#something that could easily kill a cat & that the Clans know how to treat but some loners might not y'know?

[boilingrain]

I have been overcome with the urge to kill off 3 of the 4 named relatives I've given Applestripe.

Which does add a heartbreaking side note that the 4th relative, who is alive but left a long time ago, doesn't know that the others are dead

Sorry Applestripe

[arc-misadventures]

Kingdom of Lunaris au: Could we please have Glynda’s meeting with Jaune whereshe decides to join him and it’s decided that she shall be his Queen?

Accession to the Throne

Glynda: This… None of this was what I was expecting…

Wojtek: And, what were ye expecting?

Glynda: Last reports I received were that this place was just a mineshaft that found a rich dust vein. That only a hundred, or so people lived out side in a small village.

Wojtek: And, ere ye are, in da midst of da, Kingdom of Lunaris! All started by a man who was once yer student.

Glynda: Mr. Arc has always been a leader, but to turn this place into a kingdom, with him as his king in a fortnight… As a teacher I hoped for him to become the best, Huntsman he could possibly be. But, to give that all up, and become a king… I don’t know how to handle such information.

Wojtek: How any one should; one bit at a time.

Glynda: Wise words indeed. It’s just… This place has a highly functional economy, a military force that puts, Atlas to shame. Underground farms that are so well maintained, and operated, that you could stay trap inside for a century, and never go hungry. Wealth, an abundance that all are treated equally. A Hunter Academy filled with promising young students I have never seen the likes before. I could dare say this place is perfect.

Wojtek: Ha! Dare say you may, but not all is well. Da oder kingdoms do demand upon us, grain, and Dust. Why, because we’s ave it, and dey want it. Da, Grimm still besach our walls, and our mines with dere accursed presence! And, above all, da King stands alone…

Glynda: Alone? But, I thought he had plenty of… Concubine’s at his side. Why does he stand alone?

Wotjek: Aye, he may have concubines; an heir to da throne is someding we need not concern ourselves with. For one among dem may be capable of baring da weight of da crown. But, what we lack is a queen. A queen capable to stand besides ‘em.

Glynda: A queen? But, why can’t one of his concubines… Ugh, I hate referring my students in such a manner. Why can’t they become his queen?

Wotjek: Dey may each be strong in dere own right. But, none of dem ave da strength, nor da wisdom it takes to wear da crown. It shows dere strength dat dey recognize dis demselves. But, it does little to ease our worries…

Glynda: What do you mean by, ‘They don’t posses the strength, nor the wisdom to wear the crown?”

Wotjek: To bare da burden of da crown, one must ave unyielding strength, unwavering courage, and wisdom beyond der years, and must be an unwavering leader in der own right to bare the weight of da crown. Dos three have not the strength nor wisdom to bare it.

Glynda: What do you mean?

Wotjek: Yang Xiao Long, da Aideen Xifeng, of Clan Azar Blades may bare strength, and power like a raging inferno. But, her fire can easily become a raging wildfire if kept unchecked. Nor does she ave experience leading oders into battle. And, she could not bare da weight of a life that is lost under her command.

Glynda: I always thought her temper was one of her greatest weaknesses. If kept unchecked it could get her killed, or someone else. And, you are right, there are reasons we never gave her command of her own team, we knew she couldn’t handle the burden it places upon someone. But, what about, Blake Belladonna? Her father is, Ghira Belladonna, surely she bares some strength of leadership.

Wotjek: Da baying cats whelp?! Ha! She has not da head for leadership.

Glynda: What do you mean?

Wotjek: Blake Belladonna, da Enver Feichín, of Clan Duibhin, may see more in da dark den others, but she sees little upon her mind.

Glynda: You’re talking about how she can easily become tunnelled vision on something. To the point where she ignores resting, and eating in some desperate need to obtain her goal.

Wotjek: I was not aware she could become so clouded in a blind pursuit of her desires… Hmm… I best warn da others of dis possibility…

Glynda: Has she been causing you much trouble?

Wotjek: Not yet, but yer words worry me. Her focus on da Fa’nis is all consuming. She demands of da King to help dem. Yet she can offer no reasoning on why we should elp dem. Da law decrees we must be given a credible reason to elp someone. Yet, she has offered no such reasoning.

Glynda: Hmmm… What about, Pyrrha Nikos, why isn’t she a candidate to be the, Queen. Surely she is one worthy of a crown?

Wotjek: Da, Davika Valda, as da, Queen?! Bahahaha! Such a notion is a poor idea!

Glynda: And, why is that?

Wotjek: Da, Davinka Valda may be a great warrioress, and da King’s Champion. She has not da spine to lead, the marionette is too accustomed to being posed, and being told what she must do, then command dose she must lead.

Glynda: Ahh, I had hopped her time here may have changed that part of her personality.

Wotjek: It take time to change nature; Move too slowly, and da river never changes it course, too fast, and ye be unable to control its course.

Glynda: Wise words indeed. So, there will be no, Queen for the Kingdom under the mountain then?

Wotjek: Hmm… Da possibility still remains, but it depends on if she desires da crown, and more so him.

Glynda: Really, who is this person?

Wotjek: It matters not; unless she decides on where she wishes to tread, it is meaningless to us. Now come, Lady Goodwitch, da King awaits.

~~~

Glynda: I expected more gold covering the walls…

Wotjek: Da, King despises such vain displays of wealth. It betrays da true wealth of da kingdom for shiny baubles.

Glynda: And, what is the true wealth of the kingdom?

Wotjek: Da people who make da shiny baubles.

Glynda: Pff~! Hahaha-ahahaha~! Oh, I see, Jaune has grown much. Or, was he always like this…? Regardless which it is, I look forward to seeing him again.

Wotjek: Den why wait any longer, Lady Goodwitch. For ere is da, King!

Jaune: Da fock do ye bastards mean, we ain’t gonna send da Shield-Breakers?! Ya dink we’re gonna level da whole focking town?! Why, I’ll smash yer heads for dinking we woulds do someding like dat for da ell of it!

Glynda: …

Wotjek: …

Glynda: Well… He’s certainly became more… expressive since I last saw him.

Wotjek: Ahh, dey’s done upset da, King. Dere gonna get it now.

Azar Commander: But, My King. Why are we sending our troops to an little town? Dere’s nothing, but farm land out dere?

Jaune: Dat’s precisely why yer gonna go dere!

Skender Ásgierr Commander: I do not follow you my, King.

Jaune: Haa… You sees da map before ye?

SAC: I do my, King.

Jaune: And, what do ya see in it?

AC: Da, Kingdom of Lunaris.

Jaune: And, is dat all ye sorry sods can see?

SAC: Is there more to see my, King?

Jaune: Da towns, and villages! Da people dat live around, and about our glorious kingdom! Dat’s who yer supposed ta see!

AC: But, why my, King?

Glynda: Because just like any town, village, or hamlet, the true treasure are the people who live there, not the land, and resources about them.

AC: What?! Who da ell are you?!

SAC: Dis is a state matter, identify yourself outsider!

Wotjek: Dis be da, Lady Glynda Goodwitch! Deputy Headmistress of Beacon Academy. Former teacher to, Jaune Arc the Engraver, King of Lunaris. And, you will treat her with respect…

AC: My apologies, Lady Goodwitch. If I had know, I would ave held my tongue.

SAC: I offer my sincerest apologies as well. By insulting you, I ave also insulted my, King in turn. I shame myself, and my clan by my actions.

Glynda: You are both forgiven; You knew not who I was so your reactions are understandable.

AC: My thanks.

SAC: You have my gratitude.

Glynda: You are welcome. Now then, I believe your plan, King Arc, was to provide support, most likely military support, medical, or food supplies to the surrounding towns, and villages to form ties with them to eventually have them join as members of the, Kingdom of Lunaris.

Jaune: Ahahaha~! At last, someone who understands my thinking!

Wotjek: Is dat true my king?

Jaune: Aye it is! We will expand our lands, and build upon our kingdom! By brining in dese towns, and villages dat surround our kingdom! We will also enhance it in ways dat will benefit our kingdom for years to come!

SAC: In what ways my, King?

Jaune: As of now, our kingdom is built upon metal, and Dust. Dey’re finite resources! We must rectify dis problem, or we all will fall!

Glynda: You desire to build up this kingdoms industries?;By expanding your control to the surrounding lands, you can increase your farming yields, diversify the types of products you can farm, further expanding your industry, and manufacturing.

Jaune: Aye, I plan to dat an more, my Witch~!

Glynda: Y-Your witch…?

Jaune: Commander, Haakon!

AC: My, King!

Jaune: Take a force of your men along with some of da, Islywn Rangers, and establish relations with da people to the west of dis line!

AC: It will be done my, King!

Jaune: Commander, Aillard!

SAC: Yes my, King?

Jaune: You will do da same, but to da east!

SAC: As you command my, King.

Jaune: Wotjek da Storm Caller!

Wotjek: Your, Grace b

Jaune: Inform da, Hunters to prepare for training missions, and routine patrols of da surrounding lands. Even if da people chose not to join us, protecting dem will protect us in turn.

Glynda: Not to mention this activity will improve your relations with them to a point that they may chose to join for the benefits they will gain for the long run.

Wotjek: It will be done.

Jaune: Good, now go, I wish to talk in private with, Lady Goodwitch.

Wotjek: As you wish my, King.

~~~

Jaune: So, why are you ere, Lady Goodwitxh?

Glynda: Lady Goodwitch~! Ahem! I came here searching for my missing students.

Jaune: And, did you find dem?

Glynda: I did, and I wanted to bring them back home, back to, Beacon. However… They are already home.

Jaune: We are a kingdom dat accepts all who come, so long as dey are willing to prove demselves worthy of joining da people of, Lunaris.

Glynda: A noble idea. Something more kingdoms should accept. But, Jaune… There is something I wish to ask you.

Jaune: What is it?

Glynda: After being here, spending the day around the people here, around my students, and the new lives they have created here. And, after seeing how full their lives now are left me thinking how mu y life has been so monotonous, so routine. I desire a change in my life, and I know just what I want to do! I wish to join! Join you, and become a member of the, Kingdom of Lunaris!

Jaune: You’d be throwing away yer old life to come ere. Are you willing to make dis sacrifice?

Glynda: …

Glynda: I am willing to make this sacrifice.

Jaune: Very well… To prove yer worth to da, Kingdom. I place you as da head of da, Hunter Academy. And, I grant you da title of, Glynda Goodwitch, da Eidorthea, Headmistress’s of Bríghid Academy. May you serve us long, and with honour!

Glynda: It will be my honour, your Grace.

Jaune: Now den… Is dere anyding else you wish to speak about? If not, I as you to take yer leave, I ave much work to do.

Glynda: There is one thing else I wish to speak about your, Grace.

Jaune: And, what is it?

Glynda: I… I heard you were looking for a, Queen…

///

This story is just gonna be a lot of world building, and I’m loving it!

[flippythegodzilla]

Ok I’m going to do a warrior rant about the PO3 and OOTS.. that it shouldn’t have been tigerstar as the leader of the dark forest..I love tigerstar he honestly my favorite villain but.. he shouldn’t have been the leader.. there were going all about how jayfeather lionblaze and dovewing were reincarnations.. so instead it should be an enemy of the past.. maybe One-eye or Slash! The wiki said that one of the Erins said that One-Eye was the one to founded the dark forest so maybe it could be him

And.. and you can have cats go dream themselves when they lose faith in starclan.. crookedstar with how everyone was treating him after he broke his jaw and wondering why starclan did this.. Thistleclaw after snowfur’s death.. anger and hatred at starclan for taking his love.. and then all the clans having their faith in starclan shaken after the twolegs destroyed their homes.. giving the dark forest enough power to bring cats to them..

You could have one-eye be the one to train brambleclaw and hawkfrost.. because after what bramblepaw said to tigerstar.. to decline joking tigerclan.. I still find it hard to believe that he would train with tiger.. they mess up that but I think.. but having a cat that has a warrior name.. that no one knows.. that can really trick bramble.. hawk can either done the same as canon with wanting power but trying not to do the same as tiger (unknowingly he was listening to the one who gave tigerstar the idea)

If they had to put tigerstar in.. show us how far he fallen.. no longer the leader.. no longer the cat in charge.. but a pawn that can easily be thrown away just how he treated most cats in his life..have him still wanting to kill fire for doing this to him (boy doesnt realizes that this is all his fault) while lionblaze, jayfeather and dovewing do what they were prophecy to do..no fourth cat.. or maybe have Firestar actually be a reincarnation.. maybe of thunderstar or something I don’t know..

That’s just a plot I had in my head

[differentbuthuman]

I loved Raya and the Last Dragon and the only complaint I have is that it was made by Disney. Of course that’s more of a connecting point to all the small complaints I have but still.

Okay let’s dive in.

I was spoiled for this movie before I watched it. I was trying to decide if I should watch it considering I’m technically an adult and as such followed the content on all media sites that I could find. Now I didn’t exactly want to go to a theater to watch it considering and I didn’t want to pay Disney when I wasn’t going to a theater and was perfectly capable of waiting for it to come out free. I luckily didn’t have to wait long.

And I’m not saying that a certain website that shall not be named had it, but before I get into spoiler territory I just wanted to mention this cool site I found called soap2day.

Okay now that that’s out of the way past this point is spoilers, spoilers, and oh look more spoilers.

Lets start with the beginning. Raya sneaking into the cave with tut-tut’s help made me go awwwww and it should not have since we were supposed to think she was stealing something. And when I tell you how confused I got over that I mean I was really madly confused. Once she and the chief started joking around though I just had this Ohhhh moment that made me feel so so dumb. I loved everything about this scene. Would give it a ten out of ten. As the movie went on I realized that the taking off your shoes thing was a cultural thing and I liked that detail. Thank you whoever intervened and made sure Disney included some cultural accuracy

Side note I am a black American and I’ll do my best not to be offensive but the trope about Americans being ignorant toward other cultures and languages kinda rings way too true.

Now on to Raya’s adorable play fighting when she finds out all the clans were heading to the heart. It made me laugh and feel vividly reminded of my own awkward teen years that I’m technically still suffering through. I love how hopeful the chief is about everyone getting along and him and Raya teasing about how he definitely shouldn’t open with a joke.

Now, *takes a deep breath* Raya and Namaari had me going just date already the whole movie. Like Namaari shyly brushing her hair behind her ear, the twenty question game they seemed to be playing, them holding hands the entire time they’re going anywhere. (Is that a cultural thing, I don’t care if it is cause it’s still adorable, but I’m curious) I love that when it’s first revealed that Namaari is tracking Raya she realizes Raya is nearby because of a ring she was wearing in her hair six years ago when they met for like the first time. “I was scared you were going to become a cat lady, like me”? Who wrote these lines? I just wanna talk. I love the fact that there’s this scene where Raya is like I’m never having children and later in the movie Namaari is like getting crowded by children and she loves it.

*sighs in relief* Okay now that we’re finished with that we can get into the deeper parts of this story. Every character in this story is flawed. It’s what makes the so relatable. For the first time in a while I can say I watched a movie and didn’t immediately hate the main characters.

Chief Benja is a loving father and a strong warrior, who has such a companionate heart, but these traits play a part in the downfall of the lands. He was such a strong warrior that he felt assure he could handle any threat to stone this with his compassion lead to the decision to invite the clans and his part as a loving father lead to him lowering his blade allowing for the arrow that almost killed him to get as close as it did. He is so trusting that it is to a fault.

Then there is Raya, oh Raya, she’s cocky and untrusting. Even when the movie ends you still feel like she has a lot of growing to do. When her father pushed her into the river he told her not to give up on people but she did the exact opposite to the point that it got Sisu killed. She was so concerned for finding a way to save her father that it was as if she had simply froze herself in time with him and it was only when the movie was at the very end that she was unfrozen. Despite this it could be argued that she learned along the way what trust meant through the friends she made in every piece of the land. I think what she really learned was not to judge people by the tags she assigned to them.

Namaari is for she the Disney villain, but unlike the usual Disney villain no matter what she does you can’t see her as one. Throughout the movie it is so clear that she is never doing what she wants but instead what she has been convinced is best for her people. When she is trying to steal the stone it’s because she believes it will bring prosperity to her people, when she is betraying Sisu and Raya she does it because she has been convinced that the stone and Sisu are what’s best for her people. Even when she sacrifices herself she does it in the hope that it will be the best for everyone else. The most selfish thing she does the entire time of the movie is chasing Raya which she later justifies as getting the pieces of the stone and what Raya stole from her people.

Sisu is an unproblematic character who deserves all the love in the world. So her referring to herself as the kid who just turned the work in is crushing. Yet she like Chief Benja trust too much. It comes back to hurt her every time but she never gives up so I’ll admit that when her trust was validated I wanted to cheer a little.

Finally to wrap it up I would love to see an aftermath story of everyone picking up the pieces I mean time was frozen for six years for some people but for others it just kept going. Raya was twelve the last time her father saw her and I’d like to see him falling back into old habits so easily, but Raya struggling because she’s an adult now one used to being alone at that. I’d like to see how his years alone affect Tong and his family. I mean he was utterly alone the whole time. Everyone else had someone or something to keep them going but him. Is he sometimes just quiet for no reason? Does he fear letting his son? out of his sight? Then there is Boun when we saw him with his family he looked to be the same age as his sister. I’d like to watch his family try to readjust how they treat him accordingly. Plus he said he never left the boat, that’s six years on that boat. I’d like to see him try to adjust to other people being in what was his space, I’d like to see him being afraid of leaving the boat even though he knows it’s safe. I’d also like to watch more of Sisu, Namaari, and Raya just those three in general.

[away-from-anthills]

prologue-

How did they do it?

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

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

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

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

“Shall we begin?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shalestar, the almighty leader of WindClan.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Old agreements mean nothing now.”

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

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

The clearing went dead silent.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wouldn’t anyone?

