#bramblestar is over party

[the-owl-tree]

Something that bugs me about how ASC tries to tug at our heartstrings (besides the fact that even though it was unintentional, Bramblestar is a thoroughly detestable character) by going 'ohhh look, his clanmates fear him' and 'his mean wife is doing HIS job behind his back and getting frustrated with him for not doing what she thinks is best for the clan) is like..okay. He didn't step down until book three, so why should we pity the guy when he's being as unhelpful as always until then, lol?

I feel like it's a mix of the editors loving this dude (considering one of them pushed for Bramble to become leader instead of running away) while also acknowledging fan complaints. People want him gone....but they don't really want to lean into why. Thought they would when he was playing mind games with Nightheart to fuck over Squilf but I'm afraid the newest preview is laying it on thick with the Bramblestar pity party lol

#deer rambles #asc spoilers #ignoring the bramblestar pity party #i reeeaally liked the tone of the newest preview #im invested!

[butterflyclan]

Some Time Mid Spring...

The air was somewhat tense as the two parties examined each other.

"You should retire," Bramblestar said at last. Parsleystar narrowed her eyes at them. "You were voted into leadership- did you actually even want it? We'd be stronger as one Clan, you know."

"It doesn't matter if I wanted it," Parsleystar said smoothly. "You're right. I was voted into the position. My Clan believes I'm good enough for the job. Maybe you should step down."

Bramblestar's lip curled slightly.

"It would be better to be one Clan," Pearleaf spoke up nervously. "Parsleystar, you're... well, forgive me for saying this, but you're so much older. It may be better to hand leadership over to Bramblestar, since they'll be around longer to lead us."

The ButterflyClan cats began to bristle their fur, offended on behalf of their leader. Parsleystar raised her tail and gave her warriors a warning look.

"How about this," she proposed. "If enough of my cats choose to join you, then I'll step down."

"How many is enough?" Bramblestar question. They were intrigued, Parsleystar could tell. She scanned over her warriors, humming to herself in thought.

"If I have only five left," she decided. Bramblestar thought this over and nodded in agreement. Parsleystar turned to her Clan and restated the agreement louder, so everyone could hear. ButterflyClan was still for a very long moment.

"Sorry," Algaesky called, stepping forward. "This is dumb. This is just... so dumb. There were three Clans before the fire, right? Why can't we have two Clans now? I don't think anyone here wants to leave, do they?" The cats of ButterflyClan shook their heads one by one, muttering quietly among themselves.

"Thank you, Algaesky," Parsleystar purred. Bramblestar looked aghast.

"You'd just let your Clanmates call you dumb?" they asked, bewildered. Parsleystar shrugged.

"They're well within their rights to have an opinion and to say it out loud. I'd rather my Clanmates tell me what they think to my face than complain about me behind my back."

Bramblestar sneered at her before lashing their tail.

"Very well, then. We'll remain two separate Clans." They led their cats out of ButterflyClan camp, stopping only to call over their shoulder, "We could have built a new family. Bigger and closer than before. Shame you couldn't see that."

#clangen #parsleystar #algaesky #dogwoodclan

[everybody-loves-purdy]

As much as I'd love to see Squirrelflight become leader, I really do feel like the end of Shadow was meant to be a red herring. And there's two main reasons why:

The last time we had a cat travel to the Moonpool to receive her 9 lives from StarClan, she was promptly murdered by a group of dogs. Being that the dogs were never tracked down, and that Curlfeather and Frostpaw were attacked not too soon after they had passed the WindClan-ThunderClan border, it's very likely that these same dogs may pose a problem for Squirrelflight. Especially since she will have to travel in that same direction.

2. If Squirrelflight becomes leader, it's almost guaranteed that she will make Lionblaze her deputy, since she appointed him as deputy during the events of the previous arc. Making this aunt-nephew duo the two leading cats of ThunderClan makes the entire nepotism conflict we saw during Nightheart's apprenticeship irrelevant within the text.

I actually do remain optimistic tbh and do have some counterpoints here which I’ve been considering

1. The medicine cats have been going to the Moonpool frequently without issue before and after Curlfeather’s demise. Also Squirrelflight, Bramblestar, and Jayfeather will be coming the opposite direction than RiverClan to the Moonpool, going through their wooded territory rather than open moor. Granted if these are the same dogs which attacked Sparkpelt then ThunderClan territory would already be known to the dogs. But even so if Jayfeather is with them he could probably give a more advanced warning about the dog’s incoming approach as well, enough for the party to get up a tree like Frostpaw did. But like I say given how the other Moonpool trips have been without issue, I can only hope Squirrelflight will be ok, especially if the dogs were brought to the moor especially just to kill Curlfeather by a malicious cat. So I would personally say a dog attack on Squirrelflight is unlikely, but we also have to bear in mind how biased the Erins are against Squirrelflight which could definitely sway in the whole “she gets attacked by dogs or doesn’t get lives for another reason” territory.

2. I’ve seen people say this about Lionblaze quite a bit but personally I don’t see that happening after the broken code. Lionblaze was so bad as leader that old man Graystripe was begged to take over. He was acknowledged as bad by the text and willingly took a step back and let Graystripe lead, and recognised how his anger issues made him unsuitable to lead. I think the main reason Squirrelflight selected him was because he was a senior warrior and someone she personally values and trusts that was part of the rebel group alongside her. Squirrelflight had the very real possibility on her hands that some of her clanmates could have broken away and still followed Ashfur and she needed someone by her side that she could be sure wouldn’t do that. Given how his time as leader ended I doubt he would be appointed deputy a second time, Squirrelflight was undoubtedly briefed on what had happened once she got back.

#petalsong #acornfur #asc spoilers #shadow spoilers #warrior cats spoilers

[nightly-ruse]

Baseline Request Sheet

You can ask for characters from Warrior cats and Wings of Fire (none after the second arc; haven’t finished it yet)

Kit/Hatchling designs for any pairing won’t be done unless I already have the parents drawn. Any asks for pairing I’ve never done will be deleted but you can request the parents if I have spots open!!

I may just do headshots or basic poses, sometimes more interesting poses. Depend purely on how I’m feeling. Any hypokits can be drawn but please credit me and tag so I can see them!

No uncomfortable pairings. This includes:

-Mentor x Apprentice

-Cousin x Cousin or any variation of inbreeding

-Adopted Siblings getting together

-Problematic age gaps like Leopardfoot x Pinestar, Thornclaw x Blossomfall, or Crowfeather x Harestar if in a romantic context

(In cases like LeopardPine i only accept it as a siring situation, they weren’t together but wanted a litter together. Specify if applied please or else I won’t do whatever is suggested)

-Explicitly gross or abusive relationships like Raggedstar x Yellowfang, Mistystar x Blackclaw, Frogleap x Leopardstar in a Romantic Context

I will draw their canon kits but no extra litters

For Poly requests keep the parents to a limit of 4 so I can make the offspring work. You can specify that the kits are purely from two parties but raised by them all. For example FireRaven kits who are raised by Fire, Raven and Sand. This can help me make the kits characters better.

If I’ve done a pairing before I may do it again depending on the characters so just ask! If I’m not feeling it you can always request different ones <3

I love when ppl explain why they like the character they requested or a few personal hc’s for them so don’t worry about long asks. Over explaining is my life and I love to hear ppl enjoy characters a lot!

While I may not love some pairings I can understand why ppl do so any extra details of why you think they work helps me make the non canon offspring!

