#even now hes going to be messing with Rainstar :(

[clangenstufffromwcnoob]

Me: I'm just gonna check quickly because I want to remember how they look like before bed

Me: *Sees Longstar with this status*

Me: NO LEAVE HIM ALONE

[away-from-anthills]

prologue-

How did they do it?

Antstep mulled the question over as his eyes remained glued to the massive boulder that sat squarely between the four oaks. Four figures sat positioned at the top, their ears pricked as they listened to the groups of chattering cats around them. The smallest of them was exchanging pleasantries with a large blue-gray tom. The largest, a ragged yellow molly, looked away to the north. The sleek gray tom next to her twitched his tail with impatience.

“Those ShadowClan buggers are always late,” he grumbled, but just as he finished his sentence the big yellow molly besides him shoved his shoulder. A group of small, skinny cats entered the clearing, led by a rather handsome red tabby.

“Greetings,” announced the red tom. He effortlessly leapt onto the rock as the conversations died down. “Pardon us for being late. Our youngest queen was giving birth, and it was not an easy one.”

“It’s always something, isn’t it,” started the sleek gray tom, but before he could finish the thought the yellow molly draped her tail over his muzzle.

“Shall we begin?”

The others nodded, and so the smallest of the group, Tulipstar, cleared her throat to speak.

Antstep had always admired Tulipstar. She was impeccably small, about the size of an apprentice, despite RiverClan cats like her usually being large and girthy. Some say it was due to a birth defect- but others in the elders’ den opined that StarClan had made her so small because otherwise she would simply be too much of a force to be reckoned with.

“RiverClan has not been doing well as we would have wished it to,” she admitted. “Rogue groups have been on our borders. We have allotted them territory for the time being to shut them up- but come these next few moons, when our apprentices are ready for battle, we shall take our land back.” She dipped her head and awaited the next cat to come forward and speak.

“SkyClan, however, has been doing wonderfully,” started the sleek gray tom.

“It’s always wonderfully, ain’t it, Pigeonstar!” heckled some cat near the southern edge of the clearing behind Antstep.

Pigeonstar’s face furrowed, and then he continued. “Our most recent batch of apprentices became skilled warriors, and I am pleased to introduce them to you by their proper warrior names at this Gathering. Everyone welcome Birchtail, Nettlebark, and Stoneclaw!”

Pigeonstar doesn’t usually mention new warriors so fast, thought Antstep, and then he looked over in the direction Pigeonstar was gesturing to to see three gray tabbies identical to the SkyClan leader. Oh- Of course he’s introducing them so fast. They’re his kits.

“The greenleaf drought has been merciful to SkyClan this year, and we thank it for that. Besides the apprentice graduations, little else of note has happened in SkyClan since we last met.” He sat back down. The red tabby stepped up to speak.

“While we in ShadowClan are not doing as well as we had hoped we would, we are doing quite well. You may have heard about the fire that recently destroyed part of our territory. While we are lucky that most of us have emerged safe, three of our warriors- Turtlewing, Darkwhisker, and Stormfoot- unfortunately lost their lives to the blaze.”

A ripple of condolences echoed throughout the clearing. Currantstar eased his body slightly, leaving the clearing a moment to understand. Antstep noted burn scars at Currantstar’s feet- clearly, despite Currantstar’s young age, this was a cat who took up the mantle of leadership fully knowing what it would entail. He seemed… almost perfect. The fact he was quite a handsome thing- especially for a ShadowClanner- didn’t help.

“However, tonight we celebrate new life within ShadowClan. Just before we left, Nightwater gave birth to four healthy kits, all her spitting image: Ravenkit, Blackkit, Sharpkit, and Juniperkit!”

Another ripple, this time of celebration, echoed throughout the clearing. Pigeonstar seemed slightly disgruntled that his children’s warrior names had not received as much applause.

As soon as he had begun, Currantstar stepped back. A gaunt, blue-gray tom stepped up. His face was long and bony, and his pelt was crisscrossed with scars. His eyes were weary, and the bumps of his spine were visible from age.

Antstep felt his chest swell as he watched the tom open his mouth to speak. After all, this cat had been his leader, his mentor, the closest thing to a father Antstep had known.

Shalestar, the almighty leader of WindClan.

“WindClan has been faring well this past Greenleaf. Like our SkyClan friends, we are lucky to be treated kindly by the drought.”

