundlessly.

Skypelt hissed, her ears pinned back, then led the patrol back towards camp. Once a safe distance away from the thunderpath the ginger Acornhead sat down, shaking her broad head.

“Lousy twolegs. They’ve probably scared away all the prey from this area. Badgers at Snake rocks. Adders at Sunning Rocks. Now this. To top it all off we’ve got an inexperienced leader who leaves camp at dawn and doesn’t come back ‘til sundown.” Wailed Acornhead.

Skypelt frowned. “The adders are across the river and the prey will be back there by the thunderpath by sunhigh tomorrow. Thistlestar was a great deputy and is a great leader. He is not gone all day. Show some respect for your leader.”

“He did a fantastic job reasigning Spottedpaw a mentor,” mewed Moustree with bitter sarcasm.

Sundrown’s face twisted into a scowl. “This is the kind of talk that tears a clan apart. Besides, Onestripe is a quite capable mentor.”

Skypelt sighed. “Let’s just get back to camp and report this to Thistlestar.”

******

Thunderwing, Onestripe and Spottedpaw leaped quickly through the forest.

“So… this… is your…training… plan? Wear… out…Spottedpaw… before… she can… do any… permanent damage.” Panted Thunderwing.

The group stopped to rest. Onestripe shook his head.

“No. I’m getting her to use her energy for hunting and fighting. Although I do try to go quickly.”

Thunderwing laughed. Onestripe seemed like a different cat when he was away from Graytail and Deerleg, less prickly and more open.

“Badgerleg is healed now. He’ll be taking over Starpaw’s training again, leaving Lion’sMane to us.”

Thunderwing hesitated. “Something’s been bothering Thistlestar since Moonstar died. I can’t tell what… and I don’t think he can either. I’m sure it has to do with… what was that?”

A rustle in the undergrowth warned him of approaching cats, and the scent told him they were not from any clan he knew.

Three cats emerged from the ferns, two toms and a she-cat. The invaders hissed and arched their backs.

“Rogues!” Spat Onestripe.

Thunderwing smelled Thunderclan as they were unexpectedly joined by a hunting patrol consisting of Badgerleg, Sunset, GoldenRain and Thistlestar.

The strange she-cat flexed her claws in indignation.

“Rouges! How dare you? We are loyal members of Ledgepack!”

Thistlestar began to look interested.

One of the toms stepped forward, giving the she cat a warning glance.

“We are battlers of Ledgepack. We only wish to pass through your pack’s land. Our pack was driven out and we must find new territory before snowcover.”

Spottedpaw flicked her ears in confusion.

“Snowcover?”

The tom looked uncertain. “Yes. The time of year when snow covers the ground.”

“He means leafbare,” explained Thunderwing.

“Is your whole clan with you?” Thistlestar mewed.

“Our pack is waiting for us in the valley with the four oaks.”

“Fourtrees? The other clans will not be happy to see your there at the gathering tomorrow night.” Thistlestar paused. “You may stay here in our territory until the morning after the gathering. Go and tell your leader and then meet me back here.”

Thistlestar could not really think about what he had just done, he was to busy trying to deal with the horrible suspicion that was forming and replacing the nagging that had been in the back of his mind since the death of Moonstar. A horrible suspicion that Moonstar’s death had been no accident.

His thoughts were put aside as the bushes rustled. The cats tensed, expecting an attack. Out of the bushes burst a young rabbit ran from the bracken, its paws pounding the earth. The patrols nearly laughed with relief.

Soon after the previously seen cats emerged from the bracken. Behind them was an elderly black tom. The black cat stepped forward and dipped his head.

“Greetings. I am Night, ruler of this pack. You have met my scouts Hill,” the ginger tom who done most of the speaking, “Sky,” the she-cat, “and Drop.” The Third cats dipped his head.

Thistlestar’ stepped forward. “I am the leader of this clan. My name is Thistlestar. You’re welcome to stay at our camp. This way.”

The pack followed the clan cats deep into Thunderclan territory.

As they aproached the camp Mousetree and Graytail rushed out, pelts brsitleing.

“They must have smelled Ledgepack,” Thunderwing whispered to Onestripe.

“I’ll announce your presence to the clan,” Thistlestar mewed in his deep growling voice.

 “Thunderwing!” The black cat shook himself then looked around to see who had waken him. It was the ginger ledgepack battler, Hill.

The tom came up to him looking uncertain.

“Thunderwing?” Thunderwing nodded and the tom went on, more confidently now. “Your ruler, Thistlestar wishes to see you.”

The pack had just come this morning and they were already relaxing inside the camp. Thunderwing made his way across the camp. He saw the fierce battler, Sky, curled up alongside Mousetree. Hill was approaching Sunset. The tom seemed strangely interested in the she cat. Thunderwing shook off the thought and entered the leader’s den. Thistlestar was lying with his head on his paws as if he were asleep. His eyes were wide open but they looked distant as if his mind was far away.

