#pawstep pathway

[samkee00]

Pawstep Pathway Warrior Cats

If you're interested in a Minecraft server dedicated to Warrior Cats roleplay, please take a look! This server is based on the book series Warriors by Erin Hunter, and you'll be required to have a little bit of knowledge of the series to join. Pawstep's roleplay uses the book series' lore as a foundation but modifies it to make it more interesting and fun.

IP: randomchimp.no-ip.org:20013

(I know the IP is a little silly, but it's been the same for a decade.)

Detailed information beneath the read-more!

Pawstep Pathway's lore diverges from that of the books during the Great Journey, so after the Prophecies Begin and part of the New Prophecy arcs. First arc characters like Firestar are canon in legend, but some original characters walked among them in life in the server's canon to make way for our Clans. The Great Journey from the Forest territories was a time of extreme change and upheaval for the Clans- not just physically, but spiritually and socially as well. Faith in StarClan strengthened for some, but faltered for others. The old allegiances were tested time and again, and when the Clans reached their prophecized homes, many realized they could no longer bow to tradition. Three great cats rose up, spearheading revolution. Though they were countered by a fourth, they managed to take power, changing the structure of the Clans forever.

Many of the foundations of Clan life remain the same, but the cultures and customs of the old Clans gave way to the birth of new ones.

CrestClan is the Clan born of the Resistor, Creststar. Those who were most pious and attached to the old ways joined her when the old Clans fell, and their descendants still uphold their traditions, for better or worse. They are known for their stubbornness, their strong reverence of StarClan, and their hatred of outsiders.

HollowClan's progenitor, Hollowstar the Pacifier, rose to greatness by harnessing his own fear. The Dark Forest began to make its presence known during the Great Journey, attempting to sow discord, but those both pious and fearful joined together to pacify them and assuage their anger with recognition. Their descendants are known for their cunning and their fearfulness, along with their strange naming conventions.

MireClan is the only Clan over which StarClan does not hold true dominion. Mirestar the Denier and many of their followers knew StarClan was real, but believed it to be cruel and self-serving. Others simply did not believe. Either way, their descendants walk out of the light of the Stars, and yet are known for their strong moral code and unbreakable bonds of loyalty.

RuinClan's first leader, the Outsider Ruinstar, most strongly saw the need for change and new ideas within the Clans. She and those who welcomed her rejected the xenophobia and stagnation that had been integral to Clan life for generations. The diverse mix of descendants and newcomers that make up the Clan are known for their friendliness, openness to new ideas, interaction with twolegs... and the strange concept of "fashion".

Aside from the four main Clans, we also have StarClan, the Dark Forest, a Twolegplace where you can play as a kittypet, and plenty of space for loners to roam.

Pawstep Pathway has a fully explorable Clan map with custom lore, including a modified Warrior Code and other changes that still fit the tone of the original Warriors series. You and your characters will have the opportunity to grow, interact with others, and continually affect the lore of the server. A good amount of additions are planned for the future, so stick around to see those, too! We've been around for eleven years now and have had a lot of time to learn what makes for the most fun.

IP (again): randomchimp.no-ip.org:20013

The server is undergoing a revitalization, so if nobody is on or you need help, feel free to join our Discord!

[marsupialmuseum]

Reedwhisper (artistic liberty custom comm based on name + few details) WIP!! I've been really gravitating towards simple but unique designs lately for some reason. I've been trying to use more shape language for the silhouette, and I'm fond of markings or features that are easy to draw but relate to their name/personality somehow. Since this cat is named Reedwhisper, I tried to make their tail look like a common reed!! Reedwhisper sounds like a soft and friendly name, so I chose warmer, lighter colors. Not totally satisfied and I'm going to try out a classic tabby version because the "whisper" suffix made me think of a soft wind, which makes me think of a little swirl pattern. Idk I'm very intentional with my design choices, it's just my thing, and people who like that come to me for designs sometimes (or buy my premades) and I think that's really cool!! Feels nice to develop a style... Anyways yap sesh over

[to-thelakes]

escape artist

pairing; frank castle x fem!reader

summary; your orange cat was a menace but at least your gorgeous neighbour - Frank - got to help you out.

warnings; fluff, reader has an orange cat, slight au

notes; okay so this is day 5 of my fluffbruary fics! I'm currently working on day 6 so that should be out later tonight! this fic was so sweet and it makes me wanna write a friends to lovers frank castle suburbia au fic. like especially with this reader?? i feel like it'd be so cute so please let me know if any of you would like more of these two! but enjoy <3

ao3

The neighbourhood was quiet when you woke up. The sun was filtering through your sheer curtains as you blinked awake. The familiar warmth of your cat sitting at your feet on the bed was gone and there were none of the usual yowls for food that woke you. You turned over, rubbing your face with your hand but when you looked across the dimly lit room, there was no evidence of your menace of an orange kitty.

It was just you. No cat. Your eyebrows furrowed and you shoved your sheets back, checking under the bed. There was nothing and then you realised. Your window. You had left it open. The screen had been loose and when you pulled the curtains back, you saw it. Sugarpuff had pulled the screen back and escaped.

“That goddamn escape artist,” You cursed under your breath as you stepped back from the window. It wasn’t the first time she had done this. You were told that orange cats were trouble but Sugarpuff was worse than any you had come across. You loved her despite it all but she was an absolute menace. You grabbed your crocs on the way to the front door, snatching the treats up from the side table. This was a routine now.

That was the one good thing about living in suburbia, early mornings didn’t mean hellish traffic. When you had lived in the city, there would be cars rushing by and Sugarpuff would - to put it bluntly - be dead by now. But in suburbia, she usually came running to the sound of you shaking the bag of treats.

“Sugarpuff!” You called from your front porch. The early morning sun had you wincing, your eyes hadn’t expected the sudden change in light but making sure Sugarpuff got back to you safe was worth any pain. You shook the bag of treats and waited. But there was no sound of familiar pawsteps. No Sugarpuff. You frowned, “Sugarpuff! Where are you?” You called again, stepping down off the porch and looking around. You shook the bag of treats again, “I have treats for you, baby. Just come here.” If it was any other time of day, you would have rather died than call out like that but it was early. Everyone was likely still asleep, having a lazy Sunday in.

Then you heard it. A whiny meow and you recognised it instantly.

“Where are you, baby? Sugarpuff, come on. I’ll give you a treat,” You called as you walked across the pathway of your front lawn. Then you spotted her. Your insane orange cat was perched on top of one of the trees. Her paws were pressed forward and it seemed like she kept trying to climb down but she was too scared. You stared at Sugarpuff, completely baffled by her.

“What are you doing up there, huh?” You said as you walked up to the bottom of the tree. Sugarpuff meowed out pitifully towards you again and you sighed. You ran your fingers through your hair before glancing around, “Stay right there, baby. I’ll get you down.” Sugarpuff meowed again and you pocketed the bag of treats before heading back towards the house. You had stepladders under the stairs which would hopefully reach you to her and she could come safely into your arms.

“You okay, ma’am?” The gruff voice of Frank Castle made you jump. He had moved in a few houses down and although you’d welcomed him with some cookies, that was the extent of your interactions. He seemed sweet enough and he had been helping Mrs Klein, an elderly woman in the neighbourhood, with tasks around the house. She had lost her husband last year and he seemed more than happy to give her support. It was sweet but you didn’t know much about him other than the small snippets from Mrs Klein. 

You certainly hadn’t expected him to be up at this time on a Sunday morning and you whirled back around, he was dressed in running gear. His hair was sticking to his forehead, sweating dripping down the side of his face. He looked exhausted yet there was a soft look on his face.

“Yeah, yeah, just my cat. The orange menace got stuck in the tree,” You gestured vaguely towards the oak tree. Frank chuckled and glanced over, spotting the orange furball.

“Do ya need help?” He asked. You shook your head.

“I’m just gonna grab the stepladders and then I should be able to reach her. She’s a fucking idiot,” You explained as you stepped backwards, an amused smile spreading across your face. He nodded and you headed into the house. 

When you came back with stepladders in hand, you hadn’t expected Frank to still be outside but that’s where he was. Instead, you found him standing at the bottom of the tree and he was talking to Sugarpuff in a soft, sweet tone; you honestly hadn’t even thought he was capable of it.