Antstep looked around. Rainleap, the WindClan deputy, stood just below the great rock, a proud grin on his face as he studied every syllable that left Shalestar’s lips. It was generally accepted within WindClan that, as Shalestar was upon his final life, Rainleap would soon ascend as Rainstar- and everyone deeply anticipated the spotted tabby’s leadership. He was charismatic, he was courteous. He knew everyone and everything in WindClan like the back of his paw to the point that, if you brought him a leaf from any weeping willow within the territory, he could tell you not just what tree it was from but the exact bow and branch it had resided upon. Rainleap was to become a wonderful WindClan leader- even Pigeonstar, the grumpy sod, seemed to appreciate him.

“However, the last moon has not passed by without its troubles. An illness swept through our camp. Nearly all of us survived- unfortunately, our dear Palefeather passed from the illness.”

There was audible sadness from some cats near the northern end of the clearing.

“You may recall her as our former medicine cat, who served us many moons before she retired to the elder’s den last leaf-fall. She was a wonderful companion to me in the darkest hours of my leadership. She was an extraordinary teacher, she was an adamant follower to the stars above, a devotee to her kin, and a gifted healer for all of us in WindClan. We miss her terribly.”

The medicine cats, who were in their own little corner off to the side of the Great Rock, seemed heartbroken by the news. Whitetooth, the WindClan medicine cat and Palefeather’s apprentice, looked more alone than ever, despite the sympathies uttered to them.

“However, with the end of a time, another always begins. I am proud to introduce  our two newest apprentices- warrior apprentice Twigpaw and medicine cat apprentice Marblepaw!”

Twigpaw, who was directly behind Antstep with his mentor Molethroat, was lapping up the attention. Marblepaw, however, seemed alarmed. She leaned into Whitetooth’s side, and her mentor draped their tail around her.

“We also have a litter of kits to announce,” continued Shalestar. Molethroat couldn’t hold in his excitement. “Those are my kits!” he exclaimed to the mingling cats from other Clans. “They look just like my mate! I love them so much!”

Shalestar, however, was calm, even though there was a sliver of optimism in his voice. “We are proud to announce Cherrynose’s kits- Olivekit, Rosekit, Amberkit, Brindlekit, and Patchkit.”

“Oh, all of them are so wonderful,” continued Molethroat, his whiskers twitching with sheer joy. “Rosekit and Amberkit are so smart! They amaze me every day. And Brindlekit is so bold, and Olivekit is so thoughtful, and Patchkit is so kind… They sneak out of the nursery to wake me up from the warriors’ den nearly every morning. And my mate is so patient with them, I’m the luckiest cat in the world to have her. I tell you, I could go to StarClan tomorrow and I still would think I had the greatest life…”

Antstep looked around. WindClan was as peaceful as he had ever known it to be. Goldenpaw and Milkpaw, two WindClan apprentices, signed to each other, poking fun at the other leaders. Russetfoot, Rockscratch, and Emberheart, three WindClan warriors, were chatting to a trio of RiverClan cats. Even Sandwhisker- the sister of Palefeather, and the oldest WindClan warrior- looked content, despite the loss she had suffered the prior moon.

Antstep never knew if he would fully fit in WindClan. But this is a WindClan he was, for the most part, content living alongside.

A cold chill snapped Antstep out of his thoughts, and he looked up to see the largest cat take the stand as Shalestar stepped back.

Tatteredstar had been ThunderClan leader for a very, very long time. She had been one of the most formidable fighters ThunderClan ever knew- and the scars crisscrossing her pelt gave plenty to show for it. She could kill a rat just by looking at it from the right angle, they said. No leader dared to mess with her.

“ThunderClan has been doing pleasantly enough. Juncopaw, who you may recall from his introduction last Gathering, has elected to train as a medicine cat, and so he will be trained by Emberblaze. I expect her to pass down all she knows to him. We have many mollies due for kits within the next moon. We are all very excited about it- but it will undoubtedly mean ThunderClan has more mouths to feed.”

Without warning, she turned to Tulipstar. She was nearly thrice as large as the RiverClan leader, and she easily had dozens more scars. “I am making a request that RiverClan gives up Sunningrocks to us immediately. I understand this is sudden news- but RiverClan, if they know what is best for themselves, will back off of the territory.”

Many incensed RiverClan cats jumped up to speak- but most of them found their words lost when Tatteredstar shot them a pointed glare.

Tulipstar, however, stepped towards Tatteredstar, nothing breaking her green gaze as she stared upwards to the massive yellow molly. “RiverClan has fought for seasons to keep Sunningrocks. We, too, need the territory, for our own mouths to feed. I thought we had reached an agreement last leaf-fall that RiverClan could hold the territory until the leaf-fall after. We still have a season left on that agreement.”

“Old agreements mean nothing now.”

