#But if they had the chance to become a kittypet... that might actually really be their best option | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

yuridovewing · 9 months

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Keep thinking about the Darktail twist and man I still think that Onestar was such a random choice for “has an illegitimate kid”. when imo Blackstar makes wayyyyy more sense. Like, consider, Blackfoot has a fling with Smoke when he’s still in exile during TPB. Smoke is wayyy more dedicated to him than he is to her, he actually looks down on her for being a kittypet.

By the time she’s pregnant though, he’s rejoined ShadowClan under Tigerstar. And oh man. Xenophobia is rife and alive and outspoken. And when Smoke tells Blackfoot about their kits, there’s no room for weakness. He lashes out at Smoke, maybe even outright attacks her (remember this guy killed Stonefur) and threatens her, telling her to either get off of his land forever or he’ll take care of their kits himself.

She’s either pregnant at that point or she’s had Darkkit and was trying to introduce them. Maybe the latter cause Smoke would not be coming back to ask ShadowClan to take him. Plus it’d be a formative memory to Darkkit that sticks with him for the rest of his life. Instead, she runs back home, Darkkit in tow. Warning him as he grew up to never go into the forest, lest his father find him and get rid of him.

Smoke lives out the rest of her days paranoid and distressed, Blackfoot knows where she lives. It gets worse when she hears that he’s become leader and could potentially send cats after her. Darktail grows up, angry and bitter that his mother was traumatized so. And he vows revenge. He trains himself, learns from the remnants of BloodClan how the clan cats fight. When Smoke dies, he leaves their twolegs to follow the clans, long gone at that point.

Revenge has consumed him, dedicating his life to unleashing his wrath onto Blackstar and his followers. He fantasized about how he would gut Blackstar and rip out each of his nine lives, dangle his dirty little secret over his clan and threatening their oh-so-fragile pride. He was going to make sure he would be considered Blackstar's worst mistake- that would be his end.

He sets up the Kin among some of the cats he trained with, some being former BloodClan cats. At first, it's formed in honor. He wanted to live with his friends was all, and this way they'd all be fed and healthy. But it slowly took a dark turn as Darktail still prioritized revenge above all else. He quickly grew manipulative, and while he still valued his cats, he began to view them more as pawns in a game of chess. A game he was always playing against Blackstar- even if Blackstar didn't know it. He took in vulnerable cats, promising them power and prestige, when he really was only concerned with how they could benefit his schemes. It takes him so long to get to a place where he can release an onslaught on his father’s clan.

… But when he arrives, Blackstar is dead. He drowned a year before Darktail arrived. He was buried, ShadowClan moved on, that was that. Darktail felt numb. It was all for nothing. Revenge on Blackstar, the thing that had driven him for so long, was gone. There was nothing left... except for the clan that Blackstar had built.

And it seemed plenty of the young, slighted, and immature apprentices were struggling at the change in power as well.

That was fine. He'd come this far. If he couldn't have Blackstar's skull, the rest of his clan would have to do. And as he witnessed the other clans' pride, he figured they could go as well. To hell with them all. He was gonna terrorize the clans just as they had terrorized his mother so, and he was going to relish every second.

So TLDR: Blackstar's crimes, and Brokenstar and Tigerstar's reign, still haunt ShadowClan to this day in the form of Darktail. Something about how when you die, some of your sins will be passed on to your loved ones who will be forced to deal with it in your stead. Darktail, try as he might, will never be satisfied with his revenge. He is now aimless, lashing out at everyone in sight because he missed his chance to kill the one he hated most.

#tbh i do like mama’s boy darktail but i dont like ‘’oh smokes a bitter ex she made her son hate his dad cause reasons’’#but in this context it feels better cause like… yeah shes just terrified #btw my ideal avos au doesnt include skyclan at all. yeah ik theyre a good chunk of the arc. idc. theyre staying in that damn gorge #razorverse #why not #also uhhh said drowning cause that happens in canon but since im cutting the time gap between avos and the last hope #i might have it just so he dies in the great battle instead #maybe tho... he still gets drowned but by a dark forest cat #and thats what causes darktail to use drowning cats as punishment #hes trying to kill them the same way his father was killed. cause he wishes he could have done it

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clangenwritingexperiment · 8 months

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Moon 70

Hawkbit's infection and leg have been healed.

Flutterbuzz has come out as non-binary.

Crookedbracken has announced that they are expecting kits.

Sunnybird's leg has healed well.

Treepaw is finally deemed ready and is given the warrior name, Treeheart! They are praised for their strategy. Their littermates welcome them with loud yowls and loads of affection. Treeheart secretly worries that they aren't actually ready...

Shoreeagle has swatted at a snake attempting to get into the camp.

Ploverpaw is trembling with excitement when they touch Mantisears nose. They just can't wait to get out there!

Sunpaw sits beside their new mentor Treeheart and can't help but feel as though the mentor might be even more nervous than the new apprentice.

Of all kits, why did they have to get this one... Flutterbuzz gently touched noses with the newly apprenticed Webpaw. They had watched this kit. Seen how they play fought too roughly with their littermates and the other, younger, kits. This 'paw will be nothing but trouble...They catch themselves thinking. But this could be my chance to turn things around for this young cat. Ensure that they don't end up with a bloody future. This could be their only chance...

Freezespots is very concerned about Hopstar's broken bone as the break has started to feel feverish.

Freezespots slipped on a wet rock and has had to endure Yewchill's teasing because of it.

Cragshadow has given birth to two tiny kits but refuses to share any information about the other parent. They name the kits Siltkit and Nimblekit.

Kinkblaze brought home five whole new kits! Their names are Jaggedkit, Riverkit, Bluekit, Shimmerkit, and Sharpkit.

Mantisears caught whitecough...

Pondpaw is named Pondfrost and honored for their fortitude. Pondfrost is a bit miffed that all Hopstar did was change one word but they know better than to protest.

Dolphinpaw is honored for their skill and is named Dolphinfade.

Pepperbuzz playfully nudges Songpaw forward. They know it is time for their apprentice to really start living as a warrior and they couldn't be happier. Songpaw is named Songshock in honor of their poise.

Splashpaw eagerly stands in the middle of the pool as they are named Splashstreak and are celebrated for their benevolence.

Hailkit caught greencough.

Hopstar's infection has finally worn off.

Grouseflecks leg has healed!

Sprucepaw found a kittypet sitting at the border and they asked to join. they have taken on the new name of Swiftspark.

Crookedbracken and Flutterbuzz have never purred as much as they have now. Curled around each other and their three beautiful kits. Redkit, Conekit, and Dazzlekit.

(I can't be bothered with the formatting)

Pondfrost got greencough.

Songshock caught whitecough.

Jaggedkit was almost kit-napped by an osprey but Turtleswoop saved them.

Splashtooth dislocated their leg.

Freezespots knows the signs. they have seen it in plenty of other cats. They just never expected to be one of those cats. Now all they can do is hopefully hide what is happening and pray that Starclan forgives them. Freezespots is expecting a litter of kits.

Saltears was bitten by a snake but survived.

Freezespots gives Sprucepaw the name of Sprucefeather. Yewchill is happy to finally retire.

Webpaw went missing and was found dead on Starlingclan territory with claws outstretched and blood splattering their sides.

Hyacinthpaw immediately starts asking Ferncreek questions about camp maintenance and den building.

Hailpaw is relieved that they were able to recover quickly from greencough. Or else they wouldn't have been able to become an apprentice alongside their littermates or they might have gotten a different mentor than Splashstreak and they really like Splashstreak.

Honeypaw interrupted their ceremony to request to become a medicine cat instead. Sprucefeather happily takes on the young cat as their apprentice.

Hemlockpaw touches noses with Daisyfin, eager to get started.

Ferncreek and Kinkblaze have become mates!

Hopstar's broken bone has finally healed.

Yewchill had a bad fall on the way back home and had to be carried back to camp.

Mantisears and Songshock no longer have whitecough.

Clamtrail has, on the other paw, caught whitecough.

Splashtooth is feeling much better.

Hailpaw was bitten by a snake and succumbed to the poison.

Fogkit got kittencough.

Siltkit was rummaging through the medicine cat herbs and ate some death berries.

#clangen #warrior cats #warriors #This is getting to be a very large clan #can cats please stop having crushes on cats that are already paired up

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tallstars-rewrite · 3 years

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Chapter 48

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The leaf-fall rains had returned and stayed, falling in a light mist over the gray moor as Talltail and Briarface walked side by side up the northern hills to the Sleeping Glade. The place where WindClan laid their fallen to rest. As Talltail walked with his friend in contemplative silence, he still looked with suspicious concern towards the eastern border. It had been a little less than a moon since the confrontation with ShadowClan, and, though every cat was still nervous and on high alert, it had been quiet. Jake trailed behind them at a distance, practicing his stalking while they visited. Talltail had invited him, but he got the feeling Jake didn’t want to intrude. Talltail heard him try in vain to shake the misty wet air from his thick ginger pelt. That cat was nearly always damp since the rains returned, while the water dripped more easily off Briarface and Talltail’s comparatively shorter pelts.

Talltail looked back at Jake fondly, remembering what he did in the aftermath of the fight. No one was ready to address the kittypet in their camp while tensions were high and Shrewclaw’s condition remained uncertain for days. But eventually, inevitably, Heatherstar was angry. Now of all times they could not be seen having outsiders around, and Jake must leave immediately.

Before Talltail could try to defend him, Jake quickly responded with “Well I won’t be an outsider if I join you right?”

Everyone gasped at the brazen tone, Talltail felt like he might faint on his paws. He was shocked and after some smoothing things over and apologizing for his lack of manners, and some charm on Jake’s part, Heatherstar, very hesitantly, agreed.

Talltail hadn’t expected it, although neither of them had done a good job of planning what exactly they did intend to do after arriving there. When Talltail questioned him later, Jake simply said he didn’t want to cause any trouble here and it seemed like a good idea at the time. Talltail had been very nervous for a while, but Jake made it hard for even hostile cats to complain. His sincere kindness in response to even the passive aggression of Whitetooth and Crowfur radiated from him.

“He’s not so bad,” Whitetooth had grumbled the other day, which was as good as a warm welcome from the old tom. That was Jake alright. Clumsy, bold, and difficult not to start adoring.

But while Talltail grinned back at Jake, he caught a glint of doubt in Briarface’s eye. Briarface was always kind to Jake, they got along well, but he had always been a little hesitant to share in Talltail’s joy about him staying in WindClan.

“It’s not that I wouldn’t like to have him around, but it’s a big life changing decision, and I just worry he didn’t fully think that through when he said it,” he’d told Talltail some time ago. “I think he just wanted to protect you, and in the moment…”

“I know it was a bit sudden, but Jake is very capable,” Talltail had insisted. “We already did some hunting practice together on our travels, and he’s gotten a lot better just in the past moon! Well, he’s not much of a rabbit chaser, but he’s a natural at stalking field mice.”

“Well, I’m sure you can handle the rabbits enough by yourself.” Briarface purred. “The fresh-kill pile has been harder to restock without you, you were among the best hunters in the clan, especially of bigger prey.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Of course! believe me, the elders certainly noticed. We’ve all missed you.’

Talltail gave a halfhearted chuckle. “I can’t help feeling like--”

“I’m not exaggerating.” The finality of his tone clearly said ‘don't try to argue with me about it.’

“Alright, alright. Thank you.” Talltail purred.

“You’re welcome. And just think, You've come this far beating yourself up the whole way. Imagine what you could become if you had a little faith in yourself. Every cat is impressed with how you handled yourself with ShadowClan--even the ones who were a little miffed about not charging into battle.’