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

[cloverpurr]

yknow sometimes i like to make little aus about my oc's. i like to think abt how things would be different if certain things hadnt happened. like darkstar, for example.

like. what would've happened if snowstar was still alive? if darkstar had never killed her?

i like to think that if snowstar was still alive by the time the three were born (mistyleaf, amberheart, darkwing), she would definitely be a bit skeptical of them at first (being related to darkstar who's still most lkely evil) but would eventually grow fond of them and would maybe help shadeheart raise them.

darkstar, on the other hand, is a bit of a tough one. the biggest thing that would change about him if he had never murdered snowstar is that he wouldnt have the urge to kill other cats. would he still be evil? most likely. but not in the way you'd expect. would he go to the dark forest when he dies? i wouldnt think so. maybe he would change, maybe snowstar would realize how horribly she treated him when he was a kit, and would apologize for her actions. i dont know if darkstar would forgive her, but maybe that would make him a bit less of an asshole towards everyone else. i like to think that shadeheart would've survived as well, and darkkit would've never been taken to shadowclan.

darkstar would still remain shadowclan's leader, and snowstar, caught up in her grief and anger, would still exile him from thunderclan. but i think that this would be by choice and not by force, snowstar gives him the option to come back and let his deputy mothwhisker become leader, but darkstar refuses, saying he belongs in shadowclan now. he wants to continue in his father's legacy, and snowstar. well. understands that. she even apologizes for "accidentally" killing cedarstar. darkstar obviously doesnt forgive her but tbh i dont blame him.

maybe darkstar would go and visit his kits in thunderclan every so often, and would grow fond of them. maybe he'd even offer shadeheart a place to stay in shadowclan. shadeheart would most likely prefer to stay in thunderclan, and although darkstar is disappointed, he wouldnt force her to stay with him or anything. maybe once the kits got older they could go and visit darkstar in shadowclan with shadeheart, and maybe once they got old enough they could go visit him without her or whenever they want.

i feel like the names of the 3 would change as well. perhaps mistyleaf would be named mistyfrost in honor of darkstar's warrior name, darkfrost. amberheart would stay the same in honor of shadeheart, and darkwing would maybe be renamed to something like darkshade. i dunno. maybe they'd stay the same bhjdfghbjngdkje

this would also affect how the three interract with others. im pretty sure everyone's relationships would stay the same but the three's personalities themselves would be differnt. currently all three of them are wary of darkstar and they know he's still out there, lurking, possibly waiting to strike at any moment. they are fearful of him and that affects their personalities a lot. darkwing is paranoid because he's being affected the most by this. he's also jealous because his sisters dont get bashed nearly as often as he does. meanwhile, mistyleaf and amberheart are just as scared as darkwing, but more fearful for their brother's safety. they fear for themselves and the clan as a whole, but are scared for their brother's health. the only times the three of them are happy are when they're with each other or their mates, they prefer to stay together and arent incredibly social because of their anxieties in fears.

however, in this au, where darkstar is no longer a threat, the three are much more open personality wise. amberheart is much more expressive and emotional, easily the most optimistic of the three. mistyleaf, while being much more quieter and reserved, is just as optimistic as her sister and isnt afraid to be herself. darkwing is pretty much the same as mistyleaf, the only difference being that he's quite reckless, like amberheart. mistyleaf is easily the most mature out of the three and essentially acts like their older sister, despite all of them being the same age.

also just as a sidenote, i like to think that snowstar is old n frail by the time the three become warriors and maybe one of them becomes deputy instead of alderspark. or maybe alderspark becomes deputy but dies or retires for whatever reason. or maybe she gets exiled. evil alderspark au, perhaps?

but anyways, maybe one of the three becomes deputy. maybe snowstar makes amberheart her deputy, and although she's quite young by this point, she still proves herself in being one of thunderclans' greatest deputies. and once snowstar dies to old age, amberheart becomes amberstar. and although darkstar is sad to see snowstar go, he's proud of his daughter for becoming thunderclan's leader.

so in this au, if darkstar isnt evil and doesnt kill anyone, what would happen to darkfeather hawkeyes stormheart and willowshade? i like to think that they would still be born, but wouldnt be part of a prophecy. or maybe they would be part of a prophecy that didnt involve darkstar at all. maybe it could be about alderspark, a rogue thunderclan cat who was exiled for... unknown reasons. maybe in this au, if darkstar isnt evil, and if alderspark doesnt become leader, then maybe she could be the evil one and she could be the one to essentially take darkstar's place.

sorry that this is a lot! i just had a lot on my mind haha

[mercyandmagic]

Hi, mercyandmagic thank you for answering my asks... :D

Don't know if you remember, but I've asked before of your top 5 fav mxtx characters, and you've answered yours. If you don't mind me asking, can I ask you, why you like those characters (in a longer asnwer)? Sorry, if I ask you similar question again......

Yessss. This gonna be long. We’ll start from 5th and work our way to #1. 

5. Wei Wuxian

First, there’s just something incredibly refreshing about an untamed (ahem) character who says the thing everyone thinks but won’t dare say. It is my second-favorite character trope (We’ll get to the first). Plus, he has a great sense of justice and a self-sacrificing spirit... and yet he is capable of great cruelty, sadism, and hurting others to vent his pain (Nightless City, Wen Chao). Believe it or not, the fact that he has done great evil he cannot undo makes me love him more... because he knows it.  

In Chapter 68, when he’s confronted, he doesn’t deny killing Fang Mengchen’s parents, nor taking Yi Weichun’s leg. He doesn’t show anger at their valid pain; he merely points out that nothing he can do now will undo the damage he caused. 

He also has a low tolerance for BS and a high level of empathy. The fact that he scoffs at the cultivators gossiping against Jin Guangyao, the fact that he isn’t happy they have a new scapegoat, speaks a lot. Plus, he can easily understand why the Hook Hand’s final victim needs to scream (Ch. 124), why Jin Guangyao spared Sisi (Ch. 111) and made the Guanyin Temple (Ch. 110), why Nie Huaisang doesn’t want to admit what he did (Ch. 110), etc. Wei Wuxian is just great.

4. Qin Su

She deserves far more appreciation than she gets. She was involved in the Sunshot Campaign. When society judged Jin Guangyao and Meng Shi for their status, Qin Su never did. She loved the man who saved her life. She was willful enough to be the pursuer in her relationship with Jin Guangyao (Ch. 47), and was open to sleeping with him to ascertain their marriage (Ch. 106). She’s naive and trusting, despite losing her son. She’s loyal AF even to Bicao, even though Bicao literally sold her out for jewelry (ahem, Ch. 85). 

Qin Su. only has a short side role in the larger novel, but she’s a fully developed human.  That’s incredible.

3. Lan Wangji

I relate to Lan Wangji more than any of the other characters. Not being able to communicate, or being afraid to – relatable. Plus, having grown up fundamentalist Christian, I find the way in which Lan Wangji’s stubborn rule-following gives way to a willingness to break the rules when it does no harm or helps those he loves... inspiring. Like, he goes from having himself beaten for being pulled outside the Cloud Recesses (something this scrupulosity-sufferer relates to very well) to giving Wei Wuxian the Emperor’s Smile hidden in the Jingshi (Ch. 65).  

If I may add, I read MDZS around the same time I watched GOT Season 8. There’s a similarity in how Wei Wuxian and Daenerys Targaryen have murderous breakdowns after losing everything and everyone close to them. And yet instead of putting Wei Wuxian down like a dog (side eyes Jon Snow), Lan Wangji takes him away, tries to save him, still believes he is capable of good. In his own words, he’s “willing to bear all of the consequences with [Wei Wuxian].” Lan Wangji believes in redemption, in chance after chance. He’s refreshing in a world that believes one deed can stain you forever. I love him.

2. Lan Xichen

He’s just... good? Like, really good? He has to balance leading a clan with a society that is very Not Good, and this definitely leads to some gray points (The Wens, saying nothing in support of Mianmian, etc). But he, like Qin Su, refuses to judge people for origins. He always has to see the good in others – as Ch. 105 says, “whenever he heard there might be hidden reasons, he just had to hear it.” Lan Xichen wants to know and sympathize with everyone’s reasons. That’s just... wonderful. 

It’s notable that his whereabouts for the First Siege of the Burial Mounds are unknown. Lan Qiren led the Gusu Lan Clan, not Lan Xichen (Ch. 68). Which makes me speculate that while he thought Wei Wuxian was done for, he couldn’t bear to participate in killing the man his brother loved.   

He’s a touch avoidant, as seen when he tells Wei Wuxian he does not want to know why his mother killed his father’s teacher (Ch. 64). (I will also defend him agains the charges that he was wrong to try to reconcile Nie Mingjue and Jin Guangyao – they were his friends and Lan Xichen believed in them. Those two made their own choices, and it was Not Lan Xichen’s Fault). 

Anyhow, he’s good. And he loves Jin Guangyao. I know MXTX said she did not write a romance with them, and I don’t think they ever would have cheated on Qin Su. But that does not diminish that Lan Xichen’s seclusion at the end of the novel, is described as “exactly reversed” from when Lan Wangji was mourning Wei Wuxian (Ch. 114).  

1. Jin Guangyao

My favorite character. trope, the sneaky bastard with daddy issues! What makes Jin Guangyao stand out even among all my favorite sneaky bastards is that... his actions are so very gray that IMO he’s not even really a villain.

For real, what did Jin Guangyao do? Kill his brother who tried to kill him first and was slowly losing his grip on reality and hurting him and Nie Huaisang anyways? (Ch. 49, 50) It was still wrong – and I firmly believe that the motivation was payback for ‘son of a prostitute,’  (as Wei Wuxian suggests, Ch. 104) and not safety – but my point remains. (Plus there’s the implication that Jin Guangshan willed it, too). (Ch. 106).

Married his lover after discovering she was his sister to keep her from being an unwed mother? (Ch. 106) In that situation, I wish he had told Qin Su so she could choose, too, but I fail to find anything condemnable in Jin Guangyao’s actions there. 

Furthermore, when writing “Sentiment” and now “Sunlit Jade,” what I’ve been struck by is that most of his misdeeds end with killing Jin Guangshan. 

The possible exception is Jin Rusong (and since our main source for the idea of cold-blooded filicide and framing of an innocent clan leader is Clan Leader Yao, I am highly skeptical). And Xue Yang remaining alive, but again, we don’t know if Jin Guangyao chose to let him go with a warning/beating severe enough to disable his leg, or if Jin Guangyao truly meant to kill him (I favor the former position, but it’s open for interpretation).

Now, how Jin Guangyao kills and the fact that he does kill his father is wrong. Burning the brothel? Wrong, though I understand his hatred of that place and the people there. Killing the He Clan? Wrong, but 1) it’s on his father’s orders, and 2) he has a rather intriguing reaction when Xue Yang shuts He Su in alive with the corpses. (Ch. 118). 

He looks for something to “comfort” himself. 

This is strange, because he’s previously been a torturer (Ch. 47). What is more torture to him? 

I don’t know the answer, but it speaks to someone who suffers a lot, who did a lot of terrible things in pursuit of a love from his father that never came. And someone who, once he gains power in the position of Chief Cultivator, implements a program to save more commoners’ lives than ever before (Ch. 42).

That’s not the action of a villain.

[Sidenote, and based off a comment that wryhun on AO3 once left me: What I love the most about Jin Guangyao, and MDZS as a whole, is depending on the perspective you take, anyone can be an antagonist or a protagonist.

Jiang Cheng can be Wei Wuxian’s tsundere shidi (reader perspective), or he can be the serial killer of demonic cultivators who refuses to help commoners with spirits unless people have already died (Innkeeper’s perspective, Ch. 92).

Nie Huaisang can be the avenging didi (often a fan’s perspective), or the person who treated the juniors like fodder, killed cats, and sliced up a woman’s body just for revenge (Wei Wuxian’s perspective in Ch. 110, Jin Guangyao’s perspective in Ch. 108).]  

Jin Guangyao is an antagonist because his goals conflict with Wei Wuxian’s. But he’s really no worse than many of the other characters, and in fact, while all have suffered, he’s arguably suffered some of the worst circumstances of all. 

He makes poor choices, although he insists he doesn’t have a choice. I believe that he believes he has no choice... but he does. And that is so very, very tragic. 

I love him and want the world (or really just Lan Xichen) for him. 

[doritopaw101]

Arc1, book 3: Chapter 2

Silverstream sighed as the water lapped at his paws and belly. He felt the soft paws of Featherkit and Gillkit nudge his belly, their small whimpers made him smile. He moved his body a little making it easier for his kits to latch.

'Graystripe says Featherkit looks just like me. I wish I could see that for myself' Silverstream thought with sorrow. Mudfur did his best to save his eyesight, even trying some herb mixtures that he was taught by WindClan's old medicine cat Hawkheart, but nothing worked. Silverstream didn't care too much; there were worse fates.

"Um… Silverstream?" Silverstream turned his head to the sound. Although he couldn't see that well anymore, he recognized the voice as Dogpaw's, and could also smell Vixentail, Blackclaw, and Bluepaw with them.

"Yes, Dogpaw?"

"I brought you some carp," Dogpaw mewed. "I know it's your favorite."

"I made sure that it's not poisoned this time," Vixentail growled, while Dogpaw let out a little whimper of guilt. Personally, Silverstream didn't blame Dogpaw or Bluepaw for the fish, no matter what others thought. He knew the apprentices already had enough struggles, and he knew it was the Twolegs fault.

"Thanks, Dogpaw," Silverstream mewed, pawing at the ground to find where Dogpaw had put the fish. Feeling its wet, slimy form beneath his paws, he bent down and began to chew on it.

Blackclaw must've been watching him struggle to find the fish, because she murmured, "We don't need any more blind cats," under her breath. Vixentail murmured a quiet agreement, but Silverstream still heard them both. He was used to the blind comments by now. He knew the only reason they didn't say it to his face was because he was Stormstar's kin. At least my father still treats me the same.

Silverstream had always tried not to be too offended by Blackclaw's smart remarks. After all, she had always thought he was above everyone else. Being the son of Shimmerpelt and Piketooth, two very respected fisher and fighter respectively.

And as for Vixentail, she liked to follow the black tom's lead a little too much, in Silverstream's opinion.

He was glad Stonefur dumped Blackclaw in favor of Skyeyes. He didn't deserve to be Stonefur's mate.

"How's Featherkit and Gillkit?" Bluepaw asked, the kits in question mewling loudly as they still laid pressing against Silverstream's stomach.

"Loud as ever," Silverstream chuckled. "Hungry too, I think my milk is fine for now though Bluepaw"

"What's it like being blind?" Dogpaw

"Dogpaw!" Vixentail hissed, and the loud thwack of someone's paw hitting the back of the Dogpaw's head followed.

"Ow!"

"It's fine," Silverstream said plainly. "Imagine not being able to see, but your other senses increased tenfold."

"That's cool!" Dogpaw mewed.

"No, it's not," Vixentail muttered.

"What's going on here?" Silverstream almost jumped at the sound of Voleclaw's voice. He hadn't even noticed the tom creep up on them. "Silverstream, are they bothering you?"

"Only Vixentail and Blackclaw."

"We need to take your kits," Blackclaw said. "Featherkit in fact"

Vixentail made a shocked sound but Silverstream couldn't tell if that was genuine or not.

Silverstream could recognize irritation in Voleclaw's voice now. "Why would you ever?"

"We need to make sure it healthy."

"That's Mudfur and Bluepaw's job, not yours, fish-face," Silverstream growled. "This is my kit, and you will not refer to her as it, you will refer to her as her name and that alone, Blackpaw."

Blackclaw hissed.

"Leave," Voleclaw snapped at the pair. "Don't you have patrols to do? I know Willowheart and I gave you somewhere more important to be, Blackclaw."

Blackclaw released another defiant hiss, but he was still obliged by Voleclaw's orders. Silverstream could hear him mutter angrily to himself as he stalked away with Vixentail following after him. Before the two disappeared, Vixentail called, "Come on, Dogpaw!"

"Dogpaw can stay. You two can swim away," Silverstream replied, curling his tail around Featherkit, Gillkit, Dogpaw, and Bluepaw.

/

Silverstream growled in frustration, water splashing everywhere. He missed another fish.

"Silver, I know you love fishing, but maybe-"

"Don't, Minnow. Just don't," he replied shortly. He knew what his sister would say, and that was sending him back to camp. But Silverstream didn't want to go back there again, not after what had happened with Blackclaw and Vixentail. He thought that by coming out here, he could prove herself to them again by relearning how to fish as a blind warrior, but it seemed impossible.

They felt like a dead weight in the clan, but he didn't want to feel this way anymore. Bluepaw encouraged him to help Mudfur gather herbs, but Silverstream wasn't sure if he should offer to be the old medicine cat's apprentice when his heart still yearned to be a warrior.

"You know that I'm not trying to be rude, but…" she trailed off.

Silverstream sighed. "You know I'm not really useful being blind now."

"I love you, Silver. You're my littermate."

"I know, and I love you too, Minnowpool. That's why I know you wouldn't say what you know is the truth."

Minnowpool's pelt brushed comfortingly against Silverstream's side, and he sighed. Would he ever get to be a warrior again, or was he doomed to be useless to the clan from now on?

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Icefire flicked his tail back and forth, watching the clan as they moved around the camp. He had Mistlekit nuzzled in his tail while Snowkit was playing with Waspkit and Hornetkit. He had managed to assign patrols, with some of Leopardstorm's help. The pointed white tom had been helping him adjust and even helped watch the kits with him before he led a patrol to Sunningrocks.

Taking care of kits was still something he enjoyed doing, even with his deputy duties keeping him on his toes. He'd been taking a lot of care for Milk-kit, Snowkit, and Mistlekit. Mostly to give Nettlemist a break and honestly he didn't mind bonding with the kits and wanted to look out for Milk-kit and Snowkit because they don't exactly fit clan norms.

He saw Shrikepaw bring over a sparrow, her fur just as frazzled and spiky as his Fuzzypelt's had been. "Been hunting?"

"Yep, caught this one easily," Shrikepaw purred. "I caught two squirrels, too."

"Can you take it to the elders?"

"Yep," Shrikepaw mewed. "That was okay, right?"

"Of course, sweetie," Icefire replied, licking his kit's forehead. He chuckled when he felt Milk-kit try to latch, he was so telling her this when she was older. He felt Goldenflower lay beside him. "I'll watch them, go stretch your legs," she mewed. "Shrikepaw, you can help, if you want."

"Cool."

Icefire slowly got up and made his way around camp, deciding to pay a visit to the elders. As he approached the fallen oak where the elders made their den, voices drifted up from behind its bare branches.

"Darkstripe's kits will be born soon, and Cherrycloud and Thymeroot have finally named their kits," Speckletail mewed.

"New kits are always a good omen, sister," White-eye purred. "What are they called?"

"Badgerkit and Stork-kit"

"Starclan knows we could do with a good omen," Smallear muttered darkly.

"You're not still fretting about the ritual, are you?" Patchpelt croaked. Icefure could imagine the old black-and-white tom flicking his ears impatiently at Smallear.

