#does anyone need me to explain warrior names and apprentice names

[earlykatgetsthesparrow]

"We share the same apprentice name. Perhaps we will share the same warrior name."

@ourtalechara @itspetrovichworld (is the tagging annoying? i just know you guys like the neath! wcau thing that's why i'm tagging you)

[dragonheart-swtor]

Sith Inquisitor Storyline: Drunk History Version

Y’all, and by y’all I mean one person (@sith-shenanigans thank you very much), asked for it, and I live to repeat this over and over for others’ amusement, so here it is. Have my summary of the pinball machine that is the Sith Inquisitor storyline, from memory, originally drafted a while back in DMs with a friend who’s never played SWTOR. Spoilers for the Sith Inquisitor storyline, obviously.

Without further ado: Let us begin.

- So your story begins as a recently sort-of-freed slave walking off a ship and onto Hell: The Planet. (The nonhuman Inquisitor immediately experiences 2483947 microaggressions.)

- You have to compete with a bunch of other people! Only one of you is not going to die and the overseer has already picked his favorite, seemingly purely because he happens to have red skin. They will both (the overseer and Teacher’s Pet) proceed to be as annoying as possible for the rest of the Korriban story.

- multiple people try to kill you, but you’re the protagonist, so fuck them

- “Teacher’s Pet, you go to the library and translate these texts. Protagonist, you go to this ancient tomb and figure out how to retrieve an artifact from a lock that no one has been able to open in ten thousand years.” “Libraries are boring anyway. Yawn.”

- You finally get to smackdown with Teacher’s Pet, which is satisfying as hell. Unfortunately the overseer gets pissy about it. Fortunately, the Sith you’ve been competing to be the apprentice of decided she liked you early on and has also been playing favorites, so you don’t die immediately.

- your master is great! much more into positive reinforcement than most Sith.

- at some point you semi-accidentally steal someone else's cult on Nar Shaddaa and now they worship you as a nigh-on god. whoops. you just kind of... leave and let them run their own business. you pay them visits later in the storyline.

- you also become part bug so you can go skinny dipping in radioactive waste. it’s fine, we promise.

- your master is trying to steal your body because turns out she's actually really old and kind of dying so she plans on kicking you out of your body, transplanting her own soul in your place, killing her old body, and assuming your identity after "you" "killed" "your master"! that's not great, better not let her do that.

-  you successfully didn't let her do that! wait, now she's sharing a body with one of your companions, an ancient monster who you kind of forced into submission and who serves you rather unwillingly now. there is apparently nothing that can be done about this so sometimes your eight-foot-tall monster not-friend talks in a high, unnervingly smooth feminine voice and tries to convince you she's on your side now that she's forced by this new body to not harm you. this is also not great but what are you gonna do. he is also Not Pleased about this by the way, and really who can blame him.

- some darth on the dark council named Thanaton decides to get pissy with you for reasons I don't remember and now he's trying to kill you. what the fuck.

-  he actually almost does kill you but your old master's other apprentices, who are now your apprentices, save you from the brink of death.

- (the apprentices, by the way, are very sweet and I love them. they’re murdered by thanaton almost immediately.)

-  your solution to "I need more power, fast", for some godforsaken reason, is "I'm going to learn to walk the line between life and death and EAT GHOSTS" and I wish I were exaggerating this

- you go out and eat a bunch of ghosts of old Sith on various planets

- subpoint to this: on one of these planets, you accomplish this by coercing the ghost's descendant, a Jedi padawan named Ashara, to get the ghost to appear so you can eat him. You end up murdering her masters in the process because one way or another they find out about your plan. She is understandably horrified by this turn of events and, feeling she has no chance of returning to the Jedi, reluctantly joins your crew and either (Light Side Quizzy) learns to balance light and dark sides of the Force and becomes ultimately stronger for it, or (Dark Side Quizzy) lives in abject terror of you for the rest of the storyline. I love her dearly as well. fortunately she is not murdered by thanaton.

- congrats! you ate enough ghosts to have enough power to beat thanaton up!

- unfortunately, you have Ate Too Many Ghosts Disease now and need immediate medical attention.

- your mind kind of just Shatters and you may or may not have hallucinations for a while iirc. either way you need help or you're just gonna disintegrate slowly until the ghosts overwhelm you and take over. you go to Voss and participate in some wild Force ritual they've got to take care of that. it's a fun time

- your body is also having a bad time and that also needs fixing; I don't remember where you go for this (Belsavis, I think?) but you end up checking out a machine made by a long-dead alien civilization and the machine turns out to a) be sentient and b) be responsible for CREATING A GOOD PORTION OF THE GALAXY'S NEAR-HUMAN SPECIES, IF NOT ALL OF THEM, AND DISSEMINATING THEM TO THE GALAXY AS PART OF THE RAKATA'S EXPERIMENTS ON CREATING FORCE-SENSITIVE LIFEFORMS IN HOPES OF KEEPING THEIR OWN SPECIES FROM DYING OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE SUPER RACIST AND EVENTUALLY THAT RACISM KICKED THEM IN THE ASS IN THE FORM OF A MASS REVOLUTION THAT WIPED THEM OUT COMPLETELY BUT THE MACHINE IS STILL HERE

- all right I’m calm sorry I derailed for a moment

- I have a lot of thoughts about things

-  anyway the machine bUILDS YOU A NEW FUCKING BODY and you're good to go now

-  (by the way, depending what species you're playing, it's entirely possible you learn at this point that your entire species only exists because of this machine!)

- (anyway.)

- okay, mind fixed, body fixed, ghosts consumed, we're good to go! time to murder a dark councilor!

- "we do that"

- except you don't because you're on corellia and this dipshit challenges you to a kaggath without really ever explaining in detail what a kaggath is or what the rules (if any) are, we just know it seems to be the ancient and very formal Sith way of saying "meet me in the denny's parking lot at 3am if you want an ass-kicking", and then hE RUNS OFF TO DROMUND KAAS WHICH DEPENDING ON WHAT GALAXY MAP YOU BELIEVE IS UP TO FIVE DAYS' TRAVEL AWAY

- YOU'RE CANONICALLY JUST CHASING THIS LITTLE BITCH THROUGH SPACE FOR FIVE DAYS AFTER HE CHALLENGED YOU

-  he then goes to the Dark Council to try to convince them to help him kill you and you literally have to just go to the Dark Council chambers too and kick in the door and go "HEARD YOU WERE TALKIN SHIT" in front of everyone

- (which to be fair is basically Sith philosophy in a nutshell)

-  Ravage and Marr spend this entire council meeting just exchanging tired glances and going "no, fuck you, why can't you kill them, they're your problem. fight for our entertainment now. fuck you"

- (Darth Baras did this exact same shit earlier the same day, by the way, with the Sith Warrior. and by “earlier the same day” I mean “like fifteen minutes prior to this.”)

- you fight Thanaton. to no one's surprise, because you're the protagonist and because he's being a little bitch about it, you kick his ass and slaughter him in front of everyone

- half the Council stands up and you just kind of go "oh shit I'm gonna die"

- but no

- you're being promoted

- congration you done it you're a dark councilor now

- someone complains because wait, they're not even a darth, you can't be a dark councilor if you're not even a darth

- first person responds with "well fuck you then, we'll make them a darth. hey you. your name is Darth Nox (dark side)/Imperius (light side)/Occulus (neutral) now. take a seat"

- "but - what?"

- "take a fuckin seat, babe"

- "o- okay" 

- "you run the entire Ancient Knowledge sector now, by the way, despite the fact that you may or may not be illiterate due to having been raised a slave, because that was what Thanaton ran and we only have the one job opening since the Warrior just killed Baras"

- (the Warrior, freshly coined the Emperor's Wrath officially, waves from their corner where they're cleaning Baras's blood off their boots)

- "I - okay, I guess"

and that’s the Sith Inquisitor storyline. That’s a wrap, folks, roll credits. if this gets enough notes and/or if literally anyone says they’d like to see it I may also post the Imperial Agent and/or do other class stories, I enjoy these way too much

[mallowstep]

For the love of god, please consider renaming some cats, I've seen names like

"One-Eye, Halftail, Oddfoot, FLIPCLAW (what kind of prefix is 'Flip'?) Twigbranch, Clawface etc. Don't get me started on those atrocious SkyClan names with KITTYPET PREFIXES

Harrybrook, Snookthorn, Rileypool

Like tf?

so i'm going to start with saying! as a general rule, i love these names. i will address them each in turn, but i don't have a problem with warriors having "bad names," i have a problem with names that don't make sense given their context.

it does not make sense for blackfoot to be named blackkit, when he's mostly white. (and, as a colorpoint cat, i assume, would be born entirely white.) etc.

but i have no problem with bellaleaf, because well, yeah! makes sense to me.

after all, leaf was named leafdapple, why shouldn't bella be named bellaleaf.

i'm going to discuss each name you brought up in turn, and then, under the cut, i'm going to ramble about naming philosphies.

one-eye: i'm fine with this. i don't mind cats being named after their disabilities, not when it's an established part of warriors culture. (even if it doesn't happen anymore because people would be pissed about it.) i don't know if i think it's right, or if i think cats would have a problem with it, but i think it's good. i'd like to think most cats wouldn't have a problem with it, though. that said, for one-eye in particular, her name was already white-eye, so it feels redundant. food for thought, i suppose.

halftail: i'm not okay with this, because he lost...half his tail? trust me, as someone who had a cat with half a tail, you don't notice it. doesn't make sense. he can keep sparrowpelt, altho tbh i almost always forget about him.

oddfoot: oops i forget him initially! i actually assumed he was named odd because of numbers or something, but apparently it’s a deadfoot situation. we don’t know his kit name, so i’ll assume he was named as either an apprentice or a warrior to fit. it wouldn’t make sense for him to just have the prefix odd, and i’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that he didn’t. if he did, however, i would have a problem with it because that makes his name a compound name, not because his leader renamed him.

flipclaw: i don't have a problem with it. what kind of name is flipkit? the kind of name a mother would give who looks a lot like the cat who traumatized her, i think. more importantly, i think it's cute! doesn't bother me. would i name an oc flipkit? probably not, but that's just me.

twigbranch: oh no i love her name. i love it! it's so cute. it means something, too! it has meaning. nope. no one is taking twigbranch away from me. i love it.

clawface: mixed. i don't really have a problem with a cat being named clawkit, but it feels...violent. shrug. i don't like it, but like, i also don't like sandynose.

and i won't directly address skyclan because uh i already stated my thoughts on them.

skyclan in particular, tho, it actually makes a lot of sense for their names to be like that. there is no reason to apply any clan norms to skyclan names.

i really hope they keep their names, too. tradition and legacy of names is important to them (pebbleshine and violetshine for the most direct example, but it's everywhere), and i want that to stay. i love that leafstar named her kit harrykit. never change skyclan.

as always, i want to say that i do not have a problem with anyone's methodology of naming cats. i do not care. i support every single name in existence (barring certain combinations of color and "-face," and anything in that vein), and i do not want to come across as telling you what you should do.

that includes you, anon! i do not think you should listen to me when i say i like these names. i think you should rename them whatever you want. (i strongly suggest reconsidering skyclan renames, tho. there's established reasons in canon for them to have those names, and i think it's a cool cultural thing worth exploring. i keep meaning to write a funny lil one-shot about it.)

but you know! if you want to rename them, go for it! i support you!

that said, here is what i think (and i am not an authority on this in any way, shape, or form) about names:

i've written extensively about naming traditions in the clans. if you want to read that, "names. leaders. meaning" and "names part two" are where i recommend you look. (note: first link is to my main, before i migrated warriors content here.)

i'm not going to go over any of that in detail, because well, i'd rather talk about something new?

anyway, i don't think there's a reason to rename the vast majority of cats. i have very, very, few rules. heck, in ashes, i even had squilf come out and say that there's not even a problem with cats sharing a prefix.

the two cats i have renamed are yellowstorm and runningcloud, both for very specific reasons: -fang is a suffix that only makes sense if you're a warrior, and yellowfang names runningpaw runningnose, but in this au, sagewhisker names him, and she doesn't seem like the type to give that kind of name.

in yellowfang's secret, which i do generally treat as canon, yellowfang explains runningnose's name. i don't have a problem with her giving that name to him in the slightest. i just don't think sagewhisker would, and that overrode my general conservative approach to cat names.

but i do think, to an extent, cats are named for the world around them. i explored this in "without warning," where cats can be named after all sorts of strange things (elevator is my favourite), because well, they don't know what strange names are and are not.

so, for example, if there was a kit named, say, chaffinchkit, i would probably rename them, because i've set my warriors in the pnw, and there are no chaffinches in america.

i would just name the kit finchkit, because really, a chaffinch just a specific type of finch anyway.

i also refuse to name a kit maggotkit. there are probably other canonical prefixes in this nature that i refuse, but maggot is the big one that comes to mind.

but i don't care that ferns are green and cats aren't green. maybe it's a name passed down through the generations, one they don't even remember the origin of, but now, it is a thunderclan name.

or maybe, it is given to a riverclan cat simply because their mother thinks ferns are nice and soft.

none of that matters to me, because i personally find limiting name to appearance is incredibly boring, and gives up a really nice chance to worldbuild.

in "fair is the night," ivypool and tigerheart have a brief conversation exploring this.

"ThunderClan is different," he says. "You don't use names in the same way. You don't know the Ivy before you. But ShadowClan isn't like that. Dawnpelt knows Dawncloud and Flametail knows Flamefur, but...I have Tigerstar." "That seems ineffective," Ivypool says. "You can get more mileage out of your names. Here, Ivy is for grey kits, right? But wiry ones. We need strong roots. And Dove is for grey kits, or white ones, but its for the ones who are born soft."

they go on, but i would never pass up an opportunity to explore that type of thing. (and yes i see the typo)

similarly, i like the renaming system. i am like, this close to saying i love it.

the only reason i don't make brightheart lostface in everything i write is because it'd be too much of a headache to remind people, and i also don't want to needlessly invite arguments about it.

she keeps her name in "saccharine tithes of love and glory" because it's the kind of au where i can throw small things like that, without worrying, because it fits, tonally.

i wish it didn't set a fic in a very specific tone, but it does, and so, i usually use brightheart.

(also, it's clear that she prefers brightheart in the books, and i respect that. i don't think, in my culture, that makes sense for her, but i've talked about my works as being on a spectrum between canon and me, and most stuff is far enough away from me that i call her brightheart.)

anyway.

part of it is, renaming cats is imposing my rules over canon. i feel that saying "flipclaw should be named something else" asserts that my world is correct, and canon is wrong.

like, tallstar as a name does not make sense in my windclan. a kit can't be tall, and i've established that windclan names are very literal. but i've let it go, because i chose to make that a rule, and now i live with it.

i hope i didn't come off as prescriptivist, here, because i honestly believe if you want to rename cats, you should. i'd even be happy to discuss alternatives.

for clawface, might i suggest scorchface? (the suffix is malleable, frankly, but i don't feel like thinking much about it.) scorch deliberately has negative connotations in shadowclan, so you keep the same effect as clawface. especially since it just kind of sounds ominous.

but as for what i will do, it is not rename cats. i like their names (especially skyclan's), in all their idiosyncratic glory.

[violentshine]

had a dream i was in a clan (as my cat sona ) and there needed to be a new leader appointed since...something happened to the last one

but instead of the current deputy becoming leader- which i don't think there was a deputy ?- whoever the clan wanted to be leader had to be gifted this ring with a stone not entirely sure what thats about but i remember two cats were candidates; one dude was like really harsh and mean & anyone with any sense wouldn't want him to be leader, the other cat was this molly who i guess was just nice & better suited for the job

anyway, someone found the ring but it didn't have a stone so we had to find a specific stone which was called obsidian...even though the stone in my dream was like a dull pink and smooth and...not obsidian ? but we're also cats so i guess that would explain thingd

on to the search,

i left to find this stone, along with the cat who wasn't mean (nobody had names for some reason- except for 3 cats who i'll get to later) and it took a while but we finally found it. so we return back to camp, we announce we found the stone & then she leaves to go do something.

but since she leaves, the other candidate is harassing me to give him the stone but i then say i don't have it anymore because i must have dropped it in the river (we crossed on while going back)- & he bought the lie. then i go leave to find whenever the other one left to and she finally comes out,

no idea where the ring is but apparently she has it, with the stone placed in the middle she finally becomes leader of the clan (which also has no name)

most of the clan is cheering for her & the first thing she does whatever leader stuff she has to do while i go wander in the camp.

