#starclan CAN punish spirits sending them to the dark forest still

[illuxtre]

Uh warrior cats concept/AU: What if clan leaders, for being "stars" created something akin to black holes upon their (last) deaths? They create the dark forest accidentally - like it isn't somewhere created for punishment, it's an accident of sorts that starclan takes advantage of.

For my own enjoyment bc I love terrifying religious stories: Starclan keeps that fact a secret. They promise their leaders a place in the stars, knowing they will fade upon their deaths. But the place of no stars is useful for them to keep control, and so they let it continue - but they don't realize what truly is a black hole, they don't realize they too can be swallowed eventually

[bonefall]

Regarding the Blackstar Sol situation being moved to OOTS, I was thinking this could actually be the perfect way to characterize Flametail and have the setup to his death that he has in canon without him needing a POV. Have it so Flametail is vehemently opposing Sol because he's really hardcore about StarClan and ends up getting driven out for it, so he stays in ThunderClan for a decent part of OOTS while Sol is in power, and like in canon he gets very stressed out trying to contact StarClan trying to figure out what's going on and what Sol's planning. Maybe his sisters are with him in ThunderClan, giving more development to the DovexTiger relationship and we get to see from them how Flametail seems to be changing from his normal shy but fun-loving personality. And rather than just him getting vague messages going nowhere and StarClan wanting to split the Clans for no reason, he's actually starting to figure out what's going on with the Dark Forest as well as important details about the gods, leading to them trying to kill his spirit later on (instead of him being just a random cat they choose to kill because they are evil). Maybe he becomes paranoid (rightfully, they really are conspirators in the Clans and Sol really is doing all sorts of tricks) and rather than demanding the Clans split he's demanding increasingly extreme measures to find and punish these DF apprentices and get rid of Sol. Which leads to Dawnpelt convincing him to relax and his death, except here it's in ThunderClan territory so Jayfeather has an actual reason to be there.

So when Jayfeather lets him die on Rock's behest his wanting to kill Jayfeather isn't merely being petty or ungrateful but about his suspicion regarding the prophecy, that Jayfeather has strange powers and is in league with some other force beyond StarClan - Rock is a god too, he might be just like Sol, and he LET HIM DIE to save Jayfeather for some prophecy? Maybe he knows about the three and he didn't want to turn against Jayfeather since they are close to each other and still see each other as cousins, but then Jayfeather lets him die because of his horrible prophecized destiny and he feels these cats (Sol, Rock, the three, the Dark Forest) are all the same, cats that would subvert the Clans and StarClan). Which could tie nicely into him being a hardliner StarClan cat who ends up initially siding with Ashfur, since they both feared the Three for the prophecy.

I see a lot of opportunity here! Adopted the following:

Flametail, Dawnpelt, and Tigerpaw come to ThunderClan during OotS. Sol's takeover of ShadowClan now comes after Russetfur's death, completely moved out of Po3.

Allows Dovepaw and Tigerpaw to do some more organic bonding, while Flametail and Dawnpelt can work with Jayfeather and Lionblaze to piece together the Dark Forest's effects in the real world

Flametail starts to uncover the plot, prompting the Dark Forest to crack the ice and try to kill his spirit. Jayfeather is stopped from saving him; it may be because of Rock's influence, but it could also be because a Dark Forest warrior stopped him.

Other things I'm taking note of, but I'm not sure what to do with yet...

There is a bit of a parallel here between the two older siblings and Tigerpaw training in the Dark Forest, and Lionblaze and Jayfeather sending their daughter/niece into the Dark Forest.

Lionblaze sent Russetfur into orbit and sort-of caused this whole mess; how do the Tigerkin feel about this? I need to consider that.

Applefur, Redwillow, and Ratscar are currently running ShadowClan right now with no one to oppose them.

I need to make that choice on which of the four Gods Jayfeather is connected to... the obvious choice seems to be Rock; but I want Rock's ancient avatar to die at the lake. Is this protectiveness a reason why Rock stops Jayfeather? Like he knew they would both just drown if he tried?