"The what?" White-eye mewed loudly.

"The naming ceremony for the new clan deputy," Patchpelt exclaimed loudly. "You know, when Tiger-roar and Nightshade left a quarter moon ago."

Smallear snorted, and Icefire imagined him nodding at Patchpelt. "A young cat can't be trusted to make wise decisions on the clan's behalf."

Icefure could hear Speckletail tear at her moss bedding with her claws, trying to fluff it to her liking. "A young cat with kittypet heritage, at that," she pointed out hoarsely. Icefire's heart stung at her comment, but it hurt even more when he heard Smallear's next comment.

"I'd trust an experienced traitor over Icefire, especially when his ceremony didn't follow the proper ritual. ThunderClan is as good as dead, with Icefire as our deputy."

His tail drooped as he heard the elders murmur their mutual agreement. His spirit feeling hurt beyond repair, Icefire took a few paces backwards and headed for the fresh-kill pile, wanting nothing more than to sulk and release his hurt on a mouse or two.

Maybe the elders are right, Icefire thought sadly. What if I really am a bad deputy?

/

"We should attack Shadowclan," Seedspots growled. "They're getting too pushy lately."

Icefire struggled to contain his frustration as the meeting progressed. He had been in charge for the meeting of the elite warriors as Bluestar was still sulking in her den, but it was difficult to assert his authority as a leader without his leader here. Once again, he reminded himself of the elders' conversation a night before, and he couldn't help but feel a stab of despair yet again. He wished Bluestar was here.

"They haven't done anything to warrant an attack," Raveneye mewed, the strong wafts of lavender and marigold spreading throughout the room as they spoke.

"So? They are just biding their time and getting ready to strike in the night," the tortie replied. She pointed to the map of attack that she had drawn in the dirt a while ago. "We could attack here."

"We will not attack if they haven't done anything," Icefire mewed before releasing a sigh. "Why start a fight for no reason?" There was already a border scuffle this past moon, and it had been during the last patrol that Darkstripe was allowed to lead before Icefire had the nursery cats confine him to camp. He had been a little relieved at Darkstripe's confinement, because it meant less worrying about whether Darkstripe would slip out of camp and betray ThunderClan's secrets to Tiger-roar and Nightshade somehow. He still didn't know where they were and he knows they would try to kill him, mostly Nightshade. Didn't help that he remembered that they had Brokentail and Dewflare with them.

Icefire had been part of the reinforcements to the scuffle, and he ended up ripping into Whitethroat as the black tom nearly killed Cinderfreeze. Icefire felt enraged during that fight. Whitethroat wouldn't meet with him anymore like he used to, and it was making Icefire constantly worry, and it was getting in the way of his duties. With the new pressure of being the clan's deputy, and admittedly his own insecurities, he realized that he didn't need the added stress of Whitethroat on his mind. Whitethroat would keep shutting him out no matter what he tried, so he decided it was time to be rid of Whitethroat for good.

He was snapped out of his thoughts as Seedspots countered, "You don't want to show ThunderClan's strength? I know plenty of cats who want to slash some ShadowClan hide."

"What's wrong with peace?" Embereyes asked. "At least for the moment."

"If we don't show strength then the other clans will think-"

"Who cares what the other clans think?" Icefire scoffed. "I don't. They can mind their own business." Rising to his paws, he fanned the map away with a quick flick of his tail. "This meeting is over."

"Seriously?" Seedspots snapped. "Don't you have an ounce of bravery in you?"

Icefire ignored her, and decided that was the end of it.

If only it had been that simple, but then, nothing was simple anymore.

He was on a solo hunt at the Owl Tree when he heard the awful news. He was stalking a dove that was pecking at some seeds that Icefire left for it as bait to lure it from the tree. The bird was fat, looking very well-fed this season. It'd be enough to fill two warriors' bellies.

Licking his lips, he began to creep up on his prey, careful not to disturb the leaves with his tail. As he closed in on his kill, he bunched his muscles, preparing to leap and deal the final blow. However, the bird quickly took to the skies when it was startled by a rustle in the bushes not far from his hunting place. Hissing with frustration, Icebelly turned to curse whatever had scared away his catch, only to be cut off short when Brightpaw shot into the clearing, barreling into Icefire.

He wanted to snap at the apprentice for making him miss his catch, but there was a sense of urgency around the younger cat that kept Icefire silent. Brightpaw, out of breath, took a few moments to gain their breath back before quickly mewing, "Icefire, you have to come quick. Seedspots is taking a patrol to the ShadowClan border to fight!"

Icefire felt like he should feel a ripple of shock course through him, but there was nothing. It was just like Seedspots to do something so arrogant, even against his own deputy's orders. Anger engulfed Icefire, but it was mostly directed at himself. If he had been a better deputy he would have done more to prevent Seedspots from leading such a rash attack. "Show me the way, Brightpaw. We have to stop this!"

Brightpaw, though still out of breath, managed to find enough energy to quickly lead him towards the border where Seedspots' patrol had gone. He knew it had been too late when he heard the hissing and screeching of wrestling cats at the Thunderpath. He watched the chaos unfold around him, while Brightpaw stood rigid with fear beside him.

Seedspots' patrol was even bigger than he had imagined. It seemed like half of the clan was present at the fight. He could make out Dustpelt's brown and ginger tabby fur in the cluster, the tom delivering a deep bite wound on Wetfoot's shoulder. Only a mere fox-length away from him, Robinwing and Thornpaw were both tag-teaming on Hollyflower, who looked absolutely terrified by how outnumbered the ShadowClan patrol was.

Icefire charged into the clearing, trying to find Seedspots in the fray. He noticed that Sandstorm had been a part of the fight too, and she was struggling beneath Sharpfang, who had pinned her roughly into the dirt. Icefire launched himself at Sharpfang, throwing her away from his clanmate with sheathed claws.

Sandstorm sat up quickly, her sandy fur now dotted with brown specks of dirt, and her pelt was riddled with fresh wounds. "I could have handled myself, Icefire!" she snapped.

"That doesn't matter. You shouldn't be here!" Icefire snarled at her. "Nobody from ThunderClan should. Where is Seedspots?"

Sandstorm flicked her tail vaguely towards the direction of the Burnt Sycamore. Icefire's gaze turned towards it, spotting the cat in question. Seedspots seemed to be fighting with the leader of the ShadowClan patrol, Russetfur. The she-cat's russet-coloured fur was stained scarlet as Seedspots tore her apart.

"Seedspots! Stop this at once!" Icefire yowled with fury.

If Seedspots heard him, she didn't listen. She dug her teeth deep into Russetfur's fore-leg, bowling them over and exposing her belly. Too wounded from the battle, Russetfur seemed to be hunching over in submission. She looked more vulnerable and weak than a piece of fresh-kill; an easy kill.

Seedspots must've noticed it too, because her muscles bunched beneath her fur, and she pounced at Russetfur again with her claws extended. Seeing an opportunity to end this, Icefire dove into the quarrel on winged paws, nearly dodging Oakfur as Fogtail tripped him over with his long tail. Leaping into the air, Icefire's claws met Seedspots mid-leap, and he slammed his clanmate hard on the ground.

"What the fuck?" he snarled.

"What?" Seedspots said, her fury stopping in confusion at the word 'fuck'.

"What in the name of Starclan is wrong with you?" he snapped.

"What's wrong with you, kittypet?" Seedspots sneered.

"You piece of-" he began, but he cut off as he was shoved away from Seedspots by a blur of black fur. He was too pissed when he saw Seedspots avoid his orders yet again by rolling onto his paws and pouncing on Blazefang now, who was trying to help the injured Russetfur away from the battlefield.

Not giving a damn anymore about stopping the fight, Icefire wrestled his opponent. He had his attacker locked in his claws, and the both of them were standing on their hind-legs, throwing punches and raking each other's faces with unsheathed claws. He realized it was Whitethroat that he was fighting with, but he didn't care. He shoved forward, hissing, trying to go for Whitethroat's neck.

He recognized that it was Whitethroat that he was fighting with, but blinded by fury, he didn't care. He shoved forward, hissing, aiming for Whitethroat's neck. The black tom tried to trip him up with his tail, but Icefire had been trained by the best warriors in ThunderClan. He wasn't falling for that old trick.

Icefire latched onto Whitethroat's tail with his teeth, biting down hard. Whitethroat hissed with pain, and Icefire expected him to retreat back into his territory, but Whitethroat was stronger than he thought. His strength overpowered Icefire's own, and he quickly threw Icefire on his back, forcing him into a pin. The black tom bared his teeth in a snarl.

"Do it," Icefire growled. "Finish me already or get off and run."

"I could never kill you."

"You can't fool me," Icefire retorted, recalling how Whitethroat told him about the times he shredded fought with Badgerfang, his clanmates, and even his own kits. "I know for a fact that you have no problem spilling blood."

Hurt flashed in his eyes at Icefire's jibe, but it quickly turned to anger again. "You don't know anything about me," Whitethroat snapped.

"You didn't let me!" Icefire retorted. "You never let me in. You always shut me out, just like you do with everyone else. I don't know how your clan or your kin can tolerate you."

Whitethroat slammed a paw on Icefire's lower stomach, and in response, Icefire slashed the black tom's belly with his hind-paws. Icefire was about to kick Whitethroat away from him, but he felt the ground shake beneath him, and dread crept up on him.

"Monster!" Icefire yowled.

Every cat began diving for cover, all except Icefire. He scanned the clearing to make sure that every ThunderClan warrior had made it to cover before him, and he felt frozen with fear as he spotted Swiftpaw lying on the Thunderpath, not moving. The monster was barrelling towards him at a rapid speed.

Icefire wouldn't let the apprentice become roadkill. Thinking quickly, he leaped forwards as Fogtail tried to rush to Swiftpaw's aid at the same time, the car nearing closer with every second. Seeing the monster encroach on the apprentice made Icefire panic, and he made a regretful decision.

He kicked Fogtail away as they, too, rushed to Swiftpaw's aid. He launched himself onto the smelly path and grabbed Swiftpaw by the scruff, tossing him towards his mentor on ThunderClan's side of the path before Icefire quickly dove for cover along with him, but he had leaped for safety too late. The car had hit him, and everything went black.

/

Starclan, why!

Thymeroot was frustrated and worried beyond belief. She didn't think things could get more hectic, but of course she had to be wrong. She admired her work on the unconscious Icefire's leg and tail. It hadn't been in the way too much, she managed to pop in back in and stop the bleeding. He'd keep his tail, the fur just needed to grow back and he'd need help lifting it and walking. He already had a limp, it would be worse now.

"Good job, kid," Yellowfang rasped. "The foolish cat will need it."

"He did save Swiftpaw from being killed," Thymeroot pointed out.

"That he did," Yellowfang replied. She gazed at Icefire like a queen gazes at their own kit. "Trying to be a hero."

"Better than being the villain like Seedspots," Thymeroot growled.

"She's already having the tongue lashing she deserves."

"Was it you, Goldenflower, Raveneye, Frostbite or Bluestar?"

Yellowfang chuckled. "All of the above. Raveneye and Frostbite especially tore her down."

Thymeroot couldn't share her mentor's good-nature at the moment. "What's her punishment?"

"Two day exile, and when she returns, apprentice duties until further notice."

Thymeroot sighed. Seedspots definitely deserved more than what she received. This was no time for the clan to be starting petty battles with other clans. Thanks to her, they would not only have to worry about the cryptic imprint that Tiger-roar and Nightshade's exile left on the clan, and now had to watch out for ShadowClan's retaliation.

Worry wormed within her as she cast a side-long look towards Icefire's unconscious form. The clan seemed more vulnerable than ever before. With Bluestar still sulking in her den, Icefire had been the only leader that most of the clan would obey. This attack would leave him out of commission for a long while, far longer than Seedspots' exile would last, and who knew what she'd try to encourage the clan to do next when she returned?

If they return, Thymeroot thought grimly. Seedspots obviously did not respect Icefire's authority, just like Tiger-roar and Nightshade had. Could Seedspots be another traitor in their midst and inform Tiger-roar and Nightshade of ThunderClan's weaknesses? And who would be the first to retaliate on their clan; the newly-aggravated ShadowClan, their traitorous ex-clanmates, or both of them teamed up together?

[brindlestorm]

My Truth Or Yours?

CH1 | CH2

Tigerclaw was no fool, he knew that some of his clanmates didn’t agree with his methods. There were times he may have been too quick to unsheathe his claws or snarl a taunt when his patrol ran into the neighbouring clans border patrol. But he will swear to the stars that he does it only to protect his clan.

That doesn’t mean he isn’t trying to be better, peace is better than bloodshed after all. Tigerclaw never realized just how extreme Thistleclaw’s mentoring was until Darkstripe became a warrior. Having mentored Darkstripe the same way Thistleclaw had mentored him, he hadn’t quite understood just how bad it was until he saw how Darkstripe would treat his clanmates and then immediately turn to Tigerclaw expecting praise or support. No doubt Darkstripe learned that from himself, which meant that he had learned it from Thistleclaw.

When Bluestar gave him Ravenpaw, she told him privately that she hoped Tigerclaw could shape the easily frightened kit into a more confident warrior by the end of his apprenticeship. Despite what Bluestar asked of him, Tigerclaw knew that he’d be walking a thin line with this one, he wanted to bring out the best in his new apprentice, but he couldn’t do to Ravenpaw what he had done with Darkstripe. Not just because he wanted Ravenpaw to become a respectable warrior, but if he was too aggressive, Ravenpaw would only retreat further into himself. Yes, Ravenpaw would require careful attention, they’d have to work at his pace but Tigerclaw would push him to keep trying things just beyond his comfort level.

It took about four moons, but Tigerclaw had finally managed to form a good mentor-apprentice relationship with Ravenpaw and coaxed him out of his shell somewhat. He was still a little skittish and would occasionally flinch during battle training, but they could share a few good-natured jokes between them.

The only issue was that now that Ravenpaw was more relaxed, he also got distracted more often. Several times now, Tigerclaw had caught Ravenpaw spacing out, watching birds in the sky or nosing around plants, but not in search of prey.

Tigerclaw stalked over to where Ravenpaw was, he was supposed to be tracking the rabbit he scented earlier, but instead he was sniffing curiously around a patch of yellow flowers.

“Ravenpaw, how do you expect to feed the clan with a bunch of leaves?” Tigerclaw growled lowly, “The trail will go stale by the time you get your head out of the clouds!”

Ravenpaw jumped. “S-sorry Tigerclaw! I just noticed that there’s a patch of goldenrod and maybe Spottedleaf could use some for her stores...” Ravenpaw hung his head in shame, “I’m sorry Tigerclaw, I’ll do better.”

Tigerclaw sighed and beckoned his apprentice closer, “I’m not upset Ravenpaw, but you need to focus on your training, you want to be a warrior with your brother, don’t you?”

It didn’t go unnoticed by Tigerclaw when Ravenpaw hesitated before nodding earnestly. “Ravenpaw... You do want to be a warrior, right? Are you interested in plants because...?”

Another thing he probably learned from Thistleclaw, though many warriors seem to share this sentiment. What was so interesting about plants and berries? Sure it's important, medicine cats are the most respected cats in a clan next to the leader, but how could a life in a stuffy den filled with plants be appealing when they could be patrolling borders and providing for their clan?

Ravenpaw’s stuttered mew broke him out of his thoughts.

“Well, I don’t really know? I do enjoy hunting and learning battle moves with you, I just... also like learning about medicine? Sometimes I like to stop by Spottedleaf’s den when she has patients to see what she’s doing, but I swear it's nothing more than that! I’ll keep training with you, I promise! I’ll-”

Tigerclaw gently placed his paw on Ravenpaw’s head to get him to stop talking, clearly he was about to spiral into an anxiety attack and Tigerclaw really didn’t want to deal with that again, not after all the progress they made to stop them.

“Ravenpaw, there is no shame in wanting to be a medicine cat. Though I do ask you to consider this carefully, the role of a medicine cat is a great honour, but it also requires personal sacrifice and it will take you a lot longer to earn your full name.”

Ravenpaw let out a breath, relieved that Tigerclaw wasn’t angry with him.

“That being said, focus on your warrior training for now, it won’t be long until it's time for your trip to the Moonstone. Perhaps while you’re there you can ask Starclan if you’re calling is to be a medicine cat instead, I’m sure it won’t be the first time an apprentice made such a realization and had to switch.”

“Yes Tigerclaw, I... That sounds good, should I mention this to Spottedleaf or...?” Ravenpaw asked hesitantly.

Tigerclaw shrugged, “If you want, but for now lets go catch that rabbit, hmm? Can you tell where it went?”

Ravenpaw jumped to his paws eagerly, scattering leaves and loose rocks with his excitement, though he quickly shrunk into a stalking position when Tigerclaw glared at him good-naturedly for alerting the nearby prey.

Great Starclan, if this apprentice made any more noise, he’ll end up chasing the rabbit straight into the paws of a moor-runner! _______________________________________________________________

Somehow, they managed to catch up to the rabbit near the Shadowclan border, now Ravenpaw was slowly creeping up on it. It was a large one, clearly alert for predators as its ears were twitching constantly. Tigerclaw made sure to remind Ravenpaw that he’d need to be silent if he wanted to catch it. Hopefully he would, it could feed all the elders and then some if they were lucky enough to catch it.

Ravenpaw got about a fox lengths away, in prime position to leap and catch the rabbit, but he flinched as a monster came barrelling down the thunderpath not too far away. The rabbit remained unstartled, used to the sound of monsters it seemed.

Ravenpaw glanced at Tigerclaw, hoping for a nod or a signal that it would still be alright to try and catch it after the disturbance. Just before Ravenpaw could pounce though, a familiar tortoiseshell lunged at the rabbit, killing it with a neat bite to the back of its neck.

Tigerclaw slunk over to his apprentice, “Bad luck, it’s not your fault though, you couldn’t have known Redtail would be there.” He murmured in his apprentice's ear.

The pair watched silently as Redtail started dragging the rabbit towards a bush, probably where he had left his other catches, Tigerclaw mused.

“Should we offer to help him carry his prey?” Ravenpaw whispered to his mentor.

Tigerclaw thought for a moment, it would certainly be a kind gesture considering the deputy had caught his apprentice’s prey that he tracked from Snake Rocks, but on the other paw...

