#lightningkit

[rippleclan]

RippleClan: Moon 71

Rattlepelt went missing for a few days.

[Image ID: Mitespark, standing in the distance, calls, “Rattlepelt!” Rattlepelt faces away from her in the foreground. Under Rattlepelt, it says LEVEL UP! BLOODTHIRSTY -> THOUGHTFUL.]

Mitespark didn’t know her former mentor well. She knew a Rattlepelt, but not the Rattlepelt that now wandered through RippleClan. The first Rattlepelt had grown more angry, more paranoid as the moons passed, and only a group of kittens saw why. The new Rattlepelt was supposed to be the Rattlepelt the older RippleClan cats knew, the artisan who enthusiastically talked about her crafts and showed off songs and dances to kits. 

That Rattlepelt had yet to appear.

Instead, the Rattlepelt that now inhabited the furless gray molly had gone off to “collect weaving materials” four days prior and had yet to return to camp. Patrols scented her around the territory, so she hadn’t left. Yet no one could approach her. No one could find her, even if they wanted to. Spikecrash and Paleseed said to “give her space”, to let her process all that had unfolded.

Mitespark decided Rattlepelt had had enough space.

“Rattlepelt?” Mitespark called as she roamed RippleClan territory, searching for the furless molly’s scent. “Rattlepelt, where are you?” Birdsong was her only reply. Pollen clogged her nose and made her sneeze. The late spring blossoms sought to destroy Mitespark’s nose, even as they dazzled her with newfound life and color. The final moments of sunhigh dragged at Mitespark’s eyelids, but she forced herself to stay alert. She wasn’t going back to camp without her mentor!

“Rattlepelt!” she yowled once more. She held Rattlepelt’s name out, screeching until her throat burned. Birds startled and flew from the branches overhead. Mitespark coughed when her throat finally gave out. Now the forest gave no reply.

“Rattlepelt, please come home,” Mitespark begged, dropping her head. “Your mothers miss you. I want to get to know my real mentor.” 

Silence.

“No one is mad at you anymore! We understand you weren’t in control of yourself. The Shardling made you angry.”

Silence.

“No one knew the truth! We couldn’t have known you were possessed! We would have helped you sooner if we knew!”

Silence.

“I don’t know what to tell you! I don’t know how to help you!”

“Mitespark, please. Leave me be.” Rattlepelt’s voice came from the trees. Mitespark scanned the late spring leaves and buds for signs of gray skin. She couldn’t see her.

“RippleClan is worried about you!” Mitespark yowled, trotting along the trunks. “We just want you to come home. The kits are still staying in the apprentice’s den while we clean the nursery, but we’d get them back in sooner if you were there to help.”

“The kits don’t want to see me. I almost killed them.” Mitespark spun around. The voice was coming from the trees behind her, now.

“That was the Shardling, though.”

“Was it? Really?” There, in the short pine! Copper eyes watched Mitespark stumble through the trees. “The Shardling didn’t steal my body from me. I didn’t stop it from hurting people.”

“We forgive you.” Mitespark ran at the tree. She pounced on the trunk like a squirrel and launched herself into the lower branches. Rattlepelt sat on a branch tail-lengths above. Dirt scuffed the raw wound on her shoulder. Her skin looked red from the sun.

“I don’t,” Rattlepelt huffed. “I’ll come home when I’m ready.” She laid across her branch and rested her head away from Mitespark. Mitespark steadied herself. She jumped onto Rattlepelt’s branch, sending needles fluttering down. Rattlepelt turned her head further from her former apprentice.

“Your wound doesn’t look good,” Mitespark muttered. “Troutpool and Honeybuzz can clean it up for you.”

“They shouldn’t have to,” Rattlepelt said, ears lowering. “Weevilkit was right to give me this. Can you imagine how it feels to know you would have killed a kit had someone not stopped you?” 

“I can’t say I do,” Mitespark gulped, “but Rattlepelt… you don’t have to forgive yourself yet. We just want you to come home. We’re worried. Don’t the kits deserve to know who you really are?” Don’t I? 

Rattlepelt sighed deeply. Her tail tip twitched, dangling off the branch like a broken twig. She stared at nothing, thinking of everything.

“I won’t be pleasant company,” Rattlepelt sighed.

“You don’t have to be,” Mitespark promised, setting a paw on Rattlepelt’s back. “Just come home with me.”

And so she did.

(Mitespark: 13, female, artisan, charismatic, good mediator)

(Rattlepelt: 54, female, artisan, thoughtful, leather artist)

Lightningkit hides behind Cobaltkit… who hides behind Puddlewhisper.

[Image ID: Lightningkit stands behind Cobaltkit, who stands behind Puddlewhisper. Puddlewhisper calls, “Mollies?” Under Cobaltkit, it says + NEW SKILL: LOVES TO EAT. Under Lightningkit, it says + NEW SKILL: ALWAYS WANDERING.]

(Lightningkit: 1, female, kit, self-conscious, always wandering)

(Cobaltkit: 1, female, kit, quiet, loves to eat)

(Puddlewhisper: 37, trans female, codekeeper, righteous, natural intuition, ghost sense)

Clammask and Halibutdusk’s litter is the first apprenticed this moon; Potterypaw to Wildclaw, Moonpaw to Scaleripple, and Vervainpaw to Lemmy. 

Weevilpaw seeks to understand her semi-secret ability by training under Honeybuzz, getting decor from Troutpool as a gift. Ravenpaw will be an artisan under Mitespark with Silverpaw and Wolfpaw as codekeepers under Puddlewhisper and Waspdawn. 

Although their mother and brother are gone, Harvest’s kits become apprentices and life moves on. Halibutdusk mentors Anchovypaw, Elmsprout teaches Currentpaw, Rapidleaf guides Yarrowpaw, and Splashtuft teaches Billowpaw.

[Image ID: There are three images, each with a particular litter. They are all apprentices now, with Weevilpaw sporting petals in her fur. Under each cat is a LEVEL UP update discussing the changes to their stats, written below.]

(Potterypaw: 6, female, caretaker apprentice, insecure, loves to sing)

(Moonpaw: 6, female, warrior apprentice, faithful, quick to help)

(Vervainpaw: 6, female, codekeeper apprentice, ambitious, loves nature, quick to make peace)

(Weevilpaw: 6, female, cleric apprentice, adventurous, curious about StarClan)

(Ravenpaw: 6, female, artisan apprentice, nervous, picky nest builder, quick witted)

(Silverpaw: 6, female, codekeeper apprentice, strict, always asking questions, quick witted)

(Wolfpaw: 6, female, codekeeper apprentice, thoughtful, curious about StarClan, confident with words)

(Anchovypaw: 6, male, warrior apprentice, playful, curious about StarClan)

(Currentpaw: 6, male, caretaker apprentice, loving, constantly climbing, has lots of ideas)

(Yarrowpaw: 6, female, warrior apprentice, thoughtful, stares at fire)

(Billowpaw: 6, male, historian apprentice, thoughtful, active imagination)

[cascadeclangen]

Frostleaf- Why would you hurt Lightningkit like that??

Frostleaf flattens her ears and looks past you, staring into the distance. She seems sad, sheepish, maybe disappointed in herself?

“It’s not an acceptable excuse, no kit should be treated the way I had Lightningkit. I was already stressed, and her misbehaving pushed me over the edge. I’d just- Smokestar and I have been trying to have kits for so many seasons, and none of them survived. Of course I’d come up with an idealized version of what finally raising kits would be like, and I think part of me thought that kits of my own blood would have been… better somehow.”

Frostleaf shook her head, as though dispelling the thought from her mind. It was a terrible thing to think, and poor Lightningkit had suffered for it. Smokestar had smoothed things over for her, but the damage had already been done, and she didn’t think a simple ‘sorry’ could buy her adopted daughter’s forgiveness.

[burning-thistles-bt]

little sparks was so cute!!! poor lightningkit :( even more heartbreaking when you look at her character now… i believe she does still love spottedleaf, but buries those feelings as she doesn’t want to be seen as “weak.”

what would you say caused such a drastic shift in her character? growing up with her + her siblings constantly stigmatized for being kits of a “codebreaking” medicine cat?

i’d love to see you write a lightningfur analysis.. only if it doesn’t spoil any future events though!

Lightningkit has grown up so much, my little murder baby <3

woof im not sure i could do a full character analysis like the ones i always scroll past on here but ill tell ya some stuff about her character progression!

In Little Sparks and "Prequel" (Before Into The Wild) chapters, Lightningkit loves her mother! She does the whole "I hate you! I'm not your mom!" attitude of a little kid. She was very rambunctious as a kit and always loved that Spotted would give her extra attention when she was being 'bad,' and hated when Spotted's attention was elsewhere (five kits, one who was very ill as well, plus Willowpelt and Darkkit, and her medicine cat duties--her attention was all over the place!). She acted out a lot as a kit and didn't like getting scolded, bossed around the other kits and got mad when Creekkit would be just as "bossy" as her (aka tell her off or try to lead the games instead to be more fair). She liked all her siblings except for Airkit, because she didn't get as 'attached' to him and just sort of saw him as the thing that always took Spotted's attention away (since he was sick in the med den).