Hollyleaf needs to return to put an end to Sol's games. This is the moment she should come back, staying consistent with how the ending of Forgotten Warrior has her confronting Sol.

Hollyleaf is Fallen Leaves in my rewrite... must think about how the physics of this works. Is Sol still using the body of Cinders/Harry or did he steal hers?

I'm really feeling like this is one of the last plots of Bonefall OotS and I need to keep that in mind. Either second to last or third to last; the Great Battle is not far behind.

To that end I think Apple, Red, and Rat get exiled for how they opportunistically took over while Blackstar was being manipulated, and ran the place like TigerClan. Ratscar can redeem himself; but Apple and Red are Dark Forest hardliners.

Those aside...

IMPORTANT: How exactly do they restore Blackstar's faith? I can't imagine this will be made easier by Flametail's death; may be worth it to shuffle it to AFTER ShadowClan reforms.

For newcomers; Blackstar and his friendship with Russetfur was a major motivating reason why he improves after TPB. After she's killed in that battle, he feels there's no one to keep him in line and is consumed by his guilt, which Sol exploits.

I'm not really fond of StarClan coming out of heaven to just fix it by revealing themselves to him, or being tricked by a false sign. I think what restores him as a leader should be deeper than that; some kind of assurance that everything he's done in his life has been worthwhile. That it wasn't JUST for Russetfur; his Clan loves him, and needs him.

What sort of situation can I construct to show him that? I'll chew on it.

And lastly,

A few things though that I'm either vetoing or have frayed thoughts about;

I will be making a point out of the Tigerkin and the Firekin not seeing each other as family because of Bramblestar's huge public disowning back at the end of Po3, but affirming that they value each other. (I need to make sure TigerDove is not weird; Dovewing is Lionblaze's child now)

I don't mind Bonefall Jayfeather not being the hardline StarClan supporter he is in canon, since he fights an angel and everything. It doesn't really feel right for canon anyway and I've only ever seen his zealousness met with fandom annoyance; I think he'll work better as more StarClan-neutral. He thinks they are important but questioning them is good and necessary. It'll make good drama for TBC too, since he can get exiled before Alderheart for undermining his leader.

I think it'll be more heartbreaking for Jayfeather and Flametail to always be close, even when he is forced to let him float away. I'm thinking that however it happens, either a Dark Forest cat separating them or Rock telling him that they will both drown if he doesn't let go, it should be something beyond Jay's power.

In fact it would make a good beat for this to make Jayfeather appreciate StarClan, thinking that Flametail will be going there.

[glamoroussneaking]

As Blackstar drowns, he feels almost...peaceful at first.

He's lead a long nine lives. He's spent moon after moon as the leader of ShadowClan. He's helped drive off the Dark Forest, rejected and re-accepted StarClan, made the journey to the lake, fought BloodClan...and he may have done some horrible things earlier on, but he's done his best to be a leader ShadowClan can be proud of since he received his nine lives. A leader who was nothing like Brokenstar or Tigerstar, even if he chose to follow them in the past.

And in the end, his clan is safe. He does wish he wasn't leaving them, but he would rather the warriors of ShadowClan be safe than risk their lives for an old, dying leader when Rowanclaw will make a fine successor.

And then, all of a sudden, he feels something. The prickling sensation of being watched. His eyes snap open. He stares through the blurry water, wondering who it is. Did someone come back?

He can barely see the cat watching from the edge of the water, and it takes him a moment to recognize them- but when he does, that peaceful acceptance vanishes in an instant.

The cat watching Blackstar is Stonefur. Stonefur, pelt glittering with cold stars, expression impossible to read. Stonefur, who Blackstar still clearly remembers killing, remembers the blood on his claws and the look in Stonefur's eyes and how he still fought so hard even when he was clearly knew he was about to die and everything from that day.

He starts to panic. Is this his punishment, so long later? Is StarClan letting him die? Did this happen by their choice? Did they send Stonefur's spirit down to watch, to drive it in harder? Will the starry warrior reject him? Is he going to be banished to the Dark Forest after all, even after the Great Battle?