“I have a better idea Ravenpaw, how quietly do you think you can climb that tree over there? I think it’s about time you learned how to follow an enemy from above.” ________________________________________________________________

The two snuck away as quietly as they could, and despite Tigerclaw’s lumbering form and Ravenpaw’s tendency to step on twigs, they managed to retreat far enough to scramble up their own trees without being noticed.

From their perches high above, they watched curiously as Redtail pulled three more large rabbits out from under the bush, dragging them one at a time closer to the Thunderpath.

“What do you think he’s doing?” Ravenpaw whispered.

Tigerclaw’s eyes narrowed, what was their deputy doing?

Redtail paused at the edge of the Thunderpath, glancing around before darting under the bush he had pulled the rabbits out from. The mentor and apprentice stayed still as they waited for Redtail to come out and retrieve the rabbits.

The sun had climbed steadily into the sky and there was still no sign of Redtail returning for the rabbits.

“Maybe he went hunting for more prey?” Ravenpaw suggested as Tigerclaw got up to stretch.

“Perhaps,” Tigerclaw mused. “Head on back to camp, Ravenpaw. Catch something for the queens on your way, I’m sure Frostfur would appreciate something fresh if the hunting patrols aren’t already back.”

Ravenpaw’s ear twitched curiously. “I thought we were going to wait for Redtail? Didn’t you want me to practice my-”

“Training is over for the day, you’ll get your chance to surprise Redtail another time, I promise.” Tigerclaw said firmly. 

“Oh well, are you going to wait for him then? That’s a lot of rabbits, should I grab one to help out or...?”

“Just get going Ravenpaw, Redtail and I will handle it.”

Ravenpaw, sensing that Tigerclaw was close to losing his patience, turned tail and darted down the tree, quickly disappearing into the undergrowth.

Tigerclaw settled back onto his tree branch, he had no intentions of leaving until he knew exactly why Redtail would leave so much prey in plain view of the Thunderpath. ________________________________________________________________

Ravenpaw was cleaning his whiskers after catching his shrew, it was small but he had already caught a mouse and a vole. Peering through the trees, he noted that it was almost sundown. He found enough to hopefully satisfy Tigerclaw, he could probably return to camp now but it might not be enough, not after losing the rabbit he and Tigerclaw followed all the way to the Thunderpath.

Ravenpaw thought for a moment, if he buried his last catch now, he could get back to the Thunderpath and surprise both him and Redtail! If he could pull it off, surely Tigerclaw would be proud of him then!

Quickly jumping to his paws, Ravenpaw hurriedly scraped a shallow hole in the earth to drop his shrew into. Then he rushed up the trunk of the nearest tree and made the quiet journey back to the thunderpath from above ground. ________________________________________________________________

Tigerclaw was dozing on his branch, starting to think Redtail might just be hare-brained and wasn’t worth waiting for when the bushes started rustling on the other side of the Thunderpath, revealing a Shadowclan patrol.

Blackfoot nimbly crossed the thunderpath, the others following quickly with ease. “So Redtail, I see you found Shadowclan some rabbits. Good job, we’ll take them from here.”

Tigerclaw bristled and prepared to leap down on top of the Shadowclan deputy. How dare he openly steal Thunderclan prey! From our deputy no less, I’ll show him!

“Just take it and go. The less time you spend stinking up our territory the better.” Redtail growled back, not moving to step away from the prey but not moving to defend it either.

Tigerclaw watched through narrow eyes as each of the Shadowclan intruders stepped forward to take a rabbit, Clawface paused and instead turned to Redtail.

Slowly and deliberately, Clawface bent his head down and rubbed it against Redtail’s cheek, taking his time as if he was greeting an old friend.

Redtail closed his eyes and breathed deeply, and then in turn, he bumped his head against Clawface’s chest for a moment, hardly enough to touch, but very clear meant to show affection.

Clawface swooped down and picked up the rabbit. “It's been good seeing you again, Redtail. May Starclan light your path.”

"And yours as well," Redtail mewed, "you all best be on your way now before the dusk patrol arrives. I'll deal with the scents you left behind."

Nodding to his fellow deputy, Blackfoot flicked his tail and darted back across with his rabbit, the others following close behind. Redtail wasted no time, grimacing as he pushed around a load of fox dung he had collected before the Shadowclan warriors had arrived, effectively hiding their scent. Tigerclaw wouldn’t be surprised if the dusk patrol came back reporting fox scent at the Shadowclan border that night with how much Redtail spread about.

Having seen enough, Tigerclaw nimbly hopped along the branches a few tree-lengths. How am I supposed to tell Bluestar any of this? Should I confront Redtail first?

Climbing down the tree, Tigerclaw was wrapped up in his thoughts, not realizing where he was until he came across the Great Sycamore tree, where Ravenpaw was waiting for him, tail twitching nervously as he tried to keep his small prey pile stacked neatly.

“Well done, Ravenpaw. I didn’t expect to find you still hunting, this will be enough for the queens and elders combined!” Tigerclaw rumbled approvingly.

Ravenpaw looked ready to jump out of his fur when Tigerclaw spoke, what had spooked him? Tigerclaw was sure Ravenpaw had heard him approaching, he certainly wasn’t trying to be quiet as he walked.

“O-oh! Thanks Tigerclaw...” Ravenpaw trailed off, he looked like he wanted to say something else but his jaw stayed firmly shut.

Tigerclaw sighed and picked up a few pieces of the prey his apprentice caught, the pair walked back to camp at an agonizingly slow pace. Tigerclaw was just about ready to drop the prey altogether and interrogate his apprentice when Ravenpaw spoke.

“Tigerclaw, is there somewhere quiet we can talk? I... I have something I need to tell you.”

Tigerclaw flicked his tail and swerved to the left, carefully sniffing around the base of a tree before heading down into the abandoned den beneath the roots.

Ravenpaw followed and set down the prey, staring nervously at his paws.

“Well? Spit it out Ravenpaw, we don’t have all day.” Tigerclaw said gruffly.

“Well I.... I’m sorry Tigerclaw.” Ravenpaw mewed quietly, “I know you told me to hunt for the queens on my way back but I really wanted to surprise you with my tree stalking.”

Tigerclaw’s eyes narrowed, “Ravenpaw, what are you getting at?”

“I went back to the Shadowclan border,” Ravenpaw confessed. “I thought maybe I’d be able to catch you and Redtail by surprise, I wanted to impress you...”

“I saw Redtail talking to those Shadowclan cats, they looked.... Very friendly with each other.”

Tigerclaw inhaled sharply, “Ravenpaw, you disobeyed direct orders! Not only that, we don’t even know what Redtail was doing, what we know could be very dangerous.”

“Am I in trouble again?” Ravenpaw mewed.

“..... No.” Tigerclaw said, “I can’t go to Bluestar with what we saw until we have more information, even if you were there with me, it's us against the clan deputy. She’d never believe us.”

Ravenpaw deflated a little, unsure if he should be glad that he wasn’t going to be punished or troubled by the fact that they can’t go to Bluestar about Redtail’s actions.

“For all we know, Redtail is acting under Bluestar’s orders to appease Shadowclan without spilling blood.” Tigerclaw continued, pacing around the den now, agitatedly flicking his tail as he tried to reason more with himself than his apprentice as to why Redtail would be working with the enemy.

“For now, you are not to say a word about this to anyone, do you understand me?” Tigerclaw said, whirling around on his apprentice.

Ravenpaw nodded mutely, pressing himself against the wall of the dens in fear.

“I need you to promise me Ravenpaw, you can’t tell anyone, not even Dustpaw. Especially not Dustpaw, okay? Can you do that?”

“I’ll keep it a secret Tigerclaw, I swear.”

“Good,” Tigerclaw said, stepping back. “Good, now let’s that get this back to camp, you go straight to your nest, alright?”

Ravenpaw nodded once more, snatching up his prey and clambered out of the den and back into the forest. The two walked back to camp at a slow pace, neither one daring to try to talk again. ________________________________________________________________

Doing as he was told, Ravenpaw deposited his prey on the pile and went to his den, carrying a small mouse with him to eat before he went to sleep.

Tigerclaw set down his prey as well, about to ask the queens if they were hungry when the hairs on his pelt began to raise when he saw Redtail approaching him.

“Tigerclaw! There you are, the dusk patrol just made their report. Fox scents have been found by the Shadowclan border, I don’t want any of the apprentices training near there until they’ve learned a few moves to take on a fox, understand?”

“Ah, uh yes Redtail. I’ll be on the lookout. How fresh was the scent? I didn’t smell anything there when I was with Ravenpaw earlier.”

Redtail eyed him suspiciously, “Fresh enough, stick to the Tallpines for now, Thunderclan can’t afford to lose any apprentices right now.”

“As you wish, now if you’ll excuse me I’m rather tired. I think I’ll retire early tonight.” Tigerclaw replied, paws itching to get away from the deputy. 

How strange, he mused. Just yesterday I would have laughed at him telling me to be careful and now I can barely stand to look at him.

Redtail nodded, “Dismissed, get some rest Tigerclaw. I’ll see you and Ravenpaw on the dawn patrol in the morning, we’ll be taking the Twolegplace border.”

Tigerclaw just flicked his ear in response and hurried to the warriors den. Could Redtail be suspicious of him already? Perhaps he shouldn’t have mentioned he was in the area.

Whatever the case was, Tigerclaw would be keeping a close eye on the young deputy. Something had to be done about him, should he prove to be a traitor.

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

Done! That took way too long, lol. Anyway, this is actually my first piece ever for the warriors fandom! Its about eight pages and a bit, writer’s block kept me from writing as often as I wanted to, otherwise this would have been done sooner.

Hope you all enjoyed it!

[canon-notcanon-warriorcats]

Thunderclan cats who should and shouldn’t die

I’m going to go by order of how they appear in the allegiances in the silent thaw, and also be warned that there are vague spoilers for the silent thaw in some of my reasonings, anyways buckle up cupcakes, this is gonna be a long one

Bramblestar- Kill him. Entirely. Both Bramblefake and Bramblestar. They kept mentioning that if they kill Bramblefake that Bramblestar’s ghost won’t have a body to return to, which i don’t really understand, but hope with that vague reasoning and gives them the excuse to just have bramblestar be dead forever, like it’s better to just kill bramblefake and also let bramblestar move on than to allow bramblefake to continue existing, unless they somehow just figure out how to do a cat exorcism or something but please don’t do that because bramblestar’s been leader for two arcs now and has only lost one life get rid of him and one fell swoop he’s been leader for as long as firestar was at this point.

Squirrelflight- If they kill her now i’ll riot. She needs to either become leader or retire and with either of those options bramblestar needs to no longer be alive. The only way I’ll accept her dying is if she fights to the death against bramblefake, killing him and her dying at the same time.

Jayfeather- it doesn’t even matter, i’d almost be interested in them killing him, but whether he stays alive or not he’ll never truly be gone because we all know he’ll become the new yellowfang

Alderheart- You touch one hair on that sweet baby’s head and i’ll go feral

Thornclaw- I want him to die fighting, I kind of want him to stand up to Bramblefake and he realizes just how wrong he’s been for being so conservative and an asshole, and then him and bramblefake get in a fight and he easily gets beaten and dies because he’s like 12 years old and much more feeble than he pretended he was

Whitewing-  Absolutely not i want her to contentedly die of old age

Birchfall- i’m kind of split between wanting him to be able to retire or for him to go out fighting, maybe trying to protect dovewing, ivypool, whitewing, or one of his grandkits

Berrynose- I want even Bramblefake to get tired and fed up with him and he be the first cat he directly kills

Mousewhisker- I want him to be the last of Daisy’s original kits to die, i want him to eventually retire but before that i want him to get in some sort of trouble because him and minnowtail slipped up and had kits together and everyone finds out

Poppyfrost- I want her to be a respected senior warrior who eventually retires happily and ends up hating berrynose, maybe she even has more kits with mousewhisker or something i dunno

Lionblaze- surprisingly i want lionblaze to retire too, i want him to basically become the next graystripe and be the goofy elder that doesn’t die until he’s like 20

Rosepetal- if they kill rosepetal for no reason or before she can be a canon lesbian or bisexual i will scream, she finally has character and i love her and i would die for her i want her to be deputy

Bristlefrost- i absolutely do not want her to die and we all know that she won’t

Stemleaf- no he’s a good boy and is like the only one of the patrol kits that matters

Lilyheart- I don’t want her to die yet, but if she does i want it to be her defending twigbranch as her kit

Bumblestripe- Die bastard

Cherryfall and Molewhisker- I’m putting them together because i want either one or the other to die but not both, they’re both the same character but with different pelt colors as well as daisy’s ONLY grandchildren, so i want at least one of them to have kits before they die so daisy’s lineage continues. i kind of prefer molewhisker for no specific reason, but i also kind of want cherryfall and stormcloud to have babies so it’s still really either or

Cinderheart- I want her to retire with lionblaze, but like graystripe, she still dies years before he does for no particular reason. I want lionblaze, poppyfrost, mousehwisker, and cinderheart to basically be the group of elders for their generation kind of like how brackenfur, brightheart, and cloudtail are now

Blossomfall- i want her to be the last of graystripe’s children to be alive, but i also don’t want her to reach retirement, she’ll probably die between arcs from greencough or something

Ivypool- she absolutely cannot die, i want her to be able to retire or become leader whichever comes first

Eaglewing- die, she has the most uninteresting appearance and name of thornclaw’s children

Dewnose- absolutely not, he’s the last of his litter and whitewing’s only sibling left and cloudtail’s and brightheart’s only surviving son and he’s starting to appear more in the books and get a little more of a personality

Thriftear and Flipclaw- putting them together because i want one or the other to die, i’m thinking flipclaw since he was only even mentioned like once in silent thaw and he wasn’t even on screen and i like how close bristlefrost and thriftear seem to be, on the other hand if they kill thriftear my heart will be ripped out of my chest and that may be exactly why they’re showing her on screen more than flipclaw, so we can get to know her a little bit and then the authors will destroy us along with bristlefrost

Stormcloud- absolutely not, he specifically came to thunderclan so he can’t just die without doing anything. he’s also been seen getting closer with sparkpelt, him having shared prey with her as well as trying to cheer her up and visiting several times when she was grieving for larksong. they’re either best friends, have a brother-sister like bond, or could even potentially become mates later on, he might even be like a father figure for sparkpelt’s kits. if they’re going to kill him off i hope it’s by him being brave and defending and protecting either sparkpelt or one of her kits

Hollytuft- They cannot kill hollytuft without her doing anything’

Fernsong- i don’t want him to die, i want him to become the new full time nursery queen, if he does die though it needs to be brutal

Honeyfur- i want her to live and be more fleshed out as well as be the ONLY one of her litter left

Sparkpelt- she cannot die

Sorrelstripe- i want her to die, but in a dramatic way, we still don’t know who the father of her kits are and they just kind of popped into existance suddenly and now that they’re apprentices i want us to find out that they’re half clan, i want their father to be like some random shadowclan or windclan cat, or it would be even better if it was like harrybrook from skyclan, maybe even just some rogue or loner we don’t know about, dewnose could just have been pretending to be the father or she even told him he WAS the father or something and then once it’s found out who the father really is bramblefake has her sentenced to death or kills her himself or something

Twigbranch- i want her to be able to retire eventually or die fighting but years from now

Finleap- i want him to die. we all know why, but i very specifically want berrynose to kill him. even with berrynose suddenly being a bootlicker to bramblefake, he seems to very specifically have a grudge against twigbranch and finleap, i’m pretty sure he never wanted either of them, especially finleap, to join thunderclan and with how he treated them in the silent thaw, it seems like he has some sort of grudge or even hatred towards them, maybe even finleap specifically because now he’s not the only one in thunderclan with a stump of a tail, so he’s not as “special”, all of this adding up to finleap making some sort of mistake or slip up and berrynose just straight up killing him, and then maybe that’s when bramblefake kills berrynose because he didn’t give berrynose orders to kill him and he’s tired of berrynose being a brown-noser

Shellfur- keep around if eaglewing dies, i kind of want him and cherryfall to have kits if she and stormcloud don’t

Plumstone- I kind of want to keep her cause i like her name, and maybe she and molewhisker can have kits i dunno, but then she die

Leafshade- kill her, she’s done nothing and would be easy kill-between-books/arcs fodder

Spotfur- maybe kill her for the Drama

Flywhisker- Flywhisker hasn’t even shown up in the latest series yet, please let her be more important don’t kill her until she can be important i even kind of want her to be a mom i think she’d be a good and cute mom

Snaptooth- he hasn’t done anything, but i kind of like his name and i want him to get a personality, i want to kill at least two of cinderlion’s kits and  i choose sorrelstripe and spotfur, but snaptooth can probably also go

Daisy- I want Daisy to die of old age and also a new full time nursery queen joins her before she dies, maybe one of lionblaze’s kits, she never retires she just stays in the nursery and is everyonebody’s grandma

Graystripe- please let him rest

Brackenfur- i want him to die

Cloudtail and Brightheart- I want them to be the last of their generation alive just because i don’t want to see cloudtail or brightheart die for a good couple of years, even if whitewing and birchfall end up joining them in the elder’s den eventually, i actually think it would be really cute for that little family to be retired together and dewnose hang out with them a lot, until cloudtail and brightheart pass away peacefully side by side

[pocket-luv101]

Across Time || Chapter 12

Fandom: Servamp Ships: KuroMahi (main), LawLicht (side) Characters: Kuro, Mahiru, Hyde, Licht

Summary: Mahiru falls into a well and is taken to a new, fantasy world. He comes across a half-blooded cat demon trapped in a tree. After he frees Kuro, he helps him collect the shards of the sacred jewel. (KuroMahi, InuYasha AU)

Ch.1 || Ch.2 || Ch.3 || Ch.4 || Ch.5 || Ch.6 || Ch.7 || Ch.8 || Ch.9 || Ch.10 || Ch.11 || (Ch.12) ||

“Do you two know about the demon slayers and where they may live?” Mahiru asked Kuro and Hyde as they were preparing to leave the cabin. “While I was gathering herbs this morning, I met one. We didn’t talk for long but he told me that the jewel was created in his village. Maybe they can tell us more about the jewel and how we can reform it once we gather all the shards.”

“The jewel was created thousands of years ago and there are many rumours around how it was created. No one knows it’s true origin or much about it except that it holds the power of demons and miko.” Kuro sat next to Mahiru who had a map spread before him. “The demon slayers’ village is in the mountains but I don’t know where exactly. They move every few years to stay hidden.”