I come across the elders den and go into it where i see 3 cats who looked to be apprentice sized among the other elders and like...thats weird so i ask them why they're in there and they say the last leader made them elders because...their names were ugly.. like their prefixes were ugly...so they were made into elders ?

i tell the new leader this and she appoints 2/3 of them to be warriors- i helped with one of their names which was Fishpaw, now Fishskip & some others who i've forgotten. the other apprentice just stays an elder

and thats it

[m1smatched-starsigns]

ooo how about ☀️ and Redtail? :0

Pulling this one out of the idea doc!

Working title is Written in Red

AU where Redtail survives the battle at Sunningrocks, but discovers Tigerstar’s plot to kill him. Now it’s a game of strategy, deception, and somehow that ginger kittypet is involved.

It begins during the battle for Sunningrocks.

The rockfall that kills Oakheart never occurs, and after Tigerclaw’s patrol shows up, the RiverClan deputy orders a retreat. The ThunderClan party celebrates and Redtail leads the victorious patrol back to camp, and with too many cats present, Tigerclaw must bide his time.

Once they return to camp, Tigerclaw pulls Darkstripe aside and tells him that he will have to wait for another opportunity to murder Redtail. Ravenpaw, who went looking for his mentor, stops and overhears the entire conversation. He panics and immediately tells Redtail what he overheard.

While initially shocked, Redtail does not have a problem believing the young apprentice. While timid, Ravenpaw is very observant and above all, not a liar. Tigerclaw’s ambition is known throughout the Clans, and he has never been fond of Redtail. As a matter of fact, this revelation puts a lot of odd behavior into perspective...

Tigerclaw gluing himself to Redtail’s side during patrol. Constantly feeling watched. Tigerclaw’s insistence to stay on the battlefield as long as Redtail was there — and only retreating when Redtail led it.

So now ThunderClan’s most formidable warrior is out to spill his blood across the forest. Great.

Redtail wants to tell Bluestar, but he realizes that he doesn’t have the evidence for anyone to believe him. All he can has is the word of a paranoid apprentice, and strange behavior that many cats would not find strange. If anything, Bluestar might think that the pressure of the deputyship is getting to his head and now he’s growing paranoid.

If Redtail thought stepping down would be enough for Tigerclaw, he would consider it. But if Tigerclaw wants to be deputy so badly, then it’s because he wants to be Clan leader. That means warriors like Lionheart and Whitestorm, who could lead this Clan, are possible targets. That means Bluestar herself is a target.

Who’s to say that every single cat in ThunderClan isn’t a threat somehow?

Redtail isn’t the strongest fighter or the most skilled hunter, but he is more clever than most of his Clanmates. Creating a plan will not be an issue, but finding the right cats to help him execute it will be difficult.

He has friends, but none of them have ever had any issue with Tigerclaw. As a matter of fact, they all admire his skill and consider him an advantage for ThunderClan.

He needs someone with an outside perspective; someone who doesn’t stare at Tigerclaw in awe.

The next day, Bluestar tells Redtail about a kittypet who wears flames as a pelt.

“A kittypet?” Redtail echos, surprised. There must be more to him than his striking pelt.

“A prophecy,” Bluestar admits. She tells him about Spottedleaf’s vision, and how she thinks this kittypet is important. She wants to invite him to train as a warrior.

Under different circumstances, Redtail would be skeptical. But knowing what he does about Tigerstar, he considers this an answer to prayer. If “fire alone will save the Clans” then what is he saving the Clans from?

It is a stretch to name that threat Tigerclaw, but it is not unreasonable.

He goes with Bluestar to meet Rusty, and he analyzes his every movement, his every sentence. Rusty is naive and does not understand their ways, but this is unsurprising. The good things is he is interested and willing to learn — he wants to learn their ways, and he wants to understand them.

Redtail believes he will be the cat to help him expose Tigerclaw.

However. Redtail must remind himself that it would be unfair to corner to Rusty and tell him about Tigerclaw, about the prophecy hanging over his head. He agreed to join ThunderClan because he wants to be a warrior, not because he wants to save the Clans from a tyrant.

So until Rusty — now Firepaw — has reason to help him, he will have to wait and watch his back.

Firepaw is ready much sooner than Redtail dared hope.

Ravenpaw is dead. Tigerclaw says an adder bit him and the pain from the poison was too great — he killed Ravenpaw upon his request and in an act of mercy.

Ravenpaw was a Clanmates and friend, but it was clearly he wasn’t suited to the harsh reality of a warrior. His Clanmates believe he is in a better place now.

His body, which Tigerclaw brings back to camp, confirms the story.

Firepaw believes otherwise.

He pulls Redtail aside and tells him that right before Tigerclaw and Ravenpaw left for training, Ravenpaw told him to never turn his back on Tigerclaw. He told him that if anything ever happened to him, he needed to find Redtail.

The deputy understands what happened. Tigerclaw must have found out what Ravenpaw knew, and killed him before he could tell anyone his ploy to take over the Clan. Poor Ravenpaw must have known his death was rapidly approaching if he gave Firepaw those instructions that morning.

So Redtail tells Firepaw what he knows about Tigerclaw, and what he thinks he’s plotting. He leaves out the bit about the prophecy— he doesn’t want to overwhelm the young apprentice.

“So,” Firepaw begins slowly, as this new information sinks in. “Tigerclaw must have suspected that Ravenpaw knew about his plan to murder you. Do you think he knows that Ravenpaw already told you everything?”

Redtail pauses. That is a good question.

He tells Firepaw that if he notices anything suspicious, come to him immediately. “Do not share this information with anyone else,” he adds. “Not Bluestar, and not your friends.”

Firepaw scraps the earth with a claw. “No problem,” he meows. “I don’t have many friends.” He explains that Ravenpaw was his only friend; Graypaw has been avoiding him ever since Ravenpaw died, and Dustpaw and Sandpaw practically hate him.

“Dustpaw?” Redtail echos. “Let me take care of him.”

On his side mission, Redtail pulls Dustpaw aside and gives him a long lecture about treating your Clanmates the way you want to be treated, and the consequences he will face if he continues bullying Firepaw.

“You want to be deputy someday, don’t you?” Redtail asks. “You’re going to need support from your Clanmates. Firepaw can help you reach your goal if you let him.”

Dustpaw has never known his father. He just lost Ravenpaw who, sure he was annoying, was his only littermate. His mother died a few moons ago.

Redtail has always been there for him. Redtail is the reason he wants to be deputy someday. He can’t stand it when he lets his mentor down, so he takes this warning to heart and starts clamping down on the insults he wants to spit so badly.

Sandpaw is discouraged when her partner in crime refuses to mock the kittypet with her, but she’ll get over it.

Moving on. Firepaw has noticed that Tigerclaw has taken special interest in him. He asks him questions and goes out of his way to deliver him news.

Whenever he turns around, Tigerclaw is always right there.

Redtail huffs. “He must have realized that you and Ravenpaw were close. He’s suspicious of you now, too.”

At first Redtail thought it was best to let Tigerclaw see as little interaction with Firepaw as possible. But with the young apprentice now in his sights, the game has changed. Tigerclaw can not be allowed to get Firepaw alone.

The good news is that Redtail has an opportunity to get some quality time with Firepaw, and keep Tigerclaw away from him.

“Are you sure you’re up to it?” Bluestar asks after he voices his idea. “You already have a lot of responsibilities with the deputyship and young Dustpaw.”

Redtail smiles confidently. “I’ll only take him out whenever you’re too busy. Besides, I think he could use some help making friends and this will ensure some time between him and Dustpaw. I can handle it, Bluestar.”

Bluestar agrees. So now whenever Firepaw needs training that she can’t oversee, he will come with Redtail and Dustpaw.

Dustpaw doesn’t like it but he doesn’t say a word.

For a time, their plan works. It gives Redtail and Firepaw an excuse to talk so much, keeps Tigerclaw from getting too close to the apprentice, and even Dustpaw seems to be warning up to him.

The ShadowClan drama makes it harder to stay together, but they make it work. Lionheart and Whitestorm are both killed in battle.

Through it all Firepaw impresses in his training, and it isn’t long until he and Dustpaw are made warriors: Fireheart and Dustpelt. The young toms are quite close now, thanks to Redtail.

Tigerclaw has been strangely silent lately, and it sets Redtail’s fur on edge. He is planning something, but the deputy doesn’t know what.

“What if we lure him into acting?” Fireheart suggests one day.

Redtail pauses. That is an idea.

It’s incredibly risky but this is where Redtail excels. If he can craft the perfect plan then he can expose Tigerclaw once and for all, and they can stop looking over their shoulders.

The plan: finally let Tigerclaw get Fireheart alone, and then reveal everything they know. Tigerclaw will try to kill Fireheart, but unknown to him, Redtail and Bluestar will be waiting in the bushes, waiting for a confession from Tigerclaw.

To convince Bluestar to come along, Redtail lies and tells her he scented ShadowClan in their side of the Thunderpath.

At first, everything goes according to plan. Fireheart and Tigerclaw are hunting near the Thunderpath when Fireheart reveals everything he knows. He even lies and claims to have seen Tigerclaw murder Ravenpaw, and tells him that he’s been training with Redtail so that he may avenge his friend.

Tigerclaw throws himself at the young warrior with a snarl, but not the confession they need. Redtail asks Bluestar to wait before intervening. They watch with baited breath as Fireheart manages to barely hold his own against ThunderClan’s best warrior.

The confession comes when Tigerclaw pins Fireheart down on the lonely Thunderpath.

“You mouse-brain,” Tigerclaw snarls. “You and Redtail thought you were so clever? You thought Ravenpaw was the only cat I killed? A kit could have killed that brat! I orchestrated Lionheart and Whitestorm’s deaths too, and you will be my next victim!”

Whitestorm was Bluestar’s nephew.

Lionheart was Bluestar’s close friend.

With a furious snarl, Bluestar leaps out of the bushes and charges across the Thunderpath in a blaze of blue. She knocks Tigerclaw off of her former apprentice, and Fireheart scrambled to join Redtail.

Their plan succeeds.

A monster suddenly roars onto the Thunderpath. Bluestar and Tigerclaw are locked in battle.

“No,” Fireheart breathes. “Bluestar!”

For a heartbeat, Bluestar looks at them over her shoulder. Redtail meets her gaze.

She knows what she is doing.

Redtail clenches his eyes shut just before the deafening thump echoes throughout the earth.

When he opens his eyes, two bodies lay limply on the Thunderpath. Their insides are torn out; their blood is spread across the unforgiving surface.

“Bluestar had three lives left,” Fireheart whispered.

Redtail shakes his head sadly. Bluestar does not have a body to return to.

The sight makes his stomach churn dangerously, but Redtail and Fireheart drag Bluestar’s body back onto the ground. They leave Tigerclaw.

Rather than traumatize the young cats, Redtail elects to bury Bluestar there. The Clan will understand.

When they return back to camp, Redtail has the uneasy task of explaining everything that has happened to his Clanmates. He begins with Ravenpaw’s murder and goes from there.

The Clan is shocked, but Fireheart can confirm everything Redtail says. They grieve for their leader... and then Redtail goes to Highstones with Spottedleaf, his sister, to receive his nine lives. Upon return, he appoints Runningwind as his deputy.

The pair rule ThunderClan together for moons until Runningwind is killed in a battle for Sunningrocks.

Redstar pulls Dustpelt aside. “I know how you feel about the deputyship-“

“I’m not ready for it,” Dustpelt interrupts his old mentor. “Don’t worry about me, Redstar. We both know who the better choice is right now.”

Young Dustpelt has come a long way. Redstar is grateful for his friendship and his loyalty.

But he is right. Fireheart is the only cat for the job.

(Until Redstar looses his last life, and Firestar must choose a new deputy. Then, Dustpelt is ready.)

[calitraditionalism]

Arc Two: Chapter Fourteen

(AO3 counterpart here.)

“You’re kidding.”

“I wish I was.” Beetlefoot was clearly struggling to keep his fur down on his body. His tail was jittery and his round yellow eyes were almost bulging with alarm. “But I heard them perfectly clearly.”

The quartet were far outside the perimeter of the camp at the stream, under the guise of hunting together as a group. Someone had questioned why the blind cat was going with them. Darkpelt, the excellent actress that she was, had breezily passed it off as just playing around and being a distraction to her friends. That someone then asked why they’d go out when a storm was coming, to which she then mentioned that getting prey now would be better than having to hunt in the rain. They had received no further questions and left quickly.

To keep up the charade, Mistface and Beetlefoot had caught some prey of their own, while Laurelclaw dove into the water for a sizable fish of some kind that Mistface did not know the name of. He had given the fish to Darkpelt before pretending to search for more. Laurelclaw had his back to them, but they were close enough to talk easily and at a lower volume. No one was touching their catches.

“That’s ridiculous,” was all Mistface could say. He tried to think of something else to add on, but his shock seized the clever part of his mind and he could only repeat himself. “That’s just too ridiculous. Runagate ain’t even real.”

“It’s totally real!” Laurelclaw turned his head back with a shocked and outraged expression. “There’s too many stories about it for it to be a fake! Besides, if Greyleaf and Redheart both talked about it like that…”

“I had hoped that it could just be a dream or a hallucination of some kind,” Beetlefoot said. “But I can’t argue for that if they’re both seeing it.”

Mistface was barely restraining himself from lashing his tail and twitching his lip. He was aware enough to admit that it was not anger making him act like this. It was fear.

Only Darkpelt was completely calm. She hardly looked present, her big eyes half glazed over, her head not pointed to any of the toms. She was thinking again.

“We have to tell someone,” Laurelclaw said. “Someone needs to know. One of the seers, or- or maybe it’s time to get the leaders involved. We can’t just let them invite the Runagate to be around all these cats. There are apprentices who could be in danger!”

“And we’re running out of time,” Beetlefoot added. “If we don’t call them soon, Redheart will take her groups away unhindered. It’ll be too dangerous for anyone to go all the way out there to bring them back, and if they refuse, there will be a fight.”

Mistface couldn’t say anything. He was unable to stand still; he got up and started pacing back and forth, tail stuck straight out behind him. His mind was working overtime to find a response, or a solution, or an argument for all of this being a joke. He couldn’t find any of these.

“Darkpelt,” Beetlefoot said. “What do you think we should do?”

Mistface jerked around to face her. Beetlefoot and Laurelclaw were looking at her, hopeful that she could solve their problems.

Darkpelt didn’t say anything for a long moment, sitting still as a stone. Slowly, she took in a long breath, eyes narrowing a little.

“There’s something missing,” she nearly whispered, sounding like she was talking to herself. “What does it have to do with all this…?”

“Darkpelt,” Mistface said, a little too sharply.

She blinked, her eyes lit up again, and she falsely scanned the cats looking at her. “I don’t like that we have to cut this short, but I think Laurelclaw’s right. It’s time to call the leaders. We need to keep up appearances until they arrive, though, so let’s do this carefully.”

Beetlefoot nodded and straightened up, more collected and calm. Laurelclaw gave up the fake hunt and joined the rest of the group.

“Mistface,” Darkpelt said, turning to the tom in question. “When do you plan to see your mother next?”

Something clicked in Mistface’s mind, and at once he could make himself relax again. “Well, I don’t know, but I could take Beetlefoot with me.”