“If ThunderClan wants more mouths to feed, expand the territory elsewhere, Tatteredstar. We both know your warriors are capable. They will not be intruding on RiverClan’s hard-earned territory.”

The two mollies slowly inched towards each other, their noses wrinkled and their lips slightly curled. The tension between them was palpable, and no other leader dared to speak. This was Tulipstar and Tatteredstar’s score to settle and theirs alone. Their respective deputies, Trufflepelt and Eelwhisker, tried to shuffle towards them- not only to back them up but to pull them away from each other if claws were unleashed.

The clearing went dead silent.

Even though WindClan was in no way involved, Antstep felt fear coursing through his veins as he watched the two leaders stare at each other inches apart.

Then, Tatteredstar sheathed her claws into the matted fur that bunched at her feet. “You’ve got a nerve in you, runt,” she said, with hints of respect and perhaps even something resembling affection. “RiverClan can have Sunningrocks for now.”

The two backed away from each other, Trufflepelt and Eelwhisker eased, and the tension slipped away as the murmur of Clan cats returned.

“I suppose the Gathering is over, now,” Shalestar said. “Let us return to our camps in peace.”

As Rainleap began to organize WindClan, Antstep still felt adrenaline rush through him from the confrontation between Tulipstar and Tatteredstar- as well as a bit of awe. The way all the leaders composed themselves so well. The way Tulipstar didn’t back down, the way Tatteredstar knew when to call it quits. The charisma of Currantstar, the pride of Pigeonstar, the wisdom of Shalestar…

How did they do it? How did they all do it?

Antstep felt a kitlike wonder- and a kitlike envy. He turned to see Rainleap nod towards the journey home, the light of the moon shining in the WindClan deputy’s lime-green eyes. As Molethroat and Rockscratch chattered behind him, Antstep let himself get lost in his thoughts. Rainleap will make a wonderful leader- I wonder how his first gathering will go…  I wonder how I’d do. I mean, of course Rainleap will be the next leader. Everyone knows that. But it must feel nice to be up on that rock, to be there with the greats… To be loved by your Clan. I wouldn’t want the stress, of course, but… I would want that.

Wouldn’t anyone?

Little did Antstep know, his life was on the cusp of changing forever.

[canon-notcanon-warriorcats]

Submitted by: yumiponypup

Excerpt from Wildstar’s Pride

Warnings: Mentions of Death, Implied Attempted Suicide, Depression

°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°

“Are you ready Wildfang?”

The tom paused, and took a deep breath, turning to face the toms that he brought with him.

“Not like I have much of a choice Rabbitsong,” he sighed, not at all ready. Smallrunner pressed his nose into his shoulder, giving his mate comfort before the ceremony.

“You’ll do just fine Tiger, I know you will.”

With that, Wildfang approached the Star Spire, and pressed his nose to the cold surface.

When he opened his eyes again, he was in a dark, yet also somewhat glowing area. He got up and started to wander, having no clue what he was supposed to do past the spire. He let out a very manly scream that was totally not from fear when he was tackled to the ground by something not bigger than he. He swiped at his attacker, but stopped when he heard that voice he missed so much.

“I know it’s been years Wildfang, but I would have hoped you would still recognize my scent,” purred Icegaze. The warrior released him, and let out a hearty laugh that one wouldn’t expect from such a scrawny tom.

“In my defense you don’t exactly have a scent, it reeks of monster fumes near the spire…” Wildfang paused, lurching towards the tom, “I missed you dad,” he mewed.

“I’m always keeping my eye on you boy, but you know why I’m here. I believe your clanmates would rather have you before sunrise,”

Wildfang straightened up, and let go of the breath he wasn’t holding. He held his head down to level with Icegaze, and gained the first life of many to come.

“With this life, I grant you compassion, use this wisely, I shouldn’t have to explain this to the badger I call a son,” chuckled the older tabby, who promptly received a playful swat from the younger.

Wildfang shivered, he wishes his coat was thicker. It got warmer with his mother taking a seat under his chin. Not wanting to keep him waiting, she held her nose towards her son, waiting for him to meet her halfway. Wildfang held back a snort, and complied.

“With this life I grant you friendship, use it to make great a closeknit clan and keep the bonds holding it together stronger than ever before,” Specklefall purred, and kissed her son’s nose. Wildfang returned the favor by smooching her head, hoping he looked groomed so she wouldn’t fuss about it.

He missed the warmth, but knew Acornkit was in his tail, trying to find a warm spot. The little kit bit him and he had to refrain from jumping, she was no bigger than a mouse compared to her much larger brother. “I thought I scented mischief, what do ya got sis?” The tortiseshell stuck her tounge out, but pressed her nose to the elder.