“Thunderwing,” He spoke in a soft whisper, “we’re going to Riverclan.”

 Sunset felt her fur tingle when she saw the handsome ginger tom turn towards her. Hill had hunted with her earlier. Something about the hunt had made her heart beat faster. She felt unexplainable pleasure at seeing Hill.

“Sunset!” Hill purred in genuine delight. “Have you eaten?”

“No. Will you eat with me?” Sunset’s fur grew hot.

Hill seemed pleased. “I’ll get you something for you,” Hill purred. He bounded over to the fresh kill pile and returned with a thrush and a vole.

Sunset took the thrush and they settled down to eat.

“This land is rich with prey, much better hunting land then our old home.” He sighed. “Some of our pack are becoming quite comfortable in your clan and it worried me.”

“Your clan will soon find a new home overflowing with prey.”

Hill looked as if he wanted to say something but had thought better of it. Instead he muttered something about going to talk to Night. Sunset sadly watched him go.

 “Thistlestar why are we here?” panted Thunderwing.

Thistlestar did not answer. Instead in reply he snapped, “I smell no rogues.”

Thunderwing stared at his leader in shock. They were in Riverclan territory next to the Stepping Stones.

“Thistlestar that was a moon ago. The rogues Mossbird warned us of would have left long ago.”

“Yes, but when you first entered this territory with Moonstar did you smell rogues?”

“No,” Thunderwing answered hesitantly.

“Hide, a patrol is coming.”

As they hid in the bushes a patrol could be heard.

“Those adders are definatly gone thanks to Thunderclan.”

“They’d been stealing the prey over there for so long I didn’t care who got rid of them.”

“Beechfur. Quiet. I smell intruders.”

Thistlestar stepped from the bushes with his head held high. “I wish to speak to Broadstar.”

 Thistlestar sat down in Broadstar’s den. Mossbird was out of camp, otherwise they would not have been allowed in.

Broadstar glanced around anxiously as Thistlestar spoke. “What did you tell her when Moonstar visited you?”

Broadstar’s ears twitched nervously. “I told Moonstar that this was none of my doing. Mossbird has taken over the clan. Only her three thugs and I know that she is in control. My clan thinks I have turned my back on them, ruling them without taking part in their lives. You must not agree to join Riverclan. Mossbird is planning to attack whoever will not join her. She wants it clear that Riverclan is the danger. You will probably have another few days after the gathering. She is not a good planner. She did not stop to think how she would fight three clans with one. Somehow Mossbird will find a way. Remember…” He broke off suddenly. “Yes. Your only hope of a peaceful life lies in Riverclan.”

Thunderwing confusion was clear until he spotted the brown tabby shape of Mossbird through the branches at the back of Broadstar’s den.

Thistlestar picked up on the change immediately.

“The danger comes from behind your territory? That explains why no other clan has foreseen it.”

They paused as Mossbird trotted away.

“As I was saying, remember Thistlefoot, don’t give in to Mossbird’s threats. You should leave now.”

Thistlestar stood and left the den. They crossed the camp without attracting Mossbird’s attention and soon found themselves in their own territory. Beneath the OwlTree Thunderwing and Thistlestar stopped to hunt. The bracken parted to reveal Sunset and Hill, walking so close their pelts touched. Sunset looked embarrassed to be found walking alone with the Ledgepack tom. She lowered her head and stepped to her left at the same time as Hill stepped to the right.

“Hunting?” Thunderwing questioned.

“Uh... yeah… what you said. Hunting,” stuttered Sunset. “We should hunt somewhere else. Right Hill?”

The large tom nodded. Thunderwing smiled as the pair bustled off.

Thistlestar sat down next to Thunderwing. “You do know what we’ve discovered don’t you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Riverclan knew about the adders. There never were any rogues, Moonstar had learned Mossbird’s secret” he paused as Thunderwing shied away half knowing what his leader was going to say. “Mossbird sent you that way on purpose. She made up the rogues. She wanted Moonstar dead, and she succeeded. However, Mossbird has no idea of her triumph. Right now I assume she is terrified that Thunderclan will betray her secret to her clan.”

“Why shouldn’t we? Stop this threat now, once and for all.”

“It would just be our word against hers. As far as their consorned it would be their deputy’s word against a rival clan’s deputy. “

The tom wearily got to his paws and trudged off.

 “Did you hear?” Foxpaw raised her head from her mouse when she heard Thunderwing’s voice. The black cat purred at the sight of the red aprentice.

“What?” she mewed gently.

“Rawtooth joined the elders den. Swamppaw’s training has been left to Lion’sMane.” He let out of mrrrow of laughter. “Swamppaw’s following him around like a love struck kitten. Poor cat has to put up with a dreamy eyed aprentice.”

Foxpaw snorted unsympatheticly.

“Guess who Lion’sMane’s got eyes for?”