“Ya pretty lady is gonna get you down but ya gotta stop running out on her,” He said. Sugarpuff meowed back in response, clearly unimpressed by Frank’s assertion. You cleared your throat and Frank’s head snapped back, “Thought I’d keep her company while ya got the ladder,” He explained. You smiled and gently placed the stepladder down.

“She’ll appreciate it more than me,” You said as you adjusted the ladder so that it was firmly pressed into the dirt. The last thing you needed was to fall over in your pyjamas and crocs. You stepped up onto it and stood up on your tiptoes, just about able to reach Sugarpuff. But she didn’t seem like she wanted to be picked up and shied away, stepping backwards away from the edge, “Are you shitting me, Sugarpuff? Come here.” Frank chuckled below you, one hand resting on the ladder and keeping it steady as you stood on your tiptoes, desperately trying to reach out for her.

“Want me to try?” He asked curiously when he noticed that your attempts were futile. You sighed and tried to lure Sugarpuff forward but she didn’t seem to respond to any of it. You let out a huff of annoyance before getting down from the stepladder.

“Be my guest. She’s a fucking menace,” You said, exasperated. Frank chuckled and you switched places. Within seconds, Sugarpuff had let him pick her up and he stepped down from the stepladder. She settled against his chest and you watched in utter disbelief, “Fucking traitor,” You whispered towards the orange menace. Frank was grinning as he stroked Sugarpuff.

“D’you want her?” He asked, meeting your gaze. You sighed and rubbed your face.

“Could you take her inside while I bring the stepladder in? Don’t want her trying another fucking escape act,” You requested. Frank nodded and he gestured for you to go first. You carried the stepladders in and put them under the stairs again while Frank continued to stroke Sugarpuff, “Can you keep a hold of her a sec?” You asked. Frank let out a noise of agreement while you headed to your bedroom and closed the window. That menace was not going to escape again.

When you returned to the hallway, your screen door had been pushed to and Frank was sitting on the floor, stroking Sugarpuff as she rolled over. It was clear that she was loving the new attention and you were honestly in disbelief. Sugarpuff usually hated anyone that wasn’t you and she hated men the most. She constantly hissed at the mailman and any delivery drivers who dared to get too close to the windows. But it was different with Frank, it seemed

“Thank you for rescuing her. She’s a menace,” You said as you leant against the side table by the front door. You put the treats back on the side and he shrugged.

“S’all good.” The tension that had been in your shoulders since you woke up seemed to release as you took in the sight of Frank. He was so calm, stroking Sugarpuff like she hadn’t just nearly given you a heart attack at half 5 in the morning.

“Can I offer you breakfast?” You asked curiously. Sugarpuff seemed to recognise that word and she rolled away from Frank and got up on her paws again, “She definitely wants it. So, you wanna join us?” Frank looked at Sugarpuff and then at you, his face stoic. From that look alone, you had a guess what his answer would be.

“I would love to but I gotta finish my run and get back to Amy,” Frank explained as he clambered back up to his feet. You nodded your head, trying to brush off the sting of rejection. You knew that it wasn’t serious, it didn’t mean anything.

“Of course, thank you again. If she ever runs away again, I know who to call,” You said, forcing a smile onto your face, “I’m gonna go and give her some food so you can escape. Thank you, really. It means a lot.” Frank didn’t know what to say so he simply nodded and sent you a warm smile. That smile soothed the rejection a little as you headed into the kitchen. 

Sugarpuff followed you in and when you put the wet food in a bowl, she happily began to munch down on it; while you washed your hands. It was a couple more moments of sorting out her supply of dry food and refilling her water fountain before you heard the front door close.

You found yourself frowning as you returned back to the fridge to pick up your breakfast supplies. You knew it was ridiculous to be upset at something so simple but Frank was endearing and Sugarpuff was usually avoidant of men. If even Sugarpuff liked him then she knew that he was a good one which made you want to know him. 

It wasn’t until after breakfast that you wandered back into the hallway and on the side table there was a note. You had abandoned some scraps of paper that you used to make a quick shopping list. But among the blank scraps, one of the pieces of paper had a note scribbled across it. The handwriting was scraggly but you were pretty sure it said ‘Can’t call me if you don’t have my number’ followed by a string of numbers. Your jaw dropped slightly before you glanced at Sugarpuff.

“Thanks, buddy,” You mumbled before picking up the note and heading back into your room to put it into your phone.

<3

[fivepoolsclans-archive]

Rootstar's Leader Ceremony

Newleaf - Moon 0 - Year 0

Rootember stared down at her paws, her eyes distant to thought, memory, and anxiety. The Cave of Hidden Stars lies just ahead, its maw wide open in the ground. Tonight was going to mark an important night in Rootember’s life; tonight, if all went well, she would receive her nine lives and become HavenClan’s new leader.

Life has not been easy in recent seasons. Cats grew restless, wanting to stretch their paws and bring back the days of old. Times from before the Calamity had struck all four Clans, bringing devastation and threats to their way of life. They say that there had been so few cats after the disaster that what was left of all four Clans had to merge in order to survive. That became HavenClan.

So why go back? Why war over each other like they had before? Why risk another Calamity?

“Rootember!” She looked up to see Figdream’s golden face pop out of the opening of the cave’s tunnel. Even on a night as dark as this, the medicine cat’s bright blue eyes were hard to miss. “They’re ready.”

The Elders once passed on tales of how the cats used to not need an invite before talking to StarClan. Rootember couldn’t understand why not; it seemed rude to walk into their ancestors’ den uninvited. It was the duty of the medicine cat to look for these invitations, and safekeep who goes in and out– to protect the camp that StarClan claimed in the living world. It’s also where the medicine cats would meet every half moon.

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Rootember followed Figdream inside the den, saying goodbye to the cool outside breeze as they plunged into the stale damp air below. They padded on a declining slope. Rootember had to dig her claws into the earth to help keep herself from slipping. Figdream rested his tail on her shoulder, helping to guide the to-be leader until the ground leveled out.

“Hey Figdream,” Rootember mewed softly. She didn’t want to speak too loudly, in case it wrongfully disturbed the spirits of their ancestors before they were ready. “Do you ever feel like you might not be cut out for something? Like you’re not ready for what you have to experience, like it’s too soon?”

“Sure,” the younger tom answered. He looked back at her, hardly able to make her out in the dimness of the tunnel. “This is the first time I’ve guided a leader through StarClan’s den for them to receive their lives. I’ve come here many times before, but I wasn’t sure if I had the courage to make it tonight. This is a big deal, you know? But there will always be a first time for everything. There’s rarely a time when it’ll be soon enough for anyone.”

Rootember dipped her head, appreciative for Figdream’s council. He was right. She had to do this, for the safety of the Clan. “Who do you think will be here tonight?”

Figdream let out a quiet puff of laughter, “You know I can’t tell you that.”

Before long, the tunnel narrowed and the two cats came across a strange rectangular stone sitting on rounded paws. It smelled bitter, and the faint scent of Twolegs and dust clung to it– a sign of bygone times when Twolegs frequented the tunnel. It was wedged sideways in the center of the pathway, though it left just enough room at the side for the cats to squeeze through. There was a small opening in the wall on the other side

“You got this,” Figdream smiled and nodded encouragingly. Rootember butted her head against his, then quickly turned to enter the opening.

The tunnel here was small and cramped. Rootember flinched as the walls closed in enough that it could be felt on her whiskers on either side. Luckily, this tunnel was short, and the walls opened up to reveal a small barely lit chamber full of pointed rocks. On all walls, and some of the pointed rocks, there were smaller colorful specks that seemed to glow in the dark and twinkle like stars. With every pawstep that Rootember took, everything seemed to be alive with a dancing shimmer, as if this cave had been able to steal away a piece of Silverpelt.

This is the Cave of Hidden Stars. StarClan cats would leave Silverpelt and visit their sacred den just to talk to HavenClan. Rootember swallowed a lump in her throat, the normally-calm cat awestruck and nervous of the beauty around her. She approached the back wall of glittering stone-bound stars and tucked her paws under her, touching her nose to the wall. Her growling stomach made it hard to clear her mind to sleep, but the exhaustion of the journey did it for her.