“That’s all well and good I suppose...I really don’t have any great ambition to chase, I just want to do the best I can for everyone.”

Briarface nudged him gently. “That’s the greatest ambition you could have. Heatherstar knows it. She has to be a bit harsh on you right now, but there's never really been any question that she would let you stay.”

I hope that’s true… Talltail glanced behind to make sure Jake was going to catch up, but the ginger tom seemed to be going purposefully slow. They were nearing the Sleeping Glade now. Talltail had never come here after Brackenwing’s death. He’d been too nervous. Briarface and Talltail arrived at the clearing of soft grass and shallow mounds of dried scattered flowers. This place was strangely quiet, more so then almost anywhere else on the moor. Even after all these moons, Briarface still missed his mother and the twinge of pain was obvious in his eyes. Talltail leaned quietly against him. Some part of him still hurt too.

“It’s getting easier.” Briarface murmured. “Perhaps easy is not the right word, but I am learning how to manage...Perhaps Shrewclaw can start actually managing it as well. He kept saying he was feeling better over the past couple moons, but…I don’t think he ever meant it.”

Talltail remembered the rage lit up in Shrewclaw during the battle. It had remained for a long time, even when he couldn’t stand. The first quarter moon, many cats feared he would die, Briarface among them. Shrewclaw’s wound was bad enough, then he suffered an infection that kept him unconscious and feverish for days, unable to eat. But miraculously, slowly but surely, the infection began to ebb. His voice was weak and he was short of breath, perhaps he always would be to an extent, but he was alive. Talltail almost felt like they could start to relax.

“When you all left…” Briarface said quietly, “I started getting such a feeling of dread that something awful could happen that night. It was a similar feeling I got the day your border patrol left, before Brackenwing was killed. I think I was so close to mourning twice over and...I don’t think I would have been able to stand losing him too. I don’t know if he'll fight the same again... but he's here, and if it hadn't been for you, I think he would have died in that fight. Even a couple moments later would be all it would take. I hope you know that. I will be grateful to you for all my days.”

Talltail opened his mouth to say they couldn’t be sure it was all thanks to him. He would have preferred to stop Shrewclaw from getting hurt at all. But he simply nodded. Shrewclaw certainly had not extended any kind of gratitude towards Talltail. He hadn’t been fully conscious and aware very often when Talltail saw him, mostly all he got from the tom was a groggy glare before pointedly looking away. But the bad tempered warriors' frustration was a price Talltail was happy to pay. Maybe they could mend some things between them some day. Now that the opportunity to try hadn’t been stolen away from him too soon.

In the glade, they replaced the bones for Brackenwing. Her body was gone now, and whatever remained lay nestled in a circle of wild flowers. The first graves dug were purposefully shallow, slowly scattered in the wind or perhaps by birds. Whatever was left of a cat's body was blown away, so when their spirit could fully let go of their first life, Silverpelt would be close by and waiting for them to join the stars. Talltail realized he never really allowed himself the chance to mourn the kind molly who had always done her best to be there for him, as well as her own kits. Unlike...well, certain other cats he somehow still hadn’t seen much of since returning. If what Briarface said was true...he hoped keeping Shrewclaw alive could suffice as thanks to her. Talltail was almost surprised to realize, the sight of scattered bones did not frighten him like it did when he was young. It was merely a part of them after all, like fur, like claws. He was long past being haunted by skeletons in his dreams. And death was something he would have to learn to walk alongside. That was the path he was choosing in returning here. He would probably return here many times in life, and have many more loved ones to mourn, many more bones to replace. It was a life bound with inevitable hardships. But he knew it was better to be here with his dearest friend, and feel everything fully. Time to mourn properly rather than trying to bury and run from it. There was enough love here as well, to be worth the risk of pain.

As Talltail leaned close to Briarface, he shifted a bit, feeling a little awkward about his next question. "Briarface, what you said before about having feelings of foreboding...have Hawkheart or you...had any other bad omens?"

Briarface almost smiled. "Not recently. It's been a long while since I felt that way."

"Nothing about me? sorry, is that self centered to ask?" he added awkwardly. It felt a little kittish, but despite his newfound resolve, it was hard to get rid of that old lingering fear that he was undeserving of a place here, that every wrong step wasn’t a risk of disappointing his ancestors or clan. It was a fear so thoroughly drilled into him...he still wished for more clear confirmation, one way or another, so he didn't have to worry.

“I wouldn't consider you self centered for wondering" Briarface chuckled. "Believe me, every cat in the clan asks at least once, some multiple times. But the air around you feel different since you returned.” Briarface looked up at him with knowing sympathy. "I know what still worries you, it has worried you for so long after all...but I think you are in the best place you could have ended up. There were a lot of dangerous futures waiting for you. It was overwhelming. I certainly understand why so many apprentices quit this kind of training…of course, I didn’t really know the future for certain, especially back then, just a whole lot of tangled together hints of potential dangers and ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’. But one thing I did feel very strongly was that if you had gone on the path your father most wanted for you...I think you would be buried with him right now."

Talltail felt a chill run up his spine at the idea. He sat there with that thought in the air for a long time. Buried with him... “Is that why you looked so terrified when I told you I was going to try to retrain as a tunneler?”

“Yes, but I was so inexperienced, I was afraid to give you false visions and inadvertently make things worse. I didn't trust myself much then, after Brackenwing...”

“Well we ought to both work on trusting ourselves more. You did what you could and I did end up where I needed to be.” He may not have made peace with his anger if he hadn’t found Sparrow, and meeting Jake again was worth every day of homesickness. “I think you're going to be an amazing medicine cat.”

Jake waited by the edge of the clearing for them. Talltail felt a bit bad making him come, he knew he felt out of place, but Jake’s presence comforted him. As they walked home, Jake asked, "It looks like a big place...how many cats do you think we're scattered out there?"

"More than I could count. every generation before us.” Talltail said.

"Wow…" Jake shook out his slightly ruffled fur. "Sorry I didn't go all the way with you, I just thought...I didn't want to--er…"

"It’s alright. thank you for waiting." Talltail pressed his muzzle to Jake’s cheek and Jake pressed against him in return. Jake wasn't used to that sort of thing, and Talltail certainly didn't begrudge him for feeling a bit strange about it. Death had been a stranger to him until fairly recently. Talltail had been nervous about the area himself despite being born here. It was a hard life to accept being a part of...Briarface’s worries from earlier came back to him, but Talltail quickly shook them away. Things would ease over time.

Jake wound his tail around Talltail’s. “It’s a beautiful place to rest though. The whole place is, really. I can see why you wanted to come home.”

“It will feel like home to you too,” Talltail assured him. Jake gave a quiet purr, but Talltail couldn’t help focus on the melancholic gaze Jake gave to the horizon where the Thunderpath and the barn lay.

***

There were many typical warrior duties that Jake performed awkwardly, but if there was one place he fit in seamlessly, it was in camp. An area he found he was surprisingly good with was the matter of keeping the kits entertained, and StarClan knew they could use all the distractions they could get with their seemingly boundless energy. As soon as they returned, Meadowbreeze’s three kits came barreling out to meet them. They were gaining on the size of adults now, and could easily knock a full grown warrior over if they were excited enough.

“I smell Jake! Is he home?” Pigeonkit squealed.

“I see the trouble bunch is wide awake again.” Jake purred.

Jake was a favorite of Pigeonkit, Sorrelkit, and Hopkit. He was also probably the softest cat in camp, rivaling even Woollycloud’s plushness, which made him fun to pounce on, according to Sorrelkit who was currently latched to his plumy orange tail. How much the kits liked him helped even the most wary cats in the clan have trouble showing him too much disdain. Talltail couldn’t help notice the subtle undercurrent of wistful sadness that Jake had about him disappeared quickest around those kits. They kept him distracted as much as he kept them distracted.

At sundown, Talltail lay close to Jake’s side, while the three kits lay sprawled on top of him. They’d asked for a tale, and every cat knew that long stories were the best way to keep them still. Talltail was happy to realize that despite his long distance, he easily remembered every story he heard growing up, like they were sewn into his bones. The similar words and lessons that had been passed from cat to cat and then to him for generations. The Wind Runner and her legacy certainly had a lot of tales to choose from.

“Neither of her twins was better than the other, though they had different skills and different things that suited them. That’s what made them strong together.” Talltail said.

The kits as expected certainly had a lot of questions. Hopkit, the dark tom kit born with a slightly crooked front paw lost his balance standing up too quickly, and tumbled sideways into Talltail. He tucked his little paw self consciously under his chest. “Would Stone Claws be sad if we don’t tunnel anymore?” he asked.

“I don’t think so.” Talltail replied. “Stone Claws wasn’t just a tunneler. He taught us to be creative, solve problems with what's available to us. He was nothing if not adaptable and willing to reshape his surroundings and methods. That is how his legacy will always go on, by keeping us clever and thinking of new ways to do things when the traditional one doesn’t work.” He helped Hopkit to his paws when his siblings got distracted and took off across the clearing. “No matter what a cat's skills or calling is, you will always have a place here. Helping each other is what we do. Don’t be afraid to ask.” Talltail winked at the little kit.

Hopkit headbutted him lightly with a purr and scampered after his siblings.

Jake was watching Talltail with his chin on his foreleg and a gleam in his eyes. “See,” he purred, “you’re good at this too.”

Talltail gave his chest fur a couple of bashful licks, and Jake got up to track down the kits before they started snooping through someone’s den. Talltail allowed himself to lay there, content, just letting the sparse warmth of the leaf-fall sun soak into his pelt. He laughed to himself, watching through half closed eyes as the kits changed tactics and began trying to wrestle Jake to the ground.

“Have you altered that tale?” Hawkheart’s sudden appearance nearly frightened him out of his skin.

“I don’t think I've altered it.” Talltail replied, shaking out his fur to smooth it. “That’s how I see it. Stone Claws was more than just his tunnels. I think it’s important for them to know that. It’s better than telling them horror stories. Fallowspring has enough of those herself.”

Hawkheart sniffed “Yes, the one she likes so much certainly was an exaggerated telling of Harehead. She’s fond of thrills more than lessons.” Hawkheart gave him a long hard look and Talltail struggled not to drop his gaze out of habit. “I didn’t come just to chat with you of course. Heatherstar wishes to speak with you.”

Hawkheart’s eyes flicked over to where Jake was for a moment, and Talltail was instantly worried Jake had somehow done something wrong as he followed Hawkheart. Heatherstar caught his eye, sitting outside her den on the other side of camp. She gestured for him to come join her.

“I wanted to talk to you about your place in the clan,” she said. “I see how dedicated you have been the past moon. I know no cat wants you to leave again.”

“I hope you’re certain about that…” Talltail ducked his head awkwardly. “I have heard some cats whisper.”

Heatherstar nodded. “You were rather bold with your return. Every day I wonder if I made the right choice following your suggestion with ShadowClan...and how long it will last.”

Talltail stifled a sigh. “There must be some way to pursue peace amongst the clans that won’t be seen as weak. It’s a very far off dream, and not one with a practical path to achieve.” He said quickly when he saw her doubtful look. “It’s just something I’d like to believe.”

“It’s risky to pursue.” Heatherstar said.

She was right of course. He feared it was a foolish hope. As he thought of Darkpaw, and the burning hatred in the young cat's eyes still fresh in his mind, even more so when at the next gathering, the little bastard had somehow gotten his warrior name of ‘Brokentail’ after all. Despite indirectly causing a fight that hurt his deputy so badly, Stonetooth had been forced to choose early retirement. Still, Brokentail somehow weaseled his way out of blame. With cats like that around, Talltail’s dream was hopelessly out of reach. But he would strive for it anyway. They could not let grief and vengeance lead them into the future, at least not a future worth striving for.