Foxpaw scowled. “I don’t care as long as it’s not me.”

“Stormcloud.”

Foxpaw leaped to her paws at the mention of her friend’s name.

“Well,” she said trying to stay calm, “I’m sure she’s got no interest in him.”

“Oh I wouldn’t be too sure about that. He’s a decent looking cat.”

“But that can’t be!” She wailed. “Stormcloud knows how awful he is, how I dislike him.”

“I could distract her from him. She’s not so bad looking herself.”

He bent down and gave his chest a few licks then looked up grinning.

“You’d better not!” She dropped into a crouch and lashed her tail.

He laughed. “Na. There’s another cat I’d rather spend my time with.” He looked at her with undisguised tenderness.

“Oh. I forgot to tell you.” Foxpaw mewled. “I’m becoming a warrior this evening.”

“Congratulations. I’m due to go one patrol. See you.” He turned to go but Foxpaw called after him.

              “Where did you go with Thistlestar this morning?”

              Thunderwing was nearly overwhelmed with the desire to share with Foxpaw what they had learned. He caught himself. Thistlestar would announce it to the clan when he was ready.

              “Just out hunting.” He walked slowly away, weaving among the Ledgepack cats.

“Let all cats old enough to groom their own fur gather beneath the HighRock for a clan meeting.”

At evening the call wrung out and the cats made their way to the huge rock at one side of the clearing.

Thistlestar raise his head and boldly began. “Foxpaw you have trained hard for this moment. You have become clever and fast. Foxpaw, your warrior name shall be, Foxwit.”

“Foxwit!” “Foxwit!” chanted the clan and soon Ledgepack joined in.

Thunderwing bounded over to Foxwit. They raced from the camp, their pelts brushing. Sunset watched them leave. She sadly wished that her own affection towards Hill could be so open and easy. She looked around for the ginger tom. She felt a surge of warmth at the sight of him. She knew that she should stop herself from becoming too close to Hill but she pushed thoughts of that kind away. Hill came to greet her and they went off to eat.

Foxwit looked around the camp for Stormcloud. She spotted the black and white she cat speaking to the queen Snowstorm. Deerleg, the father of Snowstorm’s kits, came over to Stormcloud and sat down. The three cats were watching the two kits, Clearkit and Rainkit, tumble about. Foxwit made her way over to Stormcloud. She leaned over to speak but before a word escaped her mouth Lion’sMane trotted up.

The tom flick his ears, signaling he wanted Stormcloud to follow him, and the two walked off. A little disappointed Foxwit sat down. She had been wanting to speak to Stormcloud about what Thunderwing had said earlier consorning Lion’sMane. Stormcloud’s behavior simply worried her more.

Foxwit turned to Snowstorm and Deerleg. “Your kits look healthy.”

Snowstorm turned to look at her with a said expression on her face. “Didn’t you hear? After your naming, when you were hunting with Thunderwing, Snowfur examined them. It seems they’re both completely blind. Thistlestar seems to think they can still be trained, though he’s not sure they’ll ever become warriors.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry.” Foxwit murmured.

“Don’t be sorry. They’ll one day be strong warriors.” Hissed Deerleg, rather more sharply than he intended. He glanced at Rainkit, a brown tabby like himself. The kit batted playfully at her sister, a white she-cat like her mother.

He stalked away and the other two queens, Moondust and Poppypelt, looked up from discussing their kits that were yet to be born.

“I heard once,” began Poppypelt quietly, “of a blind cat that became a warrior. Besides I’d be more worried about Spottedpaw and Goldpaw becoming warriors, than those two. Leave it to a stubborn cat like Acornhead to have kits like them.”

The she-cats let out a couple mrrows of laughter. Foxwit stood and padded over to the bush where the warriors slept. She ducked inside. Foxwit made her way over to the nest where Stormcloud slept. She scraped together a moss nest next to the black and white cat’s nest and went to sleep.

 Thistlestar stood at the edge of the slope that led down to FourTrees. Beside him stood the Ledgepack leader, Night. Side by side the leaders lead their cats forward. Thistlestar leaped onto the Great Rock where the other leaders waited. Again Broadstar was absent, his stop occupied by Mossbird.

Ravenstar stepped forward. “Perhaps you’d like to go first, Thistlefoot.”

Thistlestar nodded and stepped up to face the clans.

“Cats of all clans, I bring grave news. One moon ago Moonstar went to visit Broadstar about Mossbird’s request.” Out of the corner of his eye he saw Mossbird hurriedly speaking to Night in a whisper. “Broadstar spoke to Moonstar and told her everything. Mossbird is currently in control of Riverclan. She has trapped Broadstar in his own den with her three followers. She spoke of danger, but the danger she spoke of is Riverclan. Mossbird is planning to attack us if we do not join Riverclan and except her leadership. Mossbird was a fraid. She sent Moonstar back a different way, making up a story of rouges near the Stepping Stones as an excuse. She knew there were adders the way she sent Moonstar. Our leader was biten and killed. I have taken the name Thistlestar.” He stopped and drew back. The Shadowclan and Windclan gazed intently at Mossbird. The Riverclan cat finished whispering and stepped forward.