Once she has her father's attention though, it all shifts and she starts changing from "I want to be good for Spottedleaf!" to "I want to be good (read: bad) for Thistleclaw!" She also admired Mapleshade A LOT and thought she was sooo cool and, later into her apprenticeship, started wishing Maple was her real mom because Spotted was "too much trouble." She hated that cats thought she was "less" just because her mom was a med cat and her dad exiled. As a kit, she sort of understood what all the fuss was about and sympathized with her mother, but as Thistle was there to twist her mind, she started to care less and less about her mother's "tough life" because "Thistle had it just as tough and he loves me more!"

Thistle really enabled her to keep her "acting out for attention" mindset, because whenever she did bad things (ex.: clawing during training, being rough with her siblings, getting mad at Spotted/others), she got his praise. She felt justified and vindicated in taking her anger out on others. Surprisingly, this also started to twist her feelings towards Airpaw from one of "ugh he's so annoying i hate him leave me alone!" to "follow me because im so much better than you and you need me to be good at anything :)" (aka the exact same stuff Thistle was pulling with her).

she liked Firepaw because he was a "neutral" ground -- he followed Thistle and he was willing to play rough, meanwhile Air was too "weak," Copper was too "soft," and Creek was too "obedient" to be mean. she was enraptured with the idea of leading the clans with all her kin, and she was enamored with the prospect Thistle gave them.

she also HATED Speckletail and Frostfur. Frostfur, in her early moons, was too "bossy" and would always try and correct Lightning and Lightning would be like "UR NOT MY MOM," plus Frost would always huff about Lightning's bad attitude. Speckle tried to be a good mentor, but she was blinded by her prejudice against Lightning, already viewing her as a "helpless bad case," so they just butted heads way too much and Lightning felt vindicated disobeying her thanks to Thistle encouraging her to

she ran to RiverClan because she LOVED the attention she received there. needless to say, everything Lightningfur does is for attention. And those who give her attention that she deems weak/pitiful/lesser than her (Airleap, Robinstorm, Sedgecreek, etc.), she treats like sh*t because "what are they gonna do? hate me? they love me too much to hate me."

it's kind of why Silverstream was her best friend. in canon, Silverstream is kind of, well, spoiled and thinks she can get away with anything. she's not mean, but she's just as attention-driven as Lightningfur. The two bounced off each other immediately, giving the other attention, but there was also this... allure with Silverstream, who -- unlike Lightningfur, who had to fight and bite and kick and scream for her attention -- only had to sit pretty and get stuff handed to her thanks to her loving and doting overprotective father Crookedstar. Silverstream's attention felt extra good to Lightningfur, because Silverstream held this air of I'm Better Than You that Lightningfur desperately wanted to have as elegantly as her. Needless to say, Lightningfur's aroace lesbian *ss crushed hard on Silverstream but buried that part of her feelings far far deep down.

Silverstream's death f*cked Lightningfur up. They were untouchable, and yet, there Silverstream was, clearly Touched. (Though Lightningfur doesn't know it, somewhere in StarClan, Silverstream is thinking the same bitter thoughts.) Lightningfur couldn't imagine a life without Silverstream, and now she became a lot more... aggressive in her behavior. Genuinely cold. Before there was a since of "we do this together," there was something grounded Lightningfur, something for her to love and remember how to be compassionate in her own Lightningfur-y way. Now, it's gone, and Lightningfur doesn't have any remorse left in her to regret the actions she commits.

This Lightningfur, our current Lightningfur, has grown a coldness in her heart. It numbs her to feeling anything but rage and sadistic pleasure. That isn't to say she never expresses some kind of fondness (ex.: Featherpaw is Silverstream's look-a-like daughter and Lightningfur will do everything she can to protect "what's left of her"), but that any kindness that might go along with those inner feelings is gone.

But cutting off emotions and refusing to acknowledge them leaves one blind, and oh, Lightningfur will be blinded.

[iceclan-iterations]

[rippleclan]

I love how spiky the Esther family is.

If you told me James found a newborn kit and snuck it into Weedfoot’s nest, I would believe you- AND THEIR NAME IS COBALT- I know that’s a metal but isn’t that also like- blue?

Guys is James colorblind?

[i-have-no-braincells]

dude remember Sapnut's granddaughter Coniferkit? she's a mother now.

and she named one of her kits after her sister Lightningfreckle (sobbing crying throwing up /pos) (I love these little pixel cats)

THESE LITTLE PIXEL CATS OWN MY HEART DUDE-

[darling-has-a-smol-heart]

"If I had to be stuck by you. It wouldn't be that bad"

Hi ya'll! These two are my cute little darlings from my clan, TulipClan!

In summary, Coldfur and Puddleholly are siblings, members of a pretty novice TulipClan, that's still finding its footing as an actual clan. Puddleholly was chosen by Starclan to be TulipClan's medicine cat, much to her dismay, while Coldfur was more than honored to step up as their deputy. Things™ happen, mainly Puddleholly taking a mate in another clan and bringing her kits into camp, facing harsh rejection by their leader. This piece follows how the siblings cope through Coldfur's different litters. First, Coldfur had Scrubkit and Chirpkit with a passing rogue, and Puddleholly treats her kitting silently, resenting her sister for being congratulated and celebrated while her kits had the half-clan labbel forced into them. Then, many moons later, Coldfur mothered a second litter of three: Lavenderkit, Lightningkit, and Luckkit. They too had outsider roots. Finally, Coldfur took a mate in her own clan, and while she didn't carry him herself, she was enamored and would curl around Applekit in the nursery while her mate rested. Puddleholly had grown to accept her position as a medicine cat, looking at how her family grew larger and larger, and maybe, just maybe; it wasn't all that bad.

I'm not one to do lore pieces that often, but I wanted to practice, so here you go <33

[thenamessparkplug]

hey guys i made a warriors oc:3

story under cut!

TL;DR - He was found by a clan and taken in. When he grew up he became a perm den-dad, and was the main caretaker of two kids. One of which became obsessed with his own ambition, and was killed by the second. Into his old age he became very sick and there was nothing anyone could do to save him. After his death he became a ghost whom guided patrols to lost kits.

Hiddenfang was found as a kitten by several warriors when they went to investigate a barking dog. He was wedged behind a wood pile where the dog couldnt reach him, but he could hardly go anywhere. The patrol chased off the dog and took newly dubbed Hiddenkit (named after how he was found) back to their clan.

He was raised by all the clan's queens and den-dads and had a plethora of parental figures. He always looked up to them and held every one of them to an extremely high light.

As an apprentice he was proficient in hunting and fighting, no cat ever doubted his ability, but he never lost his fascination of raising kits. He constantly would visit the nursery and play games with them throughout his apprenticeship.

By the time he was meant to become a warrior, he declared he would rather spend his days raising the clan's young (He was named Hiddenfang for his protruding fangs, a bit ironic and a source of playful teasing from his friends). He would still hunt and fight when needed, but instead of patrols he spent the bulk of his day playing with and teaching kits.

Eventually throughout his career he became primary caretaker of two kits, Lightningkit and Poolkit. Both equally ambitious, the adopted brothers were an unstoppable pair throughout apprenticeship, and Hiddenfang couldn't be prouder.

Unfortunately as the two grew older into warriorhood, Poolmink began giving into his ambition in a rather... dark way. His desire for power consumed him, and eventually led to a face off between him and Lightningstorm. Lightningstorm did win, but it cost Poolmink his life.

Hiddenfang did all he could to comfort Lightningstorm while he himself mourned his lost child, but it would take many moons to move past the grief and guilt.

But everyone finds a new normal someday. Life found a new flow. For a long time after their lives went on without too much tribulation.

Until Hiddenfang began getting older. At some point he caught some odd illness that none of the medicine cats knew how to cure. Its suspected there was some form of poisoning caused by twolegs, but they never found out.

It wasn't too noticeable at first, but Hiddenfang began loosing a lot weight and his breathing started getting shallower. Not too long after he was unable to get up, and was confined to the medicine den. There wasn't much they could do but make him comfortable. Lightningstorm visited him everyday, until their final goodbyes.

Now Hiddenfang never believed much in StarClan, but they did offer him a rank among them. But as much as he wanted to see his son again, Hiddenfang refused. He instead wished to, at least for a while, remain as a ghost in the living world. He changed his name to "Song of the Lost" and guided warrior patrols to lost kits, so they might have a chance at a life just as he did. He most often takes the form of a weasel, but occasionally returns to feline form.

He plans to join StarClan one day. But for now he has a role to fulfill. He is happy.