“And he can take that time to find the patrollers and sound the alarm,” Darkpelt said. “Go without your brother, and do it today.”

“It’d be suspicious if I went without tellin’ him,” Mistface said, and after a moment of thought, “But he is always busy. Easy to just leave him to his work.”

“Excellent.” Darkpelt nodded. “You, Laurelclaw, are staying with me here. I have a feeling I’ll be needing some muscle.”

“Will I have to hurt anyone?” Laurelclaw asked anxiously. “I know tensions are high, but…”

“Just keep me alive.” Darkpelt put out a paw in a soothing gesture for quiet. “And if we need to, prevent Redheart from leaving until we have backup.”

“What about Greyleaf?” Beetlefoot and Mistface said at the same time. They looked at each other, startled.

Darkpelt tilted her head. “He’s going to be questioned too, I’m sure. Lucky thing he’s a lot easier to contain. Even I could do it.”

“He don’t need to go anywhere,” Mistface said quickly. “I can come back and talk him down.”

Darkpelt turned her head to him and, oddly, there was a bit of sympathy in her expression. “I know he’s your brother, but he’s also the second leader of this whole operation. He can’t get away from that. Talk him down, sure, but he’s going to be arrested too. There isn’t anything we can do about that.”

“My mother won’t be able to handle her son being treated like a criminal.” Mistface tried to sound assertive, but, shamefully, his voice was weak. “She can’t see that at the end of her life.”

“She doesn’t need to know,” Laurelclaw offered with a nervous shift in his body. “Maybe you can just not tell her?”

Darkpelt was unmoved. She spoke with a firm calmness. “Greyleaf is trying to steal warriors, kits and apprentices from the safest place in the world. He’s inciting rebellion, he abandoned his post with the leaders, and he’s speaking to a demon, which sounds like a regular occurrence. Under all that, he would be considered dangerous. The leaders will have to take him in for interrogation at the very least.”

Mistface opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Darkpelt seemed to know what face he was making, because she continued with, “Sorry. That’s just how it is. Again, Laurelclaw’s right. You don’t have to let your mother know. Once this is resolved, things can return to normal.”

Mistface, lost, looked at Beetlefoot for help. Beetlefoot, downcast, simply shook his head. Laurelclaw wouldn’t even meet Mistface’s eye. There was a long silence while Mistface tried to think of a sound argument, before he hung his head and sighed.

Darkpelt got to her feet with that noise. “Let’s get back with this prey. Mistface, Beetlefoot, leave immediately. Laurelclaw, stick to me like sap.”

The toms picked up their catches and the group unhappily made their way back to the settlement. When they returned, the camp was abuzz with cats talking and arguing. No one noticed the four come back, or deposit their prey, or nod to each other and split up.

“You know where Greyleaf is?” Mistface asked the dull grey tom, flawlessly casual and friendly. “Wanted to invite him to see our mother before we get goin’.”

The tom frowned deeply, but he kept whatever he was thinking to himself and simply shook his head. “He’s with Redheart, I’m sure. I don’t know where either of them is.”

Mistface nodded and kept walking, Beetlefoot at his side. He silently hoped that Greyleaf would be completely inaccessible so he didn’t have to face him, ask a risky question, and be refused.

Or just face him at all, really.

As luck would have it, the den that Greyleaf and Redheart spent most of their time in was surrounded by cats. Some were grumbling, others were calling for Redheart’s attention, and there were a few just standing around and watching the growing disgruntlement.

“Ain’t no way to ask him, then,” Mistface said to Beetlefoot quietly. “Let’s mosey.”

They kept a pace between casually slow and eagerly choppy as they circled around the settlement and landed themselves in the direction of where the Vultures were resting. Mistface quietly observed the gnarled, dark clouds overhead that seemed to be curving their claws closer and closer to the ground.

“This’ll make it hard for the patrol to see me coming,” Beetlefoot remarked.

“Or for anyone else to see you,” Mistface replied. “Come along, then-“

“Wait! Mistface!”

Both toms flinched and looked back to see a harried, untidy Snowshine running for them. She looked exhausted and almost frantic.

“Can-“ she panted, skidding to a halt. “Can I talk to you really quick?”

Mistface, keeping his cool, nodded to Beetlefoot. “You go on ahead. I’ll catch up with you. Don’t go too fast, now.”

Beetlefoot gave a jerk of a nod back and set off at his usual trot.

Mistface turned fully to Snowshine with his winning smile and a very relaxed wave of his tail. “You look like you’re bein’ run all over the place. You alright?”

She lowered her head, caught her breath, and looked back up at him. “I know you’re a spy.”

Mistface’s smile twitched. “What do you mean?”

“You and those cats you came with,” Snowshine explained. She kept her voice low, thankfully. “I know. I’ve seen you all hanging out together and whispering, and going quiet when someone walks by. And the leaders – they already asked about what was going on multiple times. I had a feeling they’d send someone, and I was right.” She suddenly looked embarrassed. “I am right, aren’t I?”

Mistface had a couple options. He could deny and laugh it off, or he could threaten her into silence, or even just sweet-talk her until she forgot what she was saying. He wondered if Darkpelt had ever been in a situation like this, and what she would do.

“It’s okay,” Snowshine whispered. “I’m not going to tell anyone. I just need your help.”

Mistface’s eyes drifted upwards. He took a breath, let it out, dropped his smile, and looked back down at her.

“This better be an important problem,” he said.

“It is.” Snowshine’s face almost crumpled with relief. “The Clast, they’re losing their patience. I can’t keep them back much longer. They want Redheart out of their home, but they don’t want the other cats to go with her. But those cats are sick of the Clast too, and they’re resistant to everything I say, and- and it’s just one big mess, and I don’t know what I can do.”

Mistface was a little surprised to feel a stab of sympathy in his heart. “That ain’t easy.”

“It isn’t.” Snowshine looked around conspiratorially and leaned in. “Whatever connections you have, I need them, and now. Please tell me you can call the leaders here.”

Mistface’s smile faintly returned. “As it happens, Beetlefoot just went off to alert our patrollers that it’s time for action.”

Snowshine’s entire body sagged. “Oh, thank the stars. Redheart wants to leave by tomorrow, and I think that’s all I have left before a fight breaks out.”

Mistface nodded noncommittally and turned, watching Beetlefoot as he grew smaller and smaller in the distance. “That’ll be all the time we need, I like to think.”

[doritopaw101]

Arc1, book 2: Chapter 12

Icefire always thought of Riverclan as as plump and sleek, well fed from the river. That was until Silverstream told him that the oil issue had gotten worse, and humans were scaring away the fish.

In spite of his pang of pity, Icefire knew he and Graystripe would have to work hard to convince Stormstar that they had really saved the kits.

The Clan leader was at least prepared to give them a chance to explain. "Tell us what happened," Stormstar ordered.

Icefire began at the point when he had heard the kits wailing and seen them stranded on the mat of debris in the river.

"Since when have Thunderclan cats risked their lives for us?" Blackclaw broke in contemptuously as Icefire how he pushed the kits through the torrent to the riverbank.

Icefire wanted to to bite back but couldn't "That's rich coming from the cat that murdered a queen and started countless fights for no good reason other then stupid clan 'glory'"

Blackclaw hissed and looked ready to pounce but Stormstar stopped him "Quiet, Blackclaw! Let him speak. If he's lying, we'll find out soon enough and he does speak truth on that and don't think I forgot what you've done"

While Blackclaw grumbled, Mistyfoot spoke "He's not lying" They were still nuzzling their kits. "Why should Thunderclan steal kits when everyone is struggling to feed everyone, leaf-bare isn't completely over and prey is still scare they don't need more mouths to feed"

"Icefire's story makes sense" Silverstream observed calmly "We had to abandon the camp and shelter in these bushes when the water started to rise again" he explained to Icefire, his voice never falling "When we came to move Mistyfoot's kits, we could only find Primrosekit. Pikekit and Perchkit were missing. The whole nursery had been washed away. They must've been swept along the river to where you found them"

Stormstar nodded slowly, and Icefire realized that the hostility of the Riverclan cats was fading-all except for Blackclaw, who turned his back on the Thunderclan warriors with a snort of disgust.

"In that case, we're grateful to you" Stormstar mewed though he sounded grudging, as if he could hardly bear to be in debt to a pair of Thunders.

"Yes" Mistyfoot mewed. They looked up again, their eyes glowing softly with gratitude. "Without you, my kits would have died"

Icefire dipped his head in acknowledgment. Impulsively, he asked "Is there anything we can do for you? If you can't go back to your camp, and if prey's scare because of the flood-"

"We need no help from Thunderclan" Stormstar growled "Riverclan can look after itself"

"Don't be such a fool" It was Graypool who spoke, with a glare at her leader. Icefire saw Graystripe crouch down at the sound of her voice. Graypool was Splashsong's mother, the guilt would never fade.

"You're too proud for your own good," the elder rasped "How can we feed ourselves, even with the thaw? there is no good fish to eat. The river's practically poisoned; Echomist, Cedarpelt, and Lakeshine are evidence of that"

"It's true Storm" Voleclaw mewed, Shellkit, Mosskit, and Hailkit sitting in between his legs.

"It's all the Twolegs fault" Condorpaw hissed, his tail lashing

"They dumped their trash into the river and we suffer" Tidepaw added

Icefire rolled his eyes at this problem. He knew all about pride but they we're going to die without help. He looked around the Riverclan cats. Most of them couldn't meet his eyes, as if they were ashamed that a cat of another clan should know about their troubles.

"Thunderclan probably already knows when you allowed the white Thunder-rat into our camp" Suneyes growled "I'm sure Bluestar would love that"

"Bluestar doesn't know shit..er..mouse-dung" Icefire retorted "or do you want her to know, cause with your attitude it's getting really temping"

Suneyes's narrowed but her mouth was covered by Grasswhisker, wrapping her tail around her mother's muzzle. It seemed the Riverclan cats took his words seriously.

"Let us help you" Icefire urged "We'll catch prey for you in our territory and bring it to you, until the floods have gone and the river is clean" Even as he made this offer, he knew that he was breaking the warrior code that demanded loyalty to his own clan alone. Bluestar would snap his neck if she found out he was willing to share Thunderclan prey with Riverclan. There was another little bonus to this though, if he helped them the cats of Riverclan could trust him more.

He always thought about becoming leader, more than he cared to admit. Working to bring down Tiger-roar and Nightshade made that take priority by working themself very well into Tiger-roar's good graces, like Nightshade and Miststrike levels. Making Darkstripe jealous was a highlight. He hoped he got a position of power because if Riverclan could trust him then it could work out in the long run. If he couldn't gain leadership, the role of medicine cat or Silverblood could work.

"Would you really help us?" Stormstar asked slowly, his blue and amber eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"Yes" Icefire mewed

"And I'll help too" Graystripe promised

"Then the clan thanks you" Stormstar grunted "None of my cats will challenge you in our territory until the floods go down and we can return to our camp. But after that, we will fend for overselves again" He turned and led the way back to the bushes, His subdued cats followed him, casting glances back at Icefire and Graystripe as they went. He could feel their doubt in his offer to help.

Last to go was Mistyfoot, nudging their kits to their paws and guiding them up the slope where Leopardclaw and Skyeyes were. "Thank you both" she murmured "I won't forget this"

Icefire and Graystripe were left alone as the Riverclan cats disappeared into the bushes. As they picked their way down the slop again toward the river, Graystripe shook her head in disbelief "Hunting for another clan? We must be mad"

"What else could we do?" Icefire retorted as Graystripe licked his muzzle wound "Let them starve?"

"Of course not! But we'll have to be careful. We'll be crowfood if Bluestar finds out"

"If she finds out" Icefire stated

/

It was a cold morning, gray morning. Icefire dragged themself out reluctantly out of the warm embrace of Raveneye and Graystripe cuddled on top of them and kicked Graystripe out of the nest.

"Why?" Graystripe whined

Icefire lowered their head and butted the broad gray shoulder. "Come on, Graystripe" they whispered into their lover's ear "We've got to hunt for Riverclan Pigeon, don't tell me you forgot"

At that, Graystripe gripped his tom flower crown as he leveled himself upright and parted his jaws in an enormous yawn. Icefire felt just as tired as their lover; supplying Riverclan with fresh-kill as well as keeping up with their duties in Thunderclan was taking up all their time and energy. They had crossed the river with prey several times, and so far their luck had held. No Thunderclan cat had found out what they were doing.

The clan was doing well this moons, Littlepaw, Sleetpaw, and Smokypaw passed their assessments as well as their duels and received their warrior names: Littlebreeze, Sleetpelt, and Smokyclaw. Chivekit, Stagkit, and Hawk-kit were apprenticed, Chivepaw had gotten Goldenflower, Stagpaw got Cranewing, and Hawkpaw was given to Larkwing. Seedspots had moved into the nursery, expecting Lionheart's kits. Only a bitch could love a basturd. Petalpaw's training had been given over to Robinwing. Thornkit and Brightkit were apprenticed to Nightshade and Tiger-roar.

Stretching, Icefire glanced cautiously around the den. Most of the warriors were curled among the loss, too sound asleep to ask awkward questions. Tiger-roar was just a mound of two-colored tabby fur in his nest, with white bush in the form of Leopardstorm.

Icefire slipped out between the branches of the den. At first he thought all the other cats were asleep; then he saw Brindleface appear at the entrance to the nursery and lifted their head to sniff the air. As if they didn't like the raw, damp wind that greeted them, they retreated almost at once.

Icefire looked back at Graystripe, who was shaking scraps of moss off his coat. "Okay" they mewed "We can go now"

The two cats bounded across the clearing toward the gorse tunnel. Just as they reached it, two familiar voices behind them called out, "Dad! Dad!"

Icefire froze and turned around, Sunnykitkit and Shrikekit scampering over, yowling at him.

"Why!" Graystripe whined once more

"Starclan knows" Icefire sighed "Let me deal with my kits"

"Where are you going?" Sunnykit panted excitedly as she skidded to a stop in front of the warriors "Can we come with you?"

"No" Graystripe mewed "Kits don't leave camp, only with warriors"

"I'll be an apprentice soon" Sunnykit whined

"Soon isn't now" Icefire reminded his daughter, struggling to keep calm. If they hung around much longer, the whole clan would be awake and wanting know where they were going.

"What's going on?" Cranewing said with a yawn

"Nothing" Graystripe quickly mewed to his sister "Just going for an busy hunt with Icefire"

Cranewing nodded her head in realization "Got ya, come on kits, you can watch me and Stagpaw train"

"You're never around as much" Sunnykit whined, her amber eyes tearful "We miss you"

"The rouges are still out there and who else knows what so none of you will be going anywhere without warriors with you, now go back to your nests" Icefire looked straight ahead so they couldn't see his kits sad faces "Let's go Graystripe"

Moments later they were racing up the ravine with Graystripe at their side.

"Let's hope they won't tell anyone" Graystripe puffed

"We can worry about that later" Icefire panted "I'm sure Cranewing can keep them busy" 'helps me feel less bad'

The two warriors headed for the stepping-stones. The fallen tree was still there to help them cross the river, and hunting close by meant they had less distance to carry the fresh-kill, and were less likely to be spotted.

By the time they reached the edge of the forest, the daylight had grown stronger, but the sunrise was hidden behind a mass of gray cloud. There was spatter of rain in the wind.

Icefire and Graystripe caught the scent of squirrel. Graystripe spotted it and didn't think and chased after it. Icefire facepawed then went after the gray tom. He saw Icefire saw Graystripe chase the squirrel into a log, Icefire went over to the other side. The squirrel hadn't been ready for that and Icefire killed it quickly.

"That's one" Icefire said through the prey.

"Uh..Icy"

"Yeah?"