When Rootember opened her eyes again, she was in the same chamber but washed in a spectral blue color. Where there had been only Rootember before, now the cave was alive with starry cats stirring from their nests. Rootember’s breath caught in her chest at the sight of fallen friends old and new, family and loved ones, and other ghosts that she had never met.

One of the many starry cats approaches her, though is someone Rootember doesn’t recognize. The stranger was a beautiful white she-cat with brown spots speckling her back and face, her tail ringed with stripes matching the color of her spots. Rootember could feel her heart pulse in her ears as the she-cat’s pale blue eyes made contact with hers. Whoever this cat was, it was clear that she commanded the air around her.

“My name is Redfern,” she said, something about her voice made her feel familiar like an old friend. Warm and welcoming, confident and sure. “You meet me tonight, but the cats under your care will all meet me one day when they join the stars. For now,” she pressed her nose to Rootember’s forehead. A chill ran through the brow she-cat as a feeling indescribable ran through her, making her shiver from head to toe as if leaf-bare had swept through the cavern. “Take this gift, to help you endure in the face of hardship.”

Redfern then stepped back, allowing the other cats in the cavern to share their remaining 8 lives. Rootember couldn’t help but notice some uncertain looks shared between some of the cats, as if they knew something she didn’t. Did they believe in her? Would she make it as Clan leader? But soon, the old leader of HavenClan stepped forward to bless Rootember with another life. All anxious doubts soon melted away.

It felt like several days and nights had passed before the ceremony was finished. Rootember was trembling with the newfound power of nine lives at her paw tips, her chest heaving as she shoulders the intensity and pain that came with each soul that entered her body. But she stood strong and proud, lifting her head up high. Some of the StarClan cats mewed with approval.

“I hail you by your new name,” Redfern purred with a glint in her eye that Rootember could not quite discern. “Rootstar, your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of HavenClan. Defend it well; care for the young and old; honor your ancestors and the tradition of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity.” Then, the beautiful StarClan cat stepped forward, her muzzle right next to Rootstar’s ear. “Our way of life depends on you and the choices you will make. Don’t disappoint.”

Redfern pulled away and lifted her head high, “Rootstar! Rootstar!”

Soon the other cats followed, chanting Rootstar’s new name with pride and vigor. It was over before long, as in a heartbeat the ghostly cats were gone. Rootstar was quick to wake, her new name echoing in her ears as she was cast in darkness yet again.

And yet, the voice that echoed the loudest was Redfern’s words: don’t disappoint.

[destinyclan]

Before Moon 0 (3/8)

"I was kidding, Snakefur" Oriolespeckle seemed the least bit scared of the way the deputy looked at him with sheer disdain. "but if it makes you feel any better, sure: I'm so sorry for eating the last trout. Let me go make up for it."

And without another word, Oriolespeckle turned around and marched out of the camp grounds. He didn't need to hear what exactly it was that Snakefur snarled in response, all it took was the annoyed tone to make Oriolespeckle purr in amusement.

It's been a fruitless effort lately, to try and reason with Snakefur, or anyone else in this clan for that matter. It seemed as though everyone was far too busy negotiating with the other clans - or talking about said negotiations - to have a little fun. Not that Oriolespeckle didn't care at all, after all an empty fresh kill pile is not a sight to take too lightly, but was it that important? He was hungry, prey is meant to be eaten, and he could always bring back more.

Unlike a certain other clan right now, he thought.

His mind wandered, and wouldn't you know it, he found himself right on the pathway toward the brook, the current line between clan life and pure chaos. Though it wasn't too long before he heard a couple of pawsteps approaching from behind him. He turned around to a rustling of bushes, soon seeing a familiar, tabby face poke out.

"Hey!", the she-cat spoke up, "I heard you and Snakefur arguing."

Oriolespeckle gazed at her, his clanmate Bouncerise, with a bit of confusion as she stepped out to approach him, not long before he felt the undying urge to complain.

"Can you believe him? He treats me like a lazy kittypet that does nothing but sleep and eat the pile empty, despite the fact I'm bringing home more prey than him!" He got louder as he voiced his thought about the deputy, though Oriolespeckle hardly cared right now. The two of them were out of earshot by now anyway.

Bouncerise tilted her head to the side, looking at him. "He really lets being the deputy get to his head. You know he tried to schedule me for the dawn patrol on both sides of the territory a few days ago? And when I told him, he hissed at me and told me to be more respectful!" She stopped for a moment, to scratch herself behind her ears. Oriolespeckle stopping as well, waiting for her while she added: "He can't take criticism!"

The two resumed walking through their hunting grounds, still not doing what Oriolespeckle said he would since the two of them foudn themselves a little caught up in the topic. Lately, Oriolespeckle had noticed, it seemed that Bouncerise took an interest in him. Not a romantic one, at least as far as he could tell. It was a little strange, the two of them had barely talked since back when they were apprentices. They grew into different circles within their clan, naturally. But as the times changed further, it seemed nobody could ahndle being around Bouncerise anymore. Her need to stand up against the authorities of her clan got on the other cats' nerves, whether or not she made good points.

It was all right to Oriolespeckle, however. He had found himself in a similar situation, so having a cat around to talk to was nice, even if most they did was talk in union about how annoying the leader and the deputy were.

They had reached the brook, an ever so streaming body of water that had turned dark over the past moons. The storms and floods have turned it to rushing water at most hours, leaving barely any fish to be caught, though occasionally one would be washed down here, already dead. To his clan's leader, this brook was a symbol of victory, of justice. To Oriolespeckle it was just a useless brook though. Sniffling around for any dead crowfood fish, he found nothing. Curiously, he turned his attention toward Bouncerise, as she stepped away, seemingly. Then, she leapt over the brook, only barely scrambling as her hind paws almost landed her in the water. She looked over her shoulder at Oriolespeckle, a daring look on her face.

"Come on, we wanna make Snakefur proud, don't we?"

Oriolespeckle, he couldn't deny, was surprised and a bit shocked. "You... you want to hunt on the other side?"

"Obviously." Bouncerise rolled her eyes. "Why shouldn't we? They have a smaller offshoot on their side, maybe we'll find some fish there."

Oriolespeckle scraped at the ground with his paws, uncomfortable. "... Yeah, but they already have problems with their prey, don't they?"

"And are they the clan proficient in catching fish?" Bouncerise replied to his question. "Our fresh kill pile is getting smaller too. It's not our fault if they don't learn how to hunt in the brook." With a less exasperated tone, she added: "You don't have to come if you don't want."

He felt dared, though a bad feeling crept up on him. However... Bouncerise had a point, hadn't she? Sure, he could go and find something, but it would take forever, and however good it is, Snakefur would still moan and complain. Best to get it over with quickly, right? And maybe she was right, and there were perfectly fine fish going to waste over there that could feed Rindlewater, Plumberry, or the newly expecting queen Thornshine!

Oriolespeckle looked her in the eyes, a serious gaze. Then mimicked her actions from before, taking a few steps back before accelerating his tempo. With a large jump, he found himself next to Bouncerise, across the brook.

[quiverpaw]

small story i wrote for featherandfawn, my warriors story, taking place a little before the official story and from another pov. kinda long

Fernpaw padded alongside her brother Nightpaw, settling down near the crowd’s edge. Eaglestar, her leader, had called TarnClan this sundown for the purpose of announcing who would be heading to the Gathering. Her eyes shown as she looked up at the grand leader, who’s stiff brown fur looked golden in the sunlight. Eaglestar’s temporary deputy, Sunshade, who was a pretty tortoiseshell, sat beside him, and on his other end was Kestrelpaw, his son and eventual successor. 

“Oh, i hope he lets me go!” squeaked a seal-point beside her. It was Spirepaw, the youngest apprentice— half Fernpaw’s age, only six moons— who bounced on her paws. Fernpaw snickered. “You only became a apprentice a quarter room ago! What makes you think you’ll get to go?”

“Don’t be mean, Fernpaw,” growled a feminine voice beside her, and her mentor Rainshower nudged Fernpaw, her pale fur bristled. “Remember, you were just as bouncy as her when you were that young.”