[siennaswarriors]

Birdflight's Wish Chapter One (Warrior Cats)

“ShadowClan has invaded!”

Birdkit raced across the clearing as fast as her short legs could carry her. Only a moon away from being an apprentice, she still was very small for her age. Her littermates, Quickkit and Mothkit outpaced her, running to the elders’ den.

Largekit, Lightningkit, and Frogkit stood outside the den, hissing loudly. Considering they were a whole moon and a half younger than Birdkit and her littermates, they weren’t very intimidating “ShadowClan warriors”, but they would have to do. After all, the other five kits in the nursery were too young to be playing with them.

Birdkit skidded to a halt beside her littermates, her sides heaving as she tried to catch her breath. She may have been outpaced, but she was just as determined as her bigger siblings.

Quickkit, a sleek black tom, flicked his tail in impatience, the only sign that they had noticed her falling behind. She sent a glare her brother’s way- it wasn’t her fault he was so fast! 

Lightningkit stepped forward, “I am the leader of ShadowClan! You stole our prey!”

“ThunderClan would never steal prey!” Birdkit protested, shaking her head, “We aren’t foxhearts like you!”

“ShadowClan, attack!” Lightningkit yowled, leaping onto Quickkit, the two rolling over in a flurry of paws. Largekit, the biggest of his littermates, leapt at Birdkit while Frogkit went after Mothkit.

The big white tomkit struck, missing Birdkit’s naturally-curled ears by a whisker-length. She pounced onto him, squashing him against the ground. Despite being smaller than her siblings, she was still bigger than Largekit.

Largekit hissed in protest, trying to roll over, but Birdkit hooked her claws into the ground, “Give up?”

“ShadowClan never gives up!” Largekit snarled, but the fight slowly went out of him. Birdkit looked around to see that Quickkit and Mothkit had also defeated Lightningkit and Frogkit.

“ShadowClan, retreat!” Lightningkit panted, squirming out from underneath Quickkit and running for the nursery. Birdkit stood up and let Largekit run after his fellow “ShadowClan warriors”.

“So this is the future of ThunderClan, huh?” a voice purred from behind them. Birdkit turned around and immediately felt warm under her pelt. 

“I feel much safer,” Rabbitpaw continued with a wink, “If ShadowClan really attacks, I don’t think they’ll be stealing any kits.”

Birdkit was practically glowing until Rabbitpaw’s brother, Sunpaw, spoke up, “They’re just stupid kits- they’ll wet themselves if they see so much as a ShadowClan cat’s whisker tip!”

She and her siblings glowered at the rude apprentice, but said nothing. Mothkit stuck her nose in the air and stalked off towards the nursery, Quickkit following behind. Birdkit, on the other hand, snapped, “You were kits a moon ago, too! Why do you always have to be so mean?”

Sunpaw sneered at her while Rabbitpaw gave her an apologetic look. 

“Kits are nothing but trouble,” Sunpaw scoffed, lifting his nose into the air, “Stay out of my way. You’ll only slow me down.”

Birdkit’s pelt bristled, “One day, I’ll be a warrior too! And I bet I’ll be even better than you!”

Rabbitpaw nudged his brother, “Come on, give them a break. They’re only playing, just like we used to.” He winked at Birdkit, whiskers twitching as he said, “Besides, they might be the next cats to save ThunderClan from ShadowClan!”

Birdkit puffed out her chest at his words, but Sunpaw just rolled his eyes and said, “Whatever.”

Birdkit glared at Sunpaw as he padded away, her tail lashing, “I’ll show him!”

“Ignore him,” Rabbitpaw said softly, giving her a warm smile, “He’s just upset I beat him in training. If you ever need someone to show you some moves, let me know.”

Her fur grew warm again and she nodded, “Thanks, Rabbitpaw, I’d like that!”

Rabbitpaw trotted off after his brother, leaving Birdkit standing in front of the empty elders’ den, her paws tingling with determination. One day, she’d be a better warrior than Sunpaw ever could and, boy, would he be jealous then!

Birdkit tossed and turned in her nest, stopping only when she heard Quickkit hiss for her to stop. She shot a jealous look across the nursery at the three queens, each with peacefully-sleeping kits cuddled up to their bellies.

If only their mother hadn’t died shortly after they were old enough to eat freshkill, maybe Birdkit could sleep peacefully. Although Oaktree, their father, did so much for them, he slept in the warriors’ den instead of the nursery.

She could hear the quiet voices of warriors gathering outside for the dusk patrol and she imagined herself out there with them. Her fur ruffled by the evening breeze, her eyes heavy with sleepiness, but her claws ready to skin any cat that dared to cross ThunderClan borders! 

The voices of her Clanmates raised enough for her to overhear, and she strained to hear one voice in particular: Rabbitpaw.

Even though Rabbitpaw was only an apprentice, he was everything Birdkit aspired to be. She admired him so much- the way he encouraged the other apprentices and how he seemed to be excelling in his training. He was brave, smart, and kind- and Birdkit wanted nothing more than to follow in his pawsteps.

Birdkit slipped out of her nest and went to the edge of the nursery to peer out into the clearing. She spotted Rabbitpaw among the warriors on the dawn patrol and she held back a purr. Moonlight bathed the clearing in its pale light, making the short-tailed apprentice look almost mystical, like a StarClan warrior.

“Enjoying the view?” a knowing voice came from beside her, making her jump. Birdkit swiveled around to see her father, Oaktree, sitting beside the nursery. He gave her an affectionate lick and settled beside her, his thick tabby fur brushing against her lighter pelt.

“I wanna be on the dawn patrol too!” Birdkit whispered.

“You’re too young, little bird, and the other clans are too fierce,” despite turning her down, Oaktree’s tone was gentle and understanding, “ShadowClan’s always giving us too many issues and I’m afraid they may not realize you’re a kit if you come along...”

“Why do we always have to fight them?” Birdkit wondered, her gaze drifting to the trees towering over the gorse tunnel.

“That’s just how it’s always been,” Oaktree replied, “ThunderClan and ShadowClan don’t see eye to eye. They’re stubborn, like us.”

Birdkit stared into the distance, wondering what ShadowClan cats were like. She pictured them as dark, shadowy figures with eyes that glinted with malice. “Do you think… that there may be a ShadowClan cat who’s just like me?”

Oaktree blinked in surprise. Then, he touched his nose to her forehead, “Maybe there’s a kit over there right now, asking the same thing about ThunderClan.”

[tales-of-diamondclan]

MOON 3

“LyreKit (top) and LightningKit (bottom) are born.”

lore timesssss

[rippleclan]

RippleClan: Moon 70, Part 1

Weedfoot and James happily welcome their next (and last) litter into RippleClan.

[Image ID: Weedfoot and James watch over a red newborn and black newborn, with Weedfoot saying “I love them so much… but I’m not doing this to my body again.” Under her, it says - CONDITION: PREGNANT, + CONDITION: RECOVERING FROM BIRTH. Under the red kit, it says NEW PLAYER: LIGHTNINGKIT, 0, FEMALE, SELF-CONSCIOUS. Under the black kit, it says NEW PLAYER: COBALTKIT, 0, FEMALE, QUIET.]

(Lightningkit: 0, female, kit, self-conscious)

(Cobaltkit: 0, female, kit, quiet)

(Weedfoot: 119, female, deputy, charismatic, steady paws, formidable fighter)

(James: 146, male, elder, charismatic, den builder, formidable fighter)

Tallowpaw and Slushpaw are apprenticed to Lavendertwist and Paleseed. Mitespark earns her name.

[Image ID: Tallowpaw and Slushpaw have their apprentice sprites, while Mitespark has her adult sprite in the middle. Under Tallowpaw, it says LEVEL UP! TALLOWKIT -> TALLOWPAW, SKITTISH -> NERVOUS. Under Mitespark, it says LEVEL UP! MITEPAW -> MITESPARK, INSECURE -> CHARISMATIC, QUICK TO MAKE PEACE -> GOOD MEDIATOR. Under Slushpaw, it says LEVEL UP! SLUSHKIT -> SLUSHPAW, POLITE -> WISE, + NEW SKILL: BATS AT STRING.]

(Tallowpaw: 6, male, historian apprentice, nervous, splashes in puddles)

(Mitespark: 12, female, artisan, charismatic, good mediator)

(Slushpaw: 6, female, mediator apprentice, wise, quick witted, bats at string)

Rattlepelt glares at Littlekit and his littermates from across camp.

[Image ID: Rattlepelt stares at Stormkit, Sandkit, Littlekit, and Yellowkit. Under Stormkit, it says + NEW SKILL: LOVES TO EAT. Under Sandkit, it says + NEW SKILL: INTERESTED IN CLAN HISTORY. Under Littlekit, it says + NEW SKILL: SPLASHES IN PUDDLES. Under Yellowkit, it says + NEW SKILL: QUICK TO MAKE PEACE.]