"I'm stuck"

Icefire rolled his eyes "Of course"

It took a few moments to pull Graystripe out by the tail then just digging into his hind legs and pulling him out. The two warriors continued their hunt until they had killed a rabbit and a couple of mice. By then, although he gladly couldn't see the sun, Icefire knew it must be near sun-high. "We'd better take this to Riverclan" he mewed "They're bound to miss us back at the camp soon"

His was relived as they pasted the fallen tree, the water was no higher, and the crossing seemed easier now that he had done it several times. All the same, Icefire felt uneasy as he scrambled through the branches, knowing that he was in full view of Thunderclan cat who happened to be patrolling the forest's edge.

He and Graystripe swam the last couple of fox-lengths and pulled themselves out of the river on the Riverclan side. When they had shaken the water out of their fur they slunk quickly toward the bushes where Riverclan had made their temporary camp.

A cat must have been on watch, because as they approached, Leopardclaw emerged from the bushes. "Welcome," she mewed, sounding a lot friendlier than she had when she first came upon them with Pikekit and Perchkit.

Icefire followed her into the shelter of the hawthorn branches. The Riverclan cats had worked hard since the floods forced them out their camp, bringing moss for bedding and scraping out a place beside the roots of a large bush where fresh-kill could be stored. Today this was little more than pitiful collection of a few mice and couple of blackbirds, which made the Thunderclan warrior's contribution all the more necessary. Icefire dropped his prey onto the pile, and Graystripe did the same.

"Is that more fresh-kill?" Stonefur appeared with Silverstream and Minnowpool just behind him. "Great!"

"We have to feed Graypool and the royals first" Leopardclaw reminded the gray warrior

"I know Leopardclaw" Stonefur stated, his voice level

"We'll take something for Graypool" Silverstream mewed, stepping between the two calmly "Graystripe grab that rabbit will ya"

Graystripe grabbed the rabbit hesitantly.

"Graypool wants to talk with you Graystripe, don't worry I'll stay around" Silverstream added with a wink ignoring Leopardclaw's disapproving glare

Graystripe stepped lightly and followed Minnowpool and Silverstream out of the bushes.

"They've got the right idea" Stonefur mewed "Icefire, do you want to the nursing queens? Then they can thank you themselves"

Icefire agreed. Following Stonefur, they got curious about something.

"Is is weird being half-clan?"

"It's less about it being weird and more about loyalty with cats, the fact I look more Thunderclan than Riverclan doesn't help"

"Mistyfoot looks more like Bluestar than you do"

"She has Stormstar's figure, I act more like a Thunder from what others say about me being a stubborn as a bass"

"Sometimes you need to be stubborn for things to get done"

"That's what I say but trying saying that from calm and too relaxed cats of Riverclan"

"Leoaprdclaw and Blackclaw seem more stubborn than you"

Stonefur chuckled at that.

They neared the makeshift nursery, Icefire wondered one more thing though "How's it going with Blackclaw?"

"Tossed him like a fish into the river, literally" He pointed to a nick in his already cut ears "Can't stop me from seeing our kits and it's not like Skyeyes going to stop me, Seaweedpaw is a blessing for her help with them"

"How's she doing by the way, Marigoldpaw's been asking"

"Petalstream says she's doing well, she likes using her name sake to make necklaces and crowns for the other apprentices"

"Spottedleaf would be proud"

Stonefur smiled "Yeah, she would"

Icefire padded in and was pleased to see Mistyfoot again, stretched out to their side while their kits suckled contentedly. Swanlight greeted him with a lick on the head as did Dawnscale and Mallowtail, they let their kits come over to him as well. Sootwhisker and Greenflower nodded to him. Suneyes ignored him though her kits sure didn't. What he did notice was Mosspelt and Flameshell.

"Filou" he said curtly, letting Gullkit, Mink-kit, Garkit play with his tail

Flameshell ducked her head like a turtle "I'm sorry I didn't tell you"

Icefire hummed "Who?"

"Well me and Willowheart wanted kits and I offered to carry them"

Icefire turned to Mosspelt "And you?"

"I thought Silvertide told you"

Stonefur led him to a spot further along the ridge where Graypool was crouched on a bed of heather and bracken, tucking into the fresh-kill. He spotted Graystripe looking much calmer than he had been in a while.

They had left quickly, wanting to get back to camp as soon as possible. Icefire still weighed down with anxiety as they crossed the tree truck and went back into Thunderclan territory, though he tried hard to push the problem out of his mind. He had two ideas to use as an excuse, he did the first already.

"Now I want to sleep" Graystripe yawned, grooming his fur and avoiding sitting on his rump. Only a mousebrain would think Graystripe was the dominant one between the two them.

"I hate and love your stamina" he muttered, "We should hunt, at least-"

An excited mew from the edge of the forest interrupted him. "Papa! Dad!"

Icefire stared in disbelief as he saw Sunnykit, Shrikekit, and Rosekit crashed out of the bracken at the edge of the trees.

"Oh, mouse dung!" Graystripe muttered

Icefire padded across the grass, his heart sinking. "What are you three doing here?" he demanded "I told you to stay back at camp"

"I tracked you" Sunnykit announced proudly "All the way from camp"

As he looked at his nephew's shining blue eyes, Icefire felt sick with apprehension, Their chances of slipping back into camp with a story of early hunting had just vanished. They must have seen them crossing the river.

"Sunnykit followed your scent trail right up to the stepping-stones" Shrikekit mewed "Papa, what were you and Graystripe doing in Riverclan territory?

"Why do you smell weird?" Sunnykit asked

Before Icefire could think of a reply, another voice broke in-a low, menacing growl. "Yes, that's what I would like to know, too"

Icefire tried to stay calm as he looked up to see Tiger-roar shouldering his way through the crisp brown bracken.

"You screwed up this time Icefire"

Shit

/

When they reached the camp, Icefire saw Bluestar standing at the foot of the Highrock, Seedspots laying behind her, her plump white belly exposed. A patrol made up of Leopardstorm, Fogtail, Chestnutclaw, and Mousefur was reporting to Bluestar.

"The stream is flooded as far as the Thunderpath" Icefire heard Leopardstorm say. "If the water doesn't go down, we won't be able to make it to the next gathering"

"There's still time before-" Bluestar broke off when she saw Tiger-roar approach her. "Yes, what is is?"

"I've brought these cats to you" the deputy growled "Three disobedient kits, and two traitors"

"Traitors!" Fogtail echoed, Chestnutclaw smirked. Chestnutclaw's eyes met Icefire's with an unpleasant gleam "Just what I'd expect from a kittypet" the reddish-brown tom sneered, he stared at the kits "What were you three thinking?"

"We wanted to see where Papa was going" Sunnykit said

"I've taught you three better than to follow him around"

"Excuse me?" Icefire hissed

"Enough" Bluestar ordered, more like snarled. She nodded to the cats in the patrol "You may go" she glanced at Seedspots who wore an amused grin "all of you" She turned back to Tiger-roar as the cats moved away. "Tell me what happened"

/

"Well if it isn't our newest apprentices, Icepaw and Graypaw"

Icefire looked up from his vole to see Fogtail swaggering toward him, his long tail waving in the air. "Ready for a training session?"

Bluestar hadn't been as mad as he thought. She punished Shrikekit, Sunnykit, and Rosekit with elder duties while she made Icefire and Graystripe do apprentice duties. Shrikekit seemed to enjoy talking with the elders and taking care of them, especially White-eye. Better than Smallear's favoritism over Rosekit.

Chestnutclaw had tried to contest his custody of their kits, stating that he was a danger and trouble for them. Considering what they and Graystripe had been caught doing, good will wasn't exactly on his side. Icefire was allowed in the nursery when deemed needed or at night any other time the kits were to be watched by Chestnutclaw or another royal. It made his blood boil that he was denied his kits but Bluestar did remind him that he didn't help his case, he was mad he agreed with her. =

Icefire and Graystripe took their time to finish their meals, then they had to follow Fogtail out of camp.

"Now Icepaw-"

"I'mma stop you right there before I slice your other ear" Icefire snapped before Fogtail could even start "Let's get this over with"

The day was cold and gray, just how he liked it especially when rain had began to fall but prey was hard to find. It was hard to pinpoint any movement for him and Fogtail wasn't making it easier, when he sneered in his ringing ears. Even if he lost his sight he could still make a good shot for Fogtail's ear or muzzle.

He ended up smacking Fogtail when he made him lose a dove.

He regretted nothing.

/

Icefire had a bad feeling in his belly. He was already ticked cause his nest in the apprentices den made him uncomfortable. Goosefeather just told him to grin and bear it. The apprentices had stared at him with wide eye, as if they couldn't believe what they were seeing. Swiftpaw sneered at him, probably encouraged by Fogtail.

The good was that Bluestar had thought he and Graystripe learned their lesson. He was glad.

He wasn't glad when he found out he was stuck on a flood patrol with Tiger-roar, Chestnutclaw, and Fogtail. A recipe for disaster, or he thought but they seemed peaceful, it weirded him out.

The sun rose higher, and the sky turned to a deep blue as the four cats journeyed through the forest toward Fourtrees.

As he padded after Tiger-roar, Icefire was distracted by tempting movements in the undergrowth as prey scurried to and fro. After a while the deputy let them stop and hunt for themselves. He wasn't going to let Tiger-roar's good mood go to waste. he quickly caught a vole with a swift pounce.

Then they went on, Icefire's stomach was warm and full from the vole he had eaten. Then they reached the top of a slope and looked down toward the stream that crossed Thunderclan territory, separating them from Fourtrees. Tiger-roar let out a long, soft hiss, Chestnutclaw lashed his tail, and Fogtail yowled in dismay.

Icefire shared their exasperation. Usually the stream was shallow enough for cats to cross easily, keeping their paws dry by leaping from rock to rock. Now the water had spread into a glistening sheet in either side, while the current churned swiftly along the original course of the stream.

"Fancy crossing that?" Fogtail spat "I don't"

Without a word, Tiger-roar began padding upstream, following the edge of the floodwater toward the Thunderpath. The land sloped gently upward, and before long, Icefire could see when he narrowed his eyes the shining surface was broken by tussocks of grass and clumps of bracken poking above the water.

"This isn't as deep as when Leopardstorm last reported" Tiger-roar mewed "We try to cross here"

Icefire had doubts but knew if he said a word, he would be mocked for his kittypet roots. He quietly followed Tiger-roar, who was already wading into the flood. He couldn't help noticing that Fogtail's ears twitched nervously as he splashed in beside him. Chestnutclaw just brought waves as he tried to get to land, Icefire wasn't helping him in the slightest.

In front of him, the current was brown where it stirred up mud from the streambed. It was much too wide for a cat to leap, and the stepping-stones were completely submerged.

"Those damn Rivers were right" Tiger-roar growled

Whiteclaw and Morningriver had come to Thunderclan to warn them about the water levels but the Thunderclan wanted to see it for themselves.

"Come here! Look at this!"

Icefire splashed toward him. The deputy, with Fogtail and Chestnutclaw beside him, was standing at the edge of the stream. A branch was lodged in front of them, swept into place by the current so that it stretched from one bank to the other.

"Just what we need" Tiger-roar grunted in satisfaction

Icefire felt a shove "Icefire, check that it's safe, will you?" Chestnutclaw mewed

Icefire saw Goosefeather floating above the muddy water, the gray speckled tom said nothing. It was foreboding and Icefire knew it.

"Scared, kittypet?" Chestnutclaw taunted him.

"Of drowning, yes" he snapped at the brutish warrior "I don't see you eager to do it, so shut your trap before I do it for you" He turned back to the murky water. Gritting his teeth, he stepped onto the end of the branch. He would not let them, least of them Chestnutclaw taunt him and have the pleasure of reporting him.

Immediately it sagged under his paws, and he dug his claws in hard, fighting for balance. He could see brown water racing a mouse-length below, and for a few heartbeats he thought he would plunge straight into it.

Then he steadied himself. He began to move forward cautiously, pacing his paws in a straight line one after the other. The slender branch bounced under weight with every step. Twigs caught in his fur, threatening his balance, 'We'll never get to the gathering like this', Icefire thought.

Gradually he drew closer to the middle of the stream, where the current was strongest. The branch tapered until it was barley as thick as his tail, making it harder to find a pawhold. Pausing, Icefire measured the distance left; was he close enough to leap safely yet?

Then the branch lurched under him. Instinctively he gripped tighter with his claw. He heard Tiger-roar yowl, "Icefire! Get back!"

Icefire tried to double back, he sway precariously. Then the branch lurched again and suddenly it was free, racing along with the surging water. Icefire slipped side ways, and thought he heard Tiger-roar yowl once more as the waves closed over his head.

[furry-monster-trash]

Stormfur x Squirrelflight AU

What if Stormfur acted on his feelings for Squirrelpaw during The New Prophecy? 

Just in case y’all forgot: “Nearest the cave entrance,  Tawnypelt’s brother,  Brambleclaw,  was stretched out beside Squirrelpaw, who slept in a tight ball. Stormfur felt a  stab of jealousy at the sight of the two ThunderClan cats close together, and tried to push it away. He had no right to admire Squirrelpaw, and her courage and bright optimism, as much as he did, when they came from different Clans. Brambleclaw would make her a much better mate.” (Moonrise, Chapter 1).

Stormfur has obvious feelings for Squirrelpaw and even tries to intervene whenever she and Brambleclaw get too close.

Squirrelpaw spends more time with Stormfur now and quickly grows to like him as well.

At the end of the journey, when they arrive back at the clans, Stormfur pulls Squirrelpaw aside to talk to her about their feelings, “I love you Squirrelpaw, but I don’t think I could leave RiverClan, especially now since Feathertail has died.”

Squirrelpaw understands and shares his sentiment, the two agree to discuss this more as time goes on.

On the Great Journey, Stormfur and Squirrelpaw spend most of their time together, eventually getting the attention of Brambleclaw, who questions Stormfur. “I’ve seen you two together, you do know that you’re breaking the warrior code, right?”

Stormfur defends himself by saying how he was already born of a half-clan descent, and that it was nothing new within the clans, “Eventually we will have to make a choice, but right now, we don’t.”

When the clans arrive at the lake, Squirrelpaw receives her warrior name in front of all four clans and alongside Crowpaw.

Stormfur agrees to meet Squirrelflight at the island one moon later after everything has almost settled down at the new territories.

When the two meet up again, they spend most of the night reminiscing about their journey to the sun-drown place and the Great Journey. “I’ve missed you so much Squirrelflight. It hurts to be so far away from you.”

Squirrelflight loves the way that Stormfur and her tend to agree on most things, instead of butting heads and arguing like her and Brambleclaw do.

Squirrelflight and he agree that they have to make a choice soon. “But for now, we can simply enjoy each other.”

When Firestar gets caught in the fox trap, it happens during one of Squirrelflight and Stormfur’s secret meetings. The two see Hawkfrost and Brambleclaw fighting and race over to help. 

They arrive to find Hawkfrost dead and help Firestar out of the trap. Firestar asks what Stormfur is doing on this side of the lake, none of the three warriors answer despite them all knowing the truth.

One moon passes and Leafpool tells Squirrelflight that she is expecting kits. “They’re Stormfur’s, aren’t they?”

At the following gathering, Squirrelflight tells Stormfur that she is expecting his kits. Stormfur is surprised and happy but also worried because he’s in RiverClan.

Crowfeather and Leafpool still have their little fling and Leafpool still gets pregnant with his kits.

Squirrelflight has her kits one moon before Leafpool does. She has two kits, a she-cat, and a tom. The she-kit is pale striped ginger, she’s named Maplekit. The tom is a dark gray with white markings, he’s named Talonkit, after Talon of Swooping Eagle.

When Lionkit, Jaykit, and Hollykit are born, Squirrelflight agrees to nurse them. Leafpool makes up the lie that they were abandoned by a loner.

Brambleclaw knows the truth of who the father to Squirrelflight’s kits is, but he never mentions it. Squirrelflight doesn’t tell anyone who the father is.

When her own kits are three moons old, she asks Ferncloud to watch over them. Ferncloud agrees so that Squirrelflight can go ‘stretch her legs’.