“i know, i know Rainshower.” Fernpaw scowled, and she moved to sit closer to Nightpaw. “You know you were being snooty, right?” Nightpaw asked, and Fernpaw nodded bitterly.

Eaglestar yowled to silence the crowd. “I will announce the representatives of the Gathering! Fernpaw, Kestrelpaw, Brackenear, Ashflower, Hailbite, Snakefire, and Sparkflurry are going to the Gathering, along with the usual High Ranks like myself.” Eaglestar hopped down. “We leave now.” 

The trek through the mountains was tough, but with generations of paws smoothing down the pathways Fernpaw had no doubts of slipping, unlike Nightpaw. He crept near his more enthusiastic sibling, wincing when rocks tumbled and as he lept from boulder to boulder.

“You’re such a wuss, Nightpaw,” Fernpaw commented, and flicked Nightpaw with her tail. “D-Don’t do that! I’ll fall!” He protested, and tripped over a root anyways. “It’s dangerous, we can’t play around.” “You really think our lives are going to end right now because we tripped on a few rocks? Get a hold of yourself.” Fernpaw skipped ahead of Nightpaw, leaving the worried tom behind.

She found herself padding beside Kestrelpaw near the head of the party as they made their way to Rendezvous. The brown tabby glanced at her, and frowned. “What do you need?” So mature, as always. Fernpaw bounced in front of him, stopping him in his tracks. “Can’t you calm down a little bit? I heard there was a really cool view near the Skerry-Border, if you’re brave enough to go.”

“My father would be really upset,” Kestrelpaw said, glancing at the broad tabby who led the clan. “So? He’s your dad. Not a monster. I’m sure you could weasel your way out of punishment. Or I’ll take the blame.” Fernpaw explained, and Kestrelpaw scoffed. “I don’t weasel my way out of anything, thank you. But we really should be at the Rendezvous. I promised Hartpaw I’d talk to her and-“ 

Fernpaw grabbed his scruff and dragged him to a bush thicket, and he writhed out of her grip, spitting. “Hey!” “Just have some fun for once in your life! Isn’t it better living without constantly worrying about what Eaglestar wants?”

Kestrelpaw sighed and was quiet, then nodded reluctantly. “I guess so. But that doesn’t mean you can just kidnap me from my own clan!” Fernpaw ignored him, and ran through the bushes, and the tom’s own pawsteps were heard behind her.

“How do you know the way to the SkerryClan border anyway?” Kestrelpaw asked. 

“You’re such a idiot sometimes, you know that? I went on a territory patrol on my first day as a apprentice! So did you! Quit thinking those thoughts that you’re having that i’m tresspassing or whatever.” Fernpaw snickered. Kestrelpaw rolled his eyes.

Eventually the brush cleared to a open area before a great cliff, and beyond that the sea. The beautiful, beautiful sea. The smell of salt hit her nose, and a breeze ruffled her whiskers. She glanced to Kestrelpaw, who was silent with awe. “Impressed, huh? Are you glad i took you here?” 

Kestrelpaw fell out of his trance and rubbed his face. “No, no, of course not. You’re crazy. So what, the coast looks cool. I’m sure SkerryClan sees it every day!”

“You’re so hard to please. Fine, if you want to keep being a fox-heart, we can go back to the Rendezvous.” “Thanks.” 

***

Kestrelpaw and Fernpaw slipped into the Rendezvous clearing a bit late, although The Gathering hadn’t officially started. The Rendezvous was a clearing in HeimsClan outskirts, where four tors stood up for each leader to stand on. Legend has it that they used to be one Great Rock that split when the clans first formed. Eaglestar of TarnClan, Elkstar of HeimsClan, and Rosemarystar of AsphodelClan were already on their tors, although SkerryClan hadn’t arrived yet. Perhaps they were late. The deputies and healers circled their respective tors. 

Kestrelpaw turned to Fernpaw. “I better go— father will want me by his point.” He seemed disappointed, and Fernpaw flicked his ear with her tail. “Hey, you’ll live. See you after, okay?” 

“Okay.”

Her tortoiseshell pelt was black-and-brown as the night fell on camp, yet silver with the moonlight. Fernpaw gazed up at the huge moon, her eyes shining. So large.. and bright. I wonder if the moon gives StarClan power.

A smell of fish and seawater hit her nose and the cats of SkerryClan pooled in the clearing, dispersing to converse with outclanners. She ruffled her fur. Now the Gathering could start. Gullstar lept to his tor and yowled to silence the clans. “Let the Gathering begin!”

“Age goes first, of course. Gullstar, since you unfortunately were born a quarter moon before me.. I will start.” Elkstar announced with a purr. The thick black tabby kept her eyes on Eaglestar as she went on. “My kit Hartpaw with Eaglestar has become a fine apprentice, and dearly, dearly misses her brother Kestrelpaw. But alas, the deal we made prevents our kits from ever seeing each other. So sad.” Eaglestar grunted disapprovingly at Elkstar’s snide words.

“With other news.. Maywhisker’s kits Flykit and Beetlekit are nearly old enough to be apprentices. And we have a new warrior with use, Bistortstripe.”

“Bistortstripe! Bistortstripe!” The throng of cats cheered for the new warrior, who apon looking around, was a squat looking brown tabby. It looked embarrassed as warriors and elders alike congratulated him. 

Elkstar nodded to Gullstar to allow the white jack to speak next. The scrawny fellow’s whiskers twitched, and she watched the crowd. “We have two new apprentices, Mistpaw and Finpaw. They are not here, but give your support nonetheless.” The cats meowed encouragement for the sibling apprentices, although quieter then Bistortstripe’s had been.

[discord-businessman]

🐱Pawstep Pathway🐱

Pawstep Pathway is a Minecraft roleplay server dedicated to the book series Warriors, by Erin Hunter.

---

Pawstep Pathway currently has four main Clans, open to every rank within the server; GladeClan, DustClan, CavernClan, and ReedClan.

It also offers 2 more Clans unique to Pawstep, but only for the Trusted+ rank; TempestClan, where you can roleplay winged cats, and BeachClan, where you can roleplay cat-fish hybrids.

Even further than that, Dedicated+ members can roleplay gang cats, 2 groups of evil cats that live in an old coal town and antagonize and torture the Clan cats.

You can also roleplay loners and kittypets; and, everyone has the opportunity to roleplay a high-ranking character! Active players are often rewarded with leaders, deputies, and medicine cats, regardless of their ranking within the server!

---

Pawstep Pathway is a very unique server with an active playerbase and very active, caring staff. If you join us, we can promise you'll never leave. If you don't have fun roleplaying (though we're sure you will!), you can always join and just hang out.

---

❗❗PLEASE ONLY JOIN IF YOU HAVE READ THE WARRIORS BOOK SERIES AND OWN MINECRAFT JAVA❗❗

[doritopaw101]

Arc1, book 1: Chapter 13

Bluestar stood up and began to pad towards Mothermouth. Tiger-roar walked beside her, matching her strides step by step.

It took the group only moments to reach Mothermouth. Icepaw stood on the threshold and peered inside a little. The darkness beyond the stone pathway was darker than the cloudiest night. Icepaw narrowed his eyes, trying to see where the tunnel lead but saw nothing but blackness.

Beside him, Graypaw craned his head nervously around the entrance. Though what shocked Icepaw was that even Tiger-roar seemed unsettled by the black hole ahead of them. "How will we find our way through such darkness?" Graypaw asked

"Follow our senses" Ravenpaw mewed taking a calming breath

Bluestar nodded to that "Leopardstorm, Ravenpaw, and Graypaw, keep watch"

Bluestar padded on "Tiger-roar Icepaw come along"

Icepaw glanced sideways at Tiger-roar. The dark tabby sat with his chin boldly raised, but Icepaw could detect fear-scent coming from him. It grew stronger as Bluestar stepped forward into the blackness.

Tiger-roar shook his mighty head and padded after Bluestar. With a brief nod to Graypaw and Leopardstorm, he followed.