“I do not deny it,” the brown tabby yowled. “As I have said, Riverclan will be strong. As one clan we will be more powerful than anything, even stronge than twolegs. I will lead the clan. In three days time Riverclan will meet you here. If you do not join us we will fight you and drive you out.”

Ravenstar stepped up. The wiry black Windclan leader’s head hunt as if he were ashamed. “Windclan will not fight, for or against Riverclan.”

Mossbird nodded, “so you will join us?”

“In three days, not a minute before.”

Mossbird seemed pleased. “Good. Wise decision Ravenheart.”

Thistlestar flinched at the obvious contempt Mossbird showed by calling the leader by his warrior name. For the first time he was worried. Riverclan still seemed to support Mossbird despite what she had done, promises of grandeur distracting them from her treachery and deceit. And now Windclan had yielded to Riverclan.

“Tell me Mossbird, how do you expect to fight three clans with one?”

Mossbird smiled. “Why Thistlestar! I had no idea there were that many clans in the forest. Lets see… one, two, three, four… five. Yes. Who is this cat Thistlestar? Would you like to explain.”

Thistlestar moved up slowly. “This is the Ledgepack ruler, Night. His pack is staying in my clan’s camp for a few days until they are ready to continue their search for new land.”

Tawnypelt scowled. “I believe it is my turn,” she snarled. “We have a new warrior. Hedgefur sits with us tonight. A litter of kits was born yesterday.” She dipped her head and stepped back.

Ravenstar opened his mouth to speak but Mossbird cut him off.

“Ravenheart, you are apart of my clan now, you are no leader, you have lost the right to speak.”

She hissed and tryed to chase him off the boulder.

Thistlestar thrust his muzzle in Mossbird’s face. “He said he would join you only at the end of three days. He is still a leader.”

Ravenstar nodded his thanks to Thistlestar and started to speak. “Two litters of kits have been born. WE have three new aprentices, Lakepaw, Thrushpaw, and Seapaw. Our medicine cat, Birdtail, has taken an aprentice, Brackenpaw.”

“Now that you’re all done jabbering like jays we can go home,” hissed Mossbird.

Riverclan ran from the hollow with their tails held high, as if they had already won the upcoming battle. Thistlestar summoned Foxtail and the two went to find Tawnystar. They found the she-cat crouching in conference with her deputy, Jaybeak. The blue-gray she-cat raised her head and touched her leaders shoulder with her tail. Tawnystar turned and greeted Thistlestar with a dip of her head.

“Greetings. You failed to mention Foxtail was the new deputy. Congratulations.”

“Will you fight beside Thunderclan?” Rumbled Thistlestar.

Tawnystar hesitated. “What else can we do? Submit to being treated like foolish aprentices. Ravenstar is weak. What leader would let himself be treated like that. When do you expect your guests to be leaving?”

“Not soon, I hope. Windclan’s cowardice sickens me. I suggest you strengthen your camp. I’ll see you on the battle field.”

 Thistlestar leaped down from the Highrock. He had just told the clan what he had learned of Mossbird’s plot. He looked around the clearing. Aproaching him from Ledgepack’s makeshift camp was Night. The ruler looked confident and proud.

“Thistlestar! My pack is leaving.”

“Have you found a home? I was not aware.”

“We have been made an offer, by Mossbird.” As the black cat spoke Thistlestar felt alarm growing inside him. “Mossbird said that if we fight for her and except her leadership we can have our share of territory in her forest. I have accepted.”

Night leapt up to the Highrock and called his clan. “Ledgepack. We are leaving We shall live with Riverclan for three days, and then, when Mossbird is ruler, we shall return and this will be our home!”

Ledgepack’s cheers nearly drowned Thunderclan’s gasps of horror. Reluctantly the Ledgepack mothers left the nursery. As the throng of cats moved toward the entrance, Sunset found herself looking for one ginger pelt.

Night turned. “Hill. Lead the pack. Hill?”

Sunset felt fur brush against her pelt and breathed in Hill’s warm scent. “No,” called Hill. “I’m not going with you. I will not help that evil cat drive out these cats as we were driven out.”

Night lashed his tail angrily and stalked off at the head of his pack.

Hill padded over to Thistlestar. “I’d like to say here if you’ll let me. If not I’ll move on, but no matter what I am no longer a battler of Ledgepack.”

Thistlestar nodded and gentley said, “you may stay as a member of Thunderclan.”