Blackstar tries to fight again, but he cannot get back up to the surface- he knew he wouldn't be able to already, deep down. Before long, everything fades to black.

And when he opens his eyes again, Stonefur is in front of him. Wordlessly, he walks away- Blackstar follows, begging him to answer his questions. What's going on? Where is he going? Desperate apologies join the questions as Blackstar's confusion and fear grows.

And then finally, after what seems like forever, they end up in a bright, lush forest. Blackstar doesn't believe it at first, until he looks down and sees his own fur glittering just like Stonefur's. But then, when he looks around, Stonefur is gone.

Blackstar is eventually greeted by his fellow dead clanmates, but the entire time, all he can think about are those last moments. As time goes on, he realizes that of course StarClan, or even Stonefur, didn't choose to let him die. He was drowning anyways. But why did Stonefur show up? Why did he lead him to StarClan? Was he assigned to that job, or did he make the choice himself? If so, why?

He thinks that maybe it was just a reminder. A reminder that even if he was in StarClan now, even is he had spent moons redeeming himself in his own eyes...he had committed terrible crimes, some that would never truly be forgiven, especially by the victims.

Something to make sure he remembers that he could have ended up in the Dark Forest forever- and just how close to that he was at so many points in his life.

[catswithemobangs]

Sweeney Todd AU

I made this AU soooo long ago and never got the chance to post it! SO here we go: a full summary of this AU. Spoilers for both Sweeney Todd and Warriors follow! Along with gore, a relationship that could be seen as pedophilia (I tried my best to make it less creepy from play to AU but the connotations are still there), rape, and murder.

First, some different worldbuilding. Cats from the clans are allowed to go into Twolegplace and other clans territory as long as it isn’t excessively and you do not go there to betray your clan in any way. The afterlife is different as well. Spirits can exist Starclan or the Dark Forest and appear and disappear at their leisure, but can still be killed. When killed, instead of fading, they are trapped in their afterlife and unable to return to the waking world. 

Onto the story! Tigerfoot and Goldenflower frequently passed through Twolegplace as mates. While there, the leader of Bloodclan, Scourge finds himself in love with Goldenflower. He has two kits with her: Bramblekit and Tawnykit. Tigerfoot occasionally takes the kits to play with Darkflower’s kits in Shadowclan: Rowankit, Lavenderkit, and Cedarkit. Him and Bone lure him to a Twoleg den and get him trapped inside with the Twoleg who makes him their pet. He gets more and more angry the more he sits alone in the den. 

After several moons, Tigerfoot finds a way out with the help of Rowanpaw and returns to Thunderclan. He is a changed cat after being a kittypet. His fur grew ragged and his eyes got more wild. He is confused to find that his mate and kits are no where around and his clan seems to be avoiding telling Tigerfoot the truth. He asks Bluestar to change his name to Tigerclaw. He quickly finds out that Tigerclaw’s clanmates thought he became a kittypet on purpose, just like his father. In frustration of the dismissal of his clanmates, he sneaks off to an empty cave just outside of clan territory by following a stream that branches off of the river. While there, Mapleshade reveals herself to him. He remembers talking to her before he was taken. She tells Tigerclaw that she has been staying in the cave to escape the Dark Forest, because she was wrongly placed there. She also informs him that shortly after he disappeared, Bramblekit died in a fire, she met with Scourge for help and the scene from the movie happens, a distraught Goldenflower ingested deathberries, and Tawnykit disappeared with her mother’s body. A furious and grieving Tigerclaw believes everything she says and he unsheathes his claws for the first time since becoming a kittypet, as he was punished whenever he unsheathed them. He realizes he could kill Scourge and Bone, along with a newfound resentment towards his clan. 

Rowanpaw travels through the Twolegplace very frequently. He’s old enough to be a warrior like his brother Cedarheart, but he’s being held back for spending too much time away from the territories. While there, he discovers a beautiful she-cat his age in the window of an abandoned Twoleg den. A rogue informs him that her name is Tawny and that she’s being held up there, so that no one can claim her as a mate except Scourge. Rowanpaw suddenly recognizes her from kithood as Tawnykit and goes to court her, but is chased away by Scourge and Bone.