Inside the cave, his blood-red eyes detected nothing. The complete and utter darkness felt strange but calming at the same time to the point that he wasn't even frightened. It remind him of his kithood and most of his memories in the city. It reminded him of the dark nights when Nutmeg couldn't find anything to eat or when they had to move. It reminded him of the dark night in Bloodclan after a battle with rats or other groups. Scourge just shrugged it off and said that's life.

He wondered how she was doing nowadays. He wondered if Scourge was upset that he left or not.

The cold, damp air reached through his thin pelt and into his bones, stiffening his muscles. Even the coldest nights on the streets of the city did not hold the same chill as the air here did.

'This ground has never known the warmth of the sun' he thought, feeling the rock smooth like ice beneath his paws. Freezing air filled his lungs with each breath until he was starting to feel light-headed. He followed Bluestar and Tiger-roar careful not to crash into them. They were walking along a tunnel that sloped down and down,going on way then going the other. On and on they went

'How far are we?' he wondered

The air in his nostrils seemed fresher than before, smell like the world above. He figured there must be a hole somewhere in the roof of the tunnel. "Where are we?" he asked

"We are at the cavern of the Moonstone" Bluestar replied softly "Wait here moonhigh will come soon"

Icepaw folded his hind legs under him on the chilly stone floor and waited. He could hear Bluestar's steady and smooth breathing and Tiger-roar's more rapid and fear-scented panting. Suddenly, in a flash more blinding than the setting sun, the cave was lit up. Icepaw's eyes were wide open after the blackness of the tunnel. He quickly closed them when the cold, white light became to strong for his very sensitive eyes. He very slowly opened one into a tiny slit and peered ahead.

He saw a gleaming rock, which glittered as if it were made of countless dewdrops and glowed like it was made of millions of streetlights. The Moonstone!

In the freezing light that reflected from the stone, he could make out the shadowy edges of a high-roofed cavern. The Moonstone rose up from the middle of the floor, three tail-lengths high.

Bluestar stared upward, her fur bleached white in the blinding glow of the Moonstone. Tiger-roar's split tabby pelt seems to blaze and shine at the same time. Icepaw followed Bluestar's gaze. High in the roof was an opening that revealed a narrow triangle of night sky. The moon was casting a beam of light through the hole, down onto the Moonstone, making it sparkling like a star.

Beside him, Icepaw smelled Tiger-roar's fear-scent growing and growing until it became overpowering. Icepaw felt surprised by this. Could Tiger-roar see ghosts too, no he would've said something about Goosefeather if he could see him. Icepaw felt himself shoved to the side and landed with an "oof", he could the sound of fleeing pawsteps heading towards the entrance of the tunnel.

"Icepaw?" Bluestar's calm voice rang

"I'm still here, Tiger-roar knocked me over"

"I think Tiger-roar was surprised by the power of the Moonstone. In the world above, Tiger-roar is a fearless and powerful warrior, but down here, where the spirits of Starclan speak, a cat needs a different kind of strength." Bluestar's voice sounded closer than Icepaw thought "What do you feel, Icepaw?"

"Only my own curiosity" he admitted "As well as the burning of my eyes but I expected that with this damned blinding light"

The molly chuckled "That's good"

Icepaw looked back at the Moonstone. His eyes had gotten used to its light and he was no longer dazzled. Instead, it soothed him.

Icepaw watched as Bluestar padded up to the stone and lay down beside it. She reached her head forward and touched the Moonstone with her nose. Her icy-blue eyes sparked for a moment before she closed them. Her head was rested on her paws, her eyelids flickering, paws occasionally twitching. Icepaw wondered what she was dreaming about. Maybe a memory of her kithood or when she killed Stormtail.

He waited. The chill was dialed down now but he found himself shivering a little but not by much from his thick fur and being used to it from the city streets.

After more seemingly endless moments, Bluestar seemed to jump with a start, her fur bristling "Icepaw, are you still here?"

"Yes Bluestar" Icepaw heard Bluestar's pawsteps approaching fast.

"Hurry" she hissed "We must get back to camp"

/

Tiger-roar was waiting at beside Graypaw and Ravenpaw as Bluestar and Icepaw climbed out of the cave. The tabby's expression was cold and his thick fur was slightly ruffled but he sat motionless and dignified. He seemed to regain his composure as soon as he left the dark cavern.

"Tiger-roar Leopardstorm" Bluestar greeted him but did not mention the warrior cat's flight from the depths.

Tiger-roar seemed to relax a little. "What did you learn?"

"Are you alright aunt?" Leopardstorm asked

"Things that will make your fur stand on end. We must return to camp. Now" Bluestar replied

Icepaw didn't miss the desperation in his leader's eyes.

/

They headed back they way they came. The moon had disappeared behind a bank of clouds. The dark, but at least the Thunderpath was quieter now. The only car they heard was far off into the distance. The cats crossed the path together and pushed their way through the hedge on the other side.

Bluestar kept up a swift pace with her nose thrust forward and her tail held high. Tiger-roar followed beside her with Leopardstorm close by. Ravenpaw and Icepaw followed a few paces behind but Graypaw was flagging behind.

"Keep up Graypaw" Tigerclaw growled over his shoulder

"Trying to" Graypaw panted

They scrambled down a deep ditch and up the other side.

"Did Tiger-roar say anything when came out of the cave?" Icepaw asked "He seemed off"

"He wanted to check that we were still guarding the entrance" Graypaw replied, his yellow eyes blazing with exhaustion "Why?"

"Did you scent anything strange about him?" he asked

Graypaw shrugged "Only the smell of that damp old cave"

"He seemed edgy" Ravenpaw added, his voice neutral "Like he was scared of something, Leopardstorm kept grooming him to calm him down"

Icepaw chuckled lowly "Oh he was"

The cats slipped under a hedge into a cornfield that glowed silver in the moonlight, and followed the ditch that ran around its edge.

"What was it like inside Icepaw?" Graypaw asked curiously "Did you see the Moonstone?"

"Yeah I did, it was blinding, bloody hurt my eyes but it was amazing!" Icepaw felt his light fur tingle at the memory "It was very interesting to see it"

Ahead, Tiger-roar,Leopardstorm, and Bluestar leaped through a fence, out of the cornfield. The apprentices followed, squeezing under the fence, onto an earth track. It was the road that led past the twoleg nest and the dogs. Icepaw looked up and saw Bluestar,Leopardstorm, and Tiger-roar trotting tirelessly together, silhouetted against a skyline tinged with red. The sun would be rising soon.

Icepaw caught scent of a cat, a tom by the scent.

"Look!" he called. An unfamiliar cat jumped out in front of the two warriors.

"It's a loner" Graypaw hissed. The three apprentices hurried forward

The tom was stout black and white tom, shorter than Bluestar and Tiger-roar, but well muscled and matched Leopardstorm's height. He looked just like Ice,Snake, Smudge, and Bone. This must be...

"This is Barley" Bluestar explained "He lives near this Twoleg nest"

"Howady!" Barley mewed "I haven't seen any of you clan cats for awhile. How are ya Bluestar?"

"Not well these pass moons I'm afraid" Bluestar replied "And you, Barley?

"Not so bad" Barley replied, with an amiable gleam in his eye "One good thing about these humans: you'll always find plenty of critters nearby" The black and white tom scanned the group with his blue gaze "Ya'll seem to be more of a hurry than usual. Is everything alright?"

Tiger-roar glared at Barley. A growl rumbled deep in his chest. Icepaw could sense that the warrior was suspicious of the loner's curiosity.

"I don't like to be away from my clan too long" Bluestar replied smoothly

Barley nodded "As always, Bluestar you are tied to your clan like a mama cat to her youngins"

"What is it that you want from us Barley?" asked Tiger-roar

Barley flashed a reproachful look "I just wanted to warn ya'll that there are two poochs here now. You'd be safer going back into the cornfield instead of past the yard"

"We know about the dogs. We saw them earlier-" Tiger-roar began impatiently but Bluestar laid her tail-tip on his muzzle

"We are grateful to you for the warning" Bluestar mewed "Thank you, Barley. Until nest time..."

Barley flicked his bushy tail "Have a safe journey" he mewed as he bounded away up the track

"Come" Bluestar ordered. She pushed her way through the long grass between the oath and the fence that led back into the cornfield. The three apprentices followed, but Tiger-roar hesitated.