Will Not Do List:

(Any pairings on this list are barred)

-Thistleclaw x Spottedleaf

-Crowfeather x Harestar

-Leopardfoot x Pinestar

-Lionblaze x Ashfur

-Squirrelflight x Ashfur

-Squirrelflight x Bramblestar

-Sol x Hollyleaf

-Hollyleaf x Ivypool

-Hawkfrost x Ivypool

-Swiftpaw x Brightheart

-Spottedleaf x Firestar

-Cinderpelt x Firestar

-Cinderpelt x Yellowfang

-Jayfeather x Halfmoon

-Jayfeather x Rock

-Brindleface x Frostfur

-Any of the main dragonets of destiny together, they have sibling bonds no romance

-Glory x Deathbringer (she’s aro to me sorry)

#requests #hypokits #I’m opening everything up and trying to get some asks cuz I want to draw #so please request #anyone can request multiple times but don’t spam! #if your unsure if you ask went through you can check on the to do or message/send another ask to see #I’ll be sure to respond! #I need to get my dragon draiwng skills back so I’m opening wof suggestions #I’m halfway through blue’s arc so no characters from then just yet #warrior cats #wings of fire

[feladi-fority]

I became interested in Ashfur soon after I discovered Moonkitti and her depiction of him has always been the version I imagined. I find it very ironic that a parody series inspired me to flesh out Ashfur as a character but here we are! X33

Ashfur suffers from an intense fear of being abandoned combined with toxic attitudes around romance, revenge, and violence that society instilled in him to produce a monster. 

If you met Ashfur the first thing you’d be struck with is how intensely normal he is. He speaks with simple words in average sentences in a monotone slightly high male voice. He enjoys architecture and has hot takes about it, knows all the best fur-care brands, and attends social events like parties. He’s an extravert, slightly anti-tradition leaning but not enough to fail to conform, and has a vain streak. He likes to look pretty, and drinks up compliments to his appearance and staunchly defends these choices.

First impressions would be misleading however. Ashfur is a time-bomb which exploads on those closest to him. He keeps most people at the distance of a friendly acquaintance, but if you do manage to break through that and get him to care about you, you become subject to his often overbearing form of affection. Ashfur is terrified of losing people, and so he will overextend acts of service in an attempt to give you no reason to want to leave him, perceiving co-dependence as the only real form of intimacy. He will attempt to always keep you close and will despair if you leave him alone for too long. If you do something to betray his trust, he will lash out and attempt to enact a proportional revenge to how you made him feel, which is always far more than the offence. He feels that if he punishes you for betraying him, than everything is even, and the relationship can return to normal. 

The broad cause was his father’s disappearance showing him that even the people devoted to him could leave anytime, his mother’s death showing him that he could lose anyone anytime, and his step-brother’s time as a kittypet showing him that someone can abandon him without any reason. And him assisting with the dogs and the general violent culture he grew up in showed him that revenge is the way you deal with abandonment. So I’m sure it isn’t shocking how he reacted to Squirrelflight’s perceived abandonment.

But unlike canon Ashfur, Hollyleaf didn’t kill him. The clan reprimanded him and threatened him with exile, a prospect which is like death to Ashfur. His feelings were left to stir inside him as he saw Squirrelflight with Bramblestar and he feels like he never got closure. Even after getting over his love for her for the most part, he never gets over his desire to settle the score, and eventually he will act out again. This time though might be more destructive.

#warrior cats #warriorcats #ashfur #fel headcanon #my posts

[robinwhiskers]

A reference from the Lion King! This has Squirrelstar and her wife, Daisy, making a joke.

#squirrelflight #Daisy #squirrelstar #bramble star #warriors designs #warrior cats #bramblestar is over party #lesbiansssssssss

[warriorsbutnotreally]

Why Squirrelflight And Finleap Are NOT The Same - Discussion

I have a lot of opinions on this, do bare with me

because I can say now

if you put Squirrelflight asking Bramblestar about kits on the same level as Finleap pressuring Twigbranch

Assume I don't like you

Unless you have a legitimate reason to compare a domestic abuse victim to someone who was actively manipulating his mate to consider having his babies so that he felt 'like he could stay with her', I don't care what you have to say

Because there's a big difference and it's a little thing called context and power dynamics

That being said

disclaimer that I am aro/ace, so this is coming from the lens of someone who doesn't understand romance but knows a bad situation when I see one

///

tw; mentions of abuse and manipulation

Let's start with Finleap

As apprentices he has a cute friendship with Twigbranch and it's implied the two like each other as a little more than friends, though Twig doesn't seem ready for that commitment just yet

We first see the topic of kits come up in this conversation.

“I know.” Finleap spoke softly. “It’s scary having so much responsibility. And these are our first apprentices. But it’s okay for us to make mistakes and it’s okay for them to make mistakes. We’re learning together.” “But I’m supposed to know what to do.” A lump sat in Twigbranch’s throat like a stone. “Why?” Finleap wove around her and stopped as he caught her eye. “You’re a great warrior, Twigbranch. And you’re kind. You don’t have to stop being kind just because you’re a mentor. Trust your instincts. Push Flypaw when she needs pushing, but encourage her too. You must know how good a little encouragement can feel when you’re facing something new and difficult.” There was warmth in his gaze that touched Twigbranch’s heart. He really cared whether she’d be a good mentor. He wanted her to succeed. She purred and touched her nose to his. “Besides,” he went on, “mentoring will teach us patience. Imagine what good parents we’ll be when we have kits.” When we have kits! Twigbranch pulled away. Finleap’s gaze was misty. Was he really thinking about having kits already? They weren’t even mates yet. Twigbranch wasn’t ready to be tied to the nursery. She was barely ready to think about having a mate. She changed the subject. “Let’s check the border.” She didn’t want to hurt Finleap’s feelings. “Flypaw! Snappaw! This way!” she called to the apprentices, scanning the bracken until they appeared, then turned and headed along the trail toward ShadowClan’s border.

It's important to note the obvious negative reaction she has, even outside of her own thoughts. She was perfect fine with touching him until kits are mentioned. She's also quick to change the topic.

It's also implied here and in a couple other places that they hadn't even had this conversation before, as it's sprung onto her without any warning.

And if you don't believe me, consider this paragraph -

His confidence soothed her. He seemed so sure of himself. Even when he’d been pulling Puddleshine free, he’d known he could do it. He was sure they’d be mates too and that they’d have kits one day. And the thought didn’t scare him. Anxiety wormed beneath Twigbranch’s pelt. Then why does it scare me?

Twigbranch isn't ready for kits and the fact Finleap is shows that they're not seeing eye to eye on the issue. He's confident he wants to be a father, but she's not sure she wants to be a mother just yet.

He wants her to be on the same page, even if she isn't ready.

“I like it here, but I don’t feel like I belong.” Finleap glanced at his paws. “Which is why I want to start a family. Here, in ThunderClan. Then I’ll feel part of the Clan. I’ll feel like I have something here that is truly my own. I want to have kits.” “Kits?” Twigbranch’s mouth was so dry, she could hardly speak. Finleap watched her, his gaze expectant. “But you know how I feel about kits,” Twigbranch blurted. “I’m not ready. I want to concentrate on mentoring. I’ve told you all this.” “I know.” Finleap held her gaze. “But I need you to think about it again. I have to feel I belong here—that you want me. If you don’t ever want to have kits with me, I’m not sure I’ll ever feel at home in ThunderClan.”

"If you don’t ever want to have kits with me, I’m not sure I’ll ever feel at home in ThunderClan."

That's a really shitty thing to say to someone especially your bestfriend / girlfriend

"I'm worthless here unless you give up part of your young adult life to providing me with children"

This isn't even a Fernsong situation where he offers to live in the nursery when she's able to go back out. No. He wants her in the nursery with her kits.

.

Next time we see these two

.