“We must take risks no matter what. Perhaps I would rather take risks in pursuit of peace than risks by way of bloodshed.” Talltail said at last.

“I cannot fault your heart Talltail, naive as I may find it. And what sort of leader would I be if I cast out a warrior who cares as much for this clan as I know you do? There is a need for battle, but a need for warriors like you as well sometimes. I think you will grow into a wise cat someday. I don't want pride to guide my decisions into fights. Not every cat is happy with some of the risks I’ve taken. For example, I am choosing to risk placing my trust in you again, and I trust you not to let me down”

Talltail met her gaze. “Thank you Heatherstar, I will continue to do everything I can.”

“However…” She continued, and Talltail’s heart sank. “I am concerned about your companion, and his status here.”

“But--Jake has volunteered for everything he can,” he said quickly. “He already cares for many of the cats here--”

Heatherstar raised a paw for silence. “I do not doubt Jake’s heart is good. He exhausts himself and clearly always does his best. But he struggles in our hunts, and with the cold approaching...A former kittypet has surely never fasted a leaf-bare before. And more importantly, although he has the potential to become a competent fighter, he clearly has a strong disdain for it.”

“Jake is tougher than you think,” Talltail insisted.

“I believe he will try,” Heatherstar said sympathetically. “I believe he will try because he knows how badly you want him to stay. But to be in a clan requires many things of a cat. It means living without a paw in a world left behind, and embracing the clan. Being a warrior requires much sacrifice for the way we live, you know that well by now. And loving one cat in a clan can not be someone’s sole reason to choose this path. If Jake continues to dedicate himself to WindClan, then I will accept you both, and I will award him a warrior's name. All cats have something to offer a clan if they are loyal and true, regardless of skill set. But... I want you to be sure he does it for the right reason. And know that if he does go back to his twoleg home, he cannot return here. These past moons have shown us that it’s too dangerous for the clans to have visiting outsiders--both for us and for them. A definitive decision must be made soon.”

Talltail bit his tongue. It just didn’t seem fair that one misunderstanding should lead to such drastic measures...That put so much more pressure on the decision. But he was in no position to bargain. Talltail promised Heatherstar they would both be sure. He’d make sure Jake was cared for here, and everything would be fine.

As he turned to leave, he quickly found Briarface brushing along his side again.

“I suppose you heard some of that?” Talltail murmured. He was anxious again. Heatherstar’s words troubled him so because they fed into something that had already been nagging at him.

Briarface headbutted his cheek gently. “I heard enough. I know you worry for Jake.”

“Of course I worry,” Talltail sighed, “But...I have faith in his strength. Even if he is not fast, he is strong and sturdy. He could be an incredible warrior.”

“I think so too,” Briarface nodded. “But something weighs on him.”

“You have your own weight to worry about Briarface, we will find a way to make peace with ours.”

“Yes, many things do weigh on me...” Briarface murmured. “Grief of course, and now worry for my brother, worry for my father, and every cat who will depend on me this coming season. But it’s almost...a good kind of weight in a way. If something hurts, it’s because I love the ones I have lost or stand to lose so dearly. That love is worth it. It will keep me going, no matter what.” He gazed into Talltail’s eyes “You know it made me think... I let you go all those moons ago because I felt strongly that you needed to leave home to find out where you truly belonged. Partings and change will always be sad. But they are a part of our lives, and someday we must face them.”

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#FRU48 #chapter 48

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warriors-windandfireau · 4 years

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Wind and Fire AU: Fire and Ice - Chapter Eight

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Firepaw stared bug-eyed at the molly before him; how was she here? Why was she here? Was this really her, or a scarily identical cat that just so happened to wander onto WindClan's territory?

Perhaps she just happened to be a kittypet, too, like Princess, judging from the familiar, twinkling pink collar, with a small bronze bell dangling from the band.

But if this cat wasn't Princess, then why did he have this sense of familiarity towards her?

Firepaw had been standing in his spot, shell-shocked, for a good few moments. The molly hadn’t noticed him quite yet, but he knew that wouldn’t last for long if he continued to stay in his spot, gaping like a fish.

He took in a deep breath. Whether or not she’s Princess, it’s my duty to confront her.

So he put down his catmint, padding closer to her. It took her a bit to notice his approach- she seemed to hear him first, from the rustle of the grass he was disrupting with his movement, her ears swiveling to face Firepaw.

When she seemed to notice him, she whirled around to face him and get a better view of the possible threat; and so, they stood face to face.

It’s her, Firepaw thought to himself. There’s no denying it.

He remembered her so well from his days as a kittypet, and now that he could see her so clearly, it became obvious he couldn’t act like he had never met her.

“What are you doing here?” Firepaw asked. It was the only thing he could think to say- but he had many more questions.

Princess seemed to fail at recognizing for a few moments. She squinted at Firepaw, tensing up at first when he started speaking.

That is, until she heard him continue speaking.

Her eyes widened the moment she seemed to recognize her brother. She seemed to light up with ecstasy, grinning from ear to ear.

“Rusty!” she gasped, rushing forward. “I've finally found you! It’s been too long! Oh, it’s so wonderful to see you- you don’t even know how much I’ve missed you! I was so worried, you left without a trace, and with no explanation. For all I know, you could have died! Or your housefolk moved away!”

Firepaw was unable to get a word in as she rambled. The molly seemed to deflate with relief, tension seeping out of her features.

That is, until her expression quickly changed from excited and joyful to angry.

“You! How can I be so happy to see you? You terrified everyone! One day, you seemed fine and were acting normal, and the next you vanish without a trace? And you don't even tell me where you went? It seems the only one who knew a thing about your whereabouts was Smudge! You better have a good explanation for why you decided to disappear!”

Only then was Firepaw given a chance to speak, although now it was under more pressure.

“I- erm- w-well…” he stammered, glancing at his sister and away from her. “I live here now, with WindClan- um- I hunt, patrol the borders, and train to become a warrior. It's a much more suitable life for me, as opposed to when I was a kittypet..." He then realized that Princess hadn't answered any of his questions, and changing the topic, he then asked, "How did you get here, anyways? And why?"

"Oh, I just got the only cat you told where you were leaving to tell me where you were. How else would I have gotten here?” She said this somewhat sarcastically and bitterly, still seeming angry at the fact that he had only told Smudge. “I snuck through the forest in ThunderClan along the Thunderpath, till I reached the moors that Smudge had described, and from then on I just searched around this territory in hopes I’d find someone who could take me to you."

Firepaw didn't respond for a moment, shocked into silence. After a few moments of processing this new information, though, he slowly nodded. "You're lucky I found you first," he admitted.

"I would have found you eventually," Princess replied dismissively. "There's no need to be worried about me." Her expression and tone then shifted into a more serious one, and in a quieter voice, she asked, "Are you really happy here? In WindClan?"

Without any hesitation, Firepaw nodded. "It's a much better place here for me. I'm way more happy than I would have ever been if I had stayed as a kittypet my entire life."

Princess sighed in relief. "That's good."

The two stood there in silence before Firepaw then asked, "So... what are you planning to do now?"

Princess let out a small laugh. "I think it would be best if I stayed with WindClan for a bit. If they'll let me, of course."

Firepaw thought to himself. Would Tallstar allow for Princess to stay in WindClan’s camp? Surely he would- she didn’t pose a threat. Besides, the journey back to Twolegplace would be rather strenuous, and it would be cruel to force her to walk all the way back when she had just arrived.

"Okay," Firepaw agreed. "I'll take you back to camp."

Princess nodded, once again seeming relieved. There was a lot of ways for this stunt of hers to go badly- it seemed she was basing a lot of her plan purely on luck.

Firepaw collected the catmint he had set down before confronting his elder sister, and began padding back to WindClan’s camp with Princess following alongside him.

The journey was mostly in silence, though around halfway to camp Princess spoke up. "So, what are the Clans like?"

Firepaw thought to himself for a moment, before he decided that it was an excuse to get to talk with his sister again. Speaking the best he could around the herbs in his mouth, he replied, “It’s much more complex than I expected, actually. There are four Clans, RiverClan, ShadowClan, WindClan, and ThunderClan. I know you’ve heard of WindClan and ThunderClan. Obviously, this is WindClan, and you saw ThunderClan. You might have seen ShadowClan while walking along the Thunderpath, it’s a pine forest. RiverClan is on the other side of the territories.

“It’s a ranked system- there are leaders, who rule the Clans. After that, there are deputies, who are picked out by the leader to be the successor to whoever the current leader is. There are also medicine cats, warriors, apprentices, elders, queens, and kits. Warriors make up most of the Clan- they hunt and defend the Clan. Apprentices are training to become warriors. Medicine cats make sure everyone in the Clan is healthy. I’m sure you can guess what the elders, queens, and kits are.”

He went on to explain other aspects of Clan life, eager to tell her all about how he had been living ever since he had left Twolegplace.

However, as the two got closer to camp, Firepaw began to grow quieter and quieter, thoughts buzzing through his mind. How would the Clan react to him bringing a kittypet back to camp? They may have accepted him into the Clan, but Princess might not be so lucky…

Then again, who is to say that they wouldn’t question his loyalty after doing this- would they start thinking his loyalty remained with Twolegplace and kittypets?

Firepaw was so lost in his thoughts that he hardly noticed himself slipping through the camp entrance, with Princess right on his tail.

There was a dead silence the moment they entered the camp. Yep- it definitely didn’t look good for him to be casually entering camp with an unfamiliar kittypet right behind him.

A tense blanket settled over the cats in the camp, and a couple hissed and snarled at Princess.

Despite the aggressive attitude of the angry and confused Clan cats, Princess kept her cool. She puffed out her chest, raising her head, and seemed to regard the cats around her as harmless.

In the midst of all the noise, Firepaw saw Tallstar emerge from his den, a confused expression on his face. He looked around camp for a moment before meeting Firepaw's gaze, and then noticing Princess standing beside him. He trotted up to his apprentice and asked, "Firepaw, who is this?" There was no hint of aggression in his voice- only curiosity, which Firepaw was thankful and surprised at.

Firepaw set his pile of catmint beside him, ready to explain everything to Tallstar, but before Firepaw could explain the situation himself, Princess spoke up, seeming annoyed at Tallstar for having asked Firepaw who she was.

“I’m Princess,” she meowed, showing little respect for the older cat. “A house cat- the horror!- I’m Firepaw’s sister, by the way. I came here looking for him.”

Firepaw was rather alarmed at her lack of respect towards the leader, so he nervously spoke up to try and counter her attitude. “I’m sorry Tallstar- can she stay, even for just the night? She needs to regain her strength.”

Silence washed over the camp, and after what seemed like an eternity, Tallstar nodded. "She may."

"Actually," Princess chimed in, "it'll have to be much longer than just a day. I'm expecting kits."

Shocked, Firepaw whirled around to meet his sister's gaze. "You made the whole journey like this? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"It's not important," she replied, rather dismissively.

Tallstar interrupted the two siblings by meowing, "For the time being, Princess can stay in the nursery with Morningflower and Gorsekit. This isn't something we do lightly, so consider this a lucky opportunity." He then turned to Firepaw. "And Firepaw, take that catmint to Barkface as soon as you can. He'll need it."

Princess snorted, glancing back over at Firepaw.

Firepaw beckoned Princess as he began heading towards the medicine den. She quickly followed him, leaving the tense cats who were in camp staring after her.

Firepaw stepped into the medicine den, dropping the catmint beside Barkface's paws. "Er, I travelled to the barn to get some catmint for you. I hope that's okay."