"You trust the word of a loner?" he asked

Leopardstorm stopped and turned to face the two-colored tabby "Would you rather face those dogs? I sure don't"

"They were tied up when we passed them earlier" Tiger-roar pointed out

"They may be untied now. We're going this way and stop complaining" Bluestar growled. She ducked under the fence into the filed. Icepaw slipped after her, followed by Ravenpaw, Graypaw, Whitestorm, and finally Tiger-roar.

By now, the sun had lifted its head above the horizon. The hedgerows sparkled with dew, promising another warn day. The cats padded along the edge of the ditch. Icepaw looked down into the deep gully, steep-sided and filled with nettles. Icepaw could smell prey-scent but it smelled off. His eyes widen as he recognized the stench from being in Bloodclan territory.

"Rats!" he yowled without hesitation

He heard Ravenpaw screech and whipped around to see him leap out from an incoming rat bite.

"Barley sent us into a trap" Tiger-roar spat

"Move Move" Bluestar ordered

The group ran as fast as they could a swarm of rats seemed to try to get them from all sides. Huge brown rats seemed to pool out of the ditch, squeaking shrilly. Icepaw could see their sharp front teeth glint in the early dawn light.

Suddenly one leaped onto Icepaw's shoulder. Fiery pain shot through his shoulder as the rat sank its teeth into his flesh. Another grasped his right back leg between its powerful jaws.

Icepaw flung himself down and writhed madly, trying to shake free. He knew the rats were not as strong as he was, but there was so many of them. Yowls, hisses and spits told him that the others weren't having a ball either.

Icepaw knew the way of the rats. "One alone you can kill while many can kill you, the prey can always become the predator" Scourge had taught him.

Icepaw slashed fiercely with his claws, slicing out at the rat that held onto his leg. It let go, but another one gripped his tail. Fast as lightning, powered by fear and rage, Icepaw fought and hacked at his attackers. Twisting his head around , he sank his teeth into the rat that had embedded itself into his shoulders. He felt the bone of its neck crunch in his mouth and its body go limp, before it fell away onto dirt track.

Icepaw gasped with pain as yet another rat leaped onto his back and sank its teeth in. out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of fur. For a brief moment he was confused; then he felt the rat being dragged off him. Icepaw spun around to see Barley flinging the rodent into the ditch. He also saw a white molly with ginger patches help him, Violet. She matched Bone's description of her very well.

Without hesitating, Barley glanced around and sprinted over to Bluestar. She was writhing on the path, covered in rats. In a flash Barley had the spine of one between his teeth and plucking it off her with practiced ease. He spat it onto the ground and grabbed another in his mouth as Bluestar thrashed beneath him.

Icepaw rushed over to Graypaw, who was being attacked from both sides by two large rats. Icepaw lunged at the nearest one, giving it a bite that left it dead. Graypaw managed to turn and pin down the other with his claws. He grabbed it with teeth and flung it into the ditch as hard as he could. It did not come back.

"They're running away!" Tiger-roar yowled

Sure enough, the remaining rats were fleeing down into the safety of the ditch. Icepaw could hear the scrabbling of small paws disappearing into the nettles. The bites in his shoulder and right hind leg stung sharply. He licked carefully at his fur, wet and matted with blood, its sharp tang mingling with stench of the rats.

"They smell like shit don't they Splinter" Scourge had sneered when he had tangled with a rat as a kit, yes yes they did.

Icepaw looked around. Graypaw was standing at the edge of the nettles, mewing encouragement as Ravenpaw pulled himself out of the ditch, muddy and stung. Icepaw saw that a young rat was still hanging on to his tail. Icepaw bounded over and finished it off quickly while Graypaw helped pull Ravenpaw over the top of the ditch.

Icepaw looked for Bluestar. He saw Barley first, standing at the top of the ditch, scanning the depths for more rats. Violet helped Leopardstorm to his paws while a ginger and white molly was looking around the ditches. Bluestar was lying on the path nearby. Alarmed, Icepaw dashed to his leader's side. The thick fur at the back of her neck was drenched with blood. Icepaw could see the inside of Bluestar's neck, the veins had been ripped and some of the bone had been cracked.

Icepaw knew from experience that Bluestar was dead.

A furious yowl made Icepaw look up. Tiger-roar had leaped on top of Barley and pinned him to the ground. "You sent us into a trap!" he snarled

"Let'em go" Violet hissed, her violet-eyes blazing

"I didn't know the rats were here!" Barley spat, his paws scrabbling in the dust as struggled to stand up

"Why did you send us this way?" Tiger-roar hissed, claws unsheathing into Barley's chest fur

"The hounds!" The ginger and white molly tried "Barley told ya'll bout them"

"The dogs were tied when we passed them earlier!"

"The human unties them at night. They guard his nest" Barley panted, wheezing under the weight of Tiger-roar's massive paws and claws.

"Tiger-roar Bluestar isn't breathing!" Icepaw called, trying to save Barley from being turned into freshkill

Tiger-roar released Barley at once. Barley got up and shook the dust from his coat. The great warrior bounded over to Bluestar's side sniffing her wounds.

"Is there anything we can do?" Graypaw asked

Leopardstorm shook his head sadly.

"She's in the paws of Starclan now" mewed Tiger-roar solemnly, stepping back.

Icepaw watched Graypaw's eyes widen with shock in realization while Ravenpaw seemed to share his thoughts about the situation.

Is this what the spirits at the Moonstone had warned her about?

Graypaw and Ravenpaw had joined them and stood beside their leader. Barley hung-back, craning his neck to see what was happening. Violet and the other molly were licking him, concern in their eyes.

Bluestar's eyes were open but glazed, her blue-gray body lay motionless.

"Is she dead?" Graypaw asked

"I don't know. We must wait and see" Tiger-roar replied

"What do you mean by that?" Icepaw asked, his pelt spiking in confusion "The rats got her, got her real good, she isn't coming back from that"

"Has no one told you?" Leopardstorm asked to which Icepaw shook his head "Leaders receive nine lives from Starclan"

"That's actually real?!" he nearly screeched

"Shut up and yes" Tiger-roar growled "We'll have to wait for Bluestar..." he trailed off

'To see if this was her last life or if she'll come back' Icepaw thought

The five cats waited in silence as the sun began to climb the sky. Icepaw found himself wordlessly begging Starclan to protect his leader, to send her back to them.

Then, Bluestar stirred. The end of her tail twitched and she lifted her head.

"Bluestar?" Icepaw mewed, his voice slightly trembling

"It's all right" Bluestar rasped "I'm still here. I have lost a life but it wasn't my last"

Relief flooded Icepaw. He looked at Tiger-roar, the warrior wore an expression of relief on his face but it was quickly hidden. Leopardstorm's yellow eyes filled with joy, he started grooming Bluestar's ears.

"Right" the splint tabby mewed in a commanding tone "Graypaw, fetch cobwebs for Bluestar's wounds. Ravenpaw gather some herbs to help?"

"Try marigold or horsetail" Icepaw mewed

Ravenpaw nodded. The two apprentices dashed away to find their items. Tiger-roar turned his head to Barley "Barley, I think it's time you three leave us now"

Icepaw looked over at the loners who had fought so bravely to help them. He wanted to thank them, but under Tiger-roar's fierce gaze, he didn't dare. Instead of speaking he pressed his head to his paws, clawing the ground once with his right paw gazing at Barley he had been told in Bloodclan this was how they said thanks without words.

Barley's eyes widen as his gesture but nodded all the same and left without another word, Violet and the other molly in tow.

Bluestar was still lying on the dirt track. "Is everyone all right?" she asked hoarsely

Tiger-roar nodded he then bent down to nuzzle Bluestar to which his leader purred in response.

Graypaw came charging back, his left forepaw wrapped in think wad of cobwebs "Here" he mewed "This should be enough right?"

"Can I put them on her wounds?" Icepaw asked Tiger-roar "Yellowfang and Spottedleaf showed me how"

"Very well" Tiger-roar agreed. He walked away and scanned the ditch again, his ears prickled or more rats.