Hill walked back over to Sunset. “I love you Sunset, more than I could ever have imagined possible. But that’s not why I stayed. I stayed because what my pack is doing is wrong.” Sunset felt bitter disappointment burn in her paws. “It would be selfish to leave our home because of love. We would be depriving our clan, or pack, of a strong warrior and a friend. “Sunset nodded knowing he was right. “But I still love you Sunset.”

She leaned against him, breathing in the warm scent of his fur.

Foxwit glanced at Hill and Sunset. It reminded her she still hadn’t spoken to Stormcloud about Lion’sMane. She spotted Stormcloud and bounded over.

“Stormcloud! Can I talk to you alone.”

“Sure Foxwit.”

The two she-cats sat down in the ferns at the edge of the camp.

Foxwit took a deep breath. “Stormcloud don’t. Stay away from Lion’sMane.”

“What? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Stormcloud’s fur grew hot.

“Don’t try to hide it you’re clearly attracted to him. You can’t be. You know how much I dislike him.”

Stromcloud’s tail twitched angrily. “So what if I am? It’s none of your business. I happen to think Thunderwing is the most disagreeable cat I’ve ever met, that your affections are wasted on him, but I’ve never said anything because you’re my friend and I believe you truly have feelings for him. That’s between you and him,” hissed Stormcloud. She flattened her ears and stalked off.

Foxwit got up and went to search for Thunderwing. She spotted the black tom coming toward her. In her hurry she collided with the distinctive golden fur of Lion’sMane.

Foxwit bristled. “Watch it Kittypet,” she spat. Her fight with Stormcloud making her even more hostile than usual.

Lion’sMane snarled and bounded away. Foxwit felt Thunderwing come up behind her.

“Is your fight with Lion’sMane still going on? I thought it ended moons ago.”

“What’s wrong with that?” snapped, Foxwit, far more sharply than she intended.

Thunderwing flattened his ears as if she had struck him. “Its pointless. He made a mistake long ago and now everytime you see him you spit fire. Whenever you get near each other you act like kits. Face it Foxwit, it’s time to put old arguments aside.” He touched her gently with his tail. “Come hunting with me. The clan needs more fresh kill.”

The two cats strolled out of camp.

 Two days until the fight, only two days. It was all Tigerstripe could think about. He aproached Thistlestar’s den, his gray and black tabby fur bristleing with the thought of what he was about to ask for.

“Thistlestar?” He called entering the den.

“Yes Tigerstripe?”

“I want to lead a patrol to chase off the badger at Snake Rocks. I’d like to take Thunderwing, Foxwit, Stormcloud, and Lion’sMane.”

“Some of our youngest warriors?” Thistlestar said questioningly.

“Also some of our strongest.”

“Very well. We must drive out the badger.”

 Foxwit bounded from boulder to boulder up the ravine. At the top she stopped and gave her chest a quick nervous lick. Facing a badger was dangerous and she was glad she had two strong fighters like Thunderwing and Tigerstripe with her. As much as she hated to admit it, she was also glad to have the muscular Lion’sMane with her. With the three toms in front of her and Stormcloud by her side, she proceeded onward to Snake rocks.

As they approached Snake Rocks Foxwit’s fur began to bristle. The stench of badgers was now strong. She sat down to wait. It was early, just past dawn, so the badgers should have been returning from their night scavenging soon. They didn’t have to wait very long. Out of the bushes a young badger blundered. It stumbled into Foxwit. His eyes grew wide with fear. The young badger was now big enough to cause problems for a single grown cat. The mother followed her cub, snarling vicously.

With a yowl Tigerstripe threw himself at the cub. Foxwit slashed out at the mother her claws got thick black fur but nothing else. The badger leapt on Foxwit, pinning her to the ground. The mother raised her paw, ready to slash at her throat, a blow that would have surely killed a cat. Suddenly the badger was jerked backwards by a cat. Foxwit opened her mouth to thank Thunderwing, but it was Lion’sMane, not Thunderwing who stood there. She shut her jaws abruptly and leapt once again at the badger. She raked her claws along it’s side. Blood seeped from the wound. The badger roared angrily and shook her massive striped head. The badger turned and ran. Foxwit stared in horror.

“Its heading for the camp,” yowled Stormcloud.

Foxwit chased after it with the others pounding along behind her. As she neared the ravine she slowed down. The badger was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly a roar told her the badger was behind her. Foxwit whirled around with her back arched. The badger lunged forward, knocking the ginger she-cat backwards. Foxwit tumbled off the edge of the ravine, only managing to hang on with her front paws. Her hind legs dangled high above the ground. She flexed her claws trying to find grip, but her claws only scraped hard stone. The badger wheeled around to face the remaining members of the patrol.

“Thunderwing! Help me, I’m going to fall!”