---

Were Weevilkit and her sisters as cute as Waspdawn’s sons and daughters when they were that little? Sure, Weevilkit was still technically a kit, but she was practically an apprentice in her eyes, and Waspdawn’s litter was so… little! 

Weevilkit, Wolfkit, and Anchovykit watched as Stormkit, Sandkit, Littlekit, and Yellowkit made piles of sand. Stormkit’s fur had darkened exceptionally fast in the last moon, leaving her a dark ginger molly standing out against her white and golden littermates. She sniffed and batted at her sand pile while Sandkit buried his face as deep as he could. Weevilkit couldn’t tell if Sandkit was white or an impossibly pale cream tom, but he did, in fact, look like the sand around him. Littlekit and Yellowkit worked together to build as big a sand pile as they could manage. It was about their height, but whenever Littlekit tried to put more sand on, the pile crumbled. Weevilkit couldn’t help laughing when they squealed in dismay.

The older kits were in charge of watching Waspdawn and Estherfern’s litters run around camp while the caretakers expanded the apprentice’s den, arguing about how to best move the large boulder that made the back wall. There was no chance of keeping Estherfern’s kits in once place; they were scattered around camp, investigating as much as they could. Thunderkit and Foamkit demanded to help the caretakers, much to Mosspounce’s woe. Brightkit and Wolverinekit sniffed around the warrior’s den, daring the other to enter. Weevilkit had no idea where Boughkit had run off to, but since no one was panicking, she didn’t worry.

Weevilkit, Wolfkit, and Anchovykit were the only kits taking their kitsitting duties seriously. Potterykit, Moonkit, and Vervainkit were talking with Tallowpaw and Slushpaw about what it was like to be apprentices. The other six kits were either denying the morning’s arrival or basking in the newfound spring warmth. Weevilkit and her friends knew better, though. The kits needed protection only they could provide. They stood watch a short ways from Waspdawn’s litter, sitting like little warriors at vigil.

“There she is,” Wolfkit whispered, nodding to the artisan’s storage den. Rattlepelt emerged from the darkness, the snout of her fox pelt the first thing to see the light. Weevilkit’s stomach flipped. Did no one else see the hate in Rattlepelt’s eyes? How had she not seen it before Anchovykit told her what he saw? How could she be the daughter of two of the Clan’s most beloved mollies?

“She’s just as creepy as usual,” Anchovykit muttered, sneering.

“What do you think she’s doing?” Weevilkit wondered.

“You’re the one who has premonitions,” Anchovykit huffed.

“I think she was testing some of the old baskets,” Wolfkit explained. “You have to take apart any that have faded too much.”

“She probably loved destroying something,” Weevilkit growled softly.

“Remember Tempestshade, though?” Anchovykit sighed. “They didn’t like being cursed either. Maybe Rattlepelt’s the same.”

“I don’t trust her,” Weevilkit huffed.

She was right not to. As Rattlepelt stood outside the storage den, her eyes settled on Littlekit, who tried balancing on his back paws. Stormkit jumped onto her little sand pile and howled like a wolf. Sandkit copied her, howling along.

“Wolves outside camp!” Littlekit yowled. “Help me, deputy!”

“Yes, Littlestar!” Yellowkit cheered. Littlekit and Yellowkit charged at their brother and sister. They tackled the pair off their perches with dramatic battle cries. 

All the while, Rattlepelt’s glare hardened. Her breath grew heavy. Her eyes were huge, unblinking, dilated so wide they seemed black rather than copper. Her snake-like tail curled behind her, wound tight and shaking.

The premonition began. A sparkling, transparent Rattlepelt launched out from where the real Rattlepelt stood. Her fox pelt tumbled to the sand. Rattlepelt’s sleek form charged into Stormkit, the red kitten’s future tumbling out of her real body. The ghostly Rattlepelt’s sharp fangs dug into Stormkit’s scruff. She lifted the kit, barely a moon old, high. She shook her head violently, like one might shake a rat to death. Future figures of the other three kits screamed in silence as Rattlepelt let go of Stormkit. Stormkit’s limp body flew into the stones and brambles that formed the camp wall. The premonitions had no voice, but Weevilkit could feel her denmate’s bones shatter at the impact. Her chunky body laid limp against the rocks.

Rattlepelt’s foggy form set against the other three kits as the adults, finally aware of the bloodshed, ran to the litter’s defense. A powerful blow there, a strong bite to the skull there, the kits were too small, too scared, they couldn’t get away, their ghostly blood splattered against the sand as all of RippleClan fought to pull Rattlepelt back, unheard caterwauls of bloodthirsty glee reverberating from her—

“No!” Weevilkit screeched before the premonition could end. She ran at Rattlepelt as fast as her untrained paws could carry her. Wolfkit and Anchovykit scrambled to catch up, the imprisoned energy of an entire moon of careful watch released. Rattlepelt took a step forward, claws out. Before the awful vision could unfold any further, Weevilkit launched into Rattlepelt and dug her teeth into the artisan’s bony shoulder.

Rattlepelt yowled as Anchovykit head-butted her side, making her stumble into Wolfkit. Wolfkit flung her paws wildly, reckless claws trying to cling to thin skin. Weevilkit dug deeper and deeper into Rattlepelt’s shoulder until she tasted blood. The sharp, salty taste suddenly reminded her of Rattlepelt and Carnationspeckle, showing Weevilkit and her sisters a pot of hard-to-produce salt, allowing them each a taste. Where did that Rattlepelt go? What sort of curse could bury her passion and fire under so much anger?

“You mangy, flea-bitten piles of bear-shit!” Rattlepelt screeched. She flailed wildly under the three young bodies. Her fox pelt fell over Wolfkit. Weevilkit slid off Rattlepelt’s sleek shoulder, but latched back onto her front paw, preventing her from swiping at Wolfkit. Anchovykit grabbed her other front leg. Something black pooled under his fangs.

Panicked and outraged yowls filled the camp as the adults finally realized their furless artisan friend was under attack. Downstar appeared from the nursery, where she had been meeting with Weedfoot as she rested from kitting. Downstar grabbed Anchovykit and pulled him off Rattlepelt. The black substance vanished as soon as Anchovykit’s jaws unclenched, leaving another bite-wound. Mosspounce dragged Wolfkit away, trapping her in the fox pelt. Someone grabbed Weevilkit by the scruff.

“No!” she cried as the figure wrenched her off Rattlepelt. “I won’t let you hurt them! They’re so small! Why would you do that? You’re a monster! You’re a monster! You can’t hurt them!” Weevilkit’s captor, Waspdawn, dropped her in the sand beside Anchovykit and Wolfkit. Half the Clan gathered around them, yowling and gasping at the blood on Rattlepelt’s gray skin. Waspdawn hissed at her like an enemy warrior. Weevilkit gagged at the blood in her mouth.

“Who attacked who?” Rattlepelt spat as Wildclaw shoved through the crowd. She sniffed her mate’s wounds.

“What were you thinking?” she growled, lips curled, glaring at the three kits. Wildclaw licked the deep bite on Rattlepelt’s shoulder.

“Just take me to Troutpool,” Rattlepelt snapped, pulling her shoulder away. She marched toward the medicine den, fox pelt abandoned. No one dared stand in her way. Wildclaw ran after her, shooting claws from her eyes toward Anchovykit, Weevilkit, and Wolfkit.

“You three,” Waspdawn hissed, short tail thrashing. “Walk. That way. Now.” He shoved Anchovykit toward the dirt-place path. Weevilkit and Wolfkit hurried alongside their friend, braving the shocked stares of the Clan as Waspdawn escorted them to their doom.

“I’m not doubting you acted for a good reason,” Wolfkit whispered, voice shaky, “but what did you see?” There were no words in Weevilkit’s mouth; only blood and the memory of cat flesh.

Waspdawn herded the three kits around the shipwreck and into the quarantine den. Anchovykit puffed himself up under Waspdawn’s furious gray glare, matching the codekeeper’s expression. Weevilkit could still hear the Clan yowling and debating what had unfolded, yet lacking answers. Downstar herself appeared around the corner, emotions hidden under a sharp and studious gaze.

“Explain yourselves, right now,” Waspdawn growled, unafraid to show his claws. The kits said nothing. Anchovykit and Wolfkit glanced at Weevilkit. “This isn’t a game! You just attacked a Clanmate, and I want to know why!”

Why? Why? What could Weevilkit say? Had she not acted, Waspdawn would be mourning at least one of his cute little kittens. He should be thanking Weevilkit for saving their lives! 

“Weevilkit, what were you yowling about?” Downstar asked, her voice far more controlled than the golden codekeeper’s. 

Flesh. Cat flesh, bleeding into her mouth. It was so wrong. Not in a supernatural sense, but… was that what warriors did? Bite into the flesh of other cats as easily as they would prey? Would Weevilkit have to do that again if she hoped to protect her friends, her family?

“Weevilkit, say something,” Wolfkit begged.