Barkface admired the herbs that Firepaw had gathered and nodded. "You really didn't have to, but thank you." He then met Firepaw's gaze. "Is there a kittypet with you?"

"Yeah, my sister came to find me and Tallstar's letting her stay for a bit," he nervously responded. "Tallstar will probably explain everything soon."

He didn’t want to have to continue to stand there, awkwardly explaining why an unfamiliar molly was in WindClan camp, so he ended the conversation. He turned and backed out of the den, standing beside Princess once more.

Thankful that he at least had one burden off of his shoulders, Firepaw led Princess to the nursery, eager to let her settle down. Only Morningflower and her one surviving kit, Gorsekit, lay inside. The two cats looked up as Firepaw and his sister entered the den. Confusion was visible on Morningflower's face, with curiosity on Gorsekit's.

"Hello Morningflower, Gorsekit," Firepaw said, briefly greeting the two cats before gesturing to his sister. "This is Princess, my sister, and-"

"I'm going to be staying here for a while," Princess interrupted. "You don't need to introduce me to everyone, Rusty."

Exasperated, Firepaw just turned to Morningflower and whispered, "My sister came here to find me for whatever reason, and she's also expecting kits. Tallstar is letting her stay here for a while, if that's okay with you."

The suspicion and confusion died down from Morningflower's features, and she nodded. "At least it won't be so lonely in here," she mewed quietly.

Firepaw nodded, glancing over at Gorsekit, who was staring at the cats in the nursery with bewilderment.

His gaze returned back to his sister as she padded over to a nest, laying down in it without a second thought.

Firepaw sighed, still looking at Princess.

This whole situation is a mess.

#Warrior Cats #Warrior Cats AU #FAIChrono

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warriorsfireandwater · 5 years

Text

Chapter Eight

“So,” Crookedstar meowed. “Let me make sure I understand everything. You went back out to hunt again, alone, and decided to cross the bridge.” At Firepaw’s nod, he continued. “Then you saw ThunderClan chasing Mire—Yellowfang off their territory. She tried to attack you and demanded you let her into RiverClan territory. You fought for a moment, but stopped because she was exhausted. Then, you left an intruder on our border to hunt for her, bring her back prey, and feed her?”

“That's the gist of it,” Firepaw mumbled. “I—”

“I don't know what to do with you,” Crookedstar said, cutting him off. “First, apprentices are not to hunt or patrol on their own without clear permission. You may be new here, but you should know that. Even if that had escaped your attention, intruders are to be challenged, not fed. You wasted a piece of prey on a cat that you knew nothing about.”

Crookedstar paused, and Firepaw finally spoke again. “I couldn't just chase her off,” he meowed. “She was so… helpless. Even though she was acting as mean as a dog.”

Crookedstar twitched his tail. “Even considering this, Mirestorm… I mean, Yellowfang—she is a medicine cat. Medicine cats are entitled to certain… privileges, you could say. However, they certainly aren't supposed to attack lone apprentices, and her being on her own is suspicious…” he closed his eyes for a few moments.

Firepaw shuffled his paws. “Are you going to exile me?” he asked.

Crookedstar opened his eyes. “Great StarClan, no. You behaved very foolishly, Firepaw, and you will have some kind of punishment, you can be sure of that. But I won't be banishing you from the Clan for something like this.”

Firepaw let out a breath in relief.

Crookedstar sighed. “I won't be taking you out of training,” he said. “That wouldn't be helpful to you or your Clanmates. I'll think on this for a bit and speak to Dawnwhisker. You are dismissed.”

Firepaw nodded, his nerves returning as he rose and left the den. He won't exile me… but I'm definitely in trouble.

To his surprise, Beechpaw and Minkpaw were sitting outside the leader’s den. He considered Beechpaw a friend, but didn't spend much time with Minkpaw. The black she-cat twitched her tail curiously as he padded out. “Did he actually exile you? Silverpaw was certain he would.”

“No,” Firepaw meowed. “I'm in trouble, but he said I wasn't banished.”

“Obviously,” Beechpaw said, rolling his eyes. “That's just stupid.”

“What? I didn't say I wanted him to be,” Minkpaw retorted. “He's alright. Better company than Silverpaw, at least.”

“Thanks, I guess,” Firepaw meowed. “I couldn’t tell just how angry he was. He seemed pretty furious at first, but then he just said he’s ‘think a bit’ about my punishment.”

“I wouldn’t worry much,” Minkpaw said with a shrug. “Crookedstar’s a big old softie, honestly. Don’t get me wrong, he’s the best leader RiverClan could have, but he’s too nice to just go doling out punishments.”

Beechpaw nodded in agreement. “Oh, yeah. You won’t be in too much trouble, Firepaw. Maybe you’ll be cleaning ticks for a few days, but it won’t be too bad. Now I hear that in ShadowClan, they think up all sorts of awful punishments for their apprentices…”

The three apprentices jumped as Leopardfur padded by and stopped to meow, “That’s right. Be thankful Crookedstar is kinder to you all. Rainfoot told me that a troublemaking apprentice once had to clear out a fire ant nest on his own. Came back bitten up terribly.” She stared right at Firepaw, expression unreadable.

Firepaw gulped uneasily. I have a feeling that Leopardfur would have some kind of thing like that in mind if she was leader…

Though the deputy wasn’t cruel or even particularly unkind, she simply was cold. Not just to Firepaw, really, but to every cat. She spoke little and when she did, it was often to give criticism. A compliment was rare, as Firepaw had quickly learned, and he knew had a long way to go before he had even a whisker of approval from Leopardfur.

“That's just cruel,” Beechpaw muttered, seemingly unfazed. “No wonder ShadowClan cats are so grumpy. I would be too!”

There was the sound of pawsteps from behind Firepaw as Crookedstar emerged from his den. The apprentices all watched as he leaped on top of a flat stone that sat near his den and let out a yowl. “All cats old enough to fish gather here for a Clan meeting!”

“What's that about?” Minkpaw whispered.

“Likely the trespasser that Firepaw hunted for,” Leopardfur replied, a sharp edge to her tone. She padded past them to sit closest to Crookedstar.

“We can hear fine from here,” Beechpaw said. “Besides, I don't want to go sit by Leopardfur. She's in an odd mood.”

“She's always in a mood,” Minkpaw retorted.

Firepaw moved to sit beside Beechpaw. The rest of the Clan quickly gathered—it was sunhigh, so most cats were in camp resting. When Crookedstar seemed satisfied with the attendance, he sat, wrapping his tail around his paws. Firepaw blinked as he noticed Mudfur and Silverstream escorted a still-bedraggled Yellowfang from the medicine cat’s den. The three cats sat close to the stone as well.

“Cats of RiverClan, we have a visitor in our camp,” Crookedstar began. “Most of you should know of her. ShadowClan’s former medicine cat was found by Firepaw on the human bridge. I have spoken to both her and Firepaw about her appearance her. She wishes not to speak much on why she has left ShadowClan, but she attempted to seek refuge in ThunderClan, and they chased her from the territory.”

“Wait, she left ShadowClan?” Skyheart asked. “Why would a medicine cat abandon their Clan?”

“Are you daft?” Yellowfang sharply asked. “Or do you just not pay attention to the Clans you share borders with? Spending too much time sunning yourself these days?”

Reedtail stood and curled his lip. “Watch how you speak to us, rogue!”

Crookedstar flicked an ear. “Calm yourselves, please. Though I do wonder what you mean by that, Yellowfang, since you expressed the need for secrecy.”

Yellowfan lashed her tail. “Your comfortable lives behind the river have always cut you off from the going-ons of the other Clans,” she muttered.

“Speak plainly, crone, or be silent,” Blackclaw growled.

Yellowfang stared at him without speaking. Crookedstar sighed. “I will be speaking to you again after this meeting, in the chance that you have decided to share something else you know. Anyhow… Yellowfang claims that she is no longer in ShadowClan’s ranks. If she were a warrior, it would be appropriate to consider her a rogue, but given that she is a medicine cat, I believe it is in RiverClan’s best interests to allow her to stay with us, for a time.”

Leopardfur’s pelt seemed to bristle in the slightest. “Crookedstar, why?” she asked. “ShadowClan may be a desolate place, but they value their medicine cats as much as any other Clan. How can you accept her silence and trust that she isn’t a danger to our Clan?”

Yellowfang watched the deputy as she spoke, eyes narrowed. “Cast me out if you please,” she said, voice low and dangerous. “It is up to StarClan to judge you, not I.”

There were a few dubious mutters passed between Clanmates at these words. Firepaw wasn't sure what she meant by it, but he felt unsettled by the change in the mood of the Clan. “Why’s everyone worried now?” he whispered.

“Medicine cats are special,” Beechpaw murmured back. His tail was twitching nervously. “They have a connection to StarClan that average warriors don't. If we rejected a medicine cat in need of help… StarClan could curse us.”

“StarClan isn't cruel,” Minkpaw whispered. “But… they wouldn't look favorably on us for throwing her out, if she really does need help…”

Crookedstar shifted his paws. “If Yellowfang presents herself as a threat to our Clan, she will be dealt with accordingly. But medicine cats—regardless of Clan—are deserving of our respect. Perhaps she will even prove an asset to the Clan. That being said, we don't know her well enough to put unconditional faith in her. Yellowfang, until I decide otherwise, will be under guard at all times. Firepaw, as you found and already have taken it upon yourself to feed her, you will serve as her main caretaker.”

Firepaw blinked. What?

Crookedstar went on. “You will hunt for her and care for her as though she were any other elder or queen. You will train as usual when you are not attending to her, but should you have free time on your paws, it will be your duty to guard her.”

Firepaw flattened his ears, embarrassed, as a number of cats turned to stare at him. “Y-yes, Crookedstar.”

“Good. That will be all.” Crookedstar hopped down from the stone, and the Clan broke up to resume their business.

Silverpaw padded up to Firepaw and smirked. “Nice going, kittypet,” he sneered. “You might as well just become a medicine cat yourself.”

Firepaw growled and resisted the urge to unsheathe his claws. Before he could reply, Silverpaw continued on to the fresh-kill pile, tail swishing behind him.

“Maybe it won't be so bad,” Beechpaw meowed sympathetically. “It's just like looking after the elders, really.”

Except this one has the attitude of Blackclaw and smells like rubbish, Firepaw thought miserably. ‘Nice going’ is right.