Squirrelflight meets up with Stormfur and she tells him about their kits, “The she-kit is Maplekit and the tom is Talonkit. They definitely got your thick pelt.”

Stormfur asks Squirrelflight if she wants him to come to join ThunderClan, “I’m willing to do it for you and our kits.”

Squirrelflight responds by asking if that’s what he wants, “Don’t do this for me. You have to think of your own clan first.”

Stormfur agrees to think about it.

Stormfur shows up to the ThunderClan camp three sunrises later and asks to speak with Firestar in private. Brambleclaw shoots Squirrelflight a knowing glance but says nothing.

Firestar and he go out into the woods, where Stormfur explains himself and his relationship with Squirrelflight, “We never thought that this would happen, but our journey changed us. I fell for her and she fell for me. I know now that I need to be with my kits.”

When Firestar hesitates, Stormfur reminds him that he already has ThunderClan blood in him. Firestar comments by saying that he can see Graystripe in Stormfur, “You have the same defiant look in your eyes as Graystripe did.”

Firestar agrees to let Stormfur into ThunderClan, but only after he goes to Leopardstar to explain himself, “I’m not holding you hostage and Leopardstar needs to know that.”

Leopardstar does not take the news too well and argues that maybe the kits should come to RiverClan, “They are part RiverClan and should grow up with us instead.”

“I will not go to war over my kits, I’ve already made my choice. Unless you intend to kill me, I’m going to ThunderClan to father them. I’ll always be thankful to RiverClan for raising me, but do not forget that I have ThunderClan blood as well and that makes those kits more ThunderClan than RiverClan.”

ThunderClan is wary of Stormfur at first, but no one makes any comments about throwing him out or harming the kits. Every warrior in ThunderClan knows that those kits belong to their clan.

Stormfur becomes a very active father to his kits and to Lionkit, Jaykit, and Hollykit, all of whom Squirrelflight has fully adopted. When Stormfur isn’t with his kits, he’s learning how to hunt in the forest, something that Dustpelt says: “You’re already a natural at this. Graystripe was too.”

Talonkit, the more adventurous of the kits, sneaks out of camp and falls into the lake. Luckily Stormfur was nearby and he dives into the lake to save him. Stormfur vows that he will teach all five of his kits on how to swim when they are old enough.

Firestar asks if Stormfur could teach all of ThunderClan how to swim. “We may not like it, but it could be useful.” Stormfur agrees.

Talonkit is given to Spiderleg and Maplekit is given to Brightheart. Jaykit is given to Leafpool right off the start, with Hollykit going to Brackenfur and Lionkit to Ashfur (Mousepaw is instead given to Sorreltail - not Spiderleg).

Stormfur has become part of ThunderClan, with no one judging or ostracizing him for his former clan heritage.

Stormfur teaches all the apprentices how to swim and even fish. This brings more fresh-kill to ThunderClan.

Ashfur, still jealous that he didn’t get to be mates with Squirrelflight, asks if Stormfur can take him out for swim training. Stormfur says yes and the two go down to the lake. No other cat is around.

Stormfur begins to teach Ashfur how to swim, but Ashfur instead takes this moment of solitude to drown the RiverClan warrior. He pushes Stormfur underwater and holds him there.

Stormfur is underwater for nearly one minute before Ashfur’s weight is removed from his back. He resurfaces and coughs up a significant amount of water. He sees Spiderleg and Talonpaw holding Ashfur to the ground. Spiderleg orders Talonpaw to go get Leafpool.

Stormfur struggles to his paws and makes his way further onto the shore, where he collapses and waits for Leafpool.

Leafpool, Jaypaw, Talonpaw, Firestar, and Squirrelflight all come rushing onto the scene. Spiderleg tells Firestar and Squirrelflight what he saw while Jaypaw tends to Stormfur.

Ashfur breaks free from Spiderleg and gets ready to fight his way free when Squirrelflight attacks him. The two fight, with no one moving in to stop them. Squirrelflight ends up on top of him and kills him.

Firestar says that he does not endorse the killing of warriors, but that Ashfur will hopefully find peace wherever he ends up.

Stormfur is taken back to camp with Ashfur’s body and the whole of ThunderClan knows the truth of what happened. 

Lionpaw’s new mentor is Firestar.

Stormfur stays in the medicine cat den for a full day but makes a full recovery.

The following night, Graystripe returns to ThunderClan with Millie. He’s more than shocked to see his son laying outside the warriors’ den sharing tongues with Brackenfur.

When Graystripe learns of Stormfur and Squirrelflight’s kits, he jokes about the matter, “Like father like son.”

Stormfur is on patrol when ShadowClan ambushes them, determined to fight ThunderClan for their lack of clan-blood. 

Stormfur fights proudly among ThunderClan and he and Squirrelflight fight side-by-side. Graystripe is overwhelmed by two ShadowClan warriors when Talonpaw and Lionpaw race to help him. Talonpaw is a larger apprentice and uses his weight to throw one of the warriors away.

Stormfur suffers a cut to his shoulder but is well enough to walk. He sees that Lionpaw has suffered no injuries during his first battle. He’s surprised, to say the least.

Jaypaw learns that his mother is Leafpool when he walks in her dreams. He’s shocked, but not really surprised. 

Jaypaw decides to ask Stormfur and Squirrelflight if they knew the truth. He asks both of them if they can help him with something. Once he’s alone with them he asks, “Did you know that Leafpool is my mother?”

Squirrelflight says that she knew and even Stormfur admits he had his suspicions. He isn’t mad at Squirrelflight for lying to him, “I know you did it to protect your sister.”

Squirrelflight also tells Jaypaw that Crowfeather is his father.

Jaypaw tells Hollypaw and Lionpaw himself. Lionpaw doesn’t seem to care too much, “I’m a ThunderClan cat through and through.” Hollypaw is upset and doesn’t say anything, but Jaypaw can tell she’s angry. Jaypaw himself isn’t bothered at all, “Squirrelflight and Stormfur are our parents, they raised us, that’s all that matters.”

Tigerstar and Hawkfrost get Lionpaw to train with him but are unsuccessful in recruiting Talonpaw.

WindClan attacks ThunderClan directly through the tunnels, which they discovered on their own (Lionpaw + Heatherpaw never happened).

When RiverClan joins up with WindClan, Stormfur sends Talonpaw to go get ShadowClan to help them.

The four clans fight on ThunderClan’s territory, with Stormfur easily beating his former clanmates, “I grew up with you, I know how to fight you!”

ThunderClan and ShadowClan are victorious. 

The eclipse happens, but it happens the next day when every clan is recovering.

Sol comes to ThunderClan, explaining that he blocked out the sun. Lionpaw, Jaypaw, and Hollypaw all go to talk to him about the Power of Three prophecy. As Sol talks and talks, Lionpaw becomes enraged and can’t control his temper. He accidentally kills Sol.

Feeling guilty, he drags Sol’s body back to camp and confesses to his crimes. Firestar, Lionpaw’s mentor, asks to speak with him in private.

Stormfur overhears that Lionpaw is part of a much larger prophecy. Firestar calls for Hollypaw and Jaypaw to come into his den, where they talk about the prophecy.

Lionpaw, Talonpaw, Hollypaw, and Maplepaw all become warriors. Lionblaze, Talonstrike, Hollyleaf, and Maplewish. 

Maplewish is hot-headed and brash, but clever and a better fighter than her brother. Talonstrike is the calmer of the two and is the better hunter, but is known to lose himself in the midst of battle.

When Jaypaw becomes Jayfeather Stormfur couldn’t be more proud of his kits, all five of them. 

Stormfur is the mentor to Ivykit, while Dovekit is given to Maplewish.

Lionblaze and Jayfeather soon realize that Dovepaw is the third warrior in the prophecy, much to Hollyleaf’s chagrin. 

When the beavers block the streams leading to the lake, Hollyleaf and Dovepaw are part of the team that goes to unblock it.

Hollyleaf dies during the conflict but saves Rippletail’s life by doing so.

Dovepaw is sad to bring back the news of Hollyleaf’s death to the clan. Stormfur mourns for many days alongside Squirrelflight.

Stormfur and Squirrelflight spend a lot of time together. Brambleclaw isn’t upset by this fact and even is seen spending time with the couple. He wishes that he could’ve been with Squirrelflight, but is happy for her. 

Brambleclaw never takes a mate.

Stormfur notices a change in Ivypaw’s battle strategy and asks where she is learning all of the advanced moves. She lies saying that it comes naturally to her.

When Ivypool, now a warrior, confesses that she’s been spying on the Dark Forest, Stormfur notes how he always knew, “You fought the same way Hawkfrost did.”

When the Great Battle comes, Stormfur fights as hard as he can alongside his ThunderClan clanmates. But, when Stormfur sees Crookedstar, the former leader of RiverClan (back when he was still a kit) losing the fight against a tortoiseshell she-cat (Mapleshade) he races over to help.

Crookedstar thanks him for the help and kills Mapleshade for the last time.

Stormfur runs back to the ThunderClan camp, rushing in to help his clanmates. He isn’t surprised when he sees Ashfur fighting against Maplewish. Maplewish kills Ashfur, sending him fading into the darkness.

Stormfur pauses for a moment, seeing a break in the battle. When, all of a sudden, Squirrelflight is attacked by a large Dark Forest warrior. Stormfur runs over to help his mate and in the conflict, suffers a fatal wound.

Squirrelflight tells him to hold on while Talonstrike presses moss into his wound, muttering to his father to stay with them.

As Stormfur lays dying he’s surrounded by his mate and kits, he looks at all of them and purrs, “I would’ve given every one of you my life in order to save yours. I love all of you and I will watch over you from StarClan.”

Lionblaze and Maplewish take his body to the center of camp.

Stormfur watches his kits as they mourn over him. He rests his tail along each of their shoulders. Lionblaze, Jayfeather, Maplewish, and Talonstrike sit alongside Squirrelflight for the whole night, mourning him along with everyone else who died during the battle.

Ending Notes:

Firestar managed to survive his final battle with Tigerstar. Brambleclaw got a severe injury from Hawkfrost, but lives. While Brambleclaw recovers from his wound Lionblaze is acting deputy.

Talonstrike becomes mates with Ivypool and the two of them have two kits, both toms. The smaller tom is a dark gray tabby named Pikekit (later Pikestorm, after his father) and the larger tom is white and ginger named Falconkit (later Falconbreeze).

Dovewing never runs off with Tigerheart and becomes mates with Bumblestripe instead. They have a litter of three kits, two she-cats, and a tom. The tom is pure white except for one black paw (Fogkit - Fogclaw). One she-cat is a gray tabby (Echokit - Echoripple) the other is a light brown tabby (Tanglekit - Tanglewind)

Maplewish never takes a mate and becomes deputy once Brambleclaw becomes Bramblestar (Firestar died saving Sandstorm during a battle).

Lionblaze is mates with Cinderheart, their kits are the same as canon.

[37-children-of-the-dreams]

Day #25: I'm A Mess

I can't write smut/NSFW, or sweet innocent romance. Hence the title. Sorry folks.

-------------

Lagos was running wildly from the hanger. From Korkie. From his traitorous relationship with that bastard clone. It doesn't make any sense to her why he chose a clone. Yes, he said he has a liking to men, but clones are not people. They're clones and they were only made for war. War that took away Mandalore from Korkie and his future. He shouldn't love a clone who help steal his future. He would be betraying everything he was taught to be as a Kryze. Especially if those ideas came from Satine.

"Poor Satine," Lagos thought. "If she was alive, she'd stop Korkie from being with that clone."

Lagos ran and ran until she was caught by Amis. Soniee was the one who saw her running and told Amis to catch her because Lagos didn't look well. Amis held her down and lead them to the nearest sitting area. Lagos was too busy crying to make any words. Soniee went next to her left and calmed her down enough to have a conversation.

"He really is married," Lagos lamented. "I saw him. I saw Korkie being highly intimate with that clone."

"Please tell us you did not interrupt them?" Soniee asked. "Korkie has the rights to show affection to his man."

"And that clone? Crosshair?" Amis chimed in. "He looked like he hates being interrupted by anyone."

"Do not call that clone by its name!" Lagos cried. "He corrupted Korkie and made him willing to have sex in public. I saw Korkie being undressed by it and he didn't do anything. The worst part? That clone saw me and just smirked."

"Lagos," Soniee said. "Why did you even think going to Korkie was a good idea? He didn't want to be with us anymore."

"Especially if he's in love," Amis agreed. " Lagos. We can't get him anymore. He's not a Kryze anymore if he's married and took his husband's last name."

"Clone do not have last or clans," Lagos argued. "He's throwing away everything he knows. We need him to see he made a mistake and leave with us for Mandalore."

"By mistake you mean... Korkie has to divorce his own husband?" Amis gasped.

"Lagos! NO!" Soniee protested. "You know what will happen to him if he does. High ranking Kryzes don't get divorces and even if he secretly did divorce him, someone will know. And if someone knows, Korkie would either exile himself again, or commit suicide."

Lagos looked at her friends. She knows the whole "Kryzes-can't-remarry" idea. But, that was only if the Kryze divorces someone. Not if their spouse had died.

"What if he died?" Lagos asked.

"Lagos, think clearly," Soniee said. "I know Clan Eldar kept pushing the idea that you would become Korkie's wife one day, but that was when Mandalore wasn't being ruined by Death Watch and Maul. This world is changing and once Bo-Katan figures out that she had hurt her own nephew by not letting him fighting for his home, don't you think she won't let him be married to someone he never wanted? She loved her family and Korkie is the last person she has a link of Satine. And we all know why Satine never married."

"But a clone?"

"Isn't as worse as being in love with a Jedi. They might not live long, but don't Jedis live hard lives also? I mean remember how much Korkie studied about the Jedi and the clones? He saw them not as ancient enemies or the slaves of our old enemies. He saw them as people who could listen to the ideas of peace."

"He still chose to be a bounty hunter. Didn't Satine almost died by those every single time?"

"True," Amis agreed. "But think about it. He's Mandalorian. We might have been pacifist for years, but no one forgets how we still have warrior bloodlines. Mandalorians and bounty hunting do seem to go together at times."

"This is still messed up. We need to stop Korkie before he gets to comfortable with this lifestyle."

"He's already comfortable. Didn't you see the puck in his hand? He hid it before you part him from the husband."

Lagos stood up. "He had a puck? We need to find another one, the same one he had."

Soniee and Amis shook their heads. They really didn't want to be in a bounty, and they were afraid of Crosshair and his apprentice. They looked like they could shoot them both dead in seconds. Yet, Lagos was insistent and they followed her for her safety. They went to the hanger to find the trio of bounty hunters ready to do their jobs. Two speeder were at the entrance.

"Two?" Korkie asked.

"There was a problem with another group destroying one speeder earlier," Fennec explained.

"You think people wouldn't be so reckless with speeders in this planet."

"Well at least one of them has enough space for one in the back," Crosshair comforted. "Which means you can watch Fennec in the back."

"Really? Watching Fennec for safety?"

"You never know," Fennec chimed. "I'm just starting to be a good sniper."

Korkie sighed as he sat behind Crosshair for safety. Fennec went off before them laughing.

"I told you she didn't need my protection!" Korkie cried as they left.

Lagos, Soniee and Amis ran after them and found a taxi cab.

"Sorry," Soniee apologized. "But we need you to follow those speeders."

The cab driver wasn't willing to do anything until he saw the amount of credits Lagos flashed. They were off finding the trio when the cab stopped.

"Why did you stop?" Lagos asked.

"Sorry girlie," the cab driver said. "But that's gang territory and I'm not welcomed there."

Lagos gave the cab driver half of the credits he saw and the Mandalorians left. They saw the speeders Korkie and his crew came in and walked to find them. What they saw wasn't the best. Korkie had a hostage in sword point as Crosshair was surrounded by still bodies and a lone man was begging at Fennec's feet.