“With this wife, I gwant you pwotection. Use it to fight to defend youw cwanmates as if they wewe youw own chiwdwen, Siwvewpewt knyows they'ww nyeed it.” Wildfang felt a much more intense warmth, and now finally understood what the other leaders meant when they mentioned burning. He felt like shredding ears.

With the kit fading out to who knows where, Paledream enters, and looked almost too happy to be near Wildfang again. “I’m so happy to finally see you,” purred the grey tabby. Then it hit him, he could finally see what he looks like now, he forgot he could only see him when he was a kitten planning to be his apprentice. Paledream suddenly pulled away and touched his nose.

“With this life, I give you healing, use it to bring a new kind of knowledge to your clan, poor Rabbitsong would thank you for it.”

Wildfang was about to comment, but was hushed by a sudden Littlemist pressing his nose to his. Wildfang pushed him away quickly, needing to recover from being startled. Paledream, who hasn’t left yet, chatised the tom for doing that. Wildfang recovered, and met him again, on his own terms.

“With this life, I grant you leadership, use it to, well, lead. I have so much faith in you, I believe in your strength Fangface.”

Littlemist and his mate faded away, leaving Cloudstar in their place. He was about to say something but Wildfang cut him off with a tackle hug, which was happily returned. Cloudstar backed away, stretching, before continuing with the ceremony.

“With this life I grant you the gift of mentoring, use this to both teach others and learn from those you inspire.” The living cottonball named Cloudstar rested his chin on his old apprentice’s head, remembering what he was going to say. I should have named another warrior to mentor you, Rainstar was a mis-“

"You were dead, it’s not like you could’ve done anything about it, and Stormstar pretty much took me from him so it’s not all bad…” Wildfang trailed off, wishing that Rainstar was never brought up, but recollected himself to prepare for the next cat.

Cloudstar left with an apology, but the IslandClan cat arrived with another. “Wildfang I’m so sorry to have dragged you into that mess it was my fault you-” Wildfang stopped him from speaking with his paw, his pale blue eyes soft with worry. “Flamepoppy, you have been forgiven, I never blamed you for what happened and besides, why would I leave my best friend to rot in a cave?” Flamepoppy started to cry, and pulled the much bigger warrior into a hug. Wildfang pet his head while this occured. The black and ginger tom was soon joined by his mate, a Queen if memory serves. Wildfang nodded to the she-cat who left too soon. “You look even stronger than I remember,” purred Daisyskip, her nearly white eyes shining with starlight. “Come closer child, we don’t have the entire night to waste time with idle chatter,” Flamepoppy let an amused meow escape his muzzle, but quickly corrected himself when he seen the pair watching him. The couple approached, and pressed their noses to his cheeks.

“With this life we grant you Justice and Loyalty, try to both find it and grant it to others, and to show your clan that you aren’t what they may fear you to be,”

The mates left, leaving Wildfang alone once more. He counted the cats who came to see him, but something was wrong… there were only eight cats that gave him a life, and two gave him one life… that added to only seven lives from the Stars.

“You always were the smart one,”

His eyes shot up to meet the ones he hasn’t seen since he was an apprentice. He let his walls down, and started sobbing at the sight of his old denmate. He hasn’t told anyone but Stormstar the truth of what happened, he thought Smallpaw was mad at his mistake. His legs gave out, and he fell forward, spared from the ground by an oddly warm body catching him. Smallpaw knew that Wildfang would’ve been upset after the cave-in, but it looks like he never actually accepted that he was actually gone.

Wildfang shuddered, wrapping his forelegs around the shorter tom. Time was of no concern to him. He wanted to stay and keep Smallpaw in the embrace, but the other pulled away, tears threatening to fall from his eyes. Those damned eyes, they looked so lifeless yet showed so much life behind them.

“You know we can’t stay,” Wildfang nodded.

“You know why I’m here,” He nodded again, ears tilting back slightly.

“Did you know that I’m not mad at you?” He didn’t.

“Did you know that I was never mad at you?” No.

“Did you know that he loves you?” He paused, not responding.

“You know,” He does.

“You love him too,” He has to admit that he’s right.

Smallpaw pulled Wildfang in for a quick hug, and they met in the middle.

“With this life I grant you Strength. Not for combat, but for being the leader of a Clan who may not want you to be theirs. For being a shoulder to cry on, and to listen to the voice others may not hear. To have the ability to cry when you need to, and to admit when you are weak. May the Stars grant you safe passage home, my sweet,”

One voice faded to many, as if every star was cheering to him.

“Wildstar!”