#warrior cats #wc #warrior cats au #warrior cats rewrite #riverclan fireheart au #warriors: fire and water #chapter eight

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sorrelstream · 4 years

Text

more rewrite ramblings...again

Specifically pertaining to crowfeather and how hes actually an antagonist in this au

• His relationship with Nightcloud is actually an arranged mateship; when Ashstar became leader after Tallstar's death, Onewhisker defied her and rallied a rebellion and Mudclaw actually supported him in this verse (hehe flipped). After the rebellion is quelled and Onewhisker either a. Dies, b. Backs off, or c. Is exiled/runs off, Mudclaw stays and as a sign of windclans unity they arrange for Ashstars son Crowfeather and Mudclaws daughter Nightcloud to be mates

• Anyways. After Crows rejected by Feathertail a second time, he kinda seems to dodge around the idea of an arranged marriage (nightcloud also isnt thrilled but agrees bc she feels like this is what a loyal windclan warrior would do). He reluctantly agrees but during this time starts sneaking around with Leafpool as his rebound, and he eventually convinces her to run away. When leafpool tells him they need to go back and break this off, crows pissed at her and moody. He goes back to nightcloud and pleads that she take him back to prove hes a loyal windclan warrior and nightcloud, both pitying him as he was her friend growing up and also again feeling pressured by her clanmates/clan, agrees and takes him back as her mate. Crow however still acts really shitty towards her, continuing to moon over leafpool and feathertail while doing a complete 180 around them and acting particularly mean/aggressive to leafpool

• Its kinda heavily implied that crows still pursuing romances with other mollies (be it rogues, loners, kittypets, other clan cats, etc.) by nightcloud a lot as nightcloud seeks comfort from squirrelstorm (who, while they never acted on their romantic feelings as apprentices, are still close friends and squirrel continues to quietly pine for night but chooses to push those feelings to the side) and nightcloud mentions that crow sneaks out at night a lot, is generally distant and cold towards her, and nothing like the friend she grew up with

• It kinda drives home nights worries when she goes into labor and crows literally nowhere to be found until the next morning, after night has a stillborn birth and breezekit is in severe critical condition

• Crow and night both begin to resent windclan. Night resents them for the pressure they put her in and acting as though the clans safety/unity solely resided on whether she had crows kits or not, but they continue to stand back and allow crow to treat night and breeze the way he does with no confrontation or even attempting to guide him to change (the only cats who ever seem bothered by crows treatment of his family besides night are whitetail, barkface, and breezes apprentice friends). Crow on the other hand resents windclan for keeping him tied down but mainly resents leafpool and nightcloud, believing that they ruined his chances at a happy life

• Idk if either crow trains in the dark forest or breeze trains in the dark forest yet tho tbh. I think breeze would still train while crow just remains an antagonist factor but idk

• Anyways. After the secret is revealed by lionblaze at a gathering (which causes both lion and holly to run away from thunderclan i might talk abt that in another post idk), ashstar decides she cant really punish crowfeather and doesnt even scold him bc whats done is done and in his defense he didnt know abt the three being his. Most of windclan actually blames leafpool for it (except for a select few ofc). Nightclouds resentment finally hits its peak and she decides to run off to thunderclan as they seemed to be the only cats who sympathized with her; breezepelt also agrees to come with her and they join thunderclan

• Leafpool also like the night after or so found nightcloud and begged her not to be mad at squirrelstorm for nevet telling her abt the threes bio kits. Leafpool had been unaware of nights arranged mateship to crow when they ran off and was extremely ashamed to not only be carrying a windclan toms kits but also a taken windclan toms kits so she begged squirrel not to tell anyone abt the bio parents of the kits. Squirrel agreed and in the end believed it didnt matter who their bio parents were bc she raised them as her own. Night decides to forgive leaf and squirrel and actually becomes even closer to them in thunderclan

• Anyways. Back to crow. Seeing night actually be happy in her thunderclan life (and the possible blooming/happy romance between her and squirrel), as well as leaf achieving her dreams and becoming a medicine cat, drives crow further into his bitterness. Hes mad that they got happy endings while he didnt, so in the final dark forest battle, crow targets them and breeze

• Ashstar actually takes a pretty bad wound defending breezepelt from crowfeather and begs nightcloud for forgiveness - she feels guilty for letting her son slide on so much and regrets shoving nightcloud into an unhappy romance under the guise of it being for the sake of windclan. Night forgives her but tells her she wont be rejoining windclan as she finally feels good about herself in thunderclan. Ash understands and accepts this (after the battle breeze does decide to move back to windclan, but hes happy for his mom back in thunderclan)

• Crow targets leaf at one point during the battle and attacks her, attempting to kill her, when either night bounds in and tears him away from her. They duke it out and crow tries to trick night into turning her back on him so he can sneak attack/kill her, but as he lunges for the kill holly intervenes and actually kills him (this is still up in concepts so idk tho. Night herself might just wreck him idk lol)

• Last thing. Idk if ill use this bc honestly i never read avos and ive never rlly thot abt rewriting the plot past oots but if i did: darktail would actually be the result of one of crows implied earlier romances (perhaps between him and one of the mollies from The Colony). Darktail sees this new era the clans are in of peace and open borders/being more open to cross-clan relationships (be it familial, romantic, or platonic) and feels enraged over the fact he and his mother lived a difficult hard life on their own, pushed away by crowfeather, for the sake of this code that is now not even a huge deal anymore. So he teams up with sol (? Perhaps idk) and tries to dismantle the clans and turn them on each other and go back to their old code bc if he had to suffer then he better not have suffered for no reason

#i be thinking #rewrite au #rewrite #long post #b4 anyone complains abt how im Anti Crowfeather or whatever Shaddup ive had antagonist crowfeather concept for a while #like since i first started this wc rewrite

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og-bbs-n-misfits-warriors-au · 5 years

Text

Chapter 2: A Mountain Tribe

Lionmane, or really Leo, chuckled, “So I made it on time, I assume?” He walked into camp, followed by two other cats.

“Who’s Lionmane?” Braveheart asked Icelegs.

“Lionmane was one of the best warrior in Thunderclan when I was just a kit,” Icelegs replied, “He just left one day because he fell in love with a kittypet.” So Lionmane was once a Thunderclan warrior.

That’s when Braveheart noticed one of the cats Lionmane was with. A grey tabby that had amber eyes and…rings? They had ear piercings and bracelet like rings on him. Why did that seem familiar? “Who’s the others?” Stormstar asked.

“My mate, Lillith,” Lionmane said as he flicked his tail to a brown and white she-cat with blue eyes and a blue collar, “And this is Kryoz, a stray we met at the horseplace.”

Kryoz?! “John!” Braveheart said, confusing Sagepaw and Icelegs as he ran up to his friend, “How are you even here?”

“I…” Kryoz started with a confused look, then his eyes widened, “Jaren?” Braveheart laughed, “The one and only!”

“You know this cat?” Icelegs asked as she walked over.

“Yea, he’s one of the friends I mentioned,“ Braveheart said.

“So, seems like we managed to find your friend,” Lionmane chuckled, “Oh and Stormstar. Me and Lillith have been talking on the way here, and we want to stay in Thunderclan. If you’ll have us.”

“Of course,” Stormstar smiled, “You’ve always been allowed to return.” He then turned to Kryoz, “As for you, what do you plan on doing.”

“I…” Kryoz started. He honestly didn’t know what to do now. He found Jaren, but now he wasn’t sure on what to do. It wasn’t like he could try to convince his friend to leave. Where would they go? “I don’t know…” He admitted.

Braveheart tilted his head slightly. He couldn’t just let Kryoz try to fend for himself. He might not make it…and their bodies were connected. If Kryoz got hurt, John would get hurt. “If you have nowhere else to go, you can stay here,” Stormstar spoke up.

“He’s turning into Bluestar,” Finchreef snickered. Snakepelt laughed quietly at the remark.

Stormstar ignored the remark and waited for Kryoz to answer. “I…yes,” Kryoz said. This…Thunderclan was his best chance at survival. He was still worried about the fact that Toby was no longer trying to wake him up.

“Then I, Stormstar, leader of Thunderclan,” Stormstar started, while Icelegs left to go sleep, “Call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on this young cat. He is willing to join Thunderclan and to learn our ways. Kryoz, to you promise to obey the code and to listen to your mentor?”

“Yes,” Kryoz said.

“Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your temporary name. Kryoz, from this moment on until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Kryozpaw,” Stormstar spoke. Braveheart perked up at this. Why did Stormstar keep Kryoz? “I will be your mentor,” Stormstar concluded. All five apprentices began to have their names chanted out before Stormstar began to speak again, “As for now, you may all rest. The battle has given us insight on our foe and let us keep our herb garden.”

With that, cats began to disperse, some heading to the medicine cats den while others when to go sleep. “Thank Starclan,” Brownstone grumbled, then looked at Tigerpaw, “We’ll start training later, I need a nap.” As soon as he said that, Brownstone moved to the warrior’s den.

Toby shoot his head as he opened his eyes. He didn’t see a forest…he saw…a cave? Where was he? “You’re finally awake!” A Voice chirped. Toby looked over and saw a black she-cat with white markings and yellow eyes. Unlike everyone else so far, Toby was calmer about this. He knew he would become a cat.

“Hi…” Toby said as he managed to push himself up and off the cave floor.

“StoneTeller was getting worried,” The she-cat spoke, “He feared that you were actually dead!” StoneTeller? The hell was a StoneTeller?

“Um…where am I?” Toby asked as he looked around.

“You’re in the resting cave,” The she-cat spoke, “In the Tribe of Rushing Waters’ cavern.” Tribe of Rushing Waters? “My name is Night within Star Light.” What a name!

“Uh…Toby…” He frowned, “C-Can I just call you Night?”

“That’s fine,” Night purred, “Come on! StoneTeller is waiting for you.” She trotted out of the cave, waiting on Toby. Toby was very confused but followed behind Night. When he left the cave, he was greeted by a massive caverned filled with small, yet shiny crystals. Several other cats were talking with one another, some even grooming each other.

“Whoa…” Toby said in awe.

“There’s other cats are in StoneTeller’s cave,” Night said, “They seem to know you.”

“Others?” Toby asked in confusion. But he was answered when he walked in. There were 6 cats in the cave, all sitting down and with worried looks. The youngest’s eyes widened, “Holy fuck,” He said.

Toby recognized that voice immediately. “Mason!” He said as he ran over. “Toby…?” Another spoke up. It was Jay! “What happened to us…?” “I don’t know,” Toby admitted, “All I know is that one of the cats Firestar knew screwed up.”

“Firestar?” A new voice spoke. A grey and black tabby tom with blind green eyes turned to face them, “He’s a cat of legend. From a place called Thunderclan.”

“Thunderclan or not, I feel like this entire situation if fucked,” A grey tom growled. Toby knew immediately that it was Eric talking.

“I would rather you not speak such harsh words,” The tabby sighed, “Anyways, my name is StoneTeller. I am the chief of the Tribe of Rushing Waters.”

“I still have no clue what that is,” A grey tom, with half of his face being black, spoke up. There was Fitz, which meant the final cat was either John or Matt.

“We are a tribe of cats that live in this mountain,” StoneTeller said, “We have for many of seasons, and we have dealt with eagles and hawks by eating them.”

“Jesus!” The final cat said. So it was Matt.

“Anyways,” StoneTeller continued, “We are in need of your help.”

#Warriors #warrior cats #BBS warriors au #Misfits Warriors au #Book 2: Matter of Stars #Series 1: Origin #Smii7y #Kryozgaming #Kryoz #Toby on the tele #tott #inotorious #Swaggersouls #goodguyfitz #Zuckles #mccreamy

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twilights-800-cats · 5 years

Text

<< Allegiances | Chapter 23 | Chapter 24 | Chapter 25 | From the Beginning >>

Chapter 24

Tinystar stared at the waving undergrowth, his heart beating in his ears. Would Scorch and BloodClan come back? Would LionClan? But Fourtrees was silent, birdsong starting up somewhere in the forest. Life was going back to normal after holding its breath for the dawn – but Tinystar still felt like he was rooted in time.

Hurt pierced his chest like enemy claws. How could Rusty, his own half-brother, become a greater threat to the forest than Bluestar? He found himself questioning every aspect of their old friendship, wondering whether the signs had been there all along.

“Did you think life in Twolegplace would halt without you, Tinystar?” Scorch’s words seared into his mind. “Did you think time would not march onward?”

Even so, Tinystar had no idea how this had come to be. How had Rusty, so charming and good-natured, become Scorch? What was BloodClan, and why did they even care about taking the forest for their own, now that Bluestar was dead?

Tinystar swallowed, his eyes resting on Bluestar’s blood-soaked body. Bluestar was dead now. His ears were buzzing with anxiety – was any of what had happened even real?