"Please," the man begged. "I know I've wronged you before, but aren't we family?"

"Family?" Fennec spat. "You stole from my mother and left her dying in debt. I lost my old home because of you. I couldn't believe my luck when I saw you were a bounty."

"The stars were basically smiling at her," Crosshair congratulated. "I mean, Fennec lived the harsh life and was basically in the dumps when we took her in."

"I kept asking her if she wanted some new clothes," Korkie complained. "But her past made her think she never deserved the good stuff. So, be a good bounty, or this one dies."

"Which reminds me," Fennec said. "Which woman is this? I mean, you dumped my surrogate aunt for some reason."

The target whimpered until he saw the three Mandalorians. He took a shot at them with a grenade. Lagos screamed at the sight of the grenade and ran away. The commotion gave the man enough time to run as Lagos, Amis and Soniee stopped running. They saw the smoke and gasped.

"We just let Korkie die by grenade," Lagos sobbed.

She didn't mean for anything like that to happen and cried. She just wanted Korkie back and their lives back to what it was before losing Mandalore. She cried with Amis and Soniee comforting her until an angry growl was heard.

They saw Crosshair holding Korkie in a protective arm sling. Korkie was the one growling as Fennec coughed some ash. Korkie pushed away from Crosshair as pointed his fingers at them in anger.

"We had that man," Korkie bawled. "What is your problem? Why are making thing harder for me? I had caused multiple problems for Crosshair during a ton of our bounties and I just had enough of making him overwork his skills and being useless!"

Crosshair put a hand on Korkie's shoulder. But Korkie kept going.

"I know you're so mad about me being in love with a man Lagos, but why can't you understand that you might not be in a good relationship with me? That maybe it's not worth the pain of a bad marriage? That I might secretly be giving my heart to someone else if we're married because I never had the choice to be with my soulmate?"

"Korkie," Lagos whimpered.

"No. Lagos. I'm sorry, but I'm not really married to Crosshair. Nanny Rana only said that because she knew I'd fall for someone who might actually see me for my worth and he does every time I need to hear it. I am intimate with him, but we're just figuring out if we would love to marry each other. Please, just leave me alone with him and Fennec. These people are my new family. A family that didn't abandon me to mourn my mother alone without the correct mourning rites."

Lagos wanted to say more, but she didn't. See finally saw Korkie. The new Korkie as he is. He was stronger, more defiant and a fighter. He was freer than the Korkie she knew. He was finally showing his true emotions and being with someone he loves.

Lagos nodded. "I'm really sorry for not seeing you as you are now. I'm just stuck in the past because I'm scared of the future."

"Well stop being afraid. There is someone out there who might actually love you, and he might be better than me."

Korkie left his former friends with Crosshair holding him steady for his sanity and the tears flowing from his eyes. Fennec went up to the Mandalorians as they left.

"When I met those two," Fennec said. "Korkie just found his father, who was a Jedi. Crosshair didn't want to be my mentor, but Korkie made him rethink his decision. They make each other a better person and they make a strong team. Please let them be. Korkie's still a good person, and Crosshair makes sure of it. He might be a bit rude now, but you did push his buttons."

Fennec left them to think about her words.

"Lagos?" Amis called.

"Are you okay?" Soniee asked.

"Yeah," Lagos said. "I'm just wondering how to move on like he did. He really isn't the Korkie we knew, he's a warrior now and he's got someone who completes him. The way I could never."

Lagos, Amis and Soniee left the gang area as they saw two speeder bikes run out from the area they were placed. Korkie was hugging Crosshair in the back as his former friends saw what might be the last time they see of the former duke.

"They really do fit," Lagos whispered. "I can see the love in their eyes."

[warriorsfireandwater]

✳ Firestar or Scourge?

How about a temporary villain Firestar AU?

Rusty's barely three moons old when he wanders into the city dump, looking for an adventure. He doesn't know that a local group of cats frequents it, looking for scraps and practice fights. He's too busy chasing a small rat to notice the ShadowClan patrol that shows up to the Carrionplace, and doesn't realize he's surrounded until it's too late.

Brokenstar himself had deigned to attend the patrol, and strangely, that was Rusty's lucky break. Blackfoot demanded to know what a stupid kit was doing in the Carrionplace, and when little Rusty mouths off about helping himself to some prey, Blackfoot is about ready to kill him.

Luckily enough, Brokenstar's in a pretty good mood today. He breaks out into laughter, thoroughly amused by the kit's spirit. "ShadowClan could some kits that aren't spineless!" he exclaimed, before ordering Clawface to snatch the kit by his scruff and carry him off to camp.

Rusty's still young, and though he protests all the way, there isn't much he can do. Brokenstar is such a good mood that he decides to train the newly named 'Scorchkit' himself. Sick and tired of watching every useless apprentice of his be a coward, he claims. He gives Scorchkit a few days to settle into ShadowClan before quickly naming him Scorchpaw and taking him out for a walk on the territory.

"Why'd you bring me here?" Scorchpaw asks him.

"You've got a fierce will in you, kit," Brokenstar gruffly replies. "You might have an unfortunate birthright, but you've got more fire than half my Clan. I want to see if you can keep it burning with some proper warrior training." He smiles slyly. "Might even make a half-decent warrior if you live."

Scorchpaw is still confused, but he's young and still itching for adventure and even though the comment about "living" makes him nervous, he can't help but feel a little rush of excitement at the word warrior.

Brokenstar practically raises Scorchpaw himself. He's not a father... but he's something. He melds Scorchpaw into his image—training him fiercely, teaching him to never give quarter in battle. Scorchpaw might be a loner in the Clan—most cats would rather avoid Brokenstar and his closest allies—but he has the eye of the Clan leader. As he starts to gain confidence and strength, Brokenstar is sure to convince Scorchpaw that he owes all that he has to his mentor. Scorchpaw does more than survive his first few moons of training... he thrives in it. He quickly surpasses the efforts of the other early apprentices.

Thing is, Brokenstar refuses to let him attend any Gatherings. Scorchpaw has been working up the courage to demand why the third time he misses it—but he doesn't get the chance. Brokenstar requests the apprentice to his den immediately after returning from the Gathering. Blackfoot and Clawface are there, too.

"I have an opportunity for you to prove yourself, Scorchpaw," Brokenstar meows.

Scorchpaw, who has inherited a bit of cockiness from his mentor, retorts, "Haven't I already done that?"

Brokenstar has that sky look again- the one he always gets when he's formulating a plan- and he chuckles. "This is a proper warrior's mission, Scorchpaw. I want you to infiltrate ThunderClan."

Infiltrate? Scorchpaw doesn't understand. Brokenstar explains carefully—a ShadowClan warrior overheard Spottedleaf speaking to the other medicine cats about a sign from StarClan about 'fire'. Something about being a savior to ThunderClan—they don't know exactly. She had apprently hoped to find out if any other medicine cats had received a similar sign.

So Brokenstar tells him that Scorchpaw is to show up on the ThunderClan border, claiming to be a loner who has dreamt of StarClan. He seems certain Bluestar will readily accept him into the Clan. The plan is to gather information and to topple the Clan from the inside by helping other ShadowClan cats sneak into camp, attack unsuspecting patrols, and otherwise chip away at ThunderClan until they wouldn't be able to refuse giving up territory to ShadowClan. They're not like WindClan, out on an open moor with no defenses—ThunderClan territory is complex and dangerous to an outsider, and their warriors mighty.

Scorchpaw might not understand, but by now, he trusts Brokenstar. He'd do whatever his mentor requested of him. And so he leaves ShadowClan behind, stays on his own for a few days to let the scent leave him, and wanders into ThunderClan territory. It doesn't take long for a patrol to find him. He does as Brokenstar told him, and says he had a dream from starry cats that told him to go to ThunderClan.

And by some miracle, ThunderClan buys it. Spottedleaf and Bluestar are convinced that Scorchpaw is their 'fire', especially since he claims to have spoken to StarClan himself. Once again, a Clan leader becomes his mentor, and he is now named "Firepaw". Much less impressive than Scorchpaw, he thinks, but he can put up with it. So 'Firepaw' begins his training as a ThunderClan apprentice.

Firepaw tries to stay aloof, not get attached. He's here to help bring this Clan down. He has plans to keep up regular reports with Brokenstar and, of course, ensure that any ShadowClan cats who need to can get into camp.

But as soon as Ravenpaw rushes into camp announcing the death of Redtail, and Firepaw starts to notice how afraid of Tigerclaw the apprentice seems... he gets sucked into the mystery of the death. What begins as trying to get information from Ravenpaw about the battle turns into a friendship. When Ravenpaw confesses to knowing Tigerclaw killed Redtail, Firepaw offers to help Ravenpaw learn some more serious fighting moves to defend himself. (He deflects questions about how exactly he learned those moves, of course.)

The friendship starts to make him loosen up. But it's not just Ravenpaw... Firepaw starts to really pay attention to the Clan. Cats are starting to warm up to him—Spottedleaf has him help collect herbs, the queens introduce him to the kits, the apprentices all eat prey and gossip with him—and he begins to notice just how much more of a family they feel like. He had never really cared about the ShadowClan dynamics (impressing Brokenstar was all that ever mattered), but he starts really reflecting and wondering. What was so wrong in ShadowClan? He was an outsider there, too—but cats seemed to look at him with fear, even as a kit.

One night, at a regular check-in, Brokenstar informs Firepaw that Clawface will come to ThunderClan to take any kits he can. Firepaw relays the best entrances and time for the invasion, and goes home. He doesn't think much of it at first. ShadowClan needs more warriors, simple as that. But he wakes the next morning and leaves the Apprentices' Den to see Frostfur and Brindleface playing with their kits outside. He watches them for a while—sees how the kits tumble about, sees the adoration in their mothers' eyes. Something starts stirring in his belly. Something uncomfortable. He tries to bury it with a fresh mouse, but it just makes his stomach sour. He goes to see Spottedleaf for some belly herbs and runs into Clawface pinning her down.

Firepaw and Clawface both freeze. Neither is sure what to do. Clawface can't blow Firepaw's cover, and Firepaw can't attack his real Clanmate.

Except he does. He leaps across the den and catches Clawface off-guard, knocking him down. Clawface fights back, but once Spottedleaf gets her footing, she helps drag him out of the den and into camp.

Cats call Firepaw a hero, but his stomachache has only gotten worse. Clawface is under guard while Bluestar decides what to do with him. Firepaw does what he's sure is the stupidest thing he can—pulls Ravenpaw aside and confesses.

"ShadowClan?!" Ravenpaw gasps. "Firepaw—Scorchpaw—whatever—you have to talk to Bluestar!"

"I can't!" Firepaw hisses. "She'll kill me."

Ravenpaw shakes his head. "Clawface is going to talk if you don't. She'll take more pity on you if you just tell her the truth and that you're sorry!" He hesitates. "You... are sorry, right?"

Firepaw is quiet. He's not sure 'sorry' is the right word. He feels guilt clawing at his belly. This whole 'infiltration' starts to feel so much more heavier than it used to be. What was just a silly mission on the whims of Brokenstar now feels dire. Spottedleaf almost died, and Firepaw helped the near-kidnapping of kits.

"It's not okay, what Brokenstar put you through," Ravenpaw gently meows. "He stole you, you know? He captured you when you couldn't make a choice and forced you into an early apprenticeship. StarClan, Firepaw, you could have been killed in this 'mission'!"

Firepaw knows Ravenpaw is right. "Will you go with me?"

They go to Bluestar that night. Firepaw tells her everything, from the beginning—how Brokenstar took him as a kit, the early training, the mission... and she listens without a word the entire time. Even when he stops talking, she says nothing for a long time.

Finally, she just sighs. "Firepaw... I don't know where to begin. I'm not sure whether to commend you for telling me this or have you exiled for treason. You lied to us. You told the enemy where to come to steal our most vulnerable."

Firepaw waits for her to order him off the territory. Would Brokenstar take him back like this? Did he WANT to go back?

Bluestar frowned. "But you have trained hard with us. You have friends here. You could have let Clawface kill Spottedleaf and take kits, but you stopped him."

Firepaw flattened his ears. "I didn't know anyone was going to die," he murmured. "I just thought everything I was doing was... normal."

Bluestar decides to forgive him and keep his secret, on one condition—that he leads the Clan to the heart of ShadowClan camp to attack and bring down Brokenstar. He agrees, and Bluestar spins a tale to the Clan about Firepaw and Ravenpaw scouting for a good route to ShadowClan. The attack happens, and Brokenstar is killed. Firepaw doesn't see who finishes him. He doesn't want to face him in battle. But he does see the body when the dust clears. He feels some grief, but mostly, he's relieved.

Bluestar tells him he is welcome to remain in ThunderClan as a warrior. He and Ravenpaw are made warriors side-by-side, Fireheart and Ravenwing.

Fireheart is happy in ThunderClan, when he finally lets himself relax and truly get to know his Clanmates. Still, he prefers not to patrol the ShadowClan border.

[stimmypaw]

stimmypaw reads the apprentice’s quest, a blog post

A big one, just a bunch of thoughts as I’m reading it, of course, lots of spoilers for the first book in the Warrior Cats series A Vision of Shadows. This will be covering just the first book tho, it’s all in the Read More, let’s gooooooo!!!!

Vision Of Shadows time

Lots of new cats!!! I don't remember these guys as kits or anything wrow!!! I like their names but itll take a while to get used to them

Also cant believe they printed stormcloud's dead name

Omg there's a cat named beepaw

I love these cats all of them so much im going 2 cry

All new names are perfect

I FORGOT HOW GORGEOUS THE CAT VIEW IN THE RECENT BOOKS WAS, LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT

I'm glad leafpool smokes weed

I love reading from Jayfeather's point of view, his grumpiness hasn't grown on me ever but thats just me, I still enjoy it lots he's great and its fun

Firestar and Leopardstar's characterizations are On Point i love it

OOF i feel so bad when jayfeather is mean to others, poor kestrelflight, I love those two

Lovely Jayfeather moments now its time for the first chapter

I like this duo! Also I didn't think I'd ever say this but shut up squirrelflight one can have fun AND learn with their mentors

Sparkkit sounds nice she makes jingling bell noises when she walks around

Alderkit is chadphobic /j

I can see Alderkit taking deep breaths to relax its rotating in my mind its beautiful

God this first chapter feels so good and comfortable, like eating noodles and chicken nuggets. I am so so deeply in love with it, its gorgeous!

Sparkkit is so perfect too, and Graystripe remembering Firestar aaaaaa

DUSTPELT SAID WHAT? PHDHAHAHHA OH NOOOO I don't remember their relationship much, must have been fun, I love young little creature squirrelflight I MISSED HER SO BAD WOW

I started reading the second chapter and died, I think ill take a break now 2 sleep heehhee

I love them describing twoleg stuff its always so fun and alien, like watching an animal planet show about funny sea creatures.

Also I have determined sparkpaw is my favorite, might be my favorite cat ever next to hollyleaf??? I really identify with her and also she's autistic i have decided that

Alderpaw baby noooo hhhh their mentor at least is trying to show its okay, he seems very emotionally distant so far and alderheart feels very emotionally needy, actually both of them do, did I mention I love Sparkpaw??? I might be imprinting myself 2 much on her

I love how like, its clear both of them are absolutely anxious and worried about others opinions on them, which is clearly something they got from being Firestar's grandkids, deputy kids and leader kids. And bramblestar too, I recall him being quite the anxious lad ahhah. Sparkpaw will be showing confidence and being loud but the second anyone isn't approving of her or she does something "wrong" she gets small and quiet, and she ended up setting a high bar for herself by being good at hunting and fighting so I'm curious to see how that will go. Also there's nothing wrong with being guided through a crowded place to meet others Sparkpaw!!! I bet the two of them would be stuck without not knowing how to talk to others had Needlepaw not shown up. I love them, my gf is mocking me saying I'm a Sparkpaw kinnie.

