#batleaf

[moons-of-peachclan]

Prologue - Part 1

[Image ID: Several pixel-art cats on a peach-colored background with a textbox at the bottom. The speaker is Dashdawn, who says, "Seri?! What's wrong? Take a breath, I can't understand you!"

A textbox at the top of the screen reads "Newleaf - Moon 0"

Several cats are identified. The two most important are the largest in the middle, a black shorthair with dark blue eyes and a longhair gray cat with dark green eyes. Text beneath them reads "++ New Player: Dashdawn" and "++ New Player: Seri" respectively. Other cats gathered around them include:

Turtlestar, a longhair cream and black tortoiseshell; Ghostpounce, a shorthair black and red tortoiseshell; Batleaf, a longhair gray tabby; Laurelfern, a shorthair white cat; Shrubquiver, a brown shorthair elder; Siltroot, a brown and white tabby shorthar; Spiderdrop, a gray longhair with rosettes; and Amani, a cream longhair. End ID.]

A strange cat runs into camp, panicked and speaking a language nobody understands...

The gray longhaired molly ran past Siltroot and Spiderdrop and into camp before anyone could stop her. She was visibly distressed and began shouting quickly in a language nobody understood. Cats emerged from their dens all across camp and several of the warriors approached her apprehensively. This was an outsider and therefore needed to be removed, but she was clearly panicking and smelled like a queen-- nobody was willing to bring claws to her just yet, but Siltroot seemed to be considering it before the head healer, Dashdawn, emerged to investigate the commotion.

Dashdawn's eyes widened and she quickly rushed across the camp. "Seri!" she called, and the stranger's eyes locked onto her. "Seri, what's wrong?"

"Die Bäuerin! Feuer, ihr müsst geht--"

Shrubquiver narrowed her eyes from outside the elder's den. "Dashdawn, who is this cat and why does she know where our--"

The healer ignored her, continuing in a soothing tone, "Slow down, take a breath. I can't understand you, Seri!"

Turtlestar's ears twitched back as well. "Dashdawn, who is this cat?"

The fur along Dashdawn's spine spiked up. "Clearly this is not the time!" she snapped, startling everyone-- their healer was not a sharp-tongued cat, and to hear her raise her voice even slightly was shocking. "She's a mouser I know, but obviously she's upset!"

The clan started to argue amongst themselves when another outsider ran into camp after her, breathing heavily. He stumbled on his paws and nearly fell, leaning against Seri and translating for her: "You need to evacuate your camp!"

There was a sudden roar of noise as the camp protested. How dare this outsider come and tell them what they needed to do?! PeachClan had lived here for as long as anyone could remember, there was no threat that could make them leave.

He pressed on, shouting to be heard above the crowd while the pregnant molly caught her breath next to him. "The no-tails are about to burn the meadow! You need to GO, NOW!"

Shrubquiver's fur stood on end. "Why should we trust you?! For all we know you want to steal our--"

"SHUT UP!" Dashdawn cried, and the camp fell dead silent. Nobody had ever heard her actually yell before. "I trust them!" she declared, and her voice was strong despite the tears rising to her eyes.

There was no further argument on the matter. Every cat immediately turned to evacuating, gathering their kits and their valuables as quickly as they could while Dashdawn herded Seri and her mate-- who she knew was called Amani-- into the healer's den to help her grab all the herbs they could carry.

Everything essential was gathered in record time, and the camp was once more gathered in the clearing. "We should go for the tunnels," Laurelfern said, but Ghostpounce shook her head.

"No. You'll suffocate in the tunnels in a prairie fire, especially with a group."

Turtlestar nodded firmly. "Go for the river. We'll figure out what to do from there. Let's move!"

The cats of PeachClan hurried away from their camp with Seri and Amani mixed among them...

but there was already smoke on the horizon.

[whatisteeth]

Every hunt, kill, and fight they are with them. The one with the heart is batleaf. The were there mentor. And the blue one is the ex mate that die.

[cat-alyzing]

Secret Between Sisters is going to be the rewritten version of “Leafpool’s Wish” following the pov’s of Squirrelflight and Leafpool following the pregnancy and then birth of the three.