But the blood on his paws felt real enough. The flies hovering over Bluestar’s body were real. A soft breeze stirred her fur almost apologetically. That was real, too. Bluestar’s glazed eyes, once cold and filled with hate, had frozen themselves in fear at her very last, agonizing moments. If Tinystar looked into them he could hear her wheezing breaths as she clung to her final lives.

Strangely, guilt washed over him at the sight of her. She had been a good warrior in her time, before ambition had consumed her. She hadn’t deserved to die like this.

Tinystar dug his claws into the soil. I thought it was my destiny to stop you, he thought, staring into her fear-filled eyes. How could it not be my destiny? He couldn’t help but feel the slightest bit cheated at the thought. Had StarClan really intended for Bluestar’s life to end by Scorch’s claws and not Tinystar’s? If so, what had been the point to all their fighting to begin with?

He took a deep breath. Would she offer her strength to stop BloodClan? Was she with StarClan, or someplace far darker, where no star dared shine? Tinystar had no idea. After all Bluestar had done, somehow he couldn’t see any StarClan cat forgiving her, especially after giving her the chance to make things right with ShadowClan as their leader.

“Tinystar,” Sandstorm’s voice was quiet. “Are you all right?” She nudged him with her shoulder, and Tinystar jumped at the touch. He looked back at the gathered TigerClan, realizing that, despite the chaos, the battle lines had remained properly drawn. He looked into his mate’s green eyes, trying in vain to draw strength from them.

Sandstorm’s whiskers twitched against his when Tinystar didn’t reply. “Is that Scorch really your brother?” she asked.

Tinystar swallowed. He forced himself to find his voice. “I’m not all right,” he admitted quietly. “How can I be, after that?” He sighed heavily. “Scorch is my brother, yes – but… it’s almost like some other cat is wearing his pelt.”

Sandstorm touched her nose to his shoulder, her eyes full of sympathy.

Tinystar turned to Tallstar, becoming more and more aware that these cats were looking for guidance now, more than ever. The WindClan leader was stiff, his eyes huge in his narrow, tapered head. His large ears were quivering.

“Tallstar,” Tinystar meowed.

“All nine of her lives,” Tallstar rasped, “gone. Just like that.”

“I didn’t think it was possible,” Tinystar admitted.

“Nor did I,” Tallstar agreed. “Never in any history that I know has it happened.”

The black and white tom turned his long face towards Tinystar, ripping his eyes away from Bluestar’s corpse. Now those eyes gazed into Tinystar’s searchingly. “Scorch… is your brother? How?” he asked.

Tinystar’s shoulders stiffened. There was a strange intensity to Tallstar’s gaze. “W-We shared the same father,” Tinystar answered. “A kittypet named Jake.”

Tallstar’s entire body shivered, from ears to tail. Tinystar thought the skinny tom would fall over from the force of his reaction. Tallstar dug his claws into the earth. “How could the son of my old love be so evil? Such a disrespect to his memory?”

“Your… love?” Tinystar tipped his head, confused. “You knew Jake?”

Tallstar nodded. “We shared a personal journey, long ago – seasons before you were born. We were young…” He paused, memories flitting behind his eyes. “Our love… wasn’t to be, in the end. We had to part.”

Tallstar’s yellow eyes grew more intense as they looked on Tinystar. “I promised that I would watch over any kit of his. I knew there was something familiar about you, Tinystar…”

Tinystar swallowed his shock. Tallstar and his father? How could that be? But it seemed to be that Tallstar was speaking true. “I suppose just about anything is possible now,” he admitted.

Tallstar’s tail lashed. “Do you think Scorch was serious? About taking the forest for his own?”

Tinystar frowned. “He seemed to be,” he answered grimly. “We need to prepare for the battle of our lives.”

“Agreed,” Tallstar said firmly. The old cat’s resolve seemed set. “WindClan was driven from their home once in recent memory – we shall not be again! We will fight until our last breaths.”

“So will ThunderClan,” Tinystar agreed.

Tallstar stood, raising his tail. “Then we shall meet here in three days, at dawn,” he declared. “Good luck, son of Jake.”

All of WindClan broke from the battle line. They followed Tallstar up the slope in a smooth, silent motion, disappearing over the rise and into the heather. Tinystar swallowed. He felt far more alone and vulnerable in Fourtrees without their numbers. What if BloodClan or LionClan came back for an ambush?

Sandstorm shifted beside him. “Will it ever end?” she wondered softly.

“I don’t know,” Tinystar replied, his voice breaking. “It’s just one thing after another.”

Sandstorm touched her nose to his ear, murmuring a comforting sound before she headed for Cloudtail, who was looking quite distraught. The two she-cats curled together, talking quietly. Tinystar thought he saw Cloudtail’s shoulders shaking with emotion.

It’s hard on her, too, Tinystar understood. She’d never known her father, only from stories from me or Fiona. And now he’s… a monster.

“We should get moving,” Tinystar announced.

All of ThunderClan’s heads perked up. It was clear that they had all been wallowing in their own kind of grief about the situation. Cinderpelt and Dustpelt were closer together than ever before. Ashpaw and Fernpaw had their tails twined. Mousefur’s claws had torn up a patch of grass at her paws while Longtail’s tail hadn’t stopped twisting for some time, it seemed. Each ThunderClan cat was agitated in their own way.

Tinystar scanned the crowd, to ensure that all his cats were accounted for. They were all present – all but Mistypaw. Tinystar’s heart started – where was his apprentice? Had she fled? – but he spotted her blue-gray shape beside her mother’s body.

Heart aching for her, Tinystar approached. Mistypaw was crouched in her mother’s blood, her nose buried in Bluestar’s fur. Tinystar bent his head and touched his muzzle to her ear.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen her,” Mistypaw hiccupped, “I think. And she’s… she’s gone…”

“I know,” Tinystar breathed.

“She did such awful things…” Mistypaw went on. “She hurt so many cats! But… she was still my mother. Even if I didn’t know her, I feel like… like I’m dying, too.”

Tinystar said nothing. He wrapped his tail around Mistypaw’s flanks, trying not to look at the torn body of his old enemy. Mistypaw was shivering beside him, trembling like a leaf.

“M-Maybe Stonepaw will come back, now that she’s gone?” Mistypaw stammered. She looked up at Tinystar, her muzzle smeared with her mother’s blood. “He’s seen it all, now. He knows she was truly evil!”

“If Stonepaw wants to come back, he can,” Tinystar promised.

Mistypaw choked out a sob. “I hope he comes home…”

Tinystar licked her between the ears. Truthfully, Tinystar still had no idea just how much persuading Darkstripe really had done to get Stonepaw to leave. If he had always felt out of place in ThunderClan, that feeling might be something that will never go away. Tinystar thought. What if he really does want to stay in a different Clan, even after this?

“T-Tinystar?”

“Yes, Mistypaw?” Tinystar looked down at his apprentice.

“Can… Can we bury her?”

Tinystar hesitated. Bury his enemy? His greatest foe? Part of him wanted to leave her for carrion, for all she’d done; but Mistypaw was looking down at her mother’s body with sorrow in her eyes, and Tinystar realized that he couldn’t bring himself to do it, no matter how much hatred he had for Bluestar.

“Of course,” Tinystar agreed. “We’ll bury her.”

———————————————————-

“Let all cats of ThunderClan gather beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!”

It was an unusual summons, reflected on Willowpelt’s face as she took a moment to realize that Tinystar actually meant all of ThunderClan. She ushered her kits out of the nursery, all three unaware of the tension in the clearing – just excited to be included.

Sunhigh light shone weakly down on the Clan. Every cat by now – excluding the kits – knew what had happened at Fourtrees now. Every cat knew the danger they were in. Worry for their lives filled every eye Tinystar met down below, and his heart twisted.

Can I bring them through this disaster?

He shook his head of the thought. He had to believe wholeheartedly that BloodClan could be defeated, for their sake. But it was all too easy to see blood pouring from each cat below – to see the clearing littered with their dead bodies. It left a lump in his throat.

What does StarClan think of this? Tinystar wondered, looking up at the pale sky. Their warrior ancestors had said nothing throughout the meeting, not as Bluestar died nine times nor as Scorch laid claim to the forest. Was there even anything they could do?

Tinystar cleared his throat, looking back down at his expectant Clanmates. “I’m sure you’ve all heard by now what happened at Fourtrees,” he announced. “But just to be clear – Bluestar is dead, and this BloodClan from Twolegplace has laid claim to the forest. We have three days to prepare to leave or to fight for our home.”

“Flee?” hissed Graystripe. “How could we? We’ve lived here for generations!”

One-eye bristled in the back. “This has always been our land!”

“We can fight them off,” insisted Dustpelt. “They’re just kittypets!”

“Yeah,” scoffed Ashpaw, “but they killed Bluestar!”

Nervous silence followed the apprentice’s point. Down below, Tinystar spotted Oakheart huddled with his daughters, his face filled with sorrow. He might have hated Bluestar in the end, but he had truly loved her, once. Her loss hit him hard, no matter how he might deny it.

“I know,” Tinystar meowed. “And I agree – we must fight.”

“What of RiverClan and ShadowClan?” Whitestorm wondered. “Will they fight, too? And on whose side?”

An uncomfortable murmur rippled through the crowd. BloodClan was many. ThunderClan and WindClan would barely stand a chance against those numbers. Would LionClan rejoin their former allies?

“I don’t know,” Tinystar admitted. “I don’t know where they stand, or if they even exist anymore. I don’t think any cat but Bluestar really knew about BloodClan’s involvement until the end.”

“Leopardstar would be too proud to break up LionClan,” Tawnypelt pointed out from her place near the center of the crowd. She stood with Featherpaw and Stormpaw in her shadow. “I could sneak into RiverClan territory to check.”

Tinystar flicked his tail. “I appreciate the offer, but it’s unwise,” he countered. “There’s no way of knowing what might happen to you if you were caught. LionClan will be addressed, but I’m afraid there are more pressing matters right now.”

He raised his chin, looking at the whole of his Clan. “For now, the most we can do is increase our patrols near the RiverClan border. Any information will be key.”

“Agreed,” Whitestorm rumbled.

“Beyond that – every cat must be ready to fight,” Tinystar announced.

“Even us?” Sorrelkit wondered from her place beside her mother. “Is that why you called every cat for the meeting?”

Tinystar nodded, his heart aching at the thought. But BloodClan was fierce and seemed ruthless – who knew what sort of code they operated on? Who knew if they would leave innocent kits alone in their bid to rule the forest? “Even the kits.”

Sorrelkit screeched with delight. She, Sootkit, and Rainkit bounced around Willowpelt, oblivious to the total threat. Willowpelt, meanwhile, looked up at Tinystar, her eyes impossibly large at the thought of her babies fighting.

This is nothing like what Brokentail did, Tinystar thought grimly. He trained kits as apprentices on purpose. I’m doing it for their own safety.

“You kits won’t be in the main battle, of course,” he pointed out. “But we’ll need every warrior and apprentice we have to fight. The camp will be barely defended. Every claw left behind might be necessary.”

Tinystar caught Sandstorm’s eye in the crowd. “You will train the kits, Sandstorm,” he ordered.

Sandstorm’s eyes lit up with surprise. “Of course,” she purred back. “By the time I’m through with them they’ll be the most feared kits in the forest.”

“Tinystar!” called Cloudtail. Tinystar looked at his niece – he hadn’t yet had the chance to speak with her about Scorch, and how she was feeling. Right now, however, beside Brightheart and Swiftfoot, she looked steady enough. “Brightheart and Swiftfoot have to be with us. They can fight as well as any warrior now.”