Apprentices will like learn about a thing and tell everyone about it all the time and assume its always true in every situation and thats valid I love kids like that. Also in my head Needlepaw kinda looks like a porcupine. Oh boo she's fatphobic >:(

I love apprentices they are so fun and silly, just making fun of the leaders like its nothing. The way they are clearly learning and absorving everything their warriors say and do like sponges its just ***chefs kiss***

Omg shadowclan is just full of 12 year olds help

And then the old person said "it sure is hard being old!" And everyone clapped

Shout-out to pretty Riverclan apprentice #481977 I love her

Leafpool: 👁👁

Alderpaw: I knew it im cursed and awful and terrible and I will never amount to anything

I wish the cats didn't seem to be giving up on him so easily though

Ah yes the classic thunderclan move "you suck, into the medicine hole you go"

The way sparkpaw changes the things she says and how she does when it isn't the status quo around her oooooooooooooyeaaaaaaa I love 1 autistic cat

Alderpaw considering your problems lesser than other cats won't help you deal with them better bro

I love Needlepaw's excitement about Alderpaw being a medicine cat apprentice, and her sarcasm, she feels like a preppy teenager

Ahhh this is so good, I am so thirsty for family moments like this, just Alderpaw bonding with grandma, I’ll definitely want to draw this one it’s so sweet.

Oh to be young and silly.

I really am enjoying like, Alderpaw’s struggles to seeing how he fits in the clan, how he fits in himself, how he wants to be seen and what he wants to be, it’s really good. I Am Engaged(tm) With This Plot.

SPARKPAW NOOOOOOO but also Yes I want her to be shown vulnerable and weak please 

POP, god watching this stuff always awful, the cats must have thought he broke her ahahah

Also, really great that they learned from Dovewing and now like leave choices and discussions about prophecies between adults

And plus Brambles seemed to take the time to explain stuff to him, seems he wont be going alone either the 1 thing is that he will be the only one knowing what the journey is really about, why though??? I didnt read Firestar's Quest or whatever why does Skyclan need to be secret??? Seems quite silly really!

YESSSS SANDSTORM GET HIS ASS FIGHT FIGHT LOVE THIS LOVE SANDSTORM

I could feel squirrelflight nearing explosion here, this was very fun, i wish they werent hiding this though!!!

The secret thing is showing to be a plot point so I am once again Very Engaged

Also, wonderful dialogue bit, someone asked Bramblestar why an Elder is going and:

Lovely perfect perfect

I miss you dovewing

SQUIRRELFLIGHT LOVE YOU

Oh boy this is it

Traveling book moment

Graystripe: Soooo you're excited to go on the journey to the old territories and Skyclan?

Sandstorm: Yes! It's been ages and-

Graystripe: I'm sure the tribe will love the visit too

Sandstorm, groaning: Oh noooo I forgot about how the tribe is in the way of every journeyyyyy noooooo they're such a racist caricature, please tell me you have a plan

Graystripe: Yes don't worry about it the writers forgot about the tribe in my comic book so you can just use the excuses i did to actively avoid it

Sandstorm: Oh thank Starclan

Sparkpaw's desperation to prove herself oof, her anxiety with understanding the prophecy, oh boy, and Alderpaw feeling too overwhelmed by the questions and not managing to talk!!!! I am so glad they are both autistic

Hoping "Being Leader" wont mean theyre putting nonsense responsibility on the apprentice again

Ah good Sandstorm is on the lead again, as she should, she should have been leader she would have been great

I can't believe Alderpaw thinks I look stupid and diseased :( /j

Everything about this twoleg scene was scandalous I loved it, Sparkpaw just toppled over a trash bag and they are eating from it, iconic, also did those twolegs throw out a whole turkey? Damn

Its not that Sparkpaw is freakishly good at hunting she is very hungry and constantly on the watch for things to eat

BRO Ive never been in a road where the drivers are this wild, throwing bottles out of the car????? Ive seen Fruit being thrown like once or twice, what the fuck!!! I'm glad they are going to wait until the morning to continue

Okay I was not expecting Needlepaw to show up this girl is chaotic I love her

ACTUALLY YEAH WHY DIDNT THEY TELL THE OTHER CLANS ABOUT THIS SINCE THE PROPHECY IS ABOUT ALL THE CLANS???

Needlepaw is like Rono from Bambi 2 if he wasnt a mean bully and thats very epic

Very curious character though, how come her mentor isnt teaching her the warrior code properly? Is that an issue with all apprentices?? Is the clan overwhelmed by 12 year olds and they won?

Having lots of fun trying to play the game "what animal are they describing this time" the erins made here, im glad they're in a farm. Worried about Sandstorm though :c

Fuck im worried about sandstorm a lot, her wound hurt on Me

Yeah water is good youre right sandstorm

Aw man I hope she's okay let her at least survive to meet skyclan please

NOOOOOOOO SANDSTORMA A AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Sandtteooonrjrbbbmmnnnnnnnnnn

I am so sad

Alderpaw denying it, Starclan shining upon their vigil, everything crushed me i cried

Alderpaw considers Nihilism

Haven't seen a cat thank starclan for prey in a while its

Oh look they time skipped a journey! They don't tend to do that thats nice

I'm so excited to be meeting The Skyclan that everyone in the fandom knows now

So far they seem kinda mean but thats most clans at first glance really

Okay somethings up

I uh have heard of Darktail pretty sure he's a bad guy so yeah something really bad happened to Skyclan

Am worried

Darktail sounds like an evil himbo* i may be enjoying him actually

*himbos are usually nice by default so he's just evil and stupid and strong

Does needletail know these cats already?????

Ah

Shit

Oh okay fuck

I've been quietly reading the rest because I am just concerned and I want them to be okay as quickly as possible

Waterfalls are a classic nice

Oh boy time for our unlikely duo of Alderpaw and Needlepaw to get out of a Mess!

I did not expect this to end up with the two of them journeying into parenthood, but I'm happy it did

Well actually I'm very unhappy theyre so lost and there's no sign of Skyclan I am very worried for everyone involved Sparkpaw must be feeling awful!

Twigkit is a great name

Yeah this ended terribly

Overall! Frigging loved it this book was GOOD and a great start for the series I am very excited to read the rest, SO WORRIED ABOUT SKYCLAN THO AAAA the characterizations were great the characters were great the pacing was fun and I didn't get bored once!

I think o only wish I had read this sooner really so I could look up others thoughts without getting heavily spoiled about the last books, I can watch a few videos already though thats a start ahhaha. But yeah it was great and it felt very good to read, haven't swallowed up a book so quickly in a very long time!!! Very happy I finally got my hands on this 💕💖💕💖💕💖 cant wait 2 start the next one

If you read all this, hope you had fun hahaha, ill be making more of these cus theyre fun and I like talking about warrior cats thats just my thing

Til next time

[lattereadsra]

Faengers AU

A collection of ideas and headcanons about the Rangers as a fae court compiled from the RA Discord server

(It’s real long, so I’m putting it under a read more)

General stuff:

-King Herbert made a deal with a fae court to form the Ranger Corps

-The common folk know the Rangers are fae; it’s obvious

-The nobility know they’re not fae; that’s ridiculous

-The Crown family knows; they have to

-The Deal is automatically renewed with each new coronation. Should someone not part of the family take the throne, they would have to renew it personally. “Family” is not defined, though, so marriage/found family counts

-To this day, all the Rangers are fae

-Like, all of them

-Instead of abducting children, they take them as apprentices. These kids all already have a bit of fae blood in them, even if it’s distant. “Graduation” is when they are turned into full fae

-The Gathering is where their court is held. That’s why no one can find it

-They can’t tell anyone they’re fae unless they are asked first which causes a lot of frustration. Apprentices have to put together the clues and ask the question for themselves, and if they don’t, it’s a good sign they ought not to be a Ranger

-Rangers brag to each other about their apprentices by saying how long it took them to ask. Too long and it’s perceived as unobservant; too soon and it’s considered hasty/surreptitious

The fun stuff (aka character specific):

-Will knows the rangers aren't actually magic. He thinks Halt is just being polite when he pointedly invites him in when they first get to the cabin. He thinks he's just personifying Tug. He assumes Halt replaces the wildflowers in the vase every day. It takes him a while to start putting together the clues

-When Will awkwardly asks if Halt is actually a fairy or something, Halt responds with a sardonic "Took you long enough. I thought I taught you to ask questions, boy."

-And so the training shifts

-Halt believes the apprentices should learn to be as skilled as they can using human abilities before learning to use their fae skills, which is why he didn't tell Will about becoming fully fae until his graduation

-Halt is obviously Hibernian fae

-The inheritance is a funny thing because Ferris is entirely human (he repressed his fae), and Caitlyn only got the Uncanny stuff, not the Wild Skills

-Crowley is full-blooded fae. Will calls him “long in the tooth” because he literally has fangs

-Will’s fae ancestry is on his mother’s side

-Aka desert/sun nymph

-It’s how he was able to survive in the desert in book seven. A normal human would have died out there, but he managed to hold out because the sun has a hard time killing him

-It’s also why that snake tried to attack the kid, and how he was able to win the race; nature was giving him a chance to prove himself

-Will is lucky he was mostly mortal while he was in Skandia. As a sun nymph, he does not do well in the cold. His fae blood saved him in Arrida, but had Halt fully released the boy from his mortality as soon as he was able, had he not been prudent enough to wait, Will likely would not have made it to the desert at all

-They go the first Gathering and Gilan is asking Will sort of cryptic questions that Will is so confused by, and Halt has to interrupt to tell his former apprentice that Will has already asked The Question, so he can speak freely

-There's also another first year (possibly at a later Gathering) who hadn't asked yet, and it's the first time Will is really affected by the third clause of the deal

-His words change to things he doesn't mean to say, eventually becoming twisted tongue-tied noises, and eventually he just stops being able to talk when he tries to explain to the poor kid

-Getting Horace to ask is a hell of a thing

-During Kings of Clonmel:

“Honestly,” said Horace, “I think I kind of – assumed Halt just sprang out of a hill or something.”

Will looked up at him sharply.  Say it.  Ask it.

-Horace gets frustratingly close to some version of a question that would count, and Will gets so annoyed that he can't really prompt him further

-"Wow, Will, it's like you were born in the woods"

-“Why don't you come visit the castle more often?"

-“How are you so good at sneaking up on me like that?"

-“Do you believe there are spirits in the woods here?"

-After many many close calls, Will eventually snaps and tells Horace to just say what is on his mind instead of hemming and hawing about it and Horace says he sometimes wonders if the rangers made a deal with the Fair Folk. Will just stops, tries to say something and gets tongue-tied and very carefully tells Horace that if he wants to know so bad, maybe he should ask

Horace: Uh, okay... Did you make a deal with the fae?

Will: I fubctva hv

Will: sigh

Will: Something like that

-Eventually:

Will: Horace, I need to tell you something important

Horace: Of course, go ahead

Will: I love you

Will: No wait, that's not--well, I do, but I meant to say that I olikarcbacsvberq

Horace: Are you okay?

Will: No, I onialevbunpi;erawvn

Horace: What's going on?

Will: LOJSRNVILHILUABUAV

Horace: What's your deal?

Will: DOES THAT COUNT?

Horace: Does what count?

Will: Say it again

Horace: Uh, what's your deal?

Will: I'M A FAIRY

Will, to the sky: HA IT DOES COUNT

Will: Can't wait to tell Halt that that worked

-Will plays his mandola and low key charms everyone listening

-Except other fae

-Aka Halt

-Alyss' helper in book five copies all of Will's technical mistakes but he can't copy the feel of the music because the diplomatic corps don't know about the deal. Thus, he doesn't know about Will's music being literally magical to listen to (and wouldn't be able to copy it anyway)

-Berrigan is noted for his very strong musical magic. Rumor has it he once talked a warlord into never picking up another weapon in his life, just by singing, but truthfully his gitarra is his tool

-Sir David was In The Know and flat-out forbade Gilan to "cheat" at his swordcraft, charisma, &c

-And fae are nothing but fair, so Will got the same treatment

-Malcom made a deal with a fae for knowledge of medicine and good luck in his work, and in return, he can't leave his glade. He's able to get away with it in book nine because it's to help another fae, but it’s thin ice

Most of this was copy/pasted from the Discord. Special thanks to @stxrduste for helping to come up with a lot of this. I think they’re working on writing a fic version of this, so keep an eye out

BONUS: 

The Contract of the Rangers

Declared by King Herbert of Araluen, 493 CE

Composed with the help of Conor Porter, Head of Diplomatic Services

*Historian’s note: The contract was likely prewritten and read aloud word for word to minimize the ability of the Rangers to find loopholes.*

The contracted fae agree to thus, so long as I and my descendants rule the country we call Araluen;

The contracted fae will be referred to as Rangers;

The Rangers will serve primarily as an intelligence force and, as needed, a specialized force of uniquely trained warriors and tacticians for the Crown of Araluen;

The Rangers shall not tell those outside the Crown of their nature unless they are asked.

The Crown agrees to thus, so long as I and my family rule the country we call Araluen;

The Crown will not allow for the destruction of the natural landscape in which the Rangers live;

The Rangers will be allowed to take willing children as apprentices to train as new Rangers, one per Ranger at any given time;

The Rangers will be given the authority to self govern within the laws of Araluen, whatever they be, and as an organization, they shall hold equal weight as a Crown Prince or Princess.

So long as neither side of the contract is broken, both parties will be bound to follow it. Unless the Crown or the Rangers wish it otherwise, the contract shall be renewed with the coronation of each of my descendants. I, King Herbert of Araluen, agree to this contract.

*Historian’s note: We have no record of the name of the first Ranger to agree to this contract, nor do we have a record of what was said, but given the current existence and state of operation of the Ranger Corps, it would seem they agreed to the contract as declared.*

*Unofficial historian’s note: I think it was Meratyn*

[stargleam-star]

Warriors Rewrite Pt 1: Into the Wild

Just a note, these posts are always gonna be kinda long so Im throwing it under a read more. Let me know what you think please!

Our story begins in the same way that it does it canon. There's a Riverclan battle, and Tigerclaw is not at all pleased that Redtail's called a retreat. He silently swears to get back at the tom, and Oakheart.

We move on to see Bluestar and Spottedleaf. Bluestar worries about the clan's need for warriors, and asks Spottedleaf if she thinks it would be wise to name Willowpelt's kits apprentices early. Spottedleaf chides her softly, telling her that is not Starclan's will. They must be made apprentices in the proper time. But Willowpelt's oldest kit (Graykit) can be named.

Bluestar then thinks about the kits she gave up. Would Thunderclan be suffering as much if Mistyfoot and Stonefur had been among their ranks? Spottedleaf asks if Bluestar is asking Starclan for answers. Bluestar breaks from her train of thought and responds that that is what she is doing. It is then when Spottedleaf sees a shooting star and receives the Fire Alone prophecy

Now we cut to Rusty who dreams of the forest. When he wakes, he leaves his home to explore, much to his friend Smudge's displeasure. Before Rusty leaves, Smudge tells the little tom about the wild cats who live in the woods. He also mentions hearing from a local queen named Quince that one of her kits had ran away into the forest, and she never saw him again. Rusty thinks it's just a story the worried queen tells young cats to keep them from the wandering off. He assures that he'll be fine and that he'll be back by nightfall.

As Rusty explores the forest he gets attacked by a cat named Graypaw. Graypaw says he's an apprentice warrior of Thunderclan, just named at Sunhigh. He'd snuck away from his patrol because he scented something strange

Cue said patrol. The cats who come from the bushes are Bluestar of course, and Redtail. They scold Graypaw for wandering off and then chide Rusty for attempting to hunt on Thunderclan land. Bluestar offers Rusty a place in Thunderclan after explaining a bit about wildcat life, and Redtail gives the "you cannot have a paw in both worlds" speech in place of Lionheart. Rusty needs time to think it over, so Redtail escorts him back to Twolegplace

The next day after saying goodbye to Smudge, Rusty meets Lionheart and Whitestorm in the woods. They take him back to Thunderclan. Longtail says his insults, and Lionheart goads Rusty into fighting the rude tabby.