“Even if we knew where the demon slayers live, we can’t possible go to them for help. They’re demon slayers. The moment they see us, they’ll try to kill us.” Hyde reminded them. He thought that Kuro would be more logical but he went along with Mahiru’s plan without argument. “I’ve met a few demon slayers and they despise us. I vote that we continue to gather the shards. No detours.”

“The demon slayers are gathering the shards as well so we’ll have to talk to them eventually. Thinking simply, it’s best if we approach them first. The demon slayer I met had a pet nekomata and they were close. He works with a demon so we should try to talk to him at least.” Mahiru said and looked to Kuro for help. “At least let me talk to them alone. They might be more willing to speak with me since I’m human.”

Kuro understood both of their argument. But, after their encounter with Touma, it was clear they needed more allies for their journey. He was powerful and they didn’t know when they would have to face him again. The wolf clan were in hiding so they couldn’t ask them for help. On the other hand, Kuro didn’t know if the demon slayer village would be willing to help them. He didn’t feel comfortable making Mahiru go into the village by himself either.

“We don’t know where the village is exactly. With Touma searching for the jewels as well, we can’t take a long break to search for it.” Kuro reasoned. He noticed how Mahiru frowned and his disappointment tugged at his heart. “We have to cross the mountain to reach the next town. While we’re going through the path, we can search for both the village and the shards. If we don’t meet a slayer, we move on.”

“Okay,” Mahiru nodded with a smile. He folded the map and placed it in his backpack. He hoped that they would be able to meet Licht again since Mahiru assumed he was willing to work with demons. Kirara was a nekomata and Licht treated it kindly. “Let’s go. We don’t want to waste the day and demons come out at night.”

“Just give me a moment to clean up the firepit. It should only take me a moment so you can wait outside.” Hyde lied but Mahiru didn’t question his words. He took his bag and walked outside. When Kuro would’ve followed him, his brother stopped him. Kuro knew that Hyde wanted to speak with him in private from how serious his eyes were.

The moment Mahiru closed the door, Hyde said: “Do you truly believe asking the demon slayers for help is a good idea? Can we even trust Mahiru? He doesn’t understand a lot of common things and he has to ask about them. Don’t you think that it’s a little strange?”

“You should learn to trust people more.” Kuro said. He was certain that he would also be suspicious if he hadn’t spent so much time with Mahiru. They hadn’t explained to Hyde that Mahiru was from the future either. He thought of a vague explanation. “Mahiru grew up in a peaceful village. You can call it another time with how different it is.”

“That explains why he’s so naïve.” Hyde sighed. “You weren’t this naïve years ago though. Mahiru has made you more hopeful and optimistic. I can’t decide if that’s a good or bad thing because you’re now delusional enough to talk to slayers.”

“I trust Mahiru’s judgement in people.” Kuro said and looked at him through the window. “You will see that he’s right after we talk with that demon slayer he mentioned.”

“Why did Father order me to stay in the village? The castle requested our strongest slayers so I should’ve gone with them.” Licht complained to Kirara. He sat on the wooden gate that protected his village from demons. He stared at the path his father and the other slayers took earlier that morning. A nearby castle requested their services to kill a demon who attacked them for the past three nights.

“While the lord wanted our strongest, we cannot send you. You need to be here to protect our village while your father is away.” His mother said next to him. He understood the reason but he hated being left behind. Since he started training as a child, he was taught that slayers survived by fighting together. She seemed to read his thoughts because she added, “Everyone will come home safe.”

“Because angels fight together.” He repeated the comforting phase his mother taught him.

“The mission shouldn’t take more than a few hours and your father will be home soon. There’s a lot of work to do in that time so come down. Kranz made new boots for you and we want to see how well you can fight with the new design.” She lightly told him. She gave both Licht and Kirara a light pat before she descended from the gate.

Licht was about to follow her but he noticed something in the mountain path. A storm of sand approached them rapidly. Even from a distance, he knew that it was an army of scorpion demons approaching them. He jumped to his feet to warn the village but the flare of a horn interrupted him. He thought the others noticed the demon as well. “Demon bears are approaching on the west.”

“More demons?” He cursed. Most of their slayers were gone so it would be difficult to defend their village. They didn’t have time to evacuate either. Licht whistled and Kirara grew to the size of a tiger. He sat on its back and it took him to his mother below. “We’re being flanked by demons. The archers can take down the bears but the scorpions’ armour is too thick.”

“We need to send a message to your father and tell him that we’re under attack. We’ll fight the demons as long as we can until reinforcement returns. Licht, you’re the fastest person here so you have to be the one to send the message.” She told him.

“But I need to be here to fight!” Licht argued. He couldn’t stand the thought of running away while his village fought the approaching demons. The ground shook beneath his feet and he knew they didn’t have time to argue. The demons would be upon them soon. “Angels don’t run away. We fight together.”

“Get your father! You can’t defeat so many demons at once and we need help. Go before it’s too late.” She said and ran into the fray to help the other slayers fight. He wanted to fight with them but he couldn’t counter his mother’s argument. He climbed off Kirara and pointed towards the fight.

“Help protect the village while I get Father. I’ll be back soon.” He said and the nekomata nodded. The castle was nearby and he hoped they weren’t in the middle of the mission so they return quickly. Licht squeezed through a small opening in the gate and hurried down the path. He was known for his speed and how he seemed to fly whenever he ran. He prayed that his legs wouldn’t fail him.

Behind him, the sound of battle spurred him faster. The path to the castle was a blur to him because his focus was saving his village. He spotted the looming building before him but he didn’t feel hope or relief. Licht could hear a demon’s roar and they were likely in the middle of fighting. He didn’t want to abandon the castle but there was only one demon there while there were hundreds approaching his village.

A few soldiers in front of the gate tried to stop him but Licht was easily able to evade their attacks. He ducked beneath their swords and skidded to a stop in front of the door. He forced open the gate with a powerful kick. Licht took a few steps into the courtyard but he immediately fell to his knees. His hands flew over his mouth to stop himself from throwing up.

In front of Licht, a halfblooded cat demon stood over his dead father and friends.

He felt a sharp pain shot through his chest but he realized it was caused by more than the sight before him. Licht touched his chest that was warm from his own blood. An arrow struck his shoulder and he glanced behind him. His vision became hazy but he was certain that he saw Mahiru with his bow raised. Licht collapsed to the ground.

“I smell blood. A lot of it too.” Kuro stopped when the strong scent of blood caught his attention. His stomach turned and he covered his nose. Hyde did the same and they both turned to where the smell was thickest. Mahiru followed their gaze and saw smoke drifting above the mountaintops. He immediately took Kuro’s hand and pulled him forward.

“Slow down, Mahiru. These mountain paths are dangerous and you’re going to break your neck if you fall.” Kuro warned. He didn’t stop running as he swept Mahiru into his arms. He wasn’t surprised and he allowed him to carry him up the mountain. “That could be the demon slayers’ village or a demon attack. Do you sense a jewel shard nearby?”

“No.” Mahiru became more worried the closer they came to the smoke. The air was far too quiet. If a strong demon had attacked, it was likely gone by now. He didn’t to imagine the scene they would find for Kuro’s expression to be so grim. He wrapped him arms around his neck and pressed his face against his skin. Kuro was strong and brave and Mahiru hoped to share both with him.

They almost fell back down the mountain when they were meet with a logged wall. Kuro stabbed his claws into the wood to keep them from falling. He looked back to his brother and he was relieved to find that Hyde hadn’t fallen. The ledge next to the gate was thin and he could easily picture more reckless demons falling for the trap.

“Traps like these are the demon slayer’s specialties. I think we found their village.” Kuro hoped that the village survived the attack. Between the smoke and blood, he almost hesitated to enter the village. He didn’t want the sight to scar Mahiru but he reminded himself that he was stronger than most. He stood on the thin ledge and said, “If we walk around this wall, we should find a door eventually.”

“Or we can be direct.” Hyde said and gripped the lower bar of the gate. He struggled to pull it up and Kuro helped him. As the spikes raised out of the ground, Hyde kicked the sturdy wood. Once there was a hole in the gate, they dropped the bar. The ground shook slightly when it hit the dirt again and Kuro placed his hand on Mahiru’s back to keep him balanced.

Hyde broke off more of the fence and squeezed through the opening they made. The fact that a slayer hasn’t attacked us yet was a bad sign to him. He cursed softly when he saw the ravaged village. Human and demon bodies laid over the ground. He scanned the village but it was difficult to see if there were any survivors. “Slayers are strong warriors so I can’t imagine they would be ambushed so easily.”

“We should bury their bodies out of respect.” Mahiru said. He wished they had come across the village earlier so they could’ve helped defend the slayers.

“Be careful, Mahiru. There may still demons here so we should kill them before we bury the villagers.” He warned. Kuro noticed a large cat demon prowl through the wreckage and nudge a few of the bodies. It didn’t seem violent but he was still wary of the demon. While he summoned his claws, Mahiru let go of his hand and walked towards the nekomata.

“Kirara, is that you? It’s me, Mahiru. Do you recognize me?” He took out a biscuit as he approached the demon carefully. Kirara walked to him and sniffed his hand before it licked the treat from his palm. Mahiru petted the cat and spoke softly. “Where is Licht? Are there any survivors?”

“I know you’ve been spending a lot of time with my brother but I don’t think you can talk to a wild nekomata.” Hyde’s voice caught the demon’s attention and it growled at him. It calmed once Mahiru scratched its ear gently. “We won’t learn much about the sacred jewel here. Let’s start digging graves and make markings for them.”

“Wait, Kirara says that there are other slayers.” Kuro knelt in front of the large cat. He was able to understand the demon vaguely and repeated its words. “The village’s most powerful slayers were sent on a mission earlier today. The demons attacked shortly after they left. Its owner, Licht, went to get them but he hasn’t returned yet.”

“If there are survivors, I don’t know how to tell them about what happened here.” Mahiru’s voice was filled with sympathy. Kuro stood behind him and placed his hand on his shoulders.

“Father?” Licht’s sight was blurry when he woke and it took him a moment to focus his vision. His body was warm and a thick blanket laid over him. He tried to push it off him but pain shot through him whenever he moved. He fought the dull ache in his shoulder and sat up. The room around him was unfamiliar and he muttered, “Where am I?”

“You shouldn’t move with your injury.” He turned to the voice. He hadn’t heard the man enter the room and his sudden appearance made Licht suspicious. The man wore a spider mask so he couldn’t read his expression for lies. “My name is Touma and you are in my castle. The demons fled shortly after you arrived.”

“What about my father and the other slayers. Are they in another room?” He asked and touched the bandages over his chest. They managed to treat his wounds so he prayed they were able to help his family as well. He remembered his mother and threw off the blanket. “How long have I been asleep? I need to speak with my father and go back to my village!”

His determination was stronger than his body. Licht slumped to the ground but he claws at the floor to stand again. The man knelt in front of him and said, “You are the only demon slayer left. The halfblooded demon you saw killed the others. I heard rumours that they planned the attack on your village.”

A shudder passed over his body and his hands tightened in the bedding. “Give me my armour and boots. I will track down that bloody demon and the man with the arrow. I’ll avenge my village.”

“You’re still injured so you cannot fight them with your own power. But you can get revenge with this,” Touma held out a jewel shard to him.

Mahiru sat on Kirara’s back and let the large cat take him to the castle. The nekomata wouldn’t allow the others onto its back so Kuro and Hyde walked behind them. Kuro knew they could trust the demon because Mahiru recognized it from his brief meeting with Licht. Yet, he couldn’t help but feel a little jealous when he saw how he scratched its ears.

Kirara’s ears perked and it started to trot forward. Mahiru was confused by its sudden excited demeanour until he looked ahead of them. He spotted Licht and Mahiru waved to him. “You’re alive, Licht! It’s me, Mahiru. Do you remember me?”

Licht didn’t answer but he walked towards them. At first, Mahiru assumed that they were too far for Licht to hear them. He gasped when Licht seemingly vanished and reappeared in front him. He kicked his arm and knocked him off Kirara’s back. Mahiru hit the ground hard and his hand scrapped against the dirt. He couldn’t recover quickly enough to summon a shield to defend himself from Licht’s next kick.

Kuro took Mahiru’s arm and pulled him away from his attack. “Why does everyone we meet attacks us before they say hello? Can’t deal.”

“Licht has a piece of the jewel in his back.” He told him. Kuro kept a hand on his hip even after he stood. Mahiru faced Licht but he hesitated to fight him. He remembered the kind smile he had when they first spoke and his instincts told him that he was a good person. “Why did you attack us, Licht? Is it because Kuro and Hyde are demons? They not violent so—”

He wasn’t given a chance to finish when Licht continued to attack them. He was quick and Mahiru was certain that he wouldn’t be able to evade his kick without Kuro. He clung to his arm as he jumped back. The ground cracked beneath Licht’s foot and Kuro held Mahiru tighter against his side. “I don’t think your demon slayer friend is going to listen to you.”

A dark chuckle caught their attention. Touma stood a few feet behind Licht but he merely watched the battle. “Son of Hanako, your spiritual power is strong but it’s useless against a human. Licht, once you defeat these two, please return to my castle.”

Touma turned and left. Mahiru slipped out of Kuro’s arms and tried to chase after him. His instincts told him that the demon manipulated Licht to fight them. Thinking simply, the best way to end the battle without his friends being hurt was to force Touma to tell Licht the truth. He took an arrow from his quiver as he ran. “Stop!”

“Your opponent is me.” Licht stepped into his path and kicked his arrow out of his hands. “Demon slayers have a duty to protect humans. You forfeit that right the moment you and your friend targeted my village. My parents are dead because of you!”

“This is a misunderstanding, Licht!” He realized that Licht thought that they were the ones who attacked the demon slayers. A storm of anger and grief fueled his attacks. Mahiru questioned if they would be able to reason with him when he was so upset. He tried to chase Touma again but it was impossible with Licht’s relentless attacks. He lifted his leg high into the air to kick them again.

Hyde’s sword came between them to cut through his attack. He was shocked by how quickly the slayer adjusted his attack. Licht brought his foot down on the flat face of his sword. The power behind his attack forced him onto one knee but Hyde managed to hold his stance. Licht glared down at him while Hyde gave him a roguish smirk. “I can’t let you kill my brother and his mate, Angel Cakes.”

“An angel doesn’t need permission from a demon like you. I won’t let anyone get in the way of my revenge. Step aside, Shit Rat.” He ordered and placed more pressure on the sword. Hyde was impressed by his strength but he knew it wasn’t time for admiration. He tilted his sword and Licht’s foot slipped off his blade. He rested his sword on his shoulder to stop him from attacking again.

Licht knew that the demon would cut him the moment he moved. Hyde didn’t take his eyes off him as he spoke to his brother. “Kuro, Mahiru, go after Touma. I’ll keep this man busy.”

“Okay. Be careful, Hyde.” Kuro was confident that his brother would be able to defend himself against a demon slayer. He took Mahiru’s hand and they ran after Touma.

“Don’t you dare try to run away!” Licht ducked beneath his blade and tried to stop the two. He didn’t have much strength left so he had to defeat the two quickly. He needed to defeat the irritating demon before him first. While the blond man appeared human, Licht could sense his demonic aura. He dodged the man’s blade and kicked his leg. “Out of my way, Shit Rat.”

“I can’t do that. I understand how you feel when you said you want to take revenge on my brother. In fact, I felt the same just three days ago.” His smile annoyed Licht. He didn’t know how he could banter in the midst of a fight. He noticed how the demon didn’t counter his strikes and only blocked. “You’re in no shape to kill anyone.”

“I’m an angel.” He said simply and kicked him. Hyde gripped his wrist and jerked him forward to throw him off balance. When he fell into his chest, Hyde placed his hands on his waist and threw him on his shoulder. Licht thrust his spiked boot into his stomach. “Put me down!”

“You shouldn’t struggle so much, Angel Cakes. It smells like you lost a lot of blood and I don’t want you to lose more.” Hyde patted his leg and walked forward. Licht continued to struggle but then Kirara moved in front of them. He thought his pet would help him but it licked his hand instead. Kirara seemed to trust the demon even though it must’ve witness them attack their home.

Once he paused, Hyde said: “It’s time to talk.”

“Should we really leave Hyde like we did?” Mahiru asked. He readied his arrow as Kuro carried him on his back. “There’s no need to fight since the reason Licht attacked us is a misunderstanding. We also need more people if we’re going to face Touma since he’s so strong. I don’t know if I can summon a strong shield like yesterday.”

“Hyde can handle himself. That demon slayer appears strong but it’s obvious that he’s injured and can’t fight well. We should focus on Touma.” Kuro told him. He was more concerned by Touma’s earlier comment. Attacks fuelled by spiritual energy were ineffective against humans. Did Touma manipulate Licht to specifically target Mahiru? The thought made his stomach turn and he tightened his hold on Mahiru.

On his back, Mahiru released his arrow but it barely nicked him. He couldn’t aim well because the fur cloak billowed wildly in the air. He forced himself not to become frustrated and drew another arrow. Mahiru gathered his spiritual powers and aimed at Touma’s back. His arrow flew from his fingers and struck Touma.

His body didn’t fall to the ground like Mahiru expected it would. He didn’t seem to be affected by the arrow. Thick roots grew beneath Touma and lifted him into the air. Kuro skidded to a stop and used his claws to destroy one of the roots. The tendril felt like stone. He cursed when the root reformed and attacked him again. “I hate spiders.”

“Touma, how many lives do you have to ruin while you search for the shards?” Mahiru yelled. “You’re strong enough to take people’s shards without tricks and schemes but you choose to be needlessly cruel.”

“I only told the demons in the mountain that the slayer’s village would be lightly guarded today. The slayers often claim to be a strong group who can defeat any demon but, in the end, they’re all pitiful humans. Their pride and delusions are what killed them.” Touma brushed aside Mahiru’s words with his nonchalant tone. “Foolish humans are easy to manipulate.”

Something in the sky caught Touma’s attention and he looked up. Licht leapt off Kirara’s back and kicked his chest. His attack hurled him back to the ground and dirt rose into the air at the impact. He stood over his still body and glowered. “We are angels.”

Hyde had brought him to the battle a few moments early. The confession created a storm of rage within Licht. He didn’t know how he let himself be tricked by a demon. He hadn’t sensed a demonic presence when they spoke in the castle. As he glared down at Touma, understanding dawned on him. “You call my village pitiful but you’re to scared to be here and fight yourself.”