She glanced at Finleap, wishing he would say something encouraging. “I’m glad Bramblestar picked us. What if it’s the last chance I get to see Violetshine and Hawkwing?” Please tell me everything will be okay. “I thought kin wasn’t important.” There was bitterness in his mew. Twigbranch flinched. Since he’d told her he wanted to have kits, Finleap had been distant. She always seemed to be the one to start conversations, while he only replied in short, vague phrases. Her heart ached, but what could she do? Promise to be his mate? Give up mentoring Flypaw so that she could have his kits? Anger pricked at her belly. He was pressuring her into something she didn’t want yet. But she loved him, and she could understand that he was acting out of unhappiness. If only he could find his place in ThunderClan. She’d planned to keep stalling—refusing to give him a straight answer—to give him time to adjust. But what if SkyClan left? It would force him to make a decision. Clan or kin? She changed the subject. “I hope Reedclaw has recovered from her cough.” Finleap didn’t respond.

Now Finleap is giving her the cold shoulder, being such a piss-ant about her not wanting kits that he's not even willing to comfort her when both their families might be being chased away.

And moments later

Twigbranch was unnerved. Sparkpelt had been her mentor. Had she always wished SkyClan would leave? Why didn’t I realize? “Do you think the other Clans feel the same way?” Finleap shrugged. “If they do, then SkyClan will have to leave.” Her mouth grew dry. Hearing Finleap say those words out loud made her realize that she hadn’t truly thought it was possible until now. But he was right—SkyClan would have no choice but to leave if none of the Clans were on their side. “I really might never see Hawkwing and Violetshine again.” Finleap didn’t speak. Didn’t he care? “Will you go back with them?” She stared at him, her heart pounding. “I don’t know.” He avoided her gaze. Was she going to lose her kin and her love at the same time? What would be left if they went? Feeling sick, Twigbranch followed her Clanmates to the tree-bridge.

Not only does he voice her fears out loud, but he doesn't deny that he'd stay with her if she isn't with him. This is a manipulation tactic and a very shitty and terrible one that that for him to use again the girl he allegedly loves.

.

At the end of the gathering -

“SkyClan!” Leafstar called to her Clanmates from the long grass. Harrybrook and Macgyver hurried after her. “We must go,” Hawkwing mewed huskily. He turned away. Twigbranch gazed frantically at Violetshine. “Is this the last time I’ll see you?” “I don’t know.” Violetshine touched her muzzle to Twigbranch’s. Her breath was warm in the chilly night air. “It’s up to Leafstar now.” “Good-bye.” Twigbranch could hardly speak. Her throat tightened as Violetshine pulled away and headed after Hawkwing. As she turned back to her Clanmates, she saw Finleap. He was watching Plumwillow and Sandynose disappear into the grass. She hurried to his side. “Did you say good-bye?” He didn’t answer. The sorrow in his gaze pierced her heart. “Are you planning to go with them if they leave?” She felt numb. He stared at her. “I love you, Twigbranch. But if you don’t want to have kits, I should go with my kin. At least I’ll be somewhere I belong, instead of chasing a dream that might never come true.”

His wording is honestly just terrible.

His dream with Twigbranch is only to have children with her. He may say he loves her, yeah, but according to himself, he's willing to leave her forever just because she's isn't committed to the idea of having babies with him.

I want to say this now

If someone you like is willing to ditch you because you don't want to raise a family, be it at the moment or ever? Leave them. They're not worth it.

You shouldn't feel obligated to have a family with someone.

.

After SkyClan leaves, Finleap decides to stay in ThunderClan.

Of course, his pity party isn't over.

In the days since SkyClan had left, Finleap had seemed uneasy. They’d talked after the Gathering and he’d decided to stay in ThunderClan. Twigbranch had been relieved. Of course Finleap was upset at losing his kin, and at first she’d tried to be supportive, but it was like he was clinging to the loss. He’d started to act as though he’d made the wrong choice. He’d begun to eat alone and go to his nest early instead of sharing tongues with the Clan. He was acting like an outsider. Frustration itched beneath Twigbranch’s pelt, growing stronger each day. How could Finleap ever feel like part of ThunderClan if he didn’t try to fit in? At least he’d stopped talking about having kits. Had he really accepted that they wouldn’t have kits until they were both ready? Twigbranch wasn’t sure the matter was settled. Part of her wondered if Finleap wished he’d left with SkyClan after all.

This is where communication between the two is an issue.

Of course Finleap is going to be upset that his family is, as far as he knows, gone forever.

However

He never once clarifies that he's only upset about his kin to Twigbranch, his girlfriend, making his breakdown seem torn between missing his family and not liking the idea that the girl he likes isn't ready to have babies yet.

Not only that, Twigbranch has a huge point here.

Finleap claims kits will make him feel like he belongs in ThunderClan. However, outside of Twig and the idea of kits, he hasn't done much to try to bond with anyone in the Clan. Even outside of the conversation about kits, he mostly interacts with his apprentice unless he's out helping someone.

He's not focused on making friends, or being a great ThunderClan warrior. His only focus is having a family with Twigbranch and nothing else.

Granted we don't see his POV, but we do his actions and what he says to the cats he apparently cares about.

Her talk with Tree expresses more of her concerns with her relationship while they're out trying to find SkyClan.

Twigbranch followed his gaze. “I can’t imagine having kits,” she mewed guiltily. “Finleap wants to already, but I’m not ready to give up being a warrior.” “You don’t have to give it up,” Tree reminded her. “Queens only stay in the nursery until their kits are weaned, don’t they?” “I guess.” Was she being selfish, wanting to focus on herself? “But I don’t want to worry about that yet. I like being a mentor. I’m learning so much every day.” “You’re young,” he mewed gently. “There’s no rush.”

For the first time she's being told that it's okay that she doesn't need to feel ready and that there's nothing wrong with taking her time on deciding what she wants.

Of course this leads to-

“Well done!” As Twigbranch purred admiringly, she saw Finleap padding toward them. He was carrying a bedraggled sparrow. It was skinny and looked more like crow-food than fresh- kill. He stopped beside Flypaw and laid it on the ground. “I was thinking that we could share this . . .” He eyed the fat rabbit lying, half-eaten, between Twigbranch and Tree. “But I guess you don’t need it.” Anger hardened his mew. Twigbranch shifted uncomfortably. “I didn’t realize you were bringing me food. Tree just offered and I was hungry.” Finleap wasn’t listening. He was still staring at the rabbit. “I guess he knows where the best prey lives. This used to be his home. It’s easy to hunt when you know the territory.” Tree stared at Finleap coldly. “I could catch a rabbit anywhere.” “Did you used to catch rabbits to impress Violetshine?” Finleap mewed pointedly. “Or have you forgotten Violetshine?”

Immediately he's jealous of Tree because he was thoughtful enough to share a rabbit. And Warriors has shown us that there's nothing inherently romantic about sharing prey. It happens all the time and not specifically between mates or two courting cats.

It's a common social interaction between Clan cats.

But Finleap's acting like he caught them sharing a nest.

Tree had been hard on him, but Finleap had picked the fight. She couldn’t help feeling sorry for him, even though he was acting like a fox-heart. She hurried across the cave. Finleap was sniffing at the bedding, his pelt bristling. “Oh, so you can tear yourself away from Tree?” Twigbranch blinked at him. “What are you talking about? Tree loves Violetshine!” He glanced at her angrily and padded out of the cave.

He accuses her of liking Tree and when she denies, he walks away.