The black tom leapt over the badger. The huge creature spun and lashed out at Thunderwing with a powerful forepaw. His face contorted into a screech of pain as the badger’s claws raked his shoulder. The badger turned back to the others. Thunderwing leaned over and grabbed the scruff of Foxwit’s neck in his teeth. He pulled backward, but with no result. Suddenly Foxwit felt another set of jaws grab her from the other side and together Thunderwing and Lion’sMane pulled her back onto solid ground. Foxwit briefly leaned on Thunderwing before leaping back at the badger. The big creature let out a last roar of defiance and lumbered off, herding its cub in front of it. The cats stood shoulder to shoulder, yowling in triumph.

 Inside the camp Lion’sMane ran up to Foxwit. “Foxwit I need to speak to you.”

She laid back her ears but spoke without the usual venem. “What is it? I’m supposed to be on the dawn patrol, I need to get some sleep.”

“I think we should put old arguments aside and stop fighting.” Before she could reply he turned and bounded over to Stormcloud who was waiting for him by the fresh kill pile.

 Sunset watched as Pinecloud and Onestripe led Spottedpaw and Goldpaw out of the camp for training. The usually frisky aprentices looked somber, burdened with the thought of the battle the next day.  The whole clan was tense, as if Mossbird was right in front of them, ready to spring at them with claws outstretched. Sunset sighed and looked around for Hill. The big tom had seemed distraught since Ledgepack had left. Hill spent most of his time talking to the senior warriors, learning about the clans and the territory. Most of the senior warriors, Rosesky, Tigerstripe and Foxtail, were to busy to teach the battler, but Skypelt and Badgerleg realized that he needed to know these things if he was to be part of the clan. Sunset spotted Hill speaking to Badgerleg in a clump of ferns. On her way over to them she decided to stop by the medicine cat’s den. She peered into the dark den.  Sunset was shocked to see no Snowfur but Thunderwing. The black cat was crouched beside Rabbitpaw speaking to her in a soft voice.

“Are you hurt Thunderwing?”

The black tom looked up at the sound of Sunset’s soft voice. “No, I… I was just helping Rabbitpaw with a mixture for tomorrow. Snowfur is gathering herbs so I thought I’d lend a paw.” He looked wistfully at the rows of herbs.

“You miss it sometimes don’t you?” Sunset murmured.

Thunderwing nodded. “Every now and then, but I’m a warrior now.”

“Thunderwing, I can’t remember what we use for infection,” Rabbitpaw called.

Sunset smiled and backed out of the den. She padded over to Hill as Badgerleg walked. Hill sprang to his paws.

“Sunset! Did you want to go hunting? I’d like to show you one of our hunting techniques.”

“Sure,” she purred.

They padded into the forest. Nothing about the quiet woods betrayed the threatof horrible danger the cats were preparing to face the next day. Sunset tasted the air for the scent of prey and picked up the scent of mousse. Here a cat could nearly forget about Mossbird’s treachery. Sunset sighed and brought her mind back to the hunt.

 “Let all cats old enough to groom their own fur gather beneath the HighRock for a clan meeting!” The call echoed throughout the clearing.

Thistlestar began to speak. “Some warriors will need to stay at camp during today’s battle. All queens and elders will stay in camp with the kits. “

Snowstorm, Poppypelt, Moondust, Rawtooth and Dustthroat nodded.

“I also believe one warrior and one apprentice should stay behind. Starpaw you and Hill shall stay.”

“Thistlestar,” Hill raised his voice. “I would like to fight in the battle, to prove that my allegainances no longer lie in Ledgepack.”

“Very well.” He paused, looking for a cat to take Hill’s place. He noticed Deerleg looking up, hopeful for the chance to stay and protect his mate and kits. “Deerleg you will stay with Starpaw. The rest of you eat quickly and be ready to leave by dawn. Aprentices you will help Snowfur and Rabbitpaw carry their supplies to FourTrees.”

Thistlestar leaped down from the Highrock, dismissing the clan. He grabbed a thrush and began eating outside his den. Goldrain approached with his apprentice Quickpaw trailing behind him.

Goldenrain’s green eyes were troubled. He looked as if he wanted to say something but it was Quickpaw who spoke first. “Thistlestar, I… the clan is frightened. What will happen if we lose the battle?”

“We will be forced to join Riverclan or leave the forest.” Thistlestar mewed gravely.

“Which will we do?” The young dark brown tabby tom asked hesitantly.

Grief clouded Thistlestar’s eyes as he toward the small cat. Quickpaw was dwarfed by the huge leader’s powerful frame but now in the aprentice’s fear and uncertainty he looked even smaller. “We will not have to make that choice. We will win. We must win.”

                Dawn was approaching when Thistlestar caught a flash of bright ginger-oragne fur and a cat staggered into camp. Firefur, the Windclan deputy stood in the center of the clearing, gasping for breath.

He raised his head to look at the Thunderclan leader. “Thistlestar, you must win the battle. Windclan is treated awfully. We have neither their respect nor their affection. All of us, even Ravenstar and myself are treated as less than aprentices. I am the only one who dares to defy Mossbird. If Ravenstar will not protect Windclan, I will. I plead for the chance to fight for my clan’s freedom. I want to go to battle with you, Thunderclan.”