“Wait a moment!” Honeybuzz hurried into the den with something long dangling on his back. Weevilkit broke out of her stupor when she realized Honeybuzz was carrying a dead snake.

“Honeybuzz, shouldn’t you be helping Rattlepelt?” Downstar asked as Honeybuzz set down the snake. 

“And what is that?” Waspdawn huffed. He nudged the snake.

“Carnationspeckle caught this rattlesnake before it could bite a member of her patrol yesterday,” Honeybuzz explained. “It’s the only venomous snake that lives near the Clans.” Weevilkit peered at the dead beast. Its gray scales were so much like Rattlepelt’s skin…. “I’ve been wondering if it was an omen related to Rattlepelt. I was going to speak to her this morning, but you three needed to see her more, it seems.” 

“Weevilkit had a good reason!” Anchovykit yowled, standing in front of his friends.

“Then why won’t she tell us?” Waspdawn hissed. “And why did you two join her?” Wolfkit stared at her paws. Honeybuzz gently nudged Anchovykit aside. With Weevilkit being small for her age, and Honeybuzz being one of the lankiest cats she knew, the cleric loomed over her like a giant pine. Yet he crouched, lowering himself to Weevilkit’s level.

“Weevilkit,” Honeybuzz said softly, “you can tell me why you attacked Rattlepelt. Whatever the reason was, I’ll listen. I know you. You’re cocky, but not vicious. Anchovykit and Wolfkit listened to you for a reason. What was it?”

“She…” Weevilkit gulped. Her tongue felt too big for her mouth, bleeding and smooth like Rattlepelt’s flesh. She couldn’t stop tasting blood. “Rattlepelt’s cursed. She was going to hurt them. They’re so little, Honeybuzz! What have they done to hurt her? They’re innocent!” StarClan, Weevilkit’s voice couldn’t break now! She was the leader of this strange trio, she had to be strong! She couldn’t cry in front of Honeybuzz, in front of Downstar! “She was so cruel. I couldn’t let her kill them.” Honeybuzz nodded along while Waspdawn’s tail thrashed derisively. 

“Who do you think she was going to hurt?” Waspdawn huffed.

“Your kits!” Weevilkit cried, gagging on her tongue. “She was going to kill Stormkit. It was awful, Honeybuzz! It was awful!” She couldn’t stop shaking, no matter how much she wanted to. Anchovykit growled, his warrior’s courage burning brighter at the reason for his first battle. Wolfkit stared at Weevilkit and Waspdawn, horrified. Waspdawn curled his puffed-up tail close to himself, holding tight to his confidence posturing, even as it cracked.

“How can you know that?” Downstar asked, creeping closer.

“Because she sees the future!” Anchovykit snapped, his whole body turning into one giant puffball, standing strong under the hard looks of the adults. “She saw it happen, and she stopped it! And she’s right! Rattlepelt is cursed! There’s ichor all over her and only I can see it! I swear it’s real! And Wolfkit, she’s special too! Show them, Wolfkit!” Wolfkit flinched at her name.

“I don’t want to get in more trouble,” she gulped.

“Wolfkit,” Downstar huffed, the caution in her tone vanishing. “Show us.”

“Like we practiced, Wolfie,” Weevilkit managed to say, swallowing hard through her fear. Wolfkit nodded, head barely moving. She stared at Waspdawn with as confident a stare as the scared fuzzy molly could muster. Waspdawn’s tense shoulders froze. He paused mid-breath. The sudden absence of his heavy breathing shocked everyone in the den. Downstar and Honeybuzz gawked at Waspdawn. Downstar waved her tail in front of Waspdawn’s face, but he did not react. Honeybuzz put his paw on Waspdawn’s side, and still he did not move.

“Wolfkit can freeze you in place!” Anchovykit explained. Wolfkit blinked hard. Waspdawn snapped back to life, jumping at Honeybuzz’s sudden touch. “We’re all special, and we’ve been making sure Rattlepelt’s curse doesn’t hurt anyone!”

“This sounds like something from an ancient story,” Downstar muttered as Waspdawn fought to collect himself.

“I believe you,” Honeybuzz said.

“What?” Weevilkit gasped. The horror gripping her throat slipped away. Her heart still burned, but she could breath.

“I believe you three,” Honeybuzz said, nodding and turning to Downstar. “Downstar, do you remember the prophecy I received a few moons ago, the one I brought up to Estherfern after her arrival? It was about blessings and curses. Estherfern theorized it was about StarClan and the Dark Forest, and I think she’s partially right. I think these kits are the blessings from that prophecy.”

“That can’t be true,” Waspdawn muttered, but he no longer sounded confident in himself.

“We have stories of strange abilities in our history,” Honeybuzz pointed out. “If the historians tell those tales, they have to have happened. The other clerics might know more about it, but I believe StarClan wanted to make sure I help these kits.” He believed them. He believed them!

“Say this is true,” Downstar huffed, closing her eyes and collecting herself. “We’ve been ignoring something else the kits have been saying. Anchovykit, how do you know Rattlepelt is cursed?”

“I see curses,” Anchovykit explained. “Well, I think. I also see blessings too, maybe. Oilstripe’s eyes glow, and Weevilkit and Wolfkit, there’s this little shine to their pelts. Other things glow too, like the medicine den and the clerics, but not always. I think it’s when you’re doing rituals or something.” Weevilkit didn’t know she glowed! The world must look so pretty from Anchovykit’s eyes. “Rattlepelt is different. She has this black mud all over her legs, and it never stops flowing! Her eyes look weird to me too. I know they’re supposed to be copper, but to me, they look bright yellow.” Downstar froze, but not because of Wolfkit’s gaze.

“Yellow eyes?” Downstar gulped.

“It was different from when I saw Tempestshade in my dream,” Anchovykit said. “Oh, uh, I saw them too. It’s how I learned what it is I see!”

“Honeybuzz,” Downstar gulped, ears and whiskers flattening. “The Shardling.” Honeybuzz cocked his head for a moment, confused. Then his expression mirrored Downstar’s, tail tucked and back arched. Waspdawn backed out of the den.

“What’s a Shardling?” Wolfkit hesitantly asked. Downstar took a shaky breath.

“Has anyone told you three about the Rippling Ashes?” she asked. “It happened shortly before you were born. Weedfoot, Darkkick, and Paleseed entered the Dark Forest to fight Autumnstar, who had cursed all of AshClan. Weedfoot destroyed his spirit in the battle. When a Dark Forest spirit dies, they break apart into monsters called Shardlings. They house small elements of emotion and memory leftover from the former spirit. One of Autumnstar’s Shardlings attacked Weedfoot and gave her that scar on her leg.”

“Rattlepelt was right next to her when that happened,” Waspdawn gulped, claws digging into the sand outside. “She was wrapping her wounds.”

“So the Shardling cursed her?” Weevilkit guessed.

“We don’t think Rattlepelt is cursed, Weevilkit,” Honeybuzz said, fighting his own fear to speak. “We think she’s possessed.”

“Like a ghost?” Wolfkit yelped, sticking close to Weevilkit.

“That’s why her mood has changed so much,” Downstar gasped, shaking her head. “StarClan, I�� I would never have known. Autumnstar had yellow eyes. Anchovykit, you’re seeing the Shardling’s eyes when you look at Rattlepelt.”

“Cursed, possessed, I want to stop it,” Anchovykit snapped. “If you believe us, can you help us hold her down?”

“What would that do?” Waspdawn asked.

“I thought I said it already,” Anchovykit said, lifting his chin high. “I don’t just see curses. I can remove them, too.”

(Weevilkit: 5, female, kit, bullying, curious about StarClan)

(Wolfkit: 5, female, kit, polite, curious about StarClan, confident with words)

(Anchovykit: 5, male, kit, charming, curious about StarClan)

(Stormkit: 1, female, kit, noisy, loves to eat)

(Sandkit: 1, male, kit, self-conscious, interested in Clan history)

(Littlekit: 1, male, kit, skittish, splashes in puddles)

(Yellowkit: 1, female, kit, noisy, quick to make peace)

(Rattlepelt: 53, female, artisan, bloodthirsty, leather artist)

(Wildclaw: 62, female, caretaker, fierce, trusted advisor, good fighter)

(Waspdawn: 36, male, codekeeper, strict, learner of lore, clue finder)

(Downstar: 129, female, leader, wise, trusted advisor, very clever)

(Honeybuzz: 18, male, cleric, daring, constantly fiddling with tools)

[cascadeclangen]

Rustfeather and Foxpaw find a loner queen by the border with the Wilds, and takes her back to Cascadeclan’s camp. Her name is Storm Warning.

She dies shortly after kitting that night, leaving her four newborn kits behind. Cascadeclan hasn’t had healthy kits in many moons, and desperately need the new warriors the kits will one day become.

They are given the names Shockkit, Lightningkit, Thunderkit, and Flashkit in honour of their mother.