The beginning part follows Squilf as we see her relationship with Brambleblaze after they got back together, her feelings about Ashface after she turned him down, and how she’s dealing with Starclan forcing her paws. The second half is following Leafpool and how she’s keeping the secret, her feelings about leaving her love, and the pain of giving up her kits even though she knows her sister will care for them well.

My current ideas that I’m split between are:

LeafCrow happening and splitting off BADLY, Leaf leaves expecting and bitter towards him and Crow goes back with resentment in his belly almost immediately getting with Nightcloud as both want something to prove their loyalty.

CrowLeafMoth were she runs away with Crow and still leaves him but comes back to Moth who helps along with Squilf to hide the kittens parentage, and also being a sire to them mostly shown in Lionblaze.

Also I’m definitely renaming the three. Each kit named by the three protectors of them (Leaf Moth and Squilf). Current ideas for Lion are Beetleblaze, Butterflyblaze, or Tigerblaze. Jay still fits well but he’s either Jayfall or Jaystream. Holly may be Badgerleaf, Batleaf, or Bearleaf. Leafpool was the one to name Jay, Moth names Lion, and Squilf names Holly.

Squirrelflight is told she’ll never have children of her own but this time it is true, though in the way she can never carry them to term. She does have two kits who die after they escape the fox who were named Hopekit, in hopes she’d make it and Wishkit for her wish they’d be safe in Starclan. Later on she ends up adopting Jessy’s kits Andy and Sarah who she renamed to Alderkit and Sparkkit. Yellowfang had Brokenkit and Tatteredkit (Darkstripe) in the hollow so her two kits who were retcon named go to Squilf tho they still die like canon, no more evil guys who live while their two sisters die I’m tired of that.

[illyart-playz]

From big to small, carnivore to herbivore

Quetzal, F- BrambleFrost. wing web is white, body brown

Spino, M- PiranhaMoss. spine web is blue, body green with yellow underbelly

Rex, F- SnowOil. White body, black underbelly

Pleisaur, F- FoamSky. white body, dark blu siamese markins

Basil, F- BloodHide. dark red, lighter dark red

Basil, M- AppleOrca. light red, lighter red

Argen, F- PigeonFlight. full white, lighter binge face

Argen, M- RavenFlight. full black

TapeJara, M- MelonLeaf. Green body, Red webbin

TapeJara, F- BatLeaf. Brown body, Black webbin

Allo, M- SwampMeat. Dark brown scales, Darker green body, lime underbelly

Allo, F- MintMetal. Gray scales, lighter green body, white underbelly

Allo, F- MagmaCrest. Orange scales, red body, black underbelly

Wolf, M- NightBreeze. Black fur, yellow leggings

Wolf, F- WolfGold. Yellow goldish fur

Wolf, F- MinkTrot. Brown mask, white body, Yellow Leggings

Diplo, F- HazelStomp. Forest Green spine, hazel green body, black underbelly

Therizino, M- JayClaw. blue jay coloration

Therizino, F- RufousClaw. rufous hummingbird coloration

Kangroo, M- TigerPounce. TigerStar fur coloration

MegaDeer, M- AlmondPath. Brown fur

Equus, M- GoldBorn. Yellow or gold stripes, gray fur

equss, F- AshFrost. Gray and yellow stripes, white fur

Doecur, M- MudShell. White shell parts, brown spots and underbelly

Ichy, F- JadeStripe. black stripes, Green, lime face

Ichy, F- ShadowSalmon. Black stripes, Blue face, red body

Reblogs are better than likes

[bpeek73]

#batleaf #morningrun #ashevillenc #bryanpeekphotography (at Asheville, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqfIHKvB7OG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=sxdfv6w3ztj5

[bobkitten]

Spent 2+ hours creating a DND character with @bizabert apparently elves are shorter than humans :P . Turtle Batleaf is a pure son

[thetigersstomach]

Made #soup from scratch! #oxtail #tomato #mushrooms #peppers #batleaf #cabbage #corn #beef #garlic #yum #coldweather #hotsoup

[intrinsicmotives]

Can you see what I see???

[moons-of-peachclan]

Prologue - Part 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I can't leave him."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lakedapple dipped his head. "Thank you."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until the stars rushed in to greet him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Sootdapple, wait--"

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

...

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

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

[moons-of-peachclan]

Allegiances

Last updated 9/21/24 [moon 0]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Educator: None. Unofficially, Thrushshade.

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

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

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

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

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

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