Thistlestar

[bonefall]

Hi, I was wondering given your expressed dislike for how ASiR handled it, how are you going to treat Feathertail and Stormfur and their individual character arcs + strained relationship with RiverClan in the rewrite. We've already seen how Reedwhisker and Mistystar reacted to the trauma of what happened under TigerClan, and I wonder what your plans for them are. Will Feathertail and Sasha still have a relationship and how will that be handled? Also how much of the "Stormfur is thought to be the prophecised defeater of Sharptooth" thing you are going to keep with regards to their Tribe arc, in case that is still preserved I came up with the idea in rewrites of switching their fur colors a bit, so Stormfur is a silver tabby and Feathertail is blue/gray smoke (long-furred), i.e she looks just gray on the surface but has a silver undercoat that's only obvious when she's running or something. This making it make more sense that everyone thinks Stormfur is the one even though Feathertail technically also fits the prophecy. And with Crowpaw and Feathertail's relationship, you've said before that you might age up Crowpaw to make this work, but I'm not sure if it's necessary for a romance at all between the two for the plot or at least more than a one-sided one on Crowpaw's part, wouldn't it just be enough that they bond and Feathertail takes time to really understand Crowpaw when the others don't?

I do very much dislike A Shadow In RiverClan!! I'm going to answer how I'm going to handle it in its own post, because I have a ton of ideas and it's looking like it's going to be one of my bigger reduxes.

When that comes, its new name is going to be The Tiger In RiverClan. In short; its POV will be changed, and it's about all of the half-Clan cats struggling with TigerClan supporters.

The Tribe and the Silver Warrior

I'm gonna wrench out that prophecy entirely, it doesn't sit right with me at all! I don't like how in our very first meeting with the Tribe, they're detaining the sundrown patrol because they expect them to fix their problems. It's a bad introduction. I want that first meeting to be something joyful, interrupted by Sharptooth.

So instead, when the Sundrown Patrol is passing over the mountains, they run into Tribecats and are immediately given help in their crossing. Through conversation, it's quickly discovered that the Sundrown Patrol is descended from the Sun Trail Cats, who the Tribe recognize as long-lost cousins and insist they come and visit the Cave Ward.

This part's a bit fuzzy, I want to go and revisit TNP for inspiration, but somehow around here the Sundrown Patrol violently learns about Sharptooth. Stoneteller explains they've killed him before, and they will kill him again. But the damage is devastating, some of the friendly cats who had saved their lives were suddenly slaughtered by the beast.

The Patrol debates what to do. Tawnypelt, the leader, has to make a decision; Will they stay and help their 'cousins,' or will they return to their mission?

This time, they aren't being coerced or begged in any way. It's completely up to the Sundrown Patrol to make this choice, and it's established that the Tribe CAN deal with Sharptooth on their own... but could use the help!

And help is exactly what they give, Feathertail sacrificing her life to end the carnage.

Feathertail and Crowfoot

A no romance bond could work perfectly well, but something I enjoy about Crowfeather is how this experience colors the 'way' he loves others. I think, even if Feathertail lived, it wouldn't have worked out and Crowfoot would have had to have a reckoning with the fact he can't just stuff people into the hole in his heart.

It would have worked out better for him, though, because Bonefall Feathertail's very wise and, through breaking his heart, would give him some excellent advice on how to properly mend it, if that makes sense. But that isn't what happens. She dies horribly, and Crowfeather spends the rest of his life chasing the "Perfect Love" he thinks he could have had.

(it's honestly too bad that Bonefall Feathertail dies here, she's a total delight and I like writing for her lmao. Ridiculously relaxed pun-lover who knocks you off your feet with sudden, cutting insight.)

As for if she likes him back, I think she kinda does, but not as much as he likes her. Notably, Crowfoot's not going to be as bad as he is in canon, because Canon TNP Crowpaw is just utterly insufferable imo. His mother Ashfoot raises him with stories of the Forget-Me-Nots (her old friend group, including young Bluestar, for newcomers) which makes him several orders of magnitude more agreeable.

I think, of all the Sundrown Patrol, Crow was the one who needed the most shakeup. It's generally agreed that it was a total missed opportunity for these cats to have a sort of 'found family' dynamic, and I think the biggest obstacle to that is Crow. Every word out of his mouth is some flavor of, "I resent being here and I'm committed to hating you people."

It makes a lot of otherwise fun scenes end disastrously.

So instead, I'm approaching him as kind of grumpy and dramatic, but dedicated. Feathertail's the first to understand him, but the whole crew gets him by the time they get back to the Forest.

And, lastly, he's going to be aged up, and not just for the romance. I get the vibe that Deadfoot picked his son from heaven just for the sake of nepotism, and I'd like to fix that at least a little bit. No apprentices are chosen by StarClan to go on the incredibly important religious quest. And, lastly, it fixes a minor time discrepancy where Deadfoot would have been dead before his last litter was conceived.