The kits are given to the only nursing queen in the clan, Frostleaf. Her own kits didn’t survive.

Rainypaws worries over something Storm Warning told him…

[burning-thistles-bt]

A fluffy gift to make up for the heartbreak we're going to put you guys through next chapter :)

Little Sparks

"Upset her mother Spottedpaw won't let her outside the nursery, Lightningkit decides to sneak out all by herself and get into some mischief."

[kipxan]

CreekClan: All Leaders

☆CREEKSTAR☆

Misty Creek, Creekmist, Creekstar female || lonesome || very clever || died 14 years and 7 months old led from moon 0-26 (2 years and 2 months) Backstory: Founding leader Family: - Former Mate: Ravenblossom - Sons: Brackenwater, Lightningstar Deputies: Emeraldwhisker Medicine Cats: Oakpelt, Brackenwater Mediators: Thymefeather, Sunflight ~~~ *☆Nine Lives☆* ☆ CLOUDSTAR (StarClan Guide): knowing when to fight & when to choose peace (lost to a badger) ☆ StarClan Spirits: lost keeping CreekClan safe from a large dog, lost saving Strawberryleaf from drowning, lost to an invading rogue, lost to a WildClan warrior, and remaining lives lost to old age

☆EMERALDSTAR☆

Eyes Like Emerald, Emeraldwhisker, Emeraldstar female || confident || eloquent speaker & good storyteller || died 13 years and 3 months old led from moon 26-85 (4 years and 11 months) Backstory: Founding deputy Family: - Mate: Autumnspeckle - Daughters: Mistclaw, Rosefeather, Silverpaw, Poplarbranch, Brindlekit - Sons: Vulturetail, Servalback, Windkit, Coniferkit, Shrikepaw, Emberkit Apprentices: Dewpatch, Raccoontail, Sprucepaw Deputies: Cougarwing, Strawberryleaf, Lightningleaf Medicine Cats: Brackenwater, Soottuft, Featherfoot, Pigeonpounce Mediators: Thymefeather, Sunflight ~~~ *☆Nine Lives☆* ☆ EMBERKIT: resilience (lost in a rogue ambush) ☆ SHRIKEPAW: clear judgement (lost eating tainted prey) ☆ OAKPELT: devotion (lost to a badger) ☆ BRINDLEKIT: adventure (lost keeping CreekClan safe from a large dog) ☆ RAVENBLOSSOM: certainty (lost eating a poisoned rabbit) ☆ OCHREKIT: protection (lost in a rogue ambush) ☆ CREEKSTAR: the strength to overcome her fears (lost to a badger) ☆ StarClan Spirits: last two lives lost fighting a hawk

☆LIGHTNINGSTAR☆

Lightningkit, Lightningpaw, Lightningleaf, Lightningstar male || fierce || impressive climber & good hunter || died 8 years and 3 months old led from moon 85-115 (2 years and 6 months) Backstory: Clanborn Family: - Mother: Creekstar - Father: Ravenblossom - Brother: Brackenwater - Mate: Mistclaw - Daughters: Lizardflight, Irondapple, Skykit - Sons: Elmwing, Robinroar, Cherrykit Mentor: Strawberryleaf »» Influenced him to be more likely to behave erratically and put others at ease »» Helped him become better at climbing and caring for kittens »» Honored for his boldness Apprentices: Silverpaw, Irondapple Deputies: Vulturetail, Wolfspeck Medicine Cats: Brackenwater, Soottuft, Featherfoot, Pigeonpounce Mediators: Thymefeather, Sunflight ~~~ *☆Nine Lives☆* ☆ MISTCLAW: courage (lost falling from a tall tree) ☆ ROBINROAR: pride (lost to an infected wound) ☆ RAVENBLOSSOM: unity (lost to a dog after following a trespasser's scent) ☆ SKYKIT: perspective (lost saving Boarstep from a snake) ☆ BRACKENWATER: acceptance (remaining lives lost when he was swept away by the river) ☆ NECTARCRY: farsightedness (lost to the river) ☆ COUGARWING: integrity (lost to the river) ☆ ANTLEAF: mercy (lost to the river) ☆ EMERALDSTAR: tireless energy (lost to the river)

☆WOLFSTAR☆

Wolfkit, Wolfpaw, Wolfspeck, Wolfstar female || lonesome || formidable fighter || died 13 years and 10 months old led from moon 115-191 (6 years and 4 months) Backstory: Clanborn Family: - Mother: Pouncemoth - Father: Dandelionpounce - Brothers: Caverntail, Raccoontail, Glacierpelt, Geckokit - Sisters: Birchkit, Mudkit - Half Sibling: Dawnwish - Mates: Irispelt, Crescentcloud - Daughter: Splinterblink - Sons: Cricketjump, Copperstripe - Adopted Sons: Patchtwig, Sleethawk Mentor: Antleaf »» Influenced her to be more likely to step out of her comfort zone and heed her inner compass »» Helped her become better at fighting »» Honored for her tranquility Apprentices: Lizardflight, Cedarback, Brackenpaw, Muddapple Deputies: Alligatordapple, Irondapple, Hawkfall, Marigoldwhisker Medicine Cats: Featherfoot, Cricketjump, Blackberryleaf, Songsun, Leopardclaw, Thicketrose, Wolverinefeather Mediators: Thymefeather, Cormorantstep, Moonleaf, Maplenose, Darkblaze ~~~ *☆Nine Lives☆* ☆ IRISPELT: strength (lost to a broken bone) ☆ DANDELIONPOUNCE: confidence (lost to an infected wound) ☆ VULTURETAIL: farsightedness (lost to a dog) ☆ SHADESPOTS: compassion (lost to a lightning strike) ☆ MISTCLAW: bravery (lost in a rogue ambush) ☆ AUTUMNFRECKLE: humility (lost driving out a rogue) ☆ LAVENDERSUN: clear judgement (lost to whitecough) ☆ CAVERNTAIL: endurance (lost to old age) ☆ LIGHTNINGSTAR: loyalty to the Clan (lost to a venemous snake)

☆MARIGOLDSTAR☆

Marigold, Marigoldkit, Marigoldpaw, Marigoldwhisker, Marigoldstar male || cunning || keen eye & renowned hunter || died 11 years and 8 months old led from moon 191-228 (3 years and 1 month) Backstory: abandoned; found and taken in by CreekClan at 4 moons old Family: - Mate: Rosemaryfall - Daughters: Heatherpaw, Astersight, Forestpaw - Sons: Fogfur, Servalglow, Petalbreeze - Adopted Son: Mintpatch Mentor: Cardinalsong »» Influenced him to be more likely to have a positive outlook and be friendly towards others »» Helped him become better at noticing small details and remembering lore »» Honored for his patience Apprentices: Acornpelt, Galefur, Lunarfrost Deputies: Rainspeck, Hailspring Medicine Cats: Cricketjump, Thicketrose, Wolverinefeather, Thistletuft, Flickerclaw Mediatiors: Cricketjump, Thicketrose, Wolverinefeather, Thistletuft, Flickerclaw ~~~ *☆Nine Lives☆* ☆ ROSEMARYFALL: endurance (lost to a hawk) ☆ FORESTPAW: forgiveness (lost after ingesting deathberries) ☆ BLACKBERRYLEAF: clear judgement (lost to an invading rogue) ☆ HEATHERPAW: trust (lost fighting an eagle) ☆ CEDARBACK: strength (lost keeping CreekClan safe from a large dog) ☆ CARDINALSONG: acceptance (lost to greencough) ☆ SPRIGCLOVE: unity (lost to a dog) ☆ WOLFSTAR: loyalty to the Clan (lost to yellowcough)

☆HAILSTAR☆

Hailkit, Hailpaw, Hailspring, Hailstar trans female || adventurous || lore master & steady paws || died 11 years and 7 months old led from moon 228-294 (5 years and 6 months) Backstory: Clanborn Family: - Mother: Lightstripe - Father: Sparkhowl - Adoptive Father: Mintpatch - Brothers: Runningfeather, Sandfeather - Sister: Moorpaw - Mate: Lynxthorn Mentors: Boulderfeather, Owlbreeze »» Honored for her energy Apprentices: Tigereyes, Heatherfur, Fallenfern Deputies: Opossomfur, Nectarheart Medicine Cats: Thicketrose (briefly), Thistletuft, Flickerclaw, Honeyflight, Talonclaw, Dovewalker, Sparrowbreeze, Galepelt, Ocelotshade Mediators: Swampheart, Deerstripe, Saltbrook, Jaspersnow ~~~ *☆Nine Lives☆* ☆ LYNXTHORN: courage (lost fighting a big dog) ☆ ACORNPELT: endurance (lost to a festering wound) ☆ MOTHFROST: sympathy (lost saving Antlerpaw from a dog) ☆ SPARKHOWL: forgiveness (lost to an invading rogue) ☆ ALLIGATORDAPPLE: farsightedness (lost keeping CreekClan safe from a large dog) ☆ SABLEFLOWER: clear judgement (lost after being mauled by a dog) ☆ DAWNLEAP: acceptance (lost to a badger) ☆ CRICKETJUMP: faith (lost in a rogue ambush) ☆ MARIGOLDSTAR: knowing when to fight & when to choose peave (lost to an infected wound)