She chases after him and then this argument goes down

He stopped as he reached a swath of heather and turned on her. “I bet you don’t even want to find SkyClan! You’re probably happy to see Violetshine gone now that you’ve made Tree notice you.” Shock froze Twigbranch. “Do you have you bees in your brain?” She stared at him. “How could you say something like that? I would never betray my sister. And I’d never make Tree try to notice me. I told you! He’s just a friend. And he wouldn’t do that to Violetshine, either!” “You haven’t left his side since we left camp,” Finleap snarled. “I’m leading the patrol, and he knows the way!” Twigbranch snapped. “Every time I look at you, your muzzle’s in his ear.” “We were just talking! I’ve got to talk to some cat. Ever since SkyClan left the forest, I feel like I can’t talk to you.” Grief pressed in her belly. “I don’t know why you stayed with me. You’ve made it pretty clear that you wish you’d left with SkyClan.” “I stayed because I love you!" Finleap spat. “You’ve hardly looked at me. If that’s love, I don’t want it!” She lashed her tail. “You don’t know what love is!” He glared at her accusingly. “Of course I do!” Why was he being so mean? “I love you!” “Not enough to have my kits.” She stared at him, wind tugging at her fur. “Is that it? If I won’t have your kits, you don’t want me?” “I want you to love me enough to have kits.” Hurt sharpened his gaze.

Again what he's doing here is shitty and he's being jealous of another tom talking to his girlfriend, despite this tom just being a friend, all because he's being nice to her

Not a good sign

And, of course, the apology just sucks. It comes out of nowhere and it doesn't feel like he earned the right to be forgiven

he hurt Twigbranch, made her doubt what she wanted, and treated her like shit

`“But I thought you loved me.” He sounded surprised. “You told Violetshine you loved me very much.” “I do,” she mewed softly. “But not enough to have your kits. Not now. Maybe not ever.” Finleap glanced at his paws. “Let’s forget about kits, huh?” She blinked in surprise. “Forget?” “I was wrong, Twigbranch. Seeing SkyClan again made me realize . . . however much I love my kin, I love you more. I don’t want you to have kits if you don’t want to. I can live without them. But I can’t live without you.” Twigbranch stared at him. “Do you mean that?” “Yes.” Finleap’s eyes shimmered with love. “I’ve been so wrapped up in feeling hurt, I didn’t realize how much I was hurting you—or how much I was hurting our relationship.”

Now, not every character needs a grand realization

But

I don't think just a simple "I'm sorry" makes up for how he made her feel and the harm he did to their relationship and the fact it took this long for him to realize that his girlfriend his her own cat and not just a kit-making factory.

And this is one part of a very long story

.

.

.

Now let's talk about Squirrelflight

Specifically Squirrelflight's Hope, but I will also make references to Omen Of The Stars, as that's when her worse breakup with Brambleclaw/star happened where

may I remind you

he ignored her and treated her like garbage for many moons and when he thought there was a chance she might die was when he finally decided to make amends for her horrible crime of

*checks notes*

protecting her sister's kits from a system that punishes not only halfClan kittens, but the kits of medicine cats

"but she lied" I hear you cry

and to that I say

and?

Bramblestar lied about much worse things than where three kits came from and, may I remind you, he trained in cat hell with his very obviously evil dad who he had been judged for being the son of.

And cats lie in Warriors all the time and it's very rare that they're punished for it

and no, saying you find her annoying also doesn't justify anything

The punishment doesn't match the 'crime' here.

So

Let's get into Squirrelflight's Hope

.

The first time kits are brought up is by Bramblestar, him talking about it in a negative light.

... She didn’t feel old yet, but it had been a long time since she’d felt the rush of excitement she used to feel in her first moons as a warrior, whenever she was picked to go on patrol or attend a Gathering. She pressed closer to Bramblestar. “Do you miss being young?” He shrugged. “I miss being irresponsible. Back then, the only thing we had to worry about was our next hunt. That was before we became leader and deputy, and before we had kits to look after.”

Obviously, Squirrelflight doesn't agree there

Squirrelflight felt a pang of longing. Sparkpelt and Alderheart were grown, and she’d never had a chance to know their littermates, Juniperkit and Dandelionkit, who had died. She’d been hoping to have a new litter by now—tiny kits to nurture and love. But they’d had no luck. “Having kits didn’t make me feel old. I liked the responsibility. It’ll be good to feel that way again.” She glanced hopefully at Bramblestar. When he didn’t comment, she prompted him. “Don’t you think?” “Of course.” He didn’t look at her. Anxiety prickled beneath her pelt. She’d wanted him to sound more enthusiastic about kits. “Let’s pretend we’re young again now. It’s almost like we’re sneaking out of camp.” Squirrelflight kept her mew light. “Half the Clan are already in their nests, and the rest will be asleep by the time we get home.” “I wish we could.” Was that a sigh in Bramblestar’s mew? “But we can’t be late for the meeting. And we have to go straight back to camp afterward; Birchfall and Lionblaze will be waiting to find out what happened.”

It's important to note now that Squirrelflight wants to feel young and wants to feel important, something that she doesn't feel now as an older molly.

Things have been serious lately and she wants to lighten the mood, but this is brushed off by Bramblestar.

It should be noted that the leaders - and not Squirrelflight - are talking about how their Clans need territory because they have expecting queens. Squirrelflight has an internal reaction, yes, but doesn't say anything.

Bramblestar's also being a hardass here and Squirrelflight does have a good idea, but he's quick to make her feel bad about it.

“Might be.” Bramblestar’s tail twitched angrily. “Or it might be overrun with snakes, or dogs, or foxes. Warriors might die thanks to your idea.”

There was no sign the gathering was leader only. If it was, why bring non-leaders? And everyone had been having an open discussion about possible ideas.

But Bramblestar shames Squirrelflight for trying to be helpful.

And of course, we start reaching this scene

“But we’d all have bigger territories if SkyClan moved.” Squirrelflight hurried after him. “And you heard Harestar and Leafstar. The Clans are growing. There’ll be more kits by newleaf, more mouths to feed, more apprentices to train—” “More kits!” Bramblestar lashed his tail. “Is that all you think about now?”

She's not talking about her own kits. She's literally referencing something previously brought up by two other Clan leaders. However, Bramblestar turns this against her, lashing out about an already dead conversation that didn't last.

A conversation that he had brought up both the first time and this time.

His words stung like claw marks. She watched him disappear into the grass, her chest tightening. “Don’t you think about it?” She pushed after him, but he was already hurrying ahead. He was on the tree-bridge by the time she caught up to him. She followed him over it and jumped onto the far shore. She fell in beside Bramblestar, breathless as she tried to keep up. “Don’t you think about kits, Bramblestar?” “I have kits,” he snapped. “Alderheart and Sparkpelt? They’re grown up now!” “I know!” Bramblestar didn’t look at her. “They’re old enough to look after themselves. Why are you so desperate to be responsible for new lives? Isn’t being deputy enough?” “It should be, but it’s not.” Squirrelflight felt panic welling. “I’m getting older with each season. One day I won’t be able to have more kits. I just want another litter before it’s too late.”

Not only did he run off after bring this conversation back, but he continues to shame Squirrelflight after he stops running, implying that she's not content being deputy.

She's worried because she's scared that she's getting older.

The fear of growing older is a common fear and brushing it off as someone being irrational isn't fair to the person.

and to get to the scene where she's "like Finleap" according to those people out there with pebbles instead of brains.

“I know.” Bramblestar sounded weary. “And of course I want kits. Just not as much as you do.” Squirrelflight stopped and stared after him. “Don’t you love me anymore?”

She's not asking this to guilt trip or manipulate. We'd be seeing signs of that way before this question.

Instead this is given the context of being asked in desperation.

I remind you that Bramblestar had spent an entire arc being harsh and cold to her, making her feel small, and he had been making her feel small again, berating her and having her question her ideas.

He's being a piece of shit and she's scared that this is going to turn into all those moons of OotS again.

Even if she was trying to, the power dynamic isn't in her favor. Not only is he older than her, having been made a warrior before she was even born, he's the leader. He has 9 long lives ahead of him.