Icepaw peeled a clump of the cobwebs from Graypaw's paw and began to press them firmly onto Bluestar's wounds.

She slightly winced under his touch. "If it hadn't been for Tiger-roar, those bloody rats would have eaten me alive" she murmured, her voice tight with pain

"Tiger-roar didn't save you. It was Barley" Icepaw whispered as he took some more cobwebs from Graypaw.

"Barley?" Bluestar sounded surprised "Is he here?"

"Tiger-roar sent him away" Icepaw answered quietly "He thinks Barley sent us into a trap"

"And what do you think?" Bluestar rasped

Icepaw didn't hesitate to answer as he concentrated on pressing the last bit of cobweb into place "Barley is a loner. What would he gain by sending us into a trap only to rescue us from it? Doesn't make sense in my opinion"

Bluestar laid down her head closed her eyes again.

Ravenpaw returned with some horsetail. Icepaw chewed the leaves and spat the juice onto Bluestar's wounds. He knew it would help stop infection.

"We should rest while Bluestar recovers" Graypaw suggested

"No" Bluestar insisted "We must return to camp" narrowing her eyes in pain, she struggled to her paws "Let's keep going"

The Thunderclan leader limped along the edge of the field. Tiger-roar walked at her side, his face dark with unknowable thoughts. Leopardstorm helped Ravenpaw stand. The apprentices exchanged anxious glances, then followed.

"It is a long time since I saw you lose a life, Bluestar" Icepaw overheard Tiger-roar's whispered words "How many have you lost now?"

Icepaw couldn't help feeling surprised at Tiger-roar's open curiosity. But Bluestar raised him so he guessed he was worried for how long she had left before she left him.

"That was my fifth" Bluestar replied quietly

Icepaw strained his ears, but Tiger-roar did not reply. He padded on, lost in thought.

[themagiverse]

Separation is such Sweet Sorrow

The morning in the forest was silent, only the leaves and branches quietly stirred in the wind. No animals were present to make any sound, nor feathered bird nor furred creature could be spotted or heard. Everything was peaceful and undisturbed…Until the sound of racing paws could be heard. A long legged beast with pale fur, a sleek, brown, webbed foot animal, and a fluffy, shadowy feline could be seen racing through the forest. The wolf came first, leaving a runway of ice for the otter to slide across, and lastly the cat, who melted the ice with the black fire surrounding her paws.

These three runaways were about to reach a milestone in their journey. There was only one final test they needed to face, and if they could pass it, the rest of their journey would be a cakewalk. The cat squinted her amber eyes towards the horizon. “Are we getting close yet, Frost?” She called to the wolf at the lead. “Just about. We’re crossing the border right-” The wolf paused as he leaped over a line of small, mossy rocks. “-here.”

He finished. “When we reach the cliffside, my pack will most likely meet us there. Just let me do the talking. They won’t be looking for a fight.” As he spoke, Umbra’s ears twitched. She had always wondered if Frost had a pack. He never mentioned one and she never pushed him for answers. They both had their own pasts they weren’t willing to share, and that was fair.

“Hey Frost…What Magi-types are your pack made up of?” The otter spoke up, lifting her head to reveal the left side of her face was heavily scared, one eyelid was closed and scarred over. Her other eye was wide open with curiosity. “Well, we have some Pyros, quite a few Terras, and maybe one or two Aeros.” Frost responded. “And before you ask, they haven’t been involved with political issues for thousands of years…And it’s best that they keep it that way. Their first contact with another civilization will be you guys, and they are not going to like it.” Frost finished. The otter, Note, nodded her head in satisfaction.

The three travelled in silence for some time, ocassionally jumping over tree roots, creecks, and boulders. They finally reached a clearing, where a mossy stone archway hung over an old, worn, stone path. The sea breeze whistled around them, bringing the promise of the milestone of their journey. Frost slowed, and the others followed suit. They came to a full stop in front of the stone archway, its worn markings speaking a long-forgotten language.

The salty air was pierced by several bone-chilling howls, and wolves of all colors and sizes began to pour out of the surrounding trees trees. Umbra’s fur stood on end and Note looked around, disoriented and startled. Frost stared ahead, ignoring the gaze of the wolves, all except one, who stood before them. His pelt was dark brown, his eyes glittering gold. He smelled of moss and dried deer meat, and the forest seemed to bend towards him willingly.

He spoke, his voice deep and gruff. “So you have returned Outcast. Despite my orders.” He glowered down at the much smaller Frost, who broke his glittering gold stare with his cold blue one. “The Fates cannot be detered Myka. Destinies will be fulfilled today, and you will not stop it. I bring with me the final child of the Draconians, the last heir to the Crystal Heart. I am here to lead her to it, as it is my place in this prophecy our elders have spoke of for generations.” Frost replied, holding his head high.

The wolves began to whisper amongst themselves, one even being bold enough to lean towards Umbra for a closer look, causing her to angrily hiss at them. The curious wolf cautiously retreated. “You leave this pack in Exile’s pawsteps to chase after our own demise. And now you have brought her here. She will be the very thing that destroys this world. Evil will taint her heart.” Myka growled, now glaring down at Umbra. “When that evil comes, we will be ready.” “Give up your hope, Outcast. The Fates will it so that she will destroys us all. Exile was a fool to believe he was The Pathfinder, and you are as well.” “My father was mistaken, but I am sure of it now. You denied me a destiny, a place within this pack, so now I have made my own, wether you agree with it or not.” Frost replied, the wind began to pick up and grow cold.

“Your mother Ash and sister Birch yearn for you to rejoin this pack Outcast. They have been mourning for your safe return every night.” Myka said. Frost’s eyes landed on two wolves, and older, dark grey one, and a white one with black speckles. As quickly as they landed on them, they moved away. Frost did not respond for a moment. Finally the white and black speckled one, Birch, spoke. “Cast!! Please come home!” She sobbed. “Whatever you’re doing, it’s pointless! Come back, stay with us, things will get better if you just-” “SHUT UP!” Frost barked, causing Birch to recoil in shock. Frost turned to Myka once more, growling. Snow began to fall from the sky. “If you do not let us pass, I will be forced to take measures into my own paws.” He snarled.

Myka stared at Frost, the wind picked up and the snow only got more violent. Myka finally stepped to the side. “Then our fates are chosen. Our sacred duty given to us by the Draconians is finished. Hear this: a great evil will be unleashed, and none of us can do anything to stop it.” Myka paused, his eyes landing on Umbra. “Mark my words, you will doom us all.” And with that he leaped away, the other wolves following his lead. They raced circles around the three, kicking up more snow. Through the wall of wolves Umbra caught glimpses of Ash and Birch’s heartbroken, tear-covered faces, and her own heart ached. They were the last to join the formation, and finally the wolves broke off, melting into the forest and disappearing as soon as they had appeared.

The three sat in the clearing for a few seconds before Frost suddenly took off. “Frost, wait!!” Umbra called, giving chase and leaving Note to race after both of them. They chased each other over the old stone pathway until Frost came to a stop at the top of a set of stairs. The ocean was laid out before him, and in front of him was a maginificent stone bridge that stretched across the expanse of the blue water. Their destination was finally within sight; The Hatching Point, the beginning of Dragons and their final bastion before they all went extinct.

Umbra finally caught up to Frost. “What was that about?!” She snapped. Frost ignored her and stepped onto the bridge. “We’re finally here.” “Frost! Answer me!! That was your family! Why…Why did you yell at them like that?” “They’re not my family.” “Yes they are! They care about you, isn’t it obvious?” “You don’t get to decide who I consider family.” Frost turned to Umbra with a scowl. “They are dead to me Umbra, much like your mother is to you.” He said slowly.

For some reason Umbra was so blinded by her confusion and rage. She would kill to have a family who cared, why did Frost throw it all away like that? It wasn’t fair, Umbra wanted what he had so badly, couldn’t he see? In an act of selfishness, without thinking she swiped angrily at Frost, catching his nose. He yelped and stumbled back, blood dripping from his nose. He suddenly stepped off the bridge, his front paws slipped, and just like that he was gone, plunging into the ocean.