☆NECTARSTAR☆

Nectarkit, Nectarpaw, Nectarheart, Nectarstar female || strange/responsible || steady paws || died 13 years and 11 months old led from moon 294-376 (6 years and 10 months) Backstory: Clanborn Family: - Mothers: Lakecloud and Thrashereye - Brother: Solarblossom - Sisters: Tundratooth, Soilstalk, Skyfeather, Sprigpaw - Mate: Icemoth - Former Mate: Unknown loner - Daughters: Fogkit, Blackberryspeck, Lightkit, Sandshade, Cardinalthorn, Antlerkit - Sons: Gorsespeckle, Swiftkit Mentor: Palewalker »» Influenced her to be more likely to think things through, try to avoid violence, and bend the rules »» Honored for her individuality Apprentices: Primrosetuft, Almondleap Deputies: Lavendertuft, Hazelstripe, Almondleap, Cinnamondapple Medicine Cats: Honeyflight, Talonclaw, Dovewalker, Sparrowbreeze, Galepelt, Ocelotshade, Chitindapple, Mossyfreckle, Heatherfoot Mediators: Deerstripe, Saltbrook, Jaspersnow, Acornspot, Rivernose, Spirefur ~~~ *☆Nine Lives☆* ☆ PATCHTWIG (grandfather): certainty (lost to a badger) ☆ FOGKIT: forgiveness (lost while kitting) ☆ THRASHEREYE: instincts (lost to an invading rogue) ☆ HEATHERFUR: endurance (lost in a dog attack) ☆ SOILSTALK: acceptance (lost keeping CreekClan safe from a large dog) ☆ LAKECLOUD: strength (lost in a rogue ambush) ☆ LOCUSTPOND: pride (lost after being crushed by a falling tree) ☆ TUNDRATOOTH: farsightedness (lost fighting a small dog) ☆ HAILSTAR: loyalty to the Clan (lost to old age)

☆CINNAMONSTAR☆

Cinnamonkit, Cinnamonpaw, Cinnamondapple, Cinnamonstar male || compassionate || impressive climber & good speaker || died 13 years and 5 months old led from moon 376-434 (4 years and 10 months) Backstory: Clanborn Family: - Mother: Sprucepounce - Father: Woodtail - Brothers: Yarrowchaser, Volcanopelt, Scorchheart, Frozenthroat - Sisters: Galepelt, Beechkit, Featherfleck - Half Brother: Fallenfern - Half Sisters: Ivyfur, Squirrelpaw, Wolfkit - Mates: Featherstripe, Sprucesnarl - Son: Murktail - Child: Brooksnow Mentor: Moosepelt »» Influenced him to be more likely to think things through, interact with others, and use words over teeth and claws »» Helped him become better at climbing »» Honored for his dedication Apprentices: Barkspeck, Geckofern, Larkpaw, Sableclaw, Sleetflower Deputies: Quietsong, Fisherstream Medicine Cats: Honeyflight, Mossyfreckle, Heatherfoot, Rootclaw, Earthberry, Cavernmask, Thicketcloud Mediators: Saltbrook, Acornspot, Spirefur, Rowanfall, Jackalhowl ~~~ *☆Nine Lives☆* ☆ FEATHERSTRIPE: courage (lost to a badger) ☆ DOVEWALKER: devotion (lost keeping CreekClan safe from a large dog) ☆ SPRUCEPOUNCE: determination (lost to a dog after following a trespasser's scent) ☆ WOODTAIL: compassion (lost to a broken bone) ☆ RIVERNOSE: instincts (lost to a rogue ambush) ☆ THUNDERKIT: curiosity (lost to an invading rogue) ☆ AUTUMNSWOOP: strength (lost to a badger) ☆ CARDINALTHORN: endurance (lost falling from a tall tree) ☆ NECTARSTAR: the strength to overcome his fears (lost after failing to interpret a warning from StarClan)

☆FISHERSTAR☆

Fisherkit, Fisherpaw, Fisherstream, Fisherstar female || playful || den builder & good speaker || died 13 years and 6 months old led from moon 434-502 (5 years and 8 months) Backstory: Clanborn Family: - Mothers: Sandshade, Flarefur - Brothers: Larkpaw, Birchpaw - Mates: Murkpelt, Miretail - Daughter: Mosspelt - Sons: Ashsight, Drizzlefog, Weaselpaw, Sneezekit Mentor: Oakmane »» Influenced her to be more likely to defend her beliefs, heed her inner compass, and have a positive outlook »» Helped her become better at arguing and caring for camp »» Honored for her liveliness Apprentices: Seadrop, Brinefall, Splashtooth, Icicletuft Deputies: Scalefoot, Brushpelt, Berrywatcher Medicine Cats: Rootclaw, Earthberry, Cavernmask, Thicketcloud, Mossyfreckle, Flutterwind Mediators: Acornspot, Rowanfall, Jackalhowl, Leopardspots, Mossmane ~~~ *☆Nine Lives☆* ☆ MURKPELT: unity (lost to a badger) ☆ FLAREFUR: mercy (lost after falling in the river) ☆ SEADROP: confidence (lost eating tainted fresh-kill) ☆ SANDSHADE: acceptance (lost fighting a small dog) ☆ ROTSHADOW: clear judgement (remaining lives lost to old age) ☆ SPARROWLEAP (Ashsight's mate): affection (lost to old age) ☆ MOSSPELT: affection (lost to old age) ☆ WEASELPAW: mentoring (lost to old age) ☆ CREEKSTAR: tireless energy (lost to old age)

☆BERRYSTAR☆

Berrykit, Berrypaw, Berrywatcher, Berrystar male || ambitious/charismatic || great hunter & prophecy seeker || died 13 years and 11 months old led from moon 502-575 (6 years and 1 month) Backstory: Clanborn Family: - Mother: Firefog - Parent: Stormclaw - Brothers: Foxcall, Jackalhowl - Sisters: Skyfur, Antlerdusk, Cricketwhisker - Adopted Brothers: Glacierpaw, Poplarkit - Adopted Sister: Frostpaw - Mates: Cavernmask, Echofeather - Daughters: Raspberrykit, Saltsplash, Specklefrost, Sweetcreek, Siennaleap, Redtwig - Sons: Crowclaw, Bluekit - Child: Sprucepool Mentor: Juniperfall »» Influenced him to be more likely to break rules that don't suit him, interact with others, and be consistent »» Helped him become better at hunting »» Honored for his commitment Apprentices: Creekbird, Snowbreeze, Sandfog, Siennaleap Deputies: Forestwind, Silverfur, Echofeather, Marshsong Medicine Cats: Earthberry, Cavernmask, Thicketcloud, Flutterwind, Yewpelt, Bloodnight Mediators: Rowanfall, Leopardspots, Mossmane, Buttercupclaw, Earthcreek, Chestnutstripe ~~~ *☆Nine Lives☆* ☆ SALTSPLASH: friendship (lost to a dog after following a trespasser's scent) ☆ FIREFOG: integrity (lost to a badger) ☆ STORMCLAW: unconditional love (lost to a badger) ☆ RASPBERRYKIT: adventure (lost in a rogue ambush) ☆ ORCHIDKIT: protection (lost to yellowcough) ☆ RIFTROAR (Cavernmask's brother): endurance (lost to a rogue ambush) ☆ CRICKETWHISKER: mercy (lost to an invading rogue) ☆ RUSTPAW: sympathy (lost to a flood) ☆ CINNAMONSTAR: loyalty to the Clan (lost after being mauled by dogs)

☆MARSHSTAR☆

Marshkit, Marshpaw, Marshsong, Marshstar male || charismatic/loyal || great kitsitter & clever || died 14 years old led from moon 575-636 (5 years and 1 month) Backstory: Clanborn Family: - Fathers: Tawnysight, Frostbreeze - Sisters: Earthkit, Reedstalk - Mates: Jaytuft, Lynxstep - Daughters: Harriertail, Rosypaw, Sorrelstripe, Blueberrykit - Sons: Dandelionmask, Cougarspeckle, Sunpaw, Cloudleaf, Brinefall (a different one lol) Mentor: Flamefeather »» Influenced him to be more likely to use teeth and claws over words and break away from the status quo »» Helped him become better at solving problems »» Honored for his sociability Apprentices: Tempestwhisker, Spottedscar, Talonbreeze, Featherfur, Brinefall Deputies: Lynxstep, Kitewhisker, Applebranch Medicine Cats: Flutterwind, Yewpelt, Bloodnight, Skipperflight, Thawspeckle, Fawntuft Mediators: Leopardspots, Buttercupclaw, Chestnutstripe, Peachleaf, Mosspurr ~~~ *☆Nine Lives☆* ☆ FROSTBREEZE: unity (lost to a badger) ☆ TAWNYSIGHT: confidence (lost to a bite-wound from a small dog) ☆ DANDELIONMASK: empathy (lost saving Skytooth from a snake) ☆ SUNPAW: compassion (lost after being crushed by a falling tree) ☆ ROSYPAW: trust (remaining lives lost to old age) ☆ REEDSTALK: courage (lost to old age) ☆ HOLLYFOG (cousin): acceptance (lost to old age) ☆ SOLARSPOTS (cousin): determination (lost to old age) ☆ BERRYSTAR: loyalty to the Clan (lost to old age)