His name was Crowfoot on the journey, and he receives an honor title from Tallstar as a request to honor Feathertail.

[bonefall]

What does Bonefall Starclan think of Bonefall Bramblestar? And where do you think he’ll end up after he dies?

Bonefall StarClan is disappointed in Bramblestar.

The more Traditionalist and Thistle Law-sympathetic cats are frustrated that he doesn't rule in accordance with their guidelines, just sort of stumbling into them when he's acting aggrieved. Bramblestar is a supporter of Fire Alone, but he abandons those principles when he's upset.

It's obvious to them that he only does the things they agree with out of clouded judgement, and that makes their position look bad.

The Fire Alone cats, of which StarClan is filling, is annoyed by the same tendencies. Though they did find him to be a fine leader during the Great Storm and AVoS. He's just... not what he could be.

Not to mention how he ends up hobbling his deputy when they should be working together. StarClan itself can get frustrated by Squirrelflight as well, but the fact that a significant portion of her rule-breaking is because Bramblestar makes bad choices is not lost on them.

There will be a pretty large trial when Bramblestar dies... but his crimes are 1. Being a bad mate and 2. Not being a great leader. Nothing damnable. Especially not in today's day and age.

I can kinda see Bramble not having a good time up there though. It's not that anyone is hostile to him but... it would be awkward.

Firekin don't like how he treated Squilf. Grandma Speckletail and Mama Goldenflower love him but are a bit disappointed. His cousins are equally mixed, besides Thornclaw who is, sometimes, the kind of person whose approval can be condemning.

Tense friendliness, mixed feelings.

His brother Swiftpaw is happy to see him, though. Feathertail probably is too.

I think he'd be a bit escapist, he likes weaving dreams and going on wanders. Probably hangs out with Swift a lot. He's very, very tired.

[bonefall]

Have you thought about in-universe explanations for why Crowfeather (infected king!) was the only member of the Sundrown patrol to receive an Honor Title? Especially Tawnypelt, because I recall you mentioning she was leading the patrol at one point! In a perfect world I imagine they'd probably all get one, but I figure you can't just go around changing major character's names willy nilly like that.

In a perfect world the names would all become Honor Titles but yeah I try to avoid renames. I COULD be convinced to giving Tawnypelt an Honor Title though.

If I gave her an honor title it would be something like Tawnytreader, Sunsetchaser, or Sunsetter. It's in reference to how she eventually leads the Great Journey west through the mountain, towards the setting sun INSTEAD of directly North to the Lake, so that the Clans could meet with and get supplies from the Tribe of Rushing Water. Her leadership of the Sundrown Patrol and leading the Clans during the Great Journey makes her an immediate hero.

Brambleclaw probably gave up his Honor Title purposefully. He hesitated when Firestar was in the snare, and Mothwing leapt out of a bush to free the dying leader. He's ashamed of his inaction, so I think it's actually very poignant of him to say;

"I understand why you're taking away my deputyship... may I also ask for you to take this title from me?"

"But why, Northheart? You want to become Brambleclaw again?"

"...I was happy to have broken from his legacy, at first. But now I don't think I ever will. I think I need to be reminded of where I came from, or else I'll put it too far behind me."

Like, really drive home that what I'm doing here with Bramble is a tragedy. Everyone WANTS him to get better, to be good at self-reflecting and make good choices. They want so badly for him to break free of his father's association and be a positive representation of his powerful bloodline. Be he never does.

It doesn't bring him joy to be the way he is. And there's times he's so, so close to realizing that he should stay away from power. But time and time again, GIVING him that power is a mistake, and on his end, he always takes it.

"Northheart" isn't as punchy as it could be though. I have to think about it...

(Especially since I like how in canon, the "bramble claws protect the camp" prophecy could have applied to Thornclaw just as well. Maybe I'll change it so it could have applied to Brackenfur somehow)

Small recap: after their deaths, every member of the patrol is exalted and will become Directional Patrons. The two tagalongs also get associations.

Tawnypelt: West, towards the Ocean

Crowfeather: East, towards the Wilderness

Brambleclaw: North, towards the Lake

Feathertail: South, towards the Tribe

Stormfur: Patron of those who Leave (he is not joining StarClan though, these prayers go, symbolically, unanswered.)

Squirrelflight: Patron of Missions, most often invoked for Salt Patrols.

Stormfur didn't get a title because the leader at the time was Leopardstar. She wasn't very reverant of the mission to begin with, and Stormfur never returns to RiverClan after she let him be exiled by the False Sign.

Squilf actually does have an Honor Title-esque name in Clanmew! It's Pishkafsheek; "Red Squirrel Soars (like a bird of prey)." "Sheek" isn't regularly used to describe prey movements.