Licht stomped on his heart and the body dissolved into sand. A strange, wooden doll laid broken beneath his feet once the dust settled. Mahiru was confused until Licht explained, “A dirty trick. He created a demon doll of himself and sent it to fight you.”

“That would explain why he wasn’t as strong as the last time we faced him.” Hyde burned the remains of the doll so it couldn’t reform. Mahiru approaches Licht and smiled kindly at him.

“Thank you for your help, Licht. Can you show me the wound on your back?” Mahiru asked. Licht didn’t answer him because it was too painful to speak. He sank to the ground and Mahiru understood that he was accepting his help. He held out his hands to his back and summoned his spiritual energy to heal the wound. “Does it hurt?”

“The jewel shard repressed my pain. Take it out.” Licht unfastened his shirt and slid it off his shoulder. When Mahiru didn’t immediately take the shard, he looked over his shoulder to him. “If you’re afraid of hurting me, don’t. I don’t want the jewel in my body or else its power might corrupt me.”

“We wanted to visit your village to ask you about the jewel since it was created there.” Hyde said and Mahiru lightly hit his arm.

“Licht has been through a lot so we should give him time to recover before we ask him anything.” He chastised him. Mahiru took the jewel from his back and healed the wound. “Do you want to go back to your village where you can recover more?”

“My village…” Licht bit his lip when he thought of his family. Tears rose in his through but he stopped himself from crying. He didn’t want to break down in front of strangers. A warm haori fell over him and he looked up to see that Hyde was the one who gave him the jacket. He pulled the fabric over his face and he let his grief flow as tears.

Mahiru rubbed his back to comfort him. “I’m sorry that this happened to you, Licht. Is there anything we can do?”

“Help me avenge my village.”

[twilights-800-cats]

<< Allegiances || Chapter 18 || Chapter 19 || Chapter 20 || From the Beginning >>

Chapter 19

Feathertail had been right about the weather.

Mistyfoot glanced up at the clouds through the trees, wondering if RiverClan cats really could predict the weather. A raindrop splattered on her nose and she shook her muzzle with frustration. The clouds had come quickly as the cats had started to move, and they had to take shelter in a copse that wasn’t too far from the barn they’d left that morning. It was just too difficult to proceed in the rain – with the sky clouded, they could get lost very easily.

“This sucks!” hissed Stoneheart. He was pacing, his paws splashing in the softened earth.

“I know,” Mistyfoot agreed. Her pelt was uncomfortably damp. “I just wish we knew where we were going.”

Stoneheart sighed and settled beside her, wrapping his tail around his paws. “Stormfur was right to make us stop,” he meowed. “I just wish we’d gotten farther.”

“Me, too.” Mistyfoot looked over at where the others were, about a fox-length away from her. Stormfur was wrestling with Shadepaw, and Mistyfoot could overhear him giving her advice on her swiping if she focused. It was a good idea to get the apprentices practicing if they couldn’t be moving – it kept their minds off of their frustration at their lack of progress.

Stoneheart’s whiskers twitched. “I’m surprised you’re not over there,” he grunted. “Don’t you want to help the apprentices?”

Mistyfoot swallowed, glancing at her brother. She kneaded her paws into the earth and sighed. “I… I’m not a worthy mentor,” she admitted quietly.

Stoneheart’s ears pricked. “What?” he breathed. “Who said that?”

“No one said it,” Mistyfoot insisted. No one but Ashfur, she reflected. “I just… Stoneheart, I had an apprentice.”

“What?! And you didn’t tell me?” There was no anger in her brother’s voice – just concern.

Mistyfoot’s throat felt dry. “It was before the last Gathering we attended. I… his name was Shrewpaw. He got caught by that badger… and it killed him. He was just trying to protect Nightpaw. If I had been a proper mentor he never would have gotten into that situation, and he’d still be alive, and--”

“Whoa, whoa, slow down,” Stoneheart meowed, nudging Mistyfoot with a shoulder. His eyes sparkled with sorrow. “I’m so sorry, Mistyfoot,” he breathed. “I had no idea.”

Mistyfoot leaned on her brother. She stared down at her paws, and murmured, “I just… I’m not a worthy mentor, Stoneheart. I don’t think I ever was. I keep thinking of everything I could have done to save him and…”

Stoneheart sighed. “Oh, Misty,” he mewed, “you can’t beat yourself up about it forever. You’ve got to let it go eventually; learn from it, and let yourself recover.”

“It still hurts, though,” Mistyfoot meowed. “How can I forget what a failure I am?”

“Mistyfoot, it sounds like that was just a really bad situation,” Stoneheart told her. “You said Nightpaw was involved, too? What if they both had died?”

“I think about that, too,” Mistyfoot admitted.

Stoneheart sighed again. His tail rested on Mistyfoot’s flank. “Nightpaw seems okay, at least,” he mentioned. “Is that why he came with you? Because of what happened?”

Mistyfoot looked over at Nightpaw, who was boxing with Crowpaw. Crowpaw was clearly using his superior height to his advantage, and loving every moment of Nightpaw’s frustration. Mistyfoot swallowed, thinking of all that had happened before they had left ThunderClan – and how happy Nightpaw seemed now, in comparison.

“Tinystar just… started treating us differently,” Mistyfoot told Stoneheart. “I don’t know why. I think Nightpaw just wants to prove himself to Tinystar.”

Stoneheart grunted. “It was only a matter of time,” he mewed. “I left ThunderClan because of how everyone was treating me, after all.”

Mistyfoot felt her shoulder fur rise – and then fall. She wanted to tell her brother that Tinystar hadn’t been prejudiced, but she knew she had no idea where Tinystar’s change in attitude had really come from.

“Something happened,” was all she said. “I love ThunderClan, Stoneheart. It’s my home; where I belong.”

Stoneheart blinked at her. “We all have to go where our hearts lead, I suppose,” he mused.

Mistyfoot looked at her brother. There was a strange emotion in his eye, something like regret. “Before all this stuff happened… I remember you and Rowanclaw were really close,” she ventured. “Did you two ever… become mates?”

Stoneheart flinched. Mistyfoot regretted bringing it up, suddenly. Stoneheart frowned at the earth and explained, “We’re mates, yes. But Rowanclaw… he wanted to start a family. The visions and dreams… I had to put it off.” Stoneheart looked beseechingly into Mistyfoot’s eyes. “And aren’t we too young for kits, anyway?”

Mistyfoot’s whiskers twitched. Something about Stoneheart being surrounded by tiny kits was amusing. “I don’t know,” she admitted, “but if you keep wondering about whether or not you’re the right age, you’ll be elders before you decide.”

Stoneheart scoffed, flicking his tail. “You’re one to talk,” he chided, “what with how close you and Stormfur are suddenly.”

Mistyfoot bristled, suddenly, her pelt hot. “There’s nothing going on!” she insisted indignantly.

Stoneheart rolled his eyes. “He’s a noble cat,” he went on, “but he’s from another Clan, Mistyfoot. You need to figure this out before it goes too far.”

Mistyfoot looked away from her brother, frowning, not wanting to confront that idea. And yet her eye landed on Stormfur, who was trying to wrestle with all three apprentices, now, and failing miserably. Mistyfoot swallowed. Was there really something between she and the RiverClan warrior? How would she know?

“Now isn’t the time for that sort of thing,” Mistyfoot insisted, to herself more than Stoneheart. “We’ve got a mission to focus on.”

“I suppose,” Stoneheart sighed.

“Hey, guys!” Feathertail’s voice rose from where she sat observing her brother and the training session. She was looking up at the sky. “I think the storm is almost done!”

“Really?” Nightpaw wondered from his place pinning down Stormfur’s flank. “I’m itching to get going! Crowpaw isn’t fighting fair, anyway.”

“Hey!” hissed Crowpaw. He rose up and cuffed Nightpaw over the ear. “WindClan moves can beat ThunderClan’s any time!”

Nightpaw growled and pounced, tackling Crowpaw to the soggy earth. The WindClan tom wiggled, annoyed, as Nightpaw battered him with his paws.

“Stop that!” Shadepaw hissed, bristling. “You’ll open up Crowpaw’s wounds!”

“Come on, you two,” Stormfur meowed, getting to his paws. He used one of his massive furry paws to push Nightpaw and Crowpaw apart. “We’ll have plenty of time for more practice later.”

Mistyfoot blinked. Sunlight was beginning to poke through the clouds, and a shaft of yellow light touched Stormfur, making his dark gray fur glow. The gentle, confident way he handled the apprentices made Mistyfoot’s pelt prickle with warmth.

He’s so… she didn’t finish the thought. What would Stoneheart say if he caught her looking moony at Stormfur after she’d insisted there was nothing there?

She gave herself a mental shake to clear the haze. I need to act like that, too, she insisted to herself. That’s the only way I’ll be a better mentor.

I need to learn, and let Shrewpaw go.

[thunders-warcats-stuff]

Shadows and Secrets Chapter One

The icy wind blew snow into Fireheart’s face as he struggled down the ravine toward ThunderClan’s camp, a freshly killed mouse gripped in his jaws. The flakes were falling so thickly that he could scarcely see where he was going. His mouth watered as the prey-scent of mouse filled his nostrils.

He hadn’t eaten since the previous night, a grim sign of how scarce prey was in leaf-bare. Hunger clawed at his belly, but Fireheart would not break the warrior code: The Clan must be fed first.

A glow of pride briefly drove off the chill from the snow that matted his flame-colored coat as Fireheart remembered the battle that had taken place only three days before. He had joined the other ThunderClan warriors to help support ShadowClan when the marshland cats were attacked by almost a Clan’s worth of cats in their own camp!

As Fireheart pushed his way through the gorse tunnel leading into the camp, he dislodged snow from the spiky branches above and flicked his ears as the cold lumps fell on his head. The thorn trees around the camp gave some shelter from the wind, but the clearing in the center was deserted; everyone preferred to stay warm in their dens when the snow lay this thick.

Broken tree stumps and the branches of a fallen tree poked above the covering of snow. A single line of pawprints crossed from the apprentices’ den to the bramble thicket where the kits were cared for.

Seeing the trail, Fireheart could not help but wonder after his sister. Now that the kits were a bit older, Nutleaf had taken to helping Yellowfang around in the medicine den, and would hopefully be apprenticed alongside her kits. It took a lot to be a medicine cat. It wasn't something that just anyone could do. But Nutleaf was determined to serve her new Clan, and this was a way for her to do so.

Trotting across the snow into the heart of the camp, Fireheart dropped his mouse on the pile of fresh-kill near the bush where the warriors slept. The pile was pitifully small. What prey could be found was thin and scrawny, hardly a mouthful for a famished warrior. There would be no more plump mice until newleaf, and that was many moons away. Fireheart turned away, ready to go back on hunting duty, when a loud meow sounded behind him. He whirled around to find the Clan deputy shouldering his way out of the warriors’ den.

“Let a better-rested warrior try their luck in this weather. Bluestar has chosen you, Sandstorm and Dustpelt to go to tonight's Gathering.”

Fireheart’s ears twitched with excitement. It was an honor to accompany the Clan leader to the Gathering, where all four Clans met in peace at full moon.

“You should eat now,” added the dark-coated tabby. “We leave at moonrise.”

He began to stalk across the clearing toward the Highrock, where Bluestar, the Clan leader, had her den; then he paused and swiveled his massive head to look back at Fireheart.

“Remember which Clan you joined!” He hissed acidly. Fireheart sighed. He knew that Tigerclaw wasn't happy with him having friends in other Clan's, but he wouldn't trade Oakpaw, Wetfoot, Greenflower, Silverstream, or Onewhisker for the world!

Oakpaw had needed a shoulder to lean on the other day, having seen both his parents die within the span of not even a few heartbeats. Fireheart was surprised that the young tom hadn't broken down entirely or fainted. That was what he'd wanted to do half the time.

“He needed me and I was there. I would do more of that for any of my Clanmates.” The ginger tom hissed.

“The entire forest is not your Clan.” Tigerclaw growled. “And you would do well to keep that in mind.”

Fireheart rolled his eyes and started for the warriors den just as Bluestar gave the accustomed call for announcements.

He groaned. In this weather, no one wanted to do anything but burrow in their nests and sleep.

Life goes on, even in leafbare.

Bluestar waited until every cat settled into the clearing.

“Nutleaf, your kits have their sixth moon and I've noticed your love of the medicine den. Step forward so that you all may receive your names.”

Nutleaf squeaked, alarmed, and nudged her four kits forward. Cloudkit, Patchkit, Splashkit and Lightkit hopped through the snowy clearing ahead of their mother. Bluestar met the group halfway and began the ceremony.

“From this day forth, until he has received his warrior name, this apprentice shall be known as Cloudpaw. Whitestorm, you trained Sandstorm phenomenally, and I think you'll find you have quite a bit more in common with this one.”

The Clan chuckled among themselves as Cloudpaw touched noses with his new mentor.

“From this day forth, until she has received her warrior name, this apprentice shall be known as Splashpaw. Willowpelt trained rather well with Frostfur and the others. I expect you to pass on all you know to this apprentice.”

The pale grey she-cat nodded soberly and touched noses with her new apprentice. Bluestar turned to face Patchkit.

“You've come a long way, young one.” She murmured gently. “And you'll go further still.”

“From this day forth, until he has received his warrior name, this apprentice shall be known as Patchpaw.” She announced. “Mousefur, this will be your first apprentice. Treat him well and pass on all your know to him.”

Patchpaw shook fiercely as he touched noses with Mousefur, who stroked her tail down his back and led him back into the crowd.

“From this day forth, until he has received his warrior name, this apprentice shall be known as Lightpaw. Runningwind, you are patient and understanding. Your expertise will be needed with this one.”

Some cats snickered and the pair touched noses. Finally, Bluestar’s warm gaze landed expectantly on Nutleaf.

“It is to our benefit that you wish to become a medicine cat?” She asked. Nutleaf dipped her head.

“I do.” She insisted.

“Then I confirm your warrior name. Good luck with your training.”

Congratulations were murmured among the Clan and Bluestar called the Gathering cats. Along with Bluestar, Tigerclaw, Sandstorm, Yellowfang, Nutleaf, and Dustpelt; Frostfur, Speckletail and the elders would be in attendance.

This would be an interesting Gathering, if only because he didn't know how WindClan and RiverClan would react to the rogues that the ex-ShadowClan cats had set on their former Clanmates or the results of the fight. It would be something to look forward to.

The snow had stopped and the clouds had cleared away by the time the ThunderClan cats, Fireheart Sandstorm and Dustpelt among them, left camp and headed through the forest toward Fourtrees. The snow-covered ground seemed to glow in the white light of the full moon, and frost glittered on every twig and stone. A breeze blew toward them, ruffling the surface of the snow and bearing the scent of many cats.

The territories of all four Clans met in the sacred hollow, and at every full moon a truce was declared for the Clans to gather beneath the four great oaks that stood in the center of the steep-sided clearing. Fireheart fell in behind Bluestar, who had already dropped into a crouch to creep the last few tail-lengths to the top of the slope and peer down into the glade. A rock reared up in the center of the clearing between the oaks, its jagged outline black against the snow.

As Fireheart waited for Bluestar’s signal to move, he watched the other Clan cats greeting one another below. Fireheart recognized Tallstar, the leader of WindClan, sitting near the Great Rock, with his deputy, Deadfoot, beside him. Not far away, Runningnose and Mudfur, the medicine cats of ShadowClan and RiverClan, sat side by side, gazing at the other cats with eyes that reflected the moon.

After a fair amount of wandering, in which he searched out his young ShadowClan friend or wondered where his mate and sister drifted off to, Fireheart found himself near some elders, Patchpelt among them, who crouched beneath a glossy-leaved holly bush, where the snow did not lie so thickly. Keeping an eye out for Oakpaw, Sandstorm, and Nutleaf, Fireheart settled down to listen to their conversation.

“I remember a leaf-bare even worse than this.” An old black WindClan tom, muzzle turned to silver and flank scarred from many a fight, was the current grumbler. “The river was frozen for more than three moons.”

“You’re right, Crowfur,” A tabby ShadowClan queen agreed. “Prey was scarcer, too, even for RiverClan.”

Fireheart was slightly surprised that the pair could speak without spitting hatred at each other, given what WindClan had been put through not even a full year prior.

But then , he mused. ShadowClan has been through as much.

It was getting harder to see all sides of the problem when he had cats he cared for on both sides of the fence. But WindClan didn't seem outwardly hostile… maybe he's overthinking it?

“Young warriors today,” the old black cat added with a glance at Fireheart. “Have no clue what hardship is.”

Fireheart snorted from his place under the bush. Patchpelt shot him a knowing look.

“I can't agree with you there.” He offered. “Tigerclaw sent this one into battle his first day here and he managed to hold his own.”

Crowfur twitched his ears, interested now.

“That can't be right. He was an outsider, from what I've heard.”

“He was.” Patchpelt agreed easily. “And he'd just come into the forest the night before. According to Dustpelt, they were hunting when Ravenpaw came begging for reinforcements. Fireheart, here, didn't even hesitate. Scared himself near death for a few moons after, but StarClan themselves can tell you that he fought like a warrior on his first day in the forest.”

“Can't say I was all that good.” Fireheart coughed, embarrassed. That day was so overshadowed by Redtail’s death that he found no victory in holding his own.

“You're here to tell the tale.” Crowfur insisted. “That's good enough for me.”

The conversation drifted to a peaceful end as the leaders called for the start of the Gathering. Blackfoot stepped forward to address the crowd below.

“A few days ago, ShadowClan was attacked by a Clan's worth of rogues. ThunderClan came our aid and for that, we thank them. The thing about these rogues… they claim they were misled and asked to repay us. Practically begged, to be honest. I speak for ShadowClan and have chosen Nightpelt as my deputy. I say all this to you because we share the forest, and, well, we would like your opinions.”

Blackfoot seemed awkward up on the Great Rock and the clearing was stunned into silence.

“If you're genuinely thinking about it then maybe they can help.” Fireheart mused aloud.

“What was that, boy?” Crowfur asked.

“What if they only take a few cats at a time? Keep them for a quarter moon or two as a test?”

The tabby ShadowClan elder, Dawncloud’s sister, he recalled, nodded along before calling out to the now muttering crowd.

“This young tom has a good idea, Blackstar!” She purred, nudging Fireheart to his paws. Fireheart yelped, gaping, before nervously smoothing down his chest fur.

“Go on and tell them, young’un. Nobody else has anything to say.”