“FROST!!” Umbra screamed, racing to the edge of the bridge and nearly falling off herself. Note had arrived just in time to see Umbra swipe at Frost and to see him fall off, and seconds later she raced past Umbra and dove after him, but Frost was nowhere to be found. All he left behind was a cloud of blood. Eventually, Note returned to Umbra, who was staring at her blood-stained claws, her ears pinned back and her heart racing. “Umbra…” Note spoke, her voice shaking. “What-…What have you done?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Frost quickly swam to the surface of the water and clambered up onto a moss-covered floor. He felt as if he was going to be sick as he coughed up sea water. Once he was finished, he looked around, ignoring his stinging nose. He was sitting on the inside of a hollowed out tree, a rather large one. How in the world did he even get here? “Hello Frost.” A voice spoke above him, causing him to jump. A small, lithe, stone-furred cat stood above him on a branch. “Who are you?” Frost asked, in shock. “I go by many names, but you may call me Shade.” Shade’s eyes captured all the hues of a raging fire, yet her eyes were warm and soft.

“How do you know my name?” “I know lots about you Frost, but it’s best if I don’t reveal my methods to you just yet. I have brought you here to keep you safe. When the time comes, you will return to your friends, but for the time being I will train you for the trials you will have to guide your friends through.” Shade jumped down from the branch onto the moss covered floor with ease.

“Then where are we?” “It’s called the Darkened Place. This is where souls untouched by time lay. Time does not exist here, when you return to your friends you will have not aged a day.” Shade says. “But there is lots of explaining to do. Come along, I shall show you what needs done.” She walked past him, her tail and head held high. Frost weighed his options, and slowly, he stood and followed Shade deeper into the hollowed tree.

[yomiel]

warrior cats rp minecraft server shoutout!!

pawstep pathway is super rad with a kind close knit community, expansive gorgeous map, nifty plugins, no donator ranks/perks, four unique clans, two rival city gangs, and lots of land for loners to roam! i've been playing on it for the past two days and i'm already really into it!!

to connect it's play.pawsteppathway.com

if you decide to check it out say stan sent ya ;V

[sapiomorph]

A Fox’s Grin

Ears twitching, Obi let out a massive yawn, the light from the noon day’s sun glinting off of his canines. It was one of those days; when time slowed to a crawl, and he had absolutely nothing to do. He’d already finished the assignments given to him for the day, Kiki and Mitsuhide were training the guard, again, and the Mistress was currently having a private lunch with Prince Zen, which meant...

Obi shuffled his back against the tree trunk, trying to find a more comfortable spot without sitting on his tail or falling off the bough.

Which meant that Obi was here in his favorite tree, trying to take a nap in the sunshine. A nap was all he really wanted, and yet there was something charged in the atmosphere of the castle, what with all the drills and new patrols. Something about a diplomatic meeting or...was it something else? Whatever it was, it set his instincts off, like an itch just beneath his fur that warned of a storm brewing just over the horizon.

Moving carefully, Obi lay on his stomach, his thick tail lazily drooping over the branch.

He knew he should care about the goings on of the place, and he probably would later on, but for right now, he pushed it all out of his mind, Caring could wait.

Willing himself to relax, to ignore his surroundings as he so infrequently did, Obi’s eyes slid closed as he fell into a light doze, one black ear still pricked up.

..............

He snapped back into consciousness when he heard steps in the grounds below him. They tapped along the stone pathway before crossing over the grass, heading for the trunk of his tree. Pawsteps; light, but purposeful. He knew that step.

Obi waited for a few moments when the steps halted beneath him before breaking the silence.

“Hello Little Ryuu. Heading back to the pharmacy?”

Obi popped open one golden eye and grinned down at the young fauna, twiddling his fingers in a small wave. Ryuu blinked up at him, his chocolate brown hair and fur shifting a bit in the light breeze. Sharp as a nail, Ryuu was one of the more unique fauna Obi had met in his life, wise beyond his years and adorably awkward at the same time. Ryuu was the youngest “adult” at Wistal Castle, and Obi was incredibly fond of him.

“Yes.” Ryuu answered with that quiet voice of his, teal eyes running over Obi and the tree. His ears twitched and Obi held back another grin. Sooner or later, Ryuu was going to ask why a fox insisted on climbing trees.

“Did I disturb your afternoon nap? It wasn’t my intent.”

Obi waved a hand while shaking his head. “Don’t worry Little Ryuu! I wasn’t making any progress anyway.”

Stretching his back, Obi hopped down to the grass. Wagging his tail in a leisurely wave, he folded his arms and smiled. 

“Shall I accompany you back to the Pharmacy then?”

Ryuu ducked his head, his thin tail lashing back and forth. “Ah...yeah...if you want.”

Together, they made their way to the pharmacy, Ryuu padding quietly by Obi’s side. And this time, the fox didn’t hold back his smile.

[witchlynx]

Gentle pawsteps go unnoticed in the quiet stillness of the cave. None but the sharpest of ears would note the subtle displacement of earth and stone as the curious cryptid makes his way in the dark.

There is a soft glow to his eyes, his horns, his spikes. A resonate blue, a bioluminescence, that lingers along his pathway charting the unknownable course.

There are ears and eyes sensing in the dark but they make no obstruction to the dragon's way. Silent sentinels gathered in deepest dark, only make note of his passing. Apraising, finding him worthy.

Moisture all around him and the quiet echoes of water, dripping down from the ceiling to gather in pools at his feet. The tunnel opens to a central cavern and moonlight spills in from a lacework of openings above. Billions of stars reflected again and again in pools all around, creating galaxies of their own.

Amongst them, a great creature, bird-like, draconic, imposing. A silver glow eminating from His pearlescent hide, mirroring in the quartzes that line His cavern growing in great clusters from all sides.

He turns His great head, a movement swift and decisive w eyes aflame in a mirror of blue. A stifling of great wings, a rush of movement as He lowers His grandiose bulk to inspect His newest disciple.

Words reverberate in the dragons skull, a deep and primal noise to match the ambient sound of waves that echoes all around them.

Who, are you?

[marsupialmuseum]

WIP of another artistic liberty custom design for someone in PPWC based on the name Reedwhisper :)

I tried to make the tail look like a common reed because I loooove incorporating the name into the design

[maidenmars]

Soulpaw Pt. 2

While Soulpaw was still by the Red Pool, a kit sat next to him and Soulpaw immediately claimed the little one as his little sister. She joined Brackenclan and became Splashkit. From the moment she joined till the time she became an apprentice, Splashpaw visited Soulpaw by the Red Pool. Soulpaw began appearing later and more faint each day but still, the two cats met. And they loved each other very much. One day, Splashpaw asked why Soulpaw was so transparent. He replied by saying he lived on memory. He told her of how rouges had invaded the clan camp and he was taken during he battle. As long as he was remembered, he would stay by the Red Pool just as he liked to do in life. If he were to be forgotten, he would fade completely away. Splashpaw then said that Soulpaw would never fade as long as she is around. Even with that declaration, Soulpaw continued to fade each day. It soon crossed many of the cats' minds that Splashpaw was keeping Soulpaw from moving on but they seemed so happy together so no one said anything...

[marsupialmuseum]

Bloodstar sketch I did at work... I love this freak

Random Bloodstar info, for those who aren't members of Pawstep Pathway:

He's very young for a leader (about 25 moons old), and he was unexpectedly thrust into the position after the death of the previous leader and deputy. Until then, he pretty much avoided his clanmates (which wasn't all that hard to do because many of them shunned him for fear that he was cursed), and he didn't have any friends in HollowClan to speak of.

Because he's so young and he never had much social interaction growing up, he possesses almost none of the qualities a good leader should have. Trying to make the right choices is difficult for a cat who was never involved with his clan beyond hunting and patrolling.

Right now, there's a murderer on the loose in HollowClan, and the clan is on edge- no one knows who to trust. Bloodstar barely knows his clanmates, and he has no idea who the murderer could be, but he's decided that when he catches them, he's not going to afford them any mercy.

[marsupialmuseum]

Artistic liberty custom design I did for another Pawstep Pathway (Minecraft-based Warriors rp server!!!) that was based off of red auroras :) really like how they turned out!! I've been having so much fun making Warriors designs lately. Honestly, I've just been really into Warriors in general lately