As shown here she's painfully aware of it, too

Bramblestar turned, his eyes sparking with exasperation. “Yes! But I am responsible for our Clan. And if the other Clans are planning to start up more trouble with SkyClan, I need to focus on that. I don’t have as much energy as I used to. I’m getting older too.” “No, you’re not!” Anger flared in Squirrelflight’s chest. “You have more lives than me—” She broke off as a realization washed over her like ice water. Was that why he didn’t care about kits? He had plenty of time to have kits in the future, maybe even with another mate, when she was dead. The thought made her feel sick. Bramblestar’s next litter might have a mother who wasn’t her. She stared at him, unable to speak.

She doesn't put it past Bramblestar to move on after she's gone, despite his older age and that was also proof in Bramblestar's Storm, where he was actively interested in courting Jessy.

Her fears here are valid. Not only is she older, but she only has one life to live. He doesn't.

And he's perfectly in the right to not want anymore kits

However, his attitude and behavior to his mate is absolutely terrible and instead of talking to her, he's belittling her and making her feel bad for wanting things.

And for having different opinions at that

His gaze shimmered suddenly as though he saw her pain. “I’m sorry.” He hurried to her side and pressed his muzzle against her cheek. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I was angry. I felt you weren’t on my side at the meeting. I was trying to protect SkyClan.” “So was I!” She pulled away indignantly. “I was trying to find a solution that would keep the peace.” “Maybe you’re right. But that isn’t the point. You’re my deputy.” His tail twitched. “You’re supposed to back me up in front of the other Clans. We need to look united. You know how quickly Tigerstar smells weakness, and how he exploits it.”

Then why make her deputy again?

“And you did the ShadowClan border patrol.” Squirrelflight’s tail-tip was twitching, though she kept her voice low. “And yesterday you trekked all the way over to RiverClan and risked your life rescuing that kittypet.” “So?” Bramblestar began to feel frustrated. “I’m fine. It’s not a problem.” “It’ll be a problem for the rest of us if our Clan leader collapses from exhaustion.” Bramblestar heaved a long sigh. “Remind me why I chose you to be my deputy,” he muttered through his teeth. “Because I won’t let you boss me around,” Squirrelflight retorted, her green eyes flashing. True, Bramblestar thought ruefully.

Oh yeah, cause he doesn't want a yes-man deputy

Or maybe he wants a deputy who only challenges him when it's convenient and/or doesn't make him look like an idiot.

Which is kinda

not great

“It looks a lot like weakness when a deputy disagrees with her leader in public.” Bramblestar shifted his paws. “You should know better! You should have discussed your idea with me in private and we could have taken it to the other Clans together.” “It might have been too late by then.” Squirrelflight paused. She didn’t want to argue. And besides, the issue with SkyClan wasn’t what was worrying her now. “I’m sorry I spoke up without talking to you first. But is that really why you said you don’t want to have kits?” Bramblestar gazed at her, his eyes round. “I’m sorry if I made it sound that way. I do want to have kits with you.” “Really?” Her heart lifted. “Yes. If that’s what you want.” Squirrelflight stared at him. There was resignation in his eyes. Grief twisted her belly as he stared back at her blankly. She turned away. I want you to want it too.

Here's where the argument that Squirrelflight, in any way, is equal to Finleap falls apart the most.

She doesn't need to be told that he doesn't feel the same.

She can see it in the way he acts.

She knows he doesn't and she lets the conversation die. Yes, she still thinks about how Bramblestar may move on and have a new litter after she's gone, but she doesn't talk about it, instead keeping her thoughts to herself, not wanting to rock their unstable relationship any more than it has been.

Most of this book has Squirrelflight second guessing what she wants and believing that maybe she was in the wrong for talking openly about a possible idea when everyone else had been doing it.

There's literally a scene where she's having what, in my opinion, feels similar to the start of a near panic attack where her thoughts spiral into a dark pit

But it hadn’t been just the kits he’d been upset about. She’d contradicted him in front of the others. But they were close to fighting! Squirrelflight flicked her tail indignantly. And I have a right to my own opinion. Her plan for SkyClan could be the perfect solution. She couldn’t have held her tongue even if she’d wanted to. Bramblestar had implied that a good deputy would have kept quiet. She shook out her pelt. Was that what Bramblestar thought—that she wasn’t a good deputy? Hurt sharpened its claws on her heart once again. She closed her eyes. Chasing thoughts like this wasn’t going to help her feel better.

The way Bramblestar spoke to her struck so deep that Squirrelflight feels selfish for having her own wants, as seen by her talking to her sister.

Squirrelflight let out her breath. Never mind the awkwardness—Leafpool will understand. And she needed reassurance. “He said he doesn’t want more kits as much as I do.” Leafpool’s eyes rounded with sympathy. “Oh, Squirrelflight.” Squirrelflight nodded. “I know. It’s—” Selfish of me, she was about to say. Because I’ve already mothered two litters. But Leafpool didn’t let her finish. “That must have hurt,” Leafpool said softly, dipping her head. “I know how much you want another litter.” “Bramblestar says he’s getting old and that the Clan is enough responsibility.” She trailed into silence, the memory of the argument stinging her afresh. “I’m sure he’d love kits if you had them,” Leafpool mewed. “But I can see how he finds the thought overwhelming.” Squirrelflight blinked at her. “Do you think I’m being unreasonable, wanting more kits? I know I . . .” “No, of course not. But you already have Alderheart and Sparkpelt. And, in a way, Jayfeather and Lionblaze.” Squirrelflight nodded, but her heart ached. “They don’t need me anymore.”

The power dynamic between Bramblestar and Squirrelflight aren't fair and, again, he's in his right to not want any more kits right now

but the way he spoke and made her feel like her wanting kits at all was terrible and that she should feel bad isn't the way to handle a relationship where two people have two different wants

And for more proof that Bramblestar doesn't make his deputy, who is also his mate, feel important

we have this line

And as far as kits went . . . Leafpool didn’t understand what it felt like not to be needed. Leafpool was needed every day. The Clan depended on her, sometimes for their lives. It was different for Squirrelflight. Even as deputy, she was just one warrior among many.

She's made to feel like another warrior, a replaceable cog in a machine, when Bramblestar had never been made to feel like that while he was deputy

In fact, in Squirrelflight's own words

"Who does Brambleclaw think he is, treating me like I'm still wet behind the ears? Toms are so much trouble! You don't know how lucky you are, Leafpool, not having to worry about things like that. Well I know there was Crowfeather..."

After becoming deputy his confidence and ego went up and he made it known that he wasn't just another cat

He was ThunderClan's deputy

But he never allows his mate to feel like that

In fact, he actively puts her down

He starts making up rules just to keep her in place and lashing out when she tries to fight back. Even when Squirrelflight is trying to be happy that Sparkpelt is expecting kits, Bramblestar brings up their conversation.

Yes, Squirrelflight did feel a little envious, she felt guilty about feeling that way and just wanted to be happy for her daughter

but he was the one who brought up how she wanted kits and he didn't, further making her feel shameful

he didn't even aid in comforting his daughter when her pregnancy brought pain after he sparked the fight with Squirrelflight. He was just watching as Squirrelflight helped their daughter, Squilf being the one to talk to her gently when she was worried about the intense craps she was feeling

When Sunrise, one of the Sisters, is actively dying, he refuses to allow anyone to help her until the medicine cats talk to StarClan and when they get an unclear message, he's more than willing to let her die

When Leafpool refuses to allow this, he actively challenges the medicine cat in front of the entire Clan and Squirrelflight snaps to her sister's defense once more.