Tigerclaw and Mapleshade become quite close. They go to Twolegplace to try and find Tawnykit, but instead find a young apprentice-age tom. He insists that a rogue named Stripes cured his mange with a kind of herb he found. Tigerclaw and Mapleshade quickly discover that the ‘herb’ is just water from the silver boulders on moss. They call him out and Stripes and Tigerclaw get into a fight. Tigerclaw defeats Stripes, Tigerclaw receives his signature nose scar, and Bone takes notice and wants him as an ally. 

Stripes comes to see Tigerclaw, revealing himself as his former apprentice, Darkpaw. He went into Twolegplace after his disappearance to try and find him. He didn’t find his mentor and stayed in Twolegplace, liking it better than Thunderclan. He threatens to tell Scourge where he is if he doesn’t cover for him stealing prey from Thunderclan. Tigerclaw promptly kills him and discovers that a large stone at Sunningrocks is a good place to kill cats if he wanted. It’s slanted so that no one could watch without getting close and he could push the bodies into the stream. They would then float down into Mapleshade’s cave. They hide the body together and Mapleshade adopts the young tom with Stripes, named Rusty. Bluestar renames him Firepaw.

Scourge goes to visit Tigerclaw to discuss him being an ally with them. While sharing tongues, Tigerclaw tries to slip his claws under Scourge’s collar and kill him, but Rowanpaw runs to him, telling him that he wants to free Tawny. Scourge runs back to Twolegplace, declaring his mistrust of Tigerclaw, and hides Tawny in the den of someone with way too many cats. 

A pack of dogs moves into clan territory. Tigerclaw hopes to use them to kill Bluestar and the Bloodclan cats, but he needs to get them on their side. Him and Mapleshade witness the dogs kill and eat a rogue and Mapleshade suggests that they kill clan cats at Sunningrocks and then use the bodies to train the dogs. They do this, starting with Brindleface. The plan is for Tigerclaw to kill and toss the bodies in the stream where Mapleshade will impale the bodies on a sharp rock where she will disassemble it to make it less cat-like and throw it to the dogs.

Bluestar dies the same way as she does in canon, along with the dog pack. At this time, Rowanpaw has rescued Tawny and they had the other cats attack the frail old Twoleg watching them, allowing for a distraction. Tigerclaw allows him to hide Tawny at his rock at Sunningrocks. Firepaw begins to suspect Tigerclaw’s killings, so to keep him quiet, Mapleshade has him travel the tunnels of the cave and blocking the entrance with brambles. At the same time, Bone shows up looking for her to ask if a message from Firepaw asking him to forgive Tigerclaw is true. She confirms it is true and sends him to Tigerclaw who kills him. Tawny, disguised with mud, goes to the place. She hides underneath it when the rogue who led Rowanpaw to Tawny from the beginning shows up and Tigerclaw kills her when he finds that Scourge is coming. He gets his chance to kill Scourge, violently ripping off his collar and slashing his throat as Scourge recognizes him as Tigerfoot. He then discovers Tawny under his rock. Tigerclaw threatens her until he hears Mapleshade yowling. He lets her go and goes to Mapleshade. Scourge wasn’t fully dead, but has now passed. She attempts to hide the other rouge’s body until Tigerclaw gets close and realizes under the overgrown, matted, dingy fur that the rogue is Goldenflower. Mapleshade realizes that she hid the fact that she was alive, because she was in love with Tigerclaw. In a fit of rage, he banishes her spirit from the territories by pushing her onto her rock, impaling her. As Tigerclaw grieves for his dead mates, Firepaw gets out of the tunnels. He discovers Mapleshade’s blood on the rock and kills Tigerclaw.

Later, an adult Fireshade banishes Tigerclaw, keeping him in the Dark Forest forever. Rowanpaw and Tawny get their warrior names in Shadowclan: Rowanclaw and Tawnyflower for her mother.