“I wouldn’t dream of leaving them behind,” Tinystar admitted. “We’ll need every claw.”

“So what of ours?” asked Speckletail. She stood with the elders surrounding her. “Will we be able to fight?”

Tinystar frowned. “I want you all to sharpen your skills – but you won’t be in the battle itself. The camp will still need defending. I’m sorry to pull you away from your well-earned rests, but…”

“That’s all right,” Dappletail purred. “We could use the exercise.”

“We’re always ready to fight for our Clan,” Speckletail stated firmly. “Being old doesn’t make us useless.”

Tinystar nodded, grateful to have the backing of the proud, stubborn queen. He raised his voice again: “All warriors and apprentices need to sharpen their skills as well. Oakheart, I want you to create a training program that will work with Whitestorm’s patrols. Graystripe, you help.”

Oakheart looked up at Tinystar. He was filled with grief, but he was still a great warrior who knew when to put it aside. The tabby tom nodded. “Of course, Tinystar,” he meowed. “We’ll get these warriors fighting like the ancient cats in no time.”

“Brackenfur, what about you?” Tinystar asked, looking down into the shadow of the Highrock. Brackenfur sat there, his injured leg sticking out awkwardly. “What do you need?”

“I’ll be collecting as many herbs as possible,” Brackenfur admitted. “I’ll be able to keep most of my bundles for today but even many of those leaves are stale. I’ll need another pair of eyes to help scour the territory with me and Mosspaw. Not all the time, but whenever they’re free.”

Tinystar scanned the line of apprentices. “You can have Fernpaw,” he decided. Fernpaw was smart and kind – she would take easily to the work. Plus, she was an older apprentice – there weren’t as many new moves to teach her.

Tinystar went over everything in his head. For now, that seemed to be it. He raised his voice: “ThunderClan! We will survive BloodClan, together! We’re stronger than these rogues from Twolegplace and their mockery of a Clan!”

“ThunderClan!” cheered the cats, their spirits lifting. “ThunderClan!”

“Rest,” Tinystar told them. “And begin preparations at once.”

#tb au #tb the darkest hour

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thunder-the-ranger-wolf · 6 years

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AU where Leafpool and Crowfeather actually left the Clans after she gave birth to her kits and was either told to step down or leave. She learns how to defend herself while she's away and eventually gets a sign that the Clans are in danger of extinction so she comes back to help however she can.

“Leafpool?!”

_______________________________________________

“Wait a second, you have to keep your eyes open we just got you back, Leaf!”

“I'm not going anywhere, Squirrel… just need a nap.”

“Leafpool wake up! I can't lose all of you to this please don't go!”

_______________________________________________

“Brambleclaw… you… what-? How-? We were supposed to have more time, how did you-?”

_______________________________________________

“Dad, dad what are you doing? You can't go to StarClan yet, mom needs you, the Clan needs you, for the love of the ancestors you're our leader! Dad wait! Daaaaaaad!!”

_______________________________________________

Squirrelflight shook herself out and padded over to her mother.

“Sandstorm… mama, you need to go to the medicine den. Take Leafy and go see Jay and Pebble. Come on, you can do it.” She purred weakly.

Slowly but surely, the pair of she-cats picked up their fallen relative and ambled toward the medicine den, where cats already awaited treatment.

“Jayfeather, Pebblefur, if there's anything I can do to help-.” Sandstorm rasped.

“Come here, for starters.” A third voice snapped.

Never has having three medicine cats been such a blessing.

Squirrelflight turned back to the crowd, surveying injuries as she scanned for cats who could start helping to hunt later on.

Brackenfur looks okay… need to check on Sorreltail and Dustpelt later. Stars, Ferncloud… she was in the nursery when I was a kit! Okay, wait. Brackenfur… Lionblaze maybe. Hollyleaf needs to see to that bite on her shoulder but Brambles took most of that so she should be fine… Stars I hope this doesn't get her too. Brackenfur, Hollyleaf, Lionblaze...

“You need to get treated just like everyone else.” Pebblefur urged. “You fought well, Squirrelflight. You can't worry about what's next when you're asleep on your paws.”

“I'm not tired.” She insisted. “And unlike all these cats, I'm still up and moving.”

“Then help the others. Hunting can wait, the borders aren't going anywhere because we all just fought the same battle.”

“We did… oh Stars, I have to tell Tawnypelt and Mothwing.” She whispered, slumping to the ground.

“Squirrelflight if you don't get up!” Pebblefur snapped, prodding the ginger she-cat to her paws. “You can't let this be the thing that gets you. The Clan needs you just like it needs anyone else. Come on.”

_______________________________________________

Squirrelflight can't bring herself to go to the Moonpool. Despite the fact that everyone commends her on how she pulled the Clan together after the Spirit Battle, despite her going on and sending out multiple patrols to ensure that the other three Clans were able to cope with their own losses, despite attempting single-pawedly to stock the fresh-kill pile day after day… She would shut down any talk of StarClan. She'd lost her father and her mate in the same battle, the cat who'd helped raise her was gone, her mentor was barely clinging to life himself, her kits… Jayfeather’s assurance that everyone would pull through was all that kept her going out into the forest sometimes, and Hollyleaf was a strong presence at her side. Lionblaze stalked every inch of the territory for ghosts and traitors. Seeing Ashfur turn on StarClan when they'd given him a place and didn't have to was… staggering, to say the least.

But Squirrelflight could not go to the Moonpool. She had no reason to become leader. She was too old; there were plenty of younger, more qualified cats.

Nobody knew what was supposed to happen, so ThunderClan went maybe half a moon the way they did, until one day, something changed.

_______________________________________________

“We're taking a patrol to the WindClan border and you need to be on it.” Brackenfur insisted. The brown tom and his golden-flecked brother decided to retire after the Dark Battle, but kept themselves limber by getting out into the forest every chance either one could get. They often took Brightheart and Whitewing with them, having lost Cloudtail to his wounds not long after.

“I needed proof.” He insisted. “I wanted to believe, but I wanted proof that I'd be able to see my mother again.”

The vigils for their Clan were all more heartbreaking than the last, because half the cats who died were sick before the battle and kept on for the sake of intruders, or they were content to be walking bruises and proud to join their Clanmates.

Now Squirrelflight, Brackenfur, Leafpool, Jayfeather, Dustpelt and Purdy were at the border with WindClan. They didn't have to wait long for a patrol to arrive.

“What could ThunderClan possibly want with us now?!” The lead cat snapped.

“Permission for a few of us to go to the Moonpool.” Jayfeather informed them.

“What?!” Squirrelflight yelped. “You said this was a border patrol! Why are we going to the Moonpool?”

“You need to talk with StarClan, Squirrelflight, because if you're not supposed to be leader then at least they'll tell us who is. But you've done the most to keep the Clan together these past few days, and if anyone deserves nine lives, it's you.”

Dustpelt was the one who spoke these words, and Squirrelflight stared at her former mentor, mouth open.

“Okay.” She murmured. “Okay, I'll… yes, we need to go to the Moonpool. ThunderClan can't go without a leader or deputy forever.”

“Then we wish you luck and a safe passage. You only said a few, though. Will the rest of you be waiting here?”

_______________________________________________

“Welcome, Squirrelflight.” Several voices chimed at once. When she was a kitten, Firestar told her that the cat she needed to hear most was the one StarClan greeted her with. She could pick out several voices, Ferncloud, Firestar, and Cloudtail included, but apparently the one she need to hear most was a dead kit’s.

“You were the ones we would have had alongside Jay, Lion, and Holly… we were going to name you Juniper and Rose… I'm so sorry, little ones.”

Two starfilled forms stepped out of the rows of cats. They were so much smaller than her… one had a dappled golden pelt that Brambleclaw had likened to his mother's, and her green eyes, while the other had Brambleclaw's dark tabby pelt with her white paw and amber eyes. They raced over to her and nuzzled her, bumping at her legs and flicking their tails cheerfully.

“We like it up here! There's so much to explore!”

“And everyone has so many stories to tell!”

“And now our mom gets to become leader!”

Squirrelflight froze.

“So they were right…” She whispered. “How could they possibly know? I was never supposed to be here, it was always going to be Bramble-. This doesn't make any sense.”

“This is StarClan's choice.”

Brambleclaw spoke now. His scent wreathed around her and suddenly he was just there and she leaned into him.

“You'll be a wonderful leader, Squirrelflight. It's in your blood.”

They sat like that for a few heartbeats before Squirrelflight inhaled deeply and got to her paws.

“Okay.” She mumbled. “What do I have to do?”

“Hold still when the time comes.” Brambleclaw murmured before melting back into the crowd with their kits.

The first cat to step forward had golden-brown fur that matched her daughter's.

I wonder if Brambleclaw and Thornclaw are related.

Goldenflower chuckled, and it occurred to Squirrelflight that the cats of StarClan might know her every thought.

“With this life, I give you the strength you will need to carry out your duties. It is often called a mother's love, but you have an abundance of that. So it is strength you will receive, when you must push on for the sake of your kits and your Clan.”

Goldenflower touched her nose to Squirrelflight and the ginger she-cat screwed her eyes shut as the force of memories hit her.

Flash.

“If you have nothing else to say, then I sentence you to exile,” Bluestar announced.

Wait! Tigerclaw what have you done?!

The words never left her lips, frozen as she was.

Flash.

I know exactly who he looks like but that doesn't mean that's who he is! You said that your father never kept a mate. Could you really see yourself with a trail of she-cats all sniffing your tail?!

Flash.

Thank you, Swiftpaw. You always were my brave little boy.

Flash.

That same kit lay torn apart on the ground.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Flash

I love you, son… don't ever forget that.

Squirrelflight winced and jerked back, panting. “How in the world did you…”

“The same way you did.”

The two she-cats touched noses and Goldenflower disappeared, to be replaced by

“Cloudtail, you made it!” Squirrelflight squealed when the familiar white pelt slipped into view.

“Hey there, little Flight… who'd have thought that'd be your warrior name.”

The former kittypet had a knack for calling cats things that described them but weren't their names. He, Firestar, and Daisy called then nicknames, and some of them were just weird.

“I'm so glad you found your way.” Squirrelflight purred.

“All I needed was proof, and boy did I get it. Tell Brightheart to hold on, will you?”

At Squirrelflight's nod, he bumped his nose to her forehead.

“With this life, I give you nobility and certainty and faith. Trust yourself when you can't decide, and look forward the Stars where you need our guidance.”

Squirrelflight closed her eyes and let the warm feeling wash over her. Something about this life make her sure of this. She knew, no matter what happened next, that she could do this. She could live for her Clan... and maybe even be the leader they deserved.

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oldwarriors-fireandwater · 7 years

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Chapter Eight

“That's the gist of it,” Firepaw mumbled. “I—”

Crookedstar paused, and Firepaw finally spoke again. “I couldn't just chase her off,” he meowed. “She was so… helpless. Even though she was acting as mean as a dog.”

Firepaw shuffled his paws. “Are you going to exile me?” he asked.

Firepaw let out a breath in relief.

Firepaw nodded, his nerves returning as he rose and left the den. He won't exile me… but I'm definitely in trouble.

“No,” Firepaw meowed. “I'm in trouble, but he said I wasn't banished.”

“Obviously,” Beechpaw said, rolling his eyes. “That's just stupid.”

“What? I didn't say I wanted him to be,” Minkpaw retorted. “He's alright. Better company than Silverpaw, at least.”

“Thanks, I guess,” Firepaw meowed. “I couldn’t tell just how angry he was. He seemed pretty furious at first, but then he just said he’d ‘think a bit’ about my punishment.”