Squirrelflight held her ground. “I have to do what I think is right.” “Even if it costs you your Clan?” “ThunderClan is stronger than that,” Squirrelflight spat. “At least I hope it is. If our future depends on letting a cat die, then it’s not the Clan I thought it was.” Bramblestar stared at her. Uncertainty glittered in his gaze. “Why are you doing this to me?” His words pierced her heart. “You’re my deputy. You’re my mate. You’re supposed to support me.” “Being a good deputy doesn’t mean blindly following orders.” Squirrelflight didn’t move. “It means standing up for what I believe, and this time, I believe I’m right.” The camp seemed to swim around her. She knew she was hurting him. But she had to convince him. As the Clan watched her silently, their eyes round in the moonlight, Bramblestar backed away.

Bramblestar tries to manipulate her and that's where the big power dynamic comes in

he's the leader

he's older

he had gone out of his way many times to make her feel small and weak compared to him, even imposing reckless rules just to try to keep her where he wants her

he wants to use her emotions against her

and when she refuses to let him hurt her more

he strikes her with more sharp and hurtful words

Around him, the Clan got to their paws. Mousewhisker and Twigbranch helped Tempest and Hawk lift Sunrise. Leafpool nosed her way into the medicine den. Bramblestar narrowed his eyes, his face like stone. Squirrelflight tried to drag her gaze from his, her heart cracking as he curled his lip. “StarClan wanted unity among the Clans,” he snarled. “Thanks to you, there’s not even unity in ThunderClan anymore.”

“Thanks to you, there’s not even unity in ThunderClan anymore.”

because she didn't want an needless death, he blames her for the discourse he created

this is only a portion of the Squirrelflight mistreatment in this book, but it's all that I'm going to mention since it deals with the topic at hand

and of course we know she decides she doesn't need more kits after all

but what I want to say is

these two stories aren't even

Finleap is manipulative and tries to make Twigbranch feel like she needs to have his kits to prove she loves him or to keep him around

Squirrelflight wants to have more kits, but is made to feel like her needs are selfish and that she should feel bad for these feelings

Twig and Bramble are valid for not wanting kits just as much as Fin and Squirrel are valid for wanting them

However, Finleap isn't in the right for pressuring his girlfriend to marry him and have kittens when she isn't ready

and Bramblestar isn't in the right for shaming his mate for wanting more kits and making a scene out of their relationship problems

and before any incels find this

their genders wouldn't matter in this

if Finleap was a she-cat harassing the tom she liked to have kits with her to make her feel like she belonged in a Clan, I'd still feel the same way

if Squirrelflight was a tom who wanted more kits, but his female leader mate berated him and made him to feel guilty for wanting that, I'd feel the same

it's not about toms and she-cats, men and women, or whatever terrible black and white gender binary lens you're looking through

it's about two different types of shitty mates in two different situations

those being Finleap and Bramblestar and their manipulation of Twigbranch and Squirrelflight respectively.

#discussion #finleap #twigbranch #squirrelflight #bramblestar #warriors #warrior cats #cw; mention of abuse #cw; manipulation #cw; finleap and bramblestar are terrible in canon #and their redemptions are half-assed cause the erins still want you to root for terrible couples

[mallowstep]

it’s time for another squirrelflight rant

because i saw a post that called her selfish and bad and not a good character and i’m angry.

fsadkj i don’t need to break down bramble and squirrel. i don’t want to. other people have done that for me. so this going to be some incoherent rambling and kinda vagueblogging.

look.

look.

here is the thing about squirrelflight.

we are actually not only exposed to her pov. we have a lot of brambleclaw/star pov. that’s just…factually inaccurate?

we have a lot of tnp, bramblestar’s storm…i’d be willing to make the argument that we have less of squilf’s pov. i mean i’m about 85% sure we do, but i don’t feel like doing the math.

and so we actually know exactly what is going on in bramblestar’s head.

but that’s not really important.

what is important is just.

squirrelflight is fine, guys. first of all, she’s a child when we first meet her. the reason that she seems aggressive and pushy is because we’re in brambleclaw’s head and he thinks she’s annoying.

ffs.

but even then, she’s actually fine.

and uh, yes, yes the books do in fact position her as right. not as often or as clearly as i’d like, but…

you know when one party is wrong, it’s not bad to say that.

like, hm, i don’t know, what do you think is worse:

(a) squirrelflight saying “hey i think ur bro is evil, has nothing to do w the tigerstar thing, but i think he’s evil”

OR

(b) brambleclaw saying “why do u want to b w ashfur?? he only tries to protect u that’s weak”

to be clear, i think (b) is one of the least bad things that brambleclaw does, but it fits w the flow of the post so eh.

because if you want to get into it…

does squirrelflight put him down? i mean, she tells him she thinks his brother, who is evil, is evil. and specifically articulates why this matters to her: she feels like bramble has chosen hawkfrost over her.

is this a fair ultimatum to put on him? i mean, i think so, but even we say it isn’t, i don’t think we can compare this to, say, the way bramble treats her in response to this.

since i’m not actually trying to convince anyone. i want to.

he treats her in an abusive way.

i should know! i should know because i have seen this in my own life. i don’t want to put the unfair position of “you can’t critique this piece of media without invalidating my life” because well. that’s a strawman and a half. i’m just saying that i have always thought this way about squilf because of my life, long before i was part of the fandom.

and i don’t usually do a lot of squilf discussion because:

> but squirrelflight? squirrelflight? speaking badly of squilf to me might lead to me banning you just on sight. or at least writing like 14k words on why you’re wrong. > > god i just. she’s so. i love her. please protect her. she deserves so much and she has been given so little.

because you know i like to provide good criticism but uhh yeah see! i will be talking about squilf, who is, good actually.

fuck

just, how up your own ass do you have to be to possibly construe squirrelflight as the worse character.

like, yes, she does have the winning side in most conflicts.

do you know what that is?

do ya?

it’s because she’s right.

i want to reiterate that the clan does not realize that bramble’s behavior towards squilf is out of character until, uh, honestly i’m not 100% sure, i’m not trying to spend forever on this, but it’s way too long

not to mention, like, bramble’s imposter does a lot of stuff bramble did. like patrols and controlling and holy fuck.

okay, my last point is probaby the most coherent but.

let’s just. okay.

so, starting from around the hawkfrost drama, squirrelflight basically never is on equal footing in her relationship. i don’t mean the external power imbalance, i mean that.

she’s always supposed to be available as a partner for brambleclaw, right? she’s supposed to wait until he wants to be with her again, without any reassurances that that will even happen.

to talk about the hawkfrost situation without also discussing how bramble reacts to squilf courting ashfur is so disingenous.

there’s no way to construe this as a healthy relationship. squilf and bramble were done, she went after another option, he had no right to treat her the way he did.

but he does, and he gets away with it.

and this cycle repeats over and over and over again.

squirrelflight is not allowed to not be with bramble. every time things end, she’s punished if she tries to leave him. but he gets to have his whole flirtacious thing with jesse, and when she’s jealous, he’s all “durr hurr who would have guessed?”

i mean, i consider this abusive, but even if you don’t, i think you have to know it’s unhealthy.

fuck.

tl/dr: what the fuck are some people reading and also smoking

#q #mine #txt #25th #March #2021 #March 25th 2021 #squirrelflight #bramblestar #bramblehate #tnp #warriors #abuse #domestic abuse #justice for squirrelflight #29th #March 29th 2021

[genotaurus-inactive]

Warrior Cats AU: Medicine Cat Brambleclaw

With the whole Bramblestar being possessed and now the main villain of the books' thing going on, I recently went back to the new prophecy and read it again, since Bramblestar always had a special but weird place in my heart. His concept was interesting, but he deserved a better execution, especially when it came to his behavior towards others, so I thought about it and eventually came to the conclusion “What if he never became a warrior to begin with?”

I’ve never really seen an AU like this before and I may be late to the party, but hey, why not share it? It won’t do much harm now, will it?