☆APPLESTAR☆

Applekit, Applepaw, Applebranch, Applestar female || ambitious || impressive climber & natural intuition || died 14 years old led from moon 636-694 (4 years and 10 months) Backstory: Clanborn Family: - Father: Silverfur - Mother: Orchidspots - Brothers: Maplekit, Houndpaw, Pebblefur, Dawnfleck, Ochrekit, Elkkit, - Sisters: Rowankit, Leafheart, Thymekit, Mossmane, Asterheart, Tempestwhisker, Swallowkit, Earthcreek - Half Sisters: Shellstalk, Dustypaw - Mate: Skytooth - Daughters: Vulturedapple, Berrykit, Saltfall, Foxkit, Bloompaw, Mushroomfur, Volekit - Sons: Shysong, Lightningkit, Quartzstorm, Dustbranch, Hazelpaw Mentor: Pinespeck »» Influenced her to be more likely to step out of her comfort zone, try to avoid violence, and have a positive outlook »» Helped her become better at climbing »» Honored for her adaptability Apprentices: Lakestripe, Dustypaw, Quietwing, Berryfreckle, Falconheart Deputies: Flamewhisker, Coniferthorn Medicine Cats: Thawspeckle, Fawntuft, Spottedstone, Seaflower, Minnowstripe Mediators: Peachleaf, Mosspurr, Knollpond, Shadowdapple ~~~ *☆Nine Lives☆* ☆ QUARTZSTORM: certainty (lost to an infected wound) ☆ VULTUREDAPPLE: friendship (lost defending Rustlepool from a fox) ☆ SILVERFUR: pride (lost in a fight with a small dog) ☆ ORCHIDSPOTS: clear judgement (lost to a venomous snake) ☆ SHYSONG: forgiveness (lost defending Leopardkit from a badger) ☆ SALTFALL: strength (lost to a hawk) ☆ BLOOMPAW: acceptance (lost to old age) ☆ RIFTPURR: instincts (lost to old age) ☆ BERRYSTAR: knowing when to fight & when to choose peace (lost to old age)

☆CONIFERSTAR☆

Coniferkit, Coniferpaw, Coniferthorn, Coniferstar female || confident || great kitsitter || current leader led from moon 694-? Backstory: Clanborn Family: - Fathers: Brinefall, Emberstorm - Brothers: Gloomkit, Bonestripe, Shadespeck, Rowanpaw - Sisters: Shykit, Swiftstep, Hawkkit, Basilheart, Riverkit, Lightningshadow - Mates: Snowheart, Peachleaf - Daughters: Smokeleaf, Snaildapple - Sons: Barkfrost, Dovepelt - Adoptive Daughters: Patchkit, Sootpaw Mentors: Saltfall, Dewglow »» Saltfall influenced her to be more likely to break rules that don't suit her and be slow to anger »» Dewglow influenced her to be more likely to put others at ease, follow rules, be resilient, and avoid a fight »» Honored for her generosity Apprentices: Poppyspring, Ashfall Deputies: Bonestripe Medicine Cats: Fawntuft, Spottedstone, Seaflower, Minnowstripe Mediators: Peachleaf, Mosspurr, Knollpond, Shadowdapple ~~~ *☆Nine Lives☆* ☆ SNOWHEART: unity ☆ EMBERSTORM: strength ☆ LIGHTNINGSHADOW: friendship ☆ PATCHKIT: optimism ☆ SOOTPAW: protection ☆ LICHENSLIP: bravery ☆ BRINEFALL: sympathy ☆ QUIETWING: mercy ☆ APPLESTAR: knowing when to fight & when to choose peace

[thesnakerootwoods]

Year 3. October. The Thing hasn't eaten in 5 moons...

₊˚ʚ ᗢ₊˚✧ ﾟ.

Events Chasingcreek has greencough

Stoattuft's bee stings are all healed!

Forestkit died of kittencough. SnakerootClan mourns the loss of his potential as they lay him to rest.

Milkweedpaw, Logpaw, Ospreypaw, Birdpaw, Kestrelpaw, Whisperpaw, and Mistlepaw have all been made apprentices. Their solo patrols are due to begin today.

₊˚ʚ ᗢ₊˚✧ ﾟ.

New Sprites I'm... not listing all those names again haha Bonus Fernpaw! She's 12 moons old now!

₊˚ʚ ᗢ₊˚✧ ﾟ.

Thoughts Serpentstar wants to know Whisperpaw better

Icyeye wants to spend time alone

Chaffinchflip eavesdrops on Milkweedpaw

Mallowskip sneaks out of camp

Chasingcreek watches Lightningkit closely

Boulderheart wards off Lightningkit's begging to learn battle moves

Foghowl craves rabbit

Meadowfur eavesdrops on Birdpaw

Sunpatch worries about Birdpaw

Stoattuft spars with some Clanmates

Fernpaw wonders if she could talk her way out of her morning duties...

Milkweedpaw saves the softest bedding for himself

Logpaw wonders if Meadowfur was a good apprentice

Ospreypaw explains the importance of respecting elders to Lightningkit and Blossomkit

Birdpaw feels gloomy

Kestrelpaw and Larkpaw crave rabbit

Whisperpaw eavesdrops on Logpaw

Mistlepaw wants to know Stoattuft better

Lightningkit's scared after having a nightmare

Blossomkit wants to be really big one day

₊˚ʚ ᗢ₊˚✧ ﾟ.

Patrols

Kestrelpaw The forest is silent. Kestrelpaw moves carefully through the bushes, eyes darting. The quiet makes his fur stand on end. It's dark when the patrol finds him, alive but bleeding badly. When asked, all he remembers is flashing teeth the color of snow and blinding pain.

Larkpaw There's something really wrong with the forest. Larkpaw knows this, of course, has always known it, but this is the first time he's experienced it. He arrives home a few hours later, deeply unsettled but unable to pinpoint why.

Mistlepaw A flash of movement catches Mistlepaw's eye. She darts over, but whatever had moved is gone. She breathes a sigh of relief and moves on.

Birdpaw Birdpaw's mind is filled with questions. Why do the solo patrols? Why not just leave the forest? Why live under the paws of the Thing? He comes home safe, questions burning the tip of his tongue.

Ospreypaw Ospreypaw's paws scrabble against the ground. Something has her by the scruff of her neck, and she can't get free, she can't escape, oh StarClan is this the end- She's dragged over rocks and stones and through bushes, and she finally manages to dig her claws into a branch and tear away. She doesn't look back as she races back to camp, not wanting to chance being caught again. Ospreypaw has no idea what had grabbed her, and quite frankly, she hopes she'll never learn.

Logpaw Logpaw sees pawprints in the mud. He's so caught up in examining them- he's never seen anything like them!- that he doesn't see the blow coming. He screams as he feels his leg twist and snap, and he wriggles away from whatever had attacked him and races for home.

Milkweedpaw The forest is friendly and uninviting. Milkweedpaw shudders as he skirts around the edges of a clearing, and he heads home as soon as he can.

Whisperpaw Whisperpaw's walk, as nervous about it as she was, is... oddly pleasant. She even manages to catch a mouse!

Mallowskip & Fernpaw Mallowskip and Fernpaw make their way to a troop of mushrooms, eager to get more prey for the Clan. They can hear rats squeaking among the fungi. They crouch and slowly stalk towards them and pounce! Spores burst into a cloud and coat their fur, and the pair makes sure to wash off on their way back.

Stoattuft & Meadowfur Meadowfur spots pawprints in the mud and decides to follow them. He finds a trespassing rogue, and he and Stoattuft demand they leave immediately. Intimidated, the rogue gives in and leaves without a fight.

Chaffinchflip The mullein towers impressively over the other plants, and it's a good time to harvest it. Chaffinchflip could swear that there's usually some here, but there isn't today.

[i-have-no-braincells]

Sapnut update: GRANDBABIESSS‼️‼️‼️‼️

Flickerkit

Rosekit

Lightningkit

And Coniferkit. Boom.

OMG SAPNUT IS ENTERING HIS GRANDPA ARC!!!