“I… I was just thinking maybe you could have them send a few cats for a quarter-moon. If you like the way things go, then they stay. If not, they leave and their entire Clan stays out of the forest.”

Some cats grumbled about youngsters butting in where they didn't belong, but Blackstar nodded thoughtfully.

“We'll take that under consideration. Thank you, Fireheart.”

Alarm coursed through him. How did the leader of ShadowClan know who he was?!

“You journey cats are all Oakpaw ever wants to talk about sometimes.” Dawncloud's sister chuckled.

“ThunderClan saves the day again.” Someone scoffed. Fireheart twitched his ears and looked around to find that the sound came from an irritated ShadowClan apprentice.

“Fireheart’s the reason we have our Clan back.” Oakpaw snapped.

“Your dad being evil doesn’t mean you have to go sniffing the tail of the first cat you like.” The ShadowClan apprentice sneered. Several cats within hearing gasped, and surprise erupted among the rest when Oakpaw lunged for his fellow apprentice. The other cat, a black tom with a white patch around his left eye, reared up to meet him, yellow eyes flashing with triumph.

“Enough!” Blackfoot called out, enraged. He prepared to claw his way down the Great Rock, but Crookedstar barred the younger leader's way with his fluffy tabby tail.

“Let the crowd work things out.” He murmured. “You must learn to trust your Clanmates.”

Blackfoot nodded, but remained tensed. Meanwhile, Wetfoot was unsuccessful in dragging the brown tom off of his denmate, and Fireheart found himself weaving through the crowd.

“He’s learned his lesson, I’m sure.” The ginger tom found himself saying.

Oakpaw froze, which gave the black tom enough leeway to try scratching his assailant.

Thank StarClan that Oakpaw was as good at avoiding blows as he was in dealing them out.

“He shouldn’t have said anything.” Oakpaw growled.

“Well if he didn’t know that before, he’ll have a few scars to remember you by.” Fireheart snorted. “Why don’t you sit with me and some of the elders?” He asked.

Oakpaw brightened at that, and nearly bowled several cats over in his attempts to get to Fireheart.

“See what I mean?” His black opponent jeered.

“Be quiet, Smokepaw!” A different cat, someone Fireheart hadn’t had contact with, stormed forward. “What you said was inappropriate and extremely cruel! His parents are dead, along with half our Clan, and you think taunting him is the best idea?”

“His father is part of the reason so many cats died in the first place!” Smokepaw scowled. “Why shouldn’t he know that he’s a traitor?”

“If that’s what you think,” The older cat sneered. “then Wetfoot shouldn’t have intervened. Maybe the humiliation would teach you some common sense.”

Fireheart led Oakpaw to where he previously sat to find that a few more cats had joined him.

“I heard what that other apprentice said.” Greenflower scowled. “Cats like that wouldn’t know head from tail.” “He’s not wrong.” Oakpaw mumbled, ears flat.

“Of course he’s wrong, young’un!” Crowfur snapped. “Your father making bad choices has nothing to do with how you’re going to live your life. Don’t ever let anyone tell you different.” “I just don’t get why … he did terrible things under Brokenstar, we all had to! Why would he turn on us when he said he didn’t believe it?!” Oakpaw begged.

“Because he was misguided, young’un. Spend enough time in a certain situation and some things just stick. There’s not much any cat can do about it.”

Fireheart felt something poke his shoulder and turned to find Greenflower staring at him.

“How’ve you been?” He wondered awkwardly.

“Fine.” She murmured. “Blackclaw and I are trying for kits.”

Fireheart nodded along.

“You two will be wonderful parents, I’m sure.” He murmured.

“So will Silverstream.” She scoffed.

That brought all train of thought to a grinding halt.

“Excuse me?” He blurted out, much to the amusement of a couple elders.

“Perhaps we should finish this conversation elsewhere.” She snickered.

“Absolutely!” He hissed in eager agreement. “Meet me at Sunningrocks tomorrow at sunrise, and bring Silverstream.”

“I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you.” Greenflower snorted. The light brown and white she-cat turned to say her farewells to Oakpaw and the elders before melting into the throng of cats.

Fireheart forced his gaze to the Great Rock, mind whirling. This made everything so much more real…

“What’d your friend in RiverClan have to say?”

Dustpelt sounded far too amused for his own good, and the fact that Fireheart hadn’t even heard the brown tom before he made an appearance showed just how off he really was.

“Just that she and her mate are having kits. She helped Oakpaw calm down a bit alongside the elders.”

“Then what has you looking like a scared rabbit?” His friend chirped.

“I… I have to tell you later. It has to do with the stories.” Dustpelt nodded and sat down beside the ginger tom.

“Here’s hoping her news isn’t too terrible.”

It could ruin everything…

“This is the beginning of my confliction.” Fireheart admitted. “This is where things change for good.”

Dustpelt pressed his pelt against his ginger friend’s.

“When all else fails, we’re warriors.” He insisted. “You know, at the very least, that you have Sandstorm, Bluestar and I.”

Fireheart nodded and Dustpelt got to his paws.

“We’ll talk more in a few days.” He offered before disappearing into the crowd.

Fireheart turned his attention back to the elders to find that Oakpaw had taken up a spot beside him. A twitch of his ears caught the end of the Gathering, and he rose to his paws. Oakpaw stared at him as he bid his farewell to Crowfur and the others.

“Thank you for helping me tonight, Fireheart.” The young brown tom murmured. “I’ll try not to be too much of a bother anymore.” What?!

“Who said-?” But Oakpaw shoved his way between two moving cats and Fireheart lost sight of him. “Fox-dung!” The ginger tom snarled lowly.

“I can only imagine what that poor kit must be going through.” Patchpelt murmured as he and Fireheart joined the rest of ThunderClan.

“Someone told him that he wasn’t worth my time, and I want to know who.” Fireheart growled.

Patchpelt chukled.

“I doubt anyone’s told you this yet, but you and Sandstorm will be wonderful parents when that time comes.”

Fireheart nearly stopped right then and there, and to his surprise, it was Sandstorm that bumped into him.

“Crow got your words?” She asked gently.

“Patchpelt thinks we make a good couple, is all.” He croaked.

“I happen to agree.” The tan she-cat chirped.

Patchpelt snickered and bounded ahead of them.

“You did well with Oakpaw.” Sandstorm offered. “I can’t imagine what he’s going through.” “I can.” Fireheart realized bitterly. “In my dreams, I watched Tigerclaw’s kits grow up.”

“Goldenflower has more kits?”

“Not yet. But she will. And in the dream, I, uh, I did a pretty good job of making them feel like mouse-dung for what Tigerclaw did. I won't make that mistake again.”

“Sometimes you can't help your suspicions. You said that in your dreams, you were the only one who knew what was going on. Now you've got us.”

Fireheart nodded absently, but all he could think about as he and Sandstorm left Fourtrees were Brambleclaw, Tawnypelt, Swiftpaw and all the other cats he could've helped if he'd just paid a bit more attention.

[reeedwhisker]

Path of a Warrior REVIEWS

SPOILER ALERT FOR REDTAIL’S DEBT, TAWNYPELT’S CLAN, AND SHADOWSTAR’S LIFE.

Redtail’s Debt

- I really liked Redtail’s characterization! It’s great to see a deputy who started off so meek and worried, but with experience grew to be a strong and dependable warrior. But he still definitely has his flaws.

- Tigerclaw was so devious in this novella! I couldn’t believe how he treated Redtail, and held saving him against the deputy. 

- Redtail mentions Sandpaw being nice to the elders? Like she flicks her tail in amusement or something? That’s not the Sandpaw I knew from Into the Wild but I like it!

- Sparrowpelt (Halftail) was a really good character. I never cared for him in the main series so this was a great novella for him to be in. I also liked that we got to see him as a warrior before his name was changed.

- But this also means that Sparrowpelt had to have lost part of his tail AND retire as an elder during this story which is kind of weird? Especially since in Into the Wild his MATE One-Eye is said to be the oldest cat in Thunderclan? That’s totally weird since he had to retire early due to his tail. 

- Ravenpaw is ABSOLUTELY out of character! It’s so jarring to see him snapping at Redtail and refusing to run away. Like he really believed in what Tigerclaw was teaching him and it’s so jarring to think of how meek and scared he was in the main series when he acted like this.

- The BIGGEST mistake: The novella incorrectly states that Redtail killed Oakheart, which is absolutely not true. Oakheart, as we all know, died by being crushed by a boulder. I don’t know how the Erins are gonna get out of this one. Maybe they’ll rewrite it to be accurate like they did with Graystripe’s error in Bramblestar’s Storm?

Overall score: 6/10

Tawnypelt’s Clan

- I really felt that at the beginning, Tawnypelt was really snappy which is one of the reasons I never really liked her very much. I get that Shadowclan is changing and so many cats “betrayed” Shadowclan, but clans can and will change, especially with new leadership. 

- Shadowkit was so OP, but I still like him? I just think that everyone was making him out to be such an amazing kit and he’s gonna be a great and powerful cat and blah blah blah. Like, all medicine cats have visions and they get NO respect in the series but Shadowkit is so amazing because he has seizures during them? Since when was having a seizure amazing?

- I used to really dislike Dovewing, but I really loved her in this! It was so nice to see her bonding with Tawnypelt and standing up to Tigerstar for the sake of Shadowkit. Plus she got to see the Tribe cats again which must have been really nice for her.

- Speaking of Tribe cats, I was so happy to see Stoneteller was still doing well. Also, I was so happy that the Erins finally found a way to write Stormfur and Brook into the story again.

- Fernsong telling Dovewing that Ivypool wants her to come see her kits again was so nice. And Dovewing tells him to give Thunderclan “all [her] love.”

- Tawnypelt mentioned a few times thinking about staying in the Tribe? In a weird way I’d love to see how that’d play out. Mainly to see how guilty Tigerstar would be if he never got to apologize to Tawnypelt for yelling at her.

- Again, Stoneteller was great. It’s great to know that Stoneteller is Crag from The New Prophecy, and how well he’s grown into his role as Stoneteller. I really prefer him over the previous Stoneteller.

- Rowanclaw was really good in this too. It was great to see their relationship persists even after his death, and how ROWANCLAW wants Tawnypelt to let him go, and that he confirmed she still has a long life ahead of her.

- Juniperclaw is an asshole. Cloverfoot is great.

Overall score: 8/10

Shadowstar’s Life

- So this happens a bit after Moth Flight’s Vision since apparently her kits are all fully grown by now? But she’s still alive and kicking which means it happened in-between her super edition and the manga.

- I thought Gorse Fur was kind of out of character? Like he was kind of an asshole in this, especially in the gathering when he refuses to give Skyclan some territory.

- The foreshadowing that this began the end of ancient Skyclan with the destruction of their territory and the other clans refusing to help was amazing.

- I could NOT believe that Quick Water was the villain. So many times Shadowstar mentioned that Pebble Heart had amber eyes which scared me because I KNEW that Pebble Heart didn’t watch her and Sun Shadow die.

- How did Shadowstar know that Quick Water killed Sun Shadow if it wasn’t revealed that Quick Water led the dogs to them until her death? I might have missed something but she kept on saying that Quick Water killed him when she just watched them die.

- It was really good to know how Shadowstar lost all nine of her lives. I’m not sure if we even know how FIRESTAR lost all nine of his lives, but now we know all of Shadowstar’s.

- Skystar was absolutely right to banish Quick Water. But it was so heartbreaking to see all of the leaders (save for Windstar) calling Shadowstar a liar in favor of Quick Water.

- I loved Windstar’s characterization in this. She believed Shadowstar (gals sticking up for each other) and even brought Windclan to help fight Quick Water and Thunderclan.

- Quick Water’s redemption DID NOT cut it for me. I don’t care what the reason was, you still had a part in taking two lives from a leader and killing a deputy. Like, Shadowstar AND Sun Shadow both forgave her so easily? DO NOT FORGIVE YOUR KILLER GUYS!!!

- I love Raven Pelt. I wish we got to see him with his nine lives as Ravenstar because I loved him. We now know the second leader of Shadowclan! I’d love to see how he struggles to keep Shadowclan together after the events of the novella.

Overall score: 9/10

[need1etail]

TaS - Chapter Five

Alderpaw felt sick when Darktail caught his gaze. He recognizes me. He backed away, huddling behind Jayflight. Darktail’s gaze bore into him.

“Alderpaw, Leafpool!” Bramblestar called up the slope. “We need help down here. Some cats are wounded.”

Leafpool raced down the slope. Urgency tugging at his paws, Alderpaw broke away from Darktail’s glittering gaze and bounded after his mentor. Jayflight followed them, sniffing around for any wounds.

“Leave,” Bramblestar stepped toward the huddle rogues. “Before we rip the pelts from your backs.”

Alderpaw watched Darktail turn his gaze on the ThunderClan leader. Would he give in so easily?

The rogue leader snarled, his teeth showing blood as he spoke. “His won’t be the last you see of us. We have a mission here, and we know more about your so-called Clans than you think.”

Fear ran along Alderpaw’s spine like icy water as the rogue leader turned and headed away through the ferns; his campmates followed. Is he talking about what I told him back at the gorge. Alderpaw shivered as he wondered whether the rogue gang had followed them back to the lake.

Bramblestar glanced around his warriors. “Who’s hurt?”

“I’m fine,” Hollytuft called. “Sorrelstripe’s got a bad scratch though.”

“Nothing to worry about,” Sorrelstripe huffed, shoving her sister.

“Just a scratch or two,” Rosepetal reported.

Lionblaze was licking a few wounds of his own, but Alderpaw could see from where he stood that they were no more than shallow scratches.

“Alderpaw, find some cobwebs.”

At Leafpool’s order, he hurried to the roots of a tree where cobwebs crowded the gaps. His paws were trembling as he pulled long strips out and carried them to Leafpool. He recognized Willowshine as well, who was helping some ShadowClan cats.

“I missed you,” Alderpaw murmured to Leafpool as he sat next to her.

Leafpool smiled to him. “I hope Jayflight treated you well,” she whispered back, her eyes twinkling. She crouched over Oatclaw. The WindClan tom lay limp, oozing from deep cuts along his flank. “Cover them and stop the bleeding,” she ordered, taking a clump of cobweb from Alderpaw and heading toward Furzepelt. “Willowshine said she’ll care for the ShadowClan cats.

Alderpaw spread the remaining cobwebs over Oatclaw’s wounds, packing them in where the cuts were deepest, as Leafpool taught him.

“Mudstar is badly hurt,” Dewnose meowed, leaning over the dark brown tabby tom.

As Leafpool and Willowshine hurried to look, Alderpaw glanced at the WindClan leader. He was on his side, his fur matted with blood.

Alderpaw quickly finished dressing Oatclaw’s cuts. “Stay still until the bleeding eases,” he told him before turning to help Leafpool and Willowshine.

Mudstar lay like fresh-kill, a bloody wound opening the dark brown pelt below his neck. “I’ll fetch more cobweb.” Alderpaw gasped. “He’s blee—”

Before he could finish, a groan sounded behind him. He turned to see Emberfoot stagger, then collapse.

“Emberfoot!” Alderpaw darted toward him, his throat tightening as he saw his flanks shudder, then fall still. He sniffed him, shivering. His heart sank to see his sagging limbs. “He’s dead!”

“Dead?” Bramblestar darted to his side, his pelt spiking.

Toadstep and Rosepetal approached slowly. Oatclaw lifted his head, his eyes round with shock as he stared at his fallen Clanmate.

Furzepelt limped closer. “They killed him?” Disbelief and fury edged her mew.

Alderpaw looked for wounds, finding bitemarks on Emberfoot’s spine and scratches along his flank. Then he saw the ugly lump on the back of his head. “He must have hit his head.” He scanned the ground and noticed, for the first time, the sharp points of deeply buried rocks jutting from the forest floor. Blood and fur clung to one nearby. He glanced toward Willowshine and Leafpool.

The gray medicine cat hadn’t moved, her eyes had turned to Mudstar, but the ThunderClan medicine cat was staring in disbelief. Blood was pulsing from the WindClan leader’s throat.

Alderpaw touched Emberfoot’s lifeless body with his paw. He shuddered, remembering Sandstorm. There’s nothing I can do for him, he told himself, turning to Mudstar. He could still help the WindClan leader. “I’ll get cobwebs.” He headed for the tree roots.

“No.” Leafpool’s meow was grave. Willowshine had stopped running his paws over the leader, now sitting beside her friend.

“But the bleeding!” Alderpaw dared to his mentor’s side.

The ground beneath Mudstar was stained rose red. The fur around his throat was scarlet and glistening.

Why wasn’t Leafpool doing something? Alderpaw’s throat tightened with dread. “We have to help him!”

“There’s nothing we can do,” Willowshine murmured, pressing against the red tom.

Alderpaw looked up. Stonewing and Ferretclaw lowered their heads and Rosepetal and Toadstep had backed away, their eyes wide. The RiverClan cats had their heads bowed as well, mourning the leader’s lost life. Bramblestar hadn’t moved, and Alderpaw could see him trembling. Squirrelflight was turned away, her eyes dark. Oatclaw stepped closer to the leader. Jayclaw pressed against him, comforting the mourning warrior.

Then Mudstar gasped, as though taking his first breath after a near drowning. Shuddering, he gulped in the air and opened his eyes.

Alderpaw blinked in surprise as he saw that the leader’s wound was healing, a starry haze surrounding it. Blood still stained his fur, but the gash had closed as though it had never been there.

Understanding washed through him. “He lost a life,” he whispered to Jayflight.

Jayflight nodded.

Alderpaw swallowed. Sparkpaw appeared next to him and pressed against him, as if sensing his deep horror. He knew that leaders had nine lives, but he’d never imagined what it must be liked to lose one. Did dying hurt? How did it feel to come back to life?

Hollytuft looked at Oatclaw with a questioning gaze. “Has he many more?”

Oatclaw shrugged. “Only Mudstar knows that.”

The WindClan leader flashed Oatclaw an angry look. Growling, he pushed himself to his paws. Oatclaw dipped his head.

Alderpaw frowned. Surely Mudstar’s Clan knew. They must count each passing life. And yet a casual observer could never know how many lives a leader had left. Alderpaw stared at him, narrowing his eyes. One. Mudstar had one life left. He glanced at Leafpool and Willowshine. Do they know? Willowshine caught Alderpaw’s gaze and shook her head. She did.

Mudstar lifted his chin, murder in his eyes. Staring between the trees, he flattened his ears. “Where are the rogues?”