Let’s go back, far back to the first arc. Bramblekit and Tawnykit have been born and Tigerclaw just betrayed Thunderclan and almost managed to murder Bluestar. First the usual ensues, with Bramblekit and Tawnykit being judged and of course, even as kits, Bramblekit notices how people are acting around him (most notably Fireheart) and while his mother Goldenflower tries her best to make him feel better it often isn’t enough. So, to hide from the looks they give him, one day Bramblekit decides to go into the medicine den where Cinderpelt is, sorting her herbs.

She is surprised to see the young kit and while she wanted to first shoo him out, so she could concentrate on her work, she notices his depressed posture and how wet the fur under his eyes is, most likely from tears. Taking in a deep breath she tries cheering him up, no matter the father, she is dealing with a little kitten here.

Happy that she lets him stay for a while he watches her sort the herbs and curious as one is as a child asks questions about them. What are they called? What do they do? Cinderpelt appreciates it as it seems to cheer him up. It doesn’t take long though for Goldenflower to find him and drag him back out, having worried where he had gone. But the little tom didn’t just forget the peacefulness he felt in the medicine den and would continue to sometimes sneak in there to visit Cinderpelt, who grew accustomed to it after a while.

And then he and Tawnykit became apprentices.

Firestar, still feeling bad about how he thinks about and treats Bramblepaw from time to time assigns himself the mentor of the young tom, and any other cat would probably have felt honored to become the apprentice of the leader, but Bramblepaw wasn’t. He admired Firestar, but something in him told him that this was not the life meant for him, giving a longing look to the medicine den.

Time goes by and everything seems fine at first, Bramblepaw, while not entirely confident about it, wants to help his clan by becoming a strong warrior and proving he isn’t like his father, all until Tawnypaw leaves to join Shadowclan and Tigerstar.

This doesn’t stay low at all, the cats in Thunderclan talk about it all the time, how Tigerstar now had his daughter back, and all of them wonder, will Bramblepaw go to join him as well. They talk behind his back, and while they think he doesn’t really notice it as much, he does. He does and he feels horrible.

He feels anger towards Tawnypaw for leaving, and somehow still understands her decision, thinking about how Thunderclan now keeps treating him. Goldenflower tries her best to help her son through this hard times, she herself had been hit hard by it as well, but it is much for the apprentice to bear and the built-up anger and confusion he lets out in his training.

Firestar is impressed by this, how his apprentice is getting so good at different fighting techniques but it does scare him as well, still having Tigerstar’s image in his mind. So one day, he sends Bramblepaw out to hunt near sunning rocks and the young tom does as he is told, catching and killing prey while his mentor watches from a distance, hidden in the bushes and shadows, only to notice Bramblepaw stopping after some time.

With the river flowing near them, the apprentice goes to take a drink and his claws were still lightly blood stained from killing his prey, but he retracts them rather than washing it off, until he suddenly notices something.

Firestar sees how the brown tabby stiffens up and is confused by it, even more when Bramblepaw suddenly runs towards one of the large rocks and out of the leader’s sight. Firestar gets worried and leaves his hiding place as he starts hearing loud scratching against stone and seconds later a pained meowing. Running over he is met with a crying Bramblepaw, who has two of his claws lying broken off on the floor.

Bramblepaw is brought to Cinderpelt to have his bleeding paws looked after, with Firestar and Goldenflower questioning what he did and why, and the apprentice can’t take it anymore, vocalizing his frustration loudly. He told them how he felt after Tawnypaw left, how Thunderclan was seemingly against him and now, when he looked into the river, even he thought for a second to see Tigerstar, and when he tried retracting his claws, they had become long enough for them to still be seen, and he didn’t want something else to connect him further to his father.

Firestar listens in shock how much Bramblepaw had endured, realizing that training him to be a warrior might have even worsened it. But Cinderpelt then asks him to let Bramblepaw stay in the den for at least one night, so she could keep an eye on him. He agrees and leaves the medicine cat alone with Bramblepaw and Goldenflower.

The rest of the day and night goes by, with Firestar visiting his apprentice, and he finds him with Cinderpelt, the she-cat teaching him more about how spiderwebs are applied to wounds as she had done it to his paw, and for the first time in a long while, Firestar believes to see Bramblepaw being ... calm.

It doesn’t take long for Bramblepaw to go back to training but his mentor notices the dissonance in his feelings. Technically, he was a great hunter and fighter, there was no denying that, but even so, the young tabby always seemed a bit happier to work with the herbs, often asking of he could help to collect them, even with the trouble he had sometimes of not mixing them up.

Firestar, he knows not long after what he has to do, especially after speaking with Cinderpelt about him and Goldenflower coming to him with the same request.

And suddenly, as if Starclan had heard Bramblepaw’s quiet wish, he was made the medicine cat apprentice.

He was ecstatic, not even considered they would let him be one, and he ignored the little back talk about him, immediately throwing himself into studying under the gray she-cat.

And it goes along great, he loves it more and more every day, having gotten away of the constant fear of one day becoming like his father. His father never was a medicine cat before, nor did he want to be one or save lives for the greater good. It felt like he finally found his place, even at the final battle.

He had refused Tigerstar’s offer to join Tigerclan before, and he was not about to change it, he and Cinderpelt taking in positions to try and help their clan the best way they could. While the battle was going on and Cinderpelt was taking care of the injured cats, Bramblepaw had to break away from her at one point and act as a bodyguard, fighting the rogues since his claws, while two less, where still as sharp as ever, and he was ready to defend the people he promised to protect and care for.

And the battle is over, Firestar had killed Scourge and Bramblepaw helped the she-cat to treat as many of the wounded warriors as they could. The clans go back to their camps, their territory and home to rest after this clash, and they rest.

Except that there was still one thing to be done.

Bramblepaw was surprised to hear that Cinderpelt thought something special still needed to be done.

The brown tabby barely remembered how exactly it happened, his heart had hammered in his chest the entire time and made his ears barely pick up on what was happening around him. But by the next sunrise he was Bramblepaw no more:

He was Bramblelight, a shining light in the darkness.

Hey thanks for reading so far, again, I don’t think I really saw much of this kind of AU before and thought I’d give it a try and there are still so many ideas I have in mind for it, this is technically only part one, since we haven’t even begun to speak about the new new prophecy yet. And the name change: Brambleclaw I thought wouldn’t fit for a medicine cat name, and even if it was suggested this head canon version of him would have most likely objected to being named the same as his father. So, what do you guys think? Good? Bad? Should I post part 2 or not?

#warrior cats #warriors au #warrior cats au #bramblestar #brambleclaw #bramblepaw #bramblekit #medicine cat

[rorykillmore]

hmmm how do your muses like to celebrate their birthdays

under the cut for a LOT of characters,

okay i had to double-check this but lucille’s birthday is canonically on april 1st. imagine. how obnoxious that must be for her in modern times especially. she has to share it with APRIL FOOL’S DAY. though honestly i don’t… think she really celebrates it at all to begin with. she probably never would’ve had much occasion to as a child, and now that she’s an adult i don’t think she puts much value in it period. honestly i have to wonder whether she’d even remember her birthday until a few days after the fact.

as for glory… i think how big a deal dragons make out of their hatching days vary, but she shares hers with the other prophecy dragonets, and they probably just treat it as a day to celebrate their family more than anything else. at least she has clay and starflight on denny so it’s Less sad, even if she’s actually a little older than both of them now.

both bramblestar and badgerstripe are cats and thus don’t remember their birthdays, much less really understand the concept. they’re probably vaguely aware of what season they were born in, and that’s about it. bramblestar was born in… i think late winter or early spring? and badgerstripe was born in the middle of summer.