Firepaw gulped uneasily. I have a feeling that Leopardfur would have some kind of thing like that in mind if she was leader…

“That's just cruel,” Beechpaw muttered. “No wonder ShadowClan cats are so grumpy. I would be too!”

There was the sound of pawsteps from behind Firepaw as Crookedstar emerged from his den. The apprentices all watched as he leaped on top of a stone that sat near his den and let out a yowl. “All cats old enough to fish gather here for a Clan meeting!”

“What's that about?” Minkpaw whispered.

“Likely the trespasser that Firepaw hunted for,” Leopardfur replied, a sharp edge to her tone. She padded past them to sit closest to Crookedstar.

“We can hear fine from here,” Beechpaw said. “Besides, I don't want to go sit by Leopardfur. She's in an odd mood.”

“She's always in a mood,” Minkpaw retorted.

“Cats of RiverClan, we have a visitor in our camp,” Crookedstar began. “Most of you should know of her. ShadowClan’s former medicine cat was found by Firepaw on the bridge. I have spoken to both her and Firepaw about her appearance her. She wishes not to speak much on why she has left ShadowClan, but she attempted to seek refuge in ThunderClan, and they chased her from the territory.”

“Wait, she left ShadowClan?” Skyheart asked. “Why would a medicine cat abandon their Clan?”

“Are you daft?” Yellowfang sharply asked. “Or do you just not pay attention to the Clans you share borders with? Spending too much time sunning yourself these days?”

Reedtail stood and curled his lip. “Watch how you speak to us, rogue!”

Crookedstar flicked an ear. “Calm yourselves, please. Though I do wonder what you mean by that, Yellowfang, since you expressed the need for secrecy.”

Yellowfan lashed her tail. “Your comfortable lives behind the river have always cut you off from the matters of the other Clans,” she muttered.

“Speak plainly, crone, or be silent,” Blackclaw growled.

Yellowfang watched the deputy as she spoke, eyes narrowed. “Cast me out if you please,” she said, voice low and dangerous. “It is up to StarClan to judge you, not I.”

“StarClan isn't cruel,” Minkpaw whispered. “But… they wouldn't look favorably on us for throwing her out, if she really does need help…”

Firepaw blinked. What?

Firepaw flattened his ears, embarrassed, as a number of cats turned to stare at him. “Y-yes, Crookedstar.”

“Good. That will be all.” Crookedstar hopped down from the stone, and the Clan broke up to resume their business.

Silverpaw padded up to Firepaw and smirked. “Nice going, kittypet,” he sneered. “You might as well just become a medicine cat yourself.”

Firepaw growled and resisted the urge to unsheathe his claws. Before he could reply, Silverpaw continued on to the fresh-kill pile, tail swishing behind him.

“Maybe it won't be so bad,” Beechpaw meowed sympathetically. “It's just like looking after the elders, really.”

Except this one has the attitude of Blackclaw and smells like rubbish, Firepaw thought miserably. Nice going is right.

#warrior cats #warrior cats au #warrior cats rewrite #warriors: fire and water #chapter eight

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warriors-windandfireau · 4 years

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Wind and Fire AU: Fire and Ice - Chapter Two

Read on Ao3

Firepaw sighed, trailing a few paces behind Tallstar.

The two toms had been outside camp for quite awhile by that point, but now that they were simply strolling on their way back to camp, Firepaw got a chance to properly look around the territory.

As the other apprentices had described, the snow remained deep, covering the moors of WindClan territory. The great white fields twinkled in the sunlight, the sun somewhat shaded away from the clouds obscuring the sky.

The camp itself was growing larger in the distance, appearing as though it were a giant mound of twigs and bristles from how the barriers craned in at the ends. A delicate weaving made by cats that had inhabited the curious place that Firepaw called home long before he had shown up in the first place, kept in place by the following generations throughout the moons.

Firepaw didn’t know too much about Clan history, really. He hadn’t considered it- how did they decide to be in such a society with these specific rules?

He’d heard murmurs from scolding mentors, telling their apprentices not to eat before feeding the elders, he’d heard kits complaining how they couldn’t be apprentices yet, and, perhaps most, he’d heard time and time again how, “the warrior must reject the soft life of a kittypet.”

He’d questioned these rules. While there were exceptions to allow some specific situations, many didn’t make any sense. They created such splits between all the Clans- where was the sense in that?

There were also rules that were apparently not even in the warrior code, but seemed to be held in just as high esteem- like how kits couldn’t leave camp, or medicine cats couldn’t have kits. Why didn’t they just put this in with the others? And even then, some of these rules were somewhat flawed as well.

Was it really in Firepaw’s place to say that, though?

Was it a reflection of his old kittypet life, haunting him? Perhaps a remaining illogical side of him from that time.

Surely.

Did any other cats in the Clans think about this? Had all these rules become such a constant norm among them, that they had refused to settle with anything else? They hadn’t known another life with such different rules and norms, unlike Firepaw, as he had lived a life as Rusty.

Even still, Firepaw supposed he’d have to live with these uncertainties.

After all, they were expected to be a complete norm for a cat in one of the Clans.

So, in that moment, the thought fled from Firepaw’s mind, and he returned to the moment, where he and Tallstar were getting closer and closer to the entrance of Clan.

Firepaw’s mentor must’ve noticed his troubled expression, from the way he kept glancing back with a curious glance.

Still, Tallstar didn’t say anything.

That is, ‘til they actually entered the camp.

“How was your first day back out training?” Tallstar asked, and although his voice didn’t portray much thought, his eyes were soft.

Firepaw hummed to himself, thinking. “Well, of course, it was lovely,” he began. “The other apprentices kept complaining about how cold it is- and, well, yeah, it is- but I felt it was a nice refresher to being stuck in camp.”

Tallstar nodded. “Well, go warm yourself up. I’m gonna start a meeting soon.” He seemed to finish, till he added, “I trust you’ve learned your lesson.”

Firepaw nodded, dipping his head in respect, before leaving to head over to the apprentice’ den.

Within, he was met with Onepaw laying in his nest. As Firepaw entered, he intended to quietly tiptoe past to his own nest, but as he was doing this, Onepaw groaned and lifted his head.

“Oh. You’re back,” he observed.

Firepaw nodded, sitting down in his nest ungracefully. He began grooming his chest.

“Did you like being out again?” Onepaw inquired.

Firepaw chuckled slightly. “Yeah, of course I did,” he began. “It’s better than to be counting clouds while stuck in camp.”

Onepaw nodded in agreement, sitting up himself. “So, anything interesting going on?”

Firepaw thought to himself briefly, before nodding. “Well, Tallstar said that he’d call a meeting soon.”

“Oh!” The brown tom’s eyes lit up. “That must be the Gathering! StarClan, I completely forgot about it. It really has been a while since our Clan's been to one."

Firepaw blinked, before blinking in realization. “It’s… it’s the first one since we…” he trailed off, and smiled slightly. “Yeah. That’ll take some explanation from Tallstar. We’ll also probably see how ShadowClan has been faring.”

“Ha, you’re mighty hopeful to say ‘we.’ You really think Tallstar’ll let us tag along after such a big punishment?”

Firepaw reflected on it, before growing somewhat downcast. “Ah, I suppose you’re probably right. We can get the news from one of the others, I suppose.”

“Still not the same…” Onepaw muttered.

Firepaw thought briefly over what he might be missing- how the other Clans would react to WindClan finally returning, how ShadowClan had been doing.

“Greypaw,” Firepaw muttered. “I hope he’s been doing alright. Last time we saw him it was, well, you know… with Silverpaw.”

Onepaw nodded, before frowning. “We could ask one of the apprentices going to the Gathering to find him and see how he’s been doing.”

Before Firepaw could think of how to respond, there was a call throughout camp. “Let all cats old enough to catch prey gather beneath Tallrock."

Firepaw and Onepaw nodded to each other, before leaving the den to join the rest of the cats outside in the clearing.

Tallstar didn’t waste time in beginning the meeting. “So, as some of you may know, we have a Gathering with the other three Clans tonight, our first one since we came back from exile. Before I get into announcing the cats who will be going, I want to remind each and every one of you to be on your best behavior, and attempt to be civil with the other Clans. As much as I know you like gossiping, I want to be the first one to tell the story, so all facts are true and clear for the other Clans.” As he said this, his eyes darted over the crowd, not lingering too long on anyone, before he continued.

“The cats that will be going tonight are, of course myself, my deputy Deadfoot and my medicine cat, Barkface, along with my apprentice, Firepaw, Mudclaw, Ashfoot, Maplespring, and their respective apprentices, Onepaw, Webpaw, and Whitepaw.”

Firepaw blinked in confusion. Wait, I’m actually going?

Judging from Onepaw’s expression, the brown tom felt similar in terms of his reaction.

"We will be leaving shortly. To those who are going, take the time to rest before we do so. You are all dismissed." Tallstar finished the meeting before hopping off of the Tallrock and heading over to speak with Deadfoot and Barkface. The rest of the cats began to merge into small groups and head off to the side to share tongues and converse.

“Well, huh. I guess we will be going,” Onepaw muttered, still looking relatively confused.

“Yes we will!” came a sudden, excited voice from behind the two toms.

The two turned around to see Whitepaw practically bouncing around with excitement. “Oooh, you know what this means?” She purred airily. “My first Gathering is gonna be a super important one! I’ve gotta be well-behaved, and professional.”

Firepaw found himself unsurprised by Whitepaw’s antics. After all, she had been complaining about how it wasn’t fair that the other apprentices could go to the Gathering ever since she had first become an apprentice.

“Do you think that Tallstar will ever allow everyone to go to a Gathering?” Whitepaw asked curiously.

“Er- everyone? Everyone in the Clan?” Firepaw found himself bewildered at this.

“No, of course not, mouse-brain. All the apprentices. I’m sure that Runningpaw feels left out.”

“I’m quite fine, actually.”

Oh, now it’s Runningpaw appearing out of nowhere. What’s next? The entirety of StarClan’s gonna rain down from the sky?

Whitepaw blinked rapidly for a moment, before looking over at Runningpaw. “Are you sure?”

“Quite,” Runningpaw chuckled. “Just tell me all the cool details, and I’ll be good.”

Whitepaw examined Runningpaw carefully, before nodding. “Well, you better be ready for an entire soliloquy on what went down.”

“Of course,” Runningpaw meowed affectionately.

“When are we leaving?” Onepaw glanced impatiently at the entrance.

“He only just announced the cats,” Firepaw pointed out. “Try to be more patient.”

Onepaw rolled his eyes. "Fine."

---

By the time Tallstar announced they could leave camp, all the apprentices were antsy to get out of the camp.

Fairly little happened on the journey there- well, that is, unless one could count Whitepaw’s incessant chatter.

“What is it really like?” she kept asking, without seeming satisfied with any answer she was given. “I mean, I’ve seen it through the trees while on patrol, but not the whole place! It must be pretty big, huh? You know, because all the Clans have to fit there.”

Eventually, Firepaw decided it was probably more likely she just wanted to talk without actually having anyone respond. With or without the others responding, the flow of conversation stayed just as consistent.

Firepaw wasn’t quite sure if Whitepaw would be overwhelmed or underwhelmed when she saw Fourtrees.

The tabby tom had other things on his mind- he wasn’t sure how he’d talk to Greypaw, and he really hoped that none of the cats in WindClan or ShadowClan would be aggressive for something already fixed.

Then again, there really was no telling.

Still, even as Firepaw set foot into Fourtrees, he hoped that things would turn out well.

#Warrior Cats #Warrior Cats AU #FAIChrono

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