“Gone,” Bramblestar told him. “For now.”

“Good,” Mudstar snarled, his eyes narrow. “Are any cats injured?”

Bramblestar’s gaze flicked around the WindClan cats. Squirrelflight stepped forward. “Emberfoot is dead,” she told Mudstar. “Oatclaw and Furzepelt are badly wounded. Come back to our camp, where Leafpool and Alderpaw can treat their wounds properly.”

Mudstar glanced at Emberfoot. He lowered his head and approached him. “Emberfoot was a good warrior,” he murmured. “We should go home and mourn him.”

“Oatclaw and Furzepelt are in no state to travel that far right now,” Willowshine meowed softly.

Mudstar glanced at his injured warriors. Oatclaw was leaning against Rippletail, blood welling on his flank. Furzepelt was staring at her fallen Clanmate, her eyes shimmering with grief. “Willowshine is right,” Furzepelt meowed. “Not even you are able to carry him. We need rest.”

The dark brown leader snapped his gaze toward Furzepelt. Alderpaw was surprised when she didn’t even flinch, holding sharp amber with steady green.

Bramblestar nodded to Lionblaze. “You and Rosepetal sit with him. Make sure nothing disturbs his body until a patrol can fetch him.” He turned to Mudstar, softening his mew. “Come home with us. We can care for you.”

Mudstar snarled, as if he wasn’t happy about having to be taken care of.

“Let us take care of you,” Jayflight hissed, “or Oatclaw might bleed to death.

Oatclaw looked troubled by that, glancing at his leader with large, worried eyes. Mudstar nodded. “Very well.”

“Chew up more horsetail and marigold,” Jayflight ordered.

Alderpaw was helping treat the injured WindClan and ShadowClan cats in the shelter of the medicine den while the rain thrummed outside. Jayflight agreed to help Alderpaw while she escorted Willowshine and the other RiverClan warriors back home. It had been a while, meaning she might already be on her way back.

Alderpaw had already made enough pulp to put on Oatclaw and Furzepelt’s, Cloverfoot and Strikepaw, the only ShadowClan cats who were badly injured, and his Clanmate’s wounds, and his tongue was numb from the herbs. He wished Leafpool were back already, or that Willowshine had offered to stay.

Alderpaw shivered at the memory of Frecklewish. The thought of her fighting until Darktail ripped out her throat open, or, worse, left her to suffer and bleed out. Now he’d brought his rogues here and they had killed again. At least Ember is okay. He remembered the kind brown tabby nearly sacrificing herself for him. He was surprised she wasn’t dead. He shuddered when he remembered Darktail’s words. We have a mission here, and we know more about your so-called Clans than you think. What in StarClan did they want? “They were so vicious,” he murmured to himself.

Jayflight’s ear twitched. “I haven’t heard of cats like them since the Dark Forest.”

Alderpaw blinked at the medicine cat. Every kit had heard nursery tales about the Dark Forest. His parents and many of his Clanmates had fought in a battle against the evil cats who lurked there. “Do you think that’s where they’re from?” he asked.

Jayflight shook his head. “No. Only Clan cats find their way to the Place of No Stars, and these rogues have clearly never belonged to any Clan.”

Oatclaw was sleeping, in a makeshift nest beside Briarlight’s, drowsy from the poppy seeds Jayflight had given him. Furzepelt moaned softly as Jayflight licked pulp into her wound. Cloverfoot was awake, licking the wound on her shoulder. Strikepaw was stretched out next to her, eyes closed but obviously awake. She blinked when Jayflight walked over and let him put the pulp on her wound as well.

Sparkpaw pushed through the trailing brambles. Her rain-soaked pelt dripped water onto the medicine den floor. “Are they hungry?” she glanced at Oatclaw and lowered her voice. “The hunting patrol is back. There’s plenty of prey on the fresh-kill pile.” She smiled. “Russetstar sent Beepaw and Stonewing to hunt for us as a thank you.” She snorted. “Stonewing was so upset.”

“I’m starving,” Cloverfoot called, trying to keep her voice quiet so Oatclaw could sleep.

“I want to make sure there’s not infection in these wounds before they eat,” Jayflight told her. Cloverfoot lowered her head, and Alderpaw heard her stomach growl.

“It won’t be long,” he promised her.

“Those rogues are so hateful,” Sparkpaw commented. She flexed her claws and snarled. “I wish I could have gotten my claws on Darktail. I would have ripped his flea-bitten tail off.”

Alderpaw glanced at his sister. His stomach hurt when he thought of Sparkpaw attacking Darktail. Would she be able to defeat him? He didn’t want to think about Darktail hurting his sister. He shook out his pelt. They needed to speak to Bramblestar and Squirrelflight about it soon. Alderpaw had never imagined they’d show up at the lake. He spat the herbs he’d been chewing onto a wet leaf and carried it to Jayflight. “Can Sparkpaw help you for a bit?”

Jayflight stared at him, then at Sparkpaw. His eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.

Sparkpaw sniffed. “I’m not a medicine cat.”

“Neither am I,” Jayflight grunted. “You can chew, can’t you?”

“I guess.” Sparkpaw looked amused.

“So can I go?” Alderpaw stared at Jayflight. “It’s important. I won’t be long. I need to speak to mom and dad.”

“What about?” Sparkpaw pricked her ears.

“About the rogues,” Alderpaw whispered, not wanting Cloverfoot to hear. Sparkpaw’s eyes darkened and she nodded.

Jayflight let out a long sigh and nodded. “Don’t be long.”

“Aw, I wanna come too.” Sparkpaw fluffed out her wet fur.

Jayflight pawed a pile of marigold leaves toward her and flicked her ear with his tail. “When you’re Clan leader, you can be the first to hear everything. Until then, you can help by chewing these leaves.”

Sparkpaw gave Jayflight a playful glare. “Just you wait, I’ll be the best leader ThunderClan’s ever seen!” She crouched beside her cousin and nudged him with her shoulder, grabbing a mouthful of herbs. “Ewww!” she gasped. “How do you stand this?”

“You get used to it,” Alderpaw batted at his sister, giggling at her disgusted look. He nosed his way through the trailing brambles. Rain battered his face. Outside, his Clanmates were sheltering beneath ferns edging the camp. Alderpaw could sense tension in the air. Graystripe looked out from the elders’ den. Ambersky and Dewnose huddled beneath the thorn barrier while their brother sat with Lilyheart, watching their kits, along with Twigkit, play in the rain. Cinderheart and Hollytuft stood close to them, guarding the mates and their kits.

“Alderpaw!” Mousewhisker’s mew caught his attention. He turned to see the gray-and-white tom and Stormcloud next to him. “Stormcloud is having another panic fit.”

Alderpaw glanced over at the Highledge, then at Stormcloud. “Jayflight is inside,” he told him, blinking at the gray tabby. “He knows what to do. I’ll be back in a bit to talk if you need it.”

Stormcloud dipped his head. “Thank you, Alder,” he mewed, slipping into the den with Mousewhisker close behind.

“Remember to take deep, steady breaths!” he called after him before continuing on.

Bramblestar sheltered with Mudstar, Hazeltail, Rosepetal, Squirrelflight, and Leafpool, who looked soaked, beneath a jutting branch of the fallen beech. Alderpaw hurried toward them, catching Leafpool’s eyes and blinking at her.

“Were you pushing them back into our territory?” Bramblestar asked Mudstar.

“It was actually the other way around.” The WindClan leader’s eyes were still dark with fury. “They were running from ShadowClan, they got to us, and they attacked. We got turned around and they started pushing us back into the forest.”

“Did you provoke them?” Squirrelflight asked.

Mudstar snorted. “We were just patrolling our borders. Furzepelt noticed them first, when one attacked her. We were lucky ShadowClan was with us or they would have slaughtered us on the spot.”

Alderpaw caught Bramblestar’s eye. “Can I speak to you and mom alone?” He was aware that he was interrupting. But this was important.

Bramblestar’s ears twitched.

Mudstar scowled at the medicine cat apprentice. “What is it?”

“I need to speak with my parents.” Alderpaw met the WindClan leader’s gaze, trying to keep a calm demeanor. In reality, he was pretty sure an anxiety fit would attack him any second now.

Mudstar sniffed and looked away.

Bramblestar frowned, his fur rippling in unease. He then flicked his tail to Squirrelflight. “What is it?” He guided Alderpaw and Squirrelflight quickly to a clump of ferns sprouting near the camp entrance. They ducked beneath the browning fronds.

Alderpaw shivered as rain dripped onto his spine. “The rogues who attacked WindClan are the same rogues we found in the gorge.”

Bramblestar closed his eyes, sighing. “I feared as much. It was too much of a coincidence for a band of rogues to show up now.”

Squirrelflight growled and lashed her tail. “I knew I recognized that stench.”

“Do you think they followed us home?” Guilt wormed beneath Alderpaw’s pelt.

“Most likely,” Bramblestar murmured.

Squirrelflight nudged him and shook her head. “You can’t blame yourself, Alder. They might have found us no matter what.”

Alderpaw shifted, wishing it were that simple. “Why do you think they’ve come here?” The question had been niggling in Alderpaw’s thoughts since he’d recognized Darktail. “Darktail said he had a reason.”

Bramblestar looked away. “Who knows why rogues act like rogues? All we can do is protect our Clan.” He leaned closer to Alderpaw. “How many of them were in the gorge?”

“I don’t know.” Alderpaw tried to remember. “I remember a lot of them, and I’m sure it was about the same amount as we saw during the battle.”

Squirrelflight blinked. “It seems they’ve just arrived, then. We should patrol the forest for more, though.”

Alderpaw nodded in agreement. But then anxiety made his belly churn more. Was the forest full of rogues? Why had they come here? As his thoughts whirled, he jumped when Leafpool appeared behind him and spoke: “I want to check on ShadowClan and Mothwing.”

Squirrelflight nodded to her sister. “I do too.” She looked at Bramblestar. “Maybe we should check on RiverClan as well.”

The dark brown tabby was already padding from the ferns. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting.”

Alderpaw watched his father leap onto the Highledge.

The elders padded from their den, and Mousewhisker, Stormcloud, and Hazeltail slunk out of the warriors’ den, Stormcloud looking better. Jayflight left the medicine den alongside Sparkpaw. He met Berrynose and pressed their noses together. Whitewing, Ambersky, Dewnose, and Snowbush all met with Cloudtail and Brightheart at the elders’ den. Next to Ambersky was Hollytuft, who was snuggled close to the cream she-cat, shivering in the rain. Dovewing joined them with Briarlight. Alderpaw didn’t like the idea of the brown she-cat out in the rain. She could catch something and she might not be able to recover from it.

Dovewing glanced around. “Has anyone seen Ivypool?” Her blue and green eyes brimmed with worry.

“She’s hunting with Fernsong and Blossomfall,” Alderpaw padded to her side.

Dovewing’s pelt spiked anxiously. “I hope they don’t bump into those rogues.”

Briarlight pressed closer to her mate, licking her shoulder. “Our sisters survived the Dark Forest. They can handle a few rogues.”

“I hope so.” Dovewing huddled close to Briarlight against the rain.

Mudstar wove through the crowd and stood at the front. Water streamed down his whiskers as he lifted his face to the Highledge. “I want to take Emberfoot back to our camp so we can sit vigil.”

Jayflight stood next to his mate. “Oatclaw and Furzepelt are too wounded to help carry him. Movement will reopen their wounds. They should stay here for a few days.”

Mudstar’s tail flicked.

Jayflight held his ground. “You’ve lost one Clanmate today,” he meowed, his voice steady. “Don’t risk another.”

Mudstar snorted. “Very well.”

“You decide wisely, Mudstar.” Bramblestar’s gaze flicked around the Clan. “Snowbush, Whitewing, and Bumblestripe. Escort Mudstar home. Carry Emberfoot’s body as though he were your own Clanmate.”

The three warriors nodded as Bramblestar went on.

“Dangerous rogues are in the forest. We don’t know how many there are. They have shown that they were willing to fight to the death. Until we know why they are here and what they intend to do next, we must be on our guard. And we must check on ShadowClan and RiverClan. They were brave in the battle against the rogues, and I want the cats I’m sending to be on their best behavior. Berrynose. Take Hazeltail, Snowbush, and Toadstep to RiverClan’s camp to check on them. Be ready to help them fight if there are any rogues on their territory. Squirrelflight will take Dovewing, Sparkpaw, Leafpool, and Rosepetal to ShadowClan to see how they’re holding up. Jayflight,” he turned to the warrior, “how are Cloverfoot and Strikepaw?”

“Well enough to travel,” Jayflight reported.

“Good, Squirrelflight, you can take them home.” The ginger deputy nodded.

“I want to come!” A tiny squeak sounded from the nursery.

Alderpaw turned as he recognized Twigkit’s mew. She was struggling out of the nursery entrance.

Cinderheart watched as the kit splattered onto the muddy ground and stared up at Bramblestar. Lionblaze rushed to help her up, but she shook herself and got to her paws on her own.

Alderpaw closed his eyes, feeling the soft fluff of Twigkit’s cheek against his own. I hope I’m worthy of your trust, Twigkit. He heaved a breath. I hope I can make sure we will all be safe.

“Please let me come to ShadowClan. I want to see my sister!”

“Don’t be mousebrained!” Rosepetal stared at her from the clearing.

Sparkpaw snorted from beside her mentor. “This is a patrol, not a nursery!”

Disapproving murmurs rippled through the gathered cats.

Alderpaw pushed past his Clanmates and stopped beside Twigkit. “You’re too young to travel to ShadowClan,” he told her gently. “Especially with rogues in the forest.”

She stared up at him, her eyes as wide as an owl’s. “That’s why I have to go! I have to make sure Violetkit’s safe.” She was trembling and tears threatened to spill over her cheeks.

Lionblaze moved closer to the kit and wrapped his tail around her, while Cinderheart pressed her nose against her head. Rain was soaking Twigkit’s pelt. “Alderpaw is right,” she murmured. “You’re too young to be out in the forest. Plus this weather might give you a cold.”

Twigkit pulled away from Lionblaze. “But Violetkit’s my sister! What if the rogues have hurt her? She should be with me, where it’s safe!”

Alderpaw’s heart twisted. How would he feel if Sparkpaw were in danger? He looked up at his father. “Let me come with Squirrelflight,” he meowed. “I can check on Violetkit and Leafpool and I can both speak with Mothwing.” He glanced at Jayflight hopefully, relieved when he saw him nodding.

Bramblestar bowed his head. “Okay, you can come.”

Alderpaw bent his head and touched his nose to Twigkit’s wet pelt. “I can’t bring Violetkit back with me, but I can make sure she will be safe.”

Twigkit looked up at Alderpaw with watery, serious eyes. After a moment she leaned up to nuzzle his cheek. “Okay,” she murmured. “I trust you, Alderpaw.”

Alderpaw closed his eyes, feeling the soft fluff of Twigkit’s cheek against his own. I hope I’m worthy of your trust, Twigkit. He heaved a breath. I hope I can make sure we will all be safe. 

[foxglovesound]

33 and 4 for hornetflower and/or sootpaw

4. Has your character ever witnessed something that fundamentally changed them? If so, does anyone else know?

Hornetflower: hmm. hornetflowers had an interesting life considering she’s the granddaughter of honey+wasp who’s romance was turned into the reasoning for an alliance/peace treaty that went. south. anyways hornetflower as a young apprentice was pretty wary and untrusting of other clans due to the actions of windclan, specifically her uncle sandwhisker, and how they treated her family members within riverclan. while she wasn’t rude or bitter towards other clan cats, she just tended to avoid them in general (even though minkclaw - at the time minkpaw- was rather sociable and enjoyed mingling with other clan cats during the gatherings or even border meets) and she also disapproved of minkclaw/minkpaw sneaking out every once and a while to meet up with other clan cats as a fun little group get together. however when she and mink snuck out one day and got attacked by the fox, hornet had been injured/weakened severely trying to distract the fox so that mink could get help - but mink stayed behind to protect hornet when she was injured and thus got injured herself. in the end it was actually a shadowclan patrol who chased the fox off and rescued the two apprentices (that patrol also included burdockstar - who at the time was just a deputy training owlfoot/owlpaw). hornet admired shadowclan for helping out to riverclan kids they didnt really know and the event also deepened/solidified her friendship with mink (mink often joked that the matching scars they got as a result of the event were “best friend scars”). hornet also grew more open and friendly to other clan cats and started seeking out friendships with other clans! 

Sootpaw: yep! ive already sorta hinted at this in some writing and the family trees, but sootpaw and her sister ashpaw snuck out one night and it didnt go well. ashpaw got bit pushing her sister out of the way of a lunging snake and sootpaw was with her alone + had to drag her sister back to camp. hornetflower and minkclaw had noticed something was off that night and found the girls missing so they went out and found the two apprentices + helped ashpaw back to the camp. ashpaw unfortunately didnt make it and after her sisters death sootpaw felt very lonely and like an outcast b/c besides craneheart, ashpaw was her only connection to riverclan. minkclaw and hornetflower were there for sootpaw but she was still struggling with feelings of not belonging - so when rosepaw joined riverclan she understood how it felt to have no one your own age that connected you to the place u were living at now; she essentially became rosepaws best friend to make sure he didnt feel lonely while settling in and in the process started to work on her own feelings of disconnect! this event is known to the clan ofc bc it was. a pretty big event losing an apprentice so early on 

(id also like to make a disclaimer: i really really do not like killing off characters below the age of young warrior so if that makes u uncomfortable too dont worry bc no apprentices or kits will die in the season change comic itself,, this is kinda one of the rare exceptions thats tied to sootpaws origins from when i first created her for an old group of mine asdnfdsf)

33. In the face of criticism, is your character defensive, self-deprecating, or willing to improve?

Hornetflower: hornetflower is a pretty mellow and understanding molly; she takes criticism fairly and quietly, willing to improve with whatever she needs to do. hornet doesnt get offended or irritated easily, as shes usually the one who breaks up confrontations or calms down others, so any criticism she gets wouldnt necessarily upset her 

Sootpaw: sootpaw on the other hand tends to get down on herself very easily; shes a little bit sensitive and tends to get sulky after criticism (hornets one of the few exceptions, but hornet never delivers it roughly and soots been used to hornets tips and advice as shes her apprentice). she wont openly self-deprecate and guilt trip anyone, but she will grow quiet and withdrawn and will most likely retreat to her nest to go to bed early