kara has her actual kryptonian birthday, which she’s translated roughly to uh… what was the date i came up with… september 30th! and then after i’d already had that established for awhile, supergirl introduced the concept of her celebrating the day she arrived on earth instead of her actual birthday. so i kinda headcanon that… that was something she celebrated specifically with alex, and on denny she’s mostly just told everyone her actual birthday. historically, she’s never really done anything big for it – she just likes doing something special with ratchet and sasuke, as per superfriends birthday tradition.

siobhan’s birthday i made st. patrick’s day because i like to torture her. she hates it. people have joked about it ALL her life. she’s heard ‘em all. traditionally, she kind of hates her birthday, though… not for that actual reason, and more because she just associates it with a lot of loneliness and familial neglect. if she does anything at all for it, it’s something like moodily going out drinking alone. idk if the denny guardians have ever weaseled when it is out of her – and i don’t think rocket, at least, is the type to OVERTLY make a big deal out of it, while red probably just isn’t really familiar with the concept, but… maybe she’s at least reached the point where she’d let herself just enjoy their company rather than being miserable about it.

caitlin… god i can’t for the life of me remember if the flash ever gave us a canonical birthday for her, or if i ever made one up, but. while originally she probably associated some bad stuff with her birthday, being able to spend it with team flash over the years has softened her up, and now it’s something she tentatively looks forward to! she’s less of the partying type and more the small celebration type, or just going out with a tight knit group of friends. on denny that equates to a bunch of furries and loki. holy shit.

sara’s birthday is, of course, on christmas. a fact which she HATED as a kid and now is a little more inclined to be grateful for, because it means she can kind of skate past without too much notice more easily. it’s not… really something she likes celebrating. she doesn’t necessarily have extremely negative feelings about birthdays themselves, but she doesn’t like doing stuff centered around her and she doesn’t really… feel like there’s much worth celebrating. but she tries to be nice and appreciative when people go out of their way to do stuff for her regardless, because it’s less depressing that way,

heather also has a winter birthday! january uh… whenever i made it. anyway she, in contrast to a lot of the people i’ve listened so far, is used to being pretty extravagant for her birthday – that’s mostly because she’ll take pretty much any excuse to throw a big party and have people talking about it, although lowkey she’s found that she does also really appreciate doing smaller things with her closest friends too. she’s just, never really had the chance to explore that until this year. but birthdays have become kind of particularly important to her, because… well, every one counts, now that she knows she could go back to being dead at any time

madeline… oh god i feel like madeline HAS to have mentioned her zodiac or birthday or something before, but i can’t recall now. anyways, she’s very much a Wine Mom. you know, like, she doesn’t throw birthday parties so much as like, get togethers with the rest of her Parent Friends. like, wine and cheese and music out on her beacon heights patio, or whatever. she’s forty now though, so she does that middle aged woman thing of being dramatically :/ about her birthday, although she secretly does have fun with the attention.

trish is… i think the best way to put it is that she’s tolerant of birthdays, and by that i mean like. for most of her life she’s had people - her mom, her agents, whatever - turn it into this big deal, not necessarily with her input, and she just has to grin and bear it and socialize. so she’s pretty used to just powering through it and then forgetting about it. what means a lot more to her than those broad, empty gestures are like… little things, like jessica doing something nice for her and then immediately getting >___> and downplaying it as coincidence.

anya can’t remember her birthday, rip. historically speaking it was in june i think, but she has no idea, and would probably find the idea of celebrating it to be kind of… excessive, anyway?? she’s lived on the streets for all of her adult life. under russian communism. pouring money into a celebration like that is probably super ???? to her, ironically since she comes from a royal family. she probably WOULD at least appreciate the idea of free food, though, and she doesn’t have much in the way of possessions, so she’d treasure whatever gifts anyone thought to give her. 

dolores was prooobably given a random birthday - like i feel like that’s a basic enough detail that most hosts would be given one to refer to - but like the rest of the backstory given to her, it’s just another fake detail. so i don’t think she… appreciates it very much, or would want to acknowledge it, because what’s the point?? what does time passing MEAN to her or any of the hosts, anyway?? tch, birthdays.  

#larkspear #ty spear!! #in which most of my characters dont get very excited about birthdays

[the-owl-tree]

avos rewrite anon again- I’m cooking actually

violetpaw joins the kin, the kin, though king and doting on her, eventually reveal being a violent fucked up cult that takes needletail’s life and threatens to kill her too. violetpaw doesn’t leave at first. this is all she has even if it’s violent and scary. she knows nothing better. she can’t return to shadowclan, she can’t go to thunderclan. both clans were happy to see her go, and she can’t imagine going to any other clans for the exact reason and ofc story conflict that always victimizes another clan to make them wary of outsiders. violetpaw has nothing.

trying to decide what pushes her, but when she does leave, she goes to be a kittypet or loner, somewhere away from the clans where she can start over and be in charge of her own path for once. but I need someone to take her and twig aside and go “I’m sorry. we were wrong. I’m sorry we didn’t treat you as living, breathing, hurting cats. I’m sorry we pushed you away from us and your own family. we can’t fix what happened, but we want you to know that we are sorry.” someone feel remorse for the horrible shit they put these kits through please

there’s nothing any of the clans can do to right the wrongs they did, but an apology is the least they could offer

the way the clans allowed these two to be treated horribly and then none of the involved parties ever really get treated by the narrative as bad by it. bramblestar is just as fucking pathetic as rowanstar in this scenario if he's THAT willing to allow these two babies to be separated.

i really love this, i wish more characters in the series didn't have to forgive those who hurt them (coughcoughbreezepeltcoughcough)

#deer rambles

[ploppythespaceship-a]

I'm very late to this party but five things you'd change about Warriors?

OH LORDY I’m not sure I can keep this down to five but here goes:

Combine Power of Three and Omen of the Stars into a single arc. Their stories are so interconnected that it makes more sense. Also, the pacing is way way off and slow as hell. A single arc would bring everything closer together and overall work better.

The Three should not Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Dovewing. The Three should be Jayfeather, Dovewing, and Hollyleaf. Why? Jayfeather’s abilities are clear – entering other cat’s dreams and shit. So are Dovewings – she has magically enhanced senses or whatever. Lionblaze? He… fights… good? Apparently he’s invincible or some shit, even though he was definitely injured in his earliest books. Now… who’s never been injured? Hollyleaf. They just never drew attention to it. Who did they make a huge deal about being a naturally brilliant fighter? HOLLYLEAF. And on top of that, her being one of the Three would add more weight to her fake death or whatever.

Kill more cats. First off, the stakes are supposedly much higher in the later books, but the casualties aren’t reflecting that. Second, there’s too many damn characters and I can’t remember who anyone is anymore.

We don’t need a super edition about every character who has ever breathed. We just don’t. Half the time it doesn’t even add anything new to the story.

SkyClan is utterly unnecessary to the rest of the plot and I’m not sure why it exists.

WHY IS ASHFUR IN STARCLAN HE WAS A HORRIBLE CAT

Stop trying to rationalize the family trees and make everyone related. I’d rather cats pop into existence than acknowledge that Dustpelt is Ferncloud’s uncle or that Bramblestar and Squirrelflight are second cousins.

Bluestar’s Prophecy straight up had a sex scene in it like?? It wasn’t explicit or anything but target audience??? And I haven’t read the Spottedleaf book yet but apparently that one was even worse.

Why did Onestar’s entire personality change when he became leader. What happened to him.

How come every single disabled cat winds up being a medicine cat. I think Brightheart is the only exception (and even she takes over medicine cat duties a lot). It’s like “welp this cat is broken better stick ‘em in the medicine cat den.”

Yep you ended up with ten things instead of five but I have a lot of opinions about Murder Cats™

Send me a fandom and I’ll tell you the top five things I’d change about it.

#mine #thanks for asking #anonymous #Anonymous