When the fight's over and Rusty has been named Firepaw, Bluestar names Longtail as the new apprentice's mentor. Since Longtail was so keen on fighting Firepaw and having him prove himself worthy of joining the clan, Bluestar figures this sort of thinking will be good for the kittypet, to toughen him up and help him adapt to being a Thunderclan cat. Meanwhile she hopes that training an apprentice will teach Longtail patience, and that it will show the young tom that even cats who come from different places arent so different after all.

Graypaw teases Firepaw about his new mentor. He then offers to take Firepaw to the medicine cat den to have his scratches checked out and healed. Upon them entering, Spottedleaf is pleased to meet Firepaw. As she cleans his cuts, she tells Firepaw her brother, Redtail, had talked about him. At the mention of the deputy's name, suddenly a cat bursts into camp. This cat, Ravenpaw, is frantic. He's panicking and bloody, and starts to choke out the words "Redtail is de-" before he's interuppted. Redtail comes rushing into camp, collapsing on the floor. He's alive but terribly injured. Spottedleaf rushes out to heal him and Ravenpaw, tending to her brother first.

While she's busy, a third cat comes into camp. Its Tigerclaw. He narrows his eyes at the sight of the deputy then turns to talk to Bluestar. He tells her and the clan about whats happened. There was a battle with Riverclan at Sunningrocks. Redtail and Oakheart were fighting, and Riverclan's deputy tried to kill Thunderclan's. But Tigerclaw intercepted and killed Oakheart first. As he did so, Redtail and Ravenpaw had left to go home to be healed. Bluestar thanks Tigerclaw for his bravery, seeming to try and hide some sadness, then excuses herself to visit the elder's den.

Spottedleaf gets Redtail's wounds under control. She then works on Ravenpaw who has a cat beside him with white and lilac patched fur. The cat mews worries about him, but assures him that she's proud and that she's sure he did his best during the fight for Sunningrocks. Ravenpaw leans against her, relishing in the older cat's comfort. Graypaw tells Firepaw the molly is Mosscloud, Ravenpaw's mentor and Bluestar's daughter. After, he recommends they give Spottedleaf and her patients some space, and decides to give the tom a tour of camp. Firepaw meets Sandpaw and Dustpaw during this time

The next day, Graypaw recommends he and Firepaw check on Ravenpaw before their mentors give them a tour of the territory. Tigerclaw is in the medicine den when they arrive, pestering Ravenpaw. He tells the little tom to get over himself, that the wound on his shoulder was barely a scratch and that he needed to suck it up so he could go back to training. Spottedleaf scolds Tigerclaw harshly, telling him Ravenpaw can return to his apprenticeship when she says he's ready. Tigerclaw is stunned silent and leaves the den without looking at anyone in the den

After, Graypaw and Firepaw tour the territory with their mentors. When Longtail takes his turn to speak, he addresses Graypaw or Lionheart moreso than his own apprentice, barely making eye contact with Firepaw. And when he does, his blue gaze is filled with disgust. Firepaw is concerned about this. He doesn't like his mentor much so far and can see the feeling is mutual. But he knows eventually they have to get used to each other.

The next day Lionheart, Mosscloud, and Lontail take their apprentices out to have a hunting lesson. Firepaw and Graypaw hunt for the first time, each eager to give it a try. Firepaw proves to be a natural hunter, catching a plump mouse on his first try. Longtail seems impressed by his apprentice's natural abilities, and praises them justly. Firepaw hopes this will serve to bring them both closer, now that his mentor sees he's not so soft after all

Two moons pass, Firepaw has adapted well to life in the forest. Today he's off on his first solo hunt. A cat burts from the undergrowth while he's distracted, attacking him. It's Yellowfang. Firepaw pins her, and Yellowfang tries to goad him into killing her, as she is old and weak. Firepaw refuses, forcing Yellowfang to stand. He takes her home to Thunderclan, ignoring the old cat's request to be fed for the time being

Yellowfang's immediately taken prisoner. Redtail and Bluestar recognize her as Smokefang-Shadowclan's senior medicine cat. They question why she's come here, but Yellowfang refuses to answer. Bluestar decides to keep the old cat prisoner, while Redtail suggests they show a bit of leniency, giving her free range of camp. Firepaw is assigned to keep watch of her and to assist Spottedleaf in tending to the old cat. Longtail is made to help his apprentice, if only to aid him in keeping Yellowfang from running away. Yellowfang is moved to the medicine den where Spottedleaf greets her happily. Firepaw briefly explains what's happened. Spottedleaf admits secretly she's glad that Yellowfang has come. She could use an extra set of paws in the den, even during this relatively peaceful time in greenleaf

Bluestar calls a meeting at sunhigh. She announces the news from the dawn patrol. Windclan has been driven out, seemingly by Shadowclan. Yellowfang refuses to give away Shadowclan secrets when Longtail goes to question about this occurrence. Bluestar commands the cinnamon tabby back down and Yellowfang is left unbothered. Redtail decides it should be best to beef up patrols and to keep stricter watch on camp now that Shadowclan poses such a huge threat. Bluestar agrees; she also thinks the clan has more desperate need for warriors now than ever. She decides to speed up the training of the apprentices. She announces Sandpaw and Dustpaw will be traveling with her and their mentors the next night to the moonstone. Then she names Cinderkit and Mistlekit as apprentices. Cinderpaw is assigned to Mousefur, and Mistlepaw is given to Runningwind. Willowpelt returns to warrior duties, and the meeting is dismissed.

A few days later Firepaw has an assessment. As he's hunting, he runs into Smudge. Tigerclaw spies them together and tells Bluestar when they get home. Bluestar questions Firepaw about his loyalty but he assures he has no desire to leave. Smudge is just an old friend he hadn't wanted to get hurt. Bluestar understands and dismisses him, leaving to get ready for her trip to the moonstone.

Bluestar, Redtail, Sandpaw, and Dustpaw leave. Lionheart is left in charge, much to Tigerclaw's displeasure. Next day they return, and Bluestar announces they will have their final assessments tomorrow. As a result they're not picked to go to the gathering that night, so they can rest. Instead, Firepaw, Graypaw, and Ravenpaw are chosen, as well as Cinderpaw and Mistlepaw. Cinderpaw is a little nervous and asks the older apprentices if she can follow them tonight. Firepaw is happy to invite her into their group. Graypaw teases his little sister playfully.

At the Great Rock, the apprentices split up. Graypaw follows Lionheart around, Ravenpaw meets with other clan apprentices to share stories, and Firepaw walks around with Cinderpaw. The two talk awhile as they look around at enemy warriors, making jokes and about them quietly to have fun.

They pass by Tigerclaw who's telling the story of what happened at the battle of Sunningrocks. Redtail is with him, filling in gaps of the story. Tigerclaw does not look pleased by the deputy's interjections.

Soon the apprentices move on to find Ravenpaw. Ravenpaw is also telling the same story, but it sounds different. Cinderpaw points out how odd this is, and Firepaw agrees. Before they can question it the gathering starts. Goes pretty much the same as it does in canon

Firepaw and Cinderpaw rush home to warn Yellowfang about Brokenstar calling her a kit killer. The clan comes home, Darkstripe and the queens want to attack and throw Yellowfang out. Bluestar objects and orders no cat touch her. She wasn't called out by name and they have no proof she's ever hurt a kit.

Next day, Sandstorm and Dustpelt are named warriors. The clan rejoices, especially since Shadowclan threatens the border

A moon passes. Shadowclan keeps trying to pressure Thunderclan into giving up land. Bluestar wants guidance and decides to visit the moonstone again. This time she takes Ravenpaw, Graypaw, and Firepaw. Longtail comes with them, Mosscloud is left behind so the camp has more warriors to defend it while they're away

The patrol arrives at mothermouth, and Bluestar dreams with Starclan. Longtail guards the cave outside while the apprentices watch over their leader. However, Ravenpaw starts to feel claustrophobic and steps out for some air. When Bluestar wakes, she rushes out of the cave, insisting the patrol head home immediately

On the journey back to camp, the patrol is attacked by rats. Firepaw is almost mauled by a particularly large one but Longtail snatches it up and snaps its neck. Firepaw's extremely grateful to his mentor. Longtail insists its no big deal, seeming a bit flustered. Bluestar loses a life to the rats

Ravenpaw is nervous about what they'll see when they get home. He's mostly worried about Redtail and Firepaw asks why. Ravenpaw confesses Tigerclaw's story isn't the whole truth of what happened at Sunningrocks. Tigerclaw, Oakheart, and Redtail were in a scuffle at once. While Oakheart was pummeling Redtail, Tigerclaw bit into the Thunderclan deputy's throat, trying to kill him. Redtail kicked Oakheart away believing it was he who was trying to kill him. Oakheart slammed into a pile of stones and was crushed to death in the rock fall. Tigerclaw backed down, and Redtail slipped away as Ravenpaw turned to go back to camp. Firepaw becomes more eager to get home

When they return home, the clan's under attack. The patrol joins in the fight and their forces are enough to help drive Shadowclan away. Casualties were made in the wake of the attack. Mistlepaw was killed by Clawface as she tried to defend the nursery. Speckletail was killed by Blackfoot who'd managed to get into the den. Halftail is also killed by a Shadowclan warrior. The final cat found dead in the clearing is Redtail. Tigerclaw says Brokenstar is the one who took his life. The clan grieves greatly for the cats who were taken from them. Before Bluestar joins in the vigil she names Lionheart the new deputy. Tigerclaw looks angry. Firepaw worries for Lionheart

Bluestar invites Yellowfang to stay as a second medicine cat to Thunderclan, as she proved herself worthy by helping to defend Spottedleaf and the elders in the battle. She also offers to have the clan call her by her real name, Smokefang. Yellowfang agrees to be the clan's medicine cat, but requests to keep the name she's been going by during her detainment. Having a new name in her new clan is like having a completely fresh start. Bluestar agrees and respects her wishes.

Two days later Longtail and Firepaw have intense battle training. Tigerclaw, being one of the best fighters in the clan and Longtail's friend, observes.

After, Tigerclaw and Longtail walk ahead and chat as they return home. Tigerclaw expresses suspicions of there being a spy in Thunderclan. He thinks it may be Ravenpaw due to claims from Darkstripe who said he saw the little black cat in Shadowclan territory the day before. Longtail agrees with the suspicion, telling Tigerclaw about how Ravenpaw came out of mothermouth before the others, and that he'd gone off for a while to hunt and clear his head. "It could have been long enough to reach Shadowclan" Lontail claims. Tigerclaw proposes they do something about Ravenpaw before he endangers the clan again. Worried for Ravenpaw, Firepaw rushes home ahead of the older warriors

Back at camp, Firepaw questions his friend about what happened the day before. Ravenpaw tells him that Tigerclaw ordered him to hunt in Shadowclan territory as part of a secret misson. Firepaw then tells him that this has made cats believe Ravenpaw to be a traitor, and that he could be in danger now. This serves to make Ravenpaw very nervous, but he doesn't know what to do. Firepaw promises to protect Ravenpaw, and that he'd ask Graypaw and Cinderpaw to help look out for him too

The next day, Firepaw goes to the nursery with Graypaw and Cinderpaw to see Brindleface who just had kits (Ashkit and Fernkit). When they all come back out, Firepaw pulls his friends aside to tell them about what's going on with Ravenpaw. He also tells them the true story of what happened at Sunningrocks. Cinderpaw exclaims that she knew the story had seemed off before. Graypaw worries for Lionheart, fearing that if Tigerclaw had attempted to kill Redtail before, he could try to do the same with Lionheart too, now that he was deputy. The apprentices agree that from now on, Ravenpaw won't be left alone and that they'll all defend him against the clan if need be.

A couple moments later, Firepaw is called into Bluestar's den to have a meeting. When he comes out, Frostfur is mewling about kits missing from the nursery. Snowkit, Brightkit, and Thornkit are nowhere to be found in camp. Frostfur is worried about them, especially for her son Snowkit who is deaf. Across camp, Darkstripe exclaims that Spottedleaf and Yellowfang are also missing from their dens. The only evidence of them was the mollies' fearscents. Firepaw, while looking for the kits, spots Yellowfang's pelt as she disappears through a hole in the camp barrier

Bluestar sends Firepaw to go after her. The clan is starting to blame Yellowfang for the kitnapping and Bluestar only trusts Firepaw to investigate, since he is closest with the old cat.

Before he leaves, Firepaw meets with his friends. He decides Ravenpaw should stay behind so no cat believes he's trying to betray the clan. Graypaw decides to stay with him to act as protection. Cinderpaw insists Firepaw should not go alone, and that she will go with him. Firepaw's grateful for the company and the two head out

Cinderpaw picks up Yellowfang's scent as they travel. The pair follow it towards Shadowclan territory. They end up running into Yellowfang who's accompanied by Spottedleaf. Yellowfang knew she'd be blamed for the missing kits and went to find them. Spottedleaf insisted on coming so that Yellowfang would have a witness, and someone to help carry the kits home. The four cats team up, deciding to sneak into Shadowclan together. On the way, Yellowfang tells the patrol about Brokenstar's kit-warriors

By Shadowclan's borders, the rescue patrol meets with the exiled elders of the clan who help them sneak into camp. On the way they bump into a Thunderclan patrol. United, they plan to attack Shadowclan

A raid is carried out, Lionheart dies fighting Blackfoot during this rough battle. Spottedleaf is killed by Clawface as she tries to help wrangle the kits. Yellowfang and Cinderpaw take the little ones to safety. Thunderclan successfully drive out Brokenstar and his goons. Bluestar mentions to Longtail how his apprentice is very much like him; keen, driven, loyal; ready to step up and prove the honor of himself and other cats if need be. Longtail is proud and praises Firepaw justly. It seems now the two are getting along

Yellowfang and the kits are brought home, Spottedleaf and Lionheart are mourned. Tigerclaw is named deputy. Ravenpaw steps up during this time, offering to train under Yellowfang as a medicine cat apprentice. He loves Mosscloud, he enjoys her teachings, but he realizes he's not cut out to be a warrior. The thought of the Shadowclan battle had terrified him, and seeing more cats dead has convinced him he needs to follow a different path. Mosscloud is a little sad but still very proud of Ravenpaw, promising to be his biggest supporter. Yellowfang is grateful to have a young cat around. Firepaw is secretly relieved by Ravenpaw's choice. Tigerclaw wouldn't dare harm a medicine cat, which means the black apprentice is safe.

Three moon time skip. It's Firepaw and Graypaw's final assessment. They pass with flying colors. As they come home, Swiftpaw, Brackenpaw, and Snowpaw eagerly ask how the test went, admiring the older apprentices. As if in answer, Bluestar calls a meeting. Firepaw and Graypaw are given their warrior names: Graystripe and Fireheart. Longtail watches with approval and Fireheart swears he can see the sparkling silhouette of Lionheart beside him, smiling. Fireheart glances up at Silverpelt that night during their vigil, wondering if all the cats they'd lost-or if all of Starclan-were smiling favor upon them in that moment. Fireheart hoped so. In fact, deep within his heart, he knew so.

[curiositys-cat]

... Can I suggest me own AU? The Lineage AU? You should be able to find it in the Lineage AU tag on my blog.

The stars, as always, are silent-- but the sky rages tonight. 

Spottedleaf slips into her den. She does her best to keep it dry in here, but you can’t tell the rain from the rock out there. Shaking what she can of the storm from her fur, she trudges towards her nest and towards what she knows will be another sleepless night. 

The dreams come often now-- infuriating flashes of blood and fire. It’s never useful. She just wakes up with her hackles raised and a new voice to haunt her day. Fire, she thinks. The world aflame-- and I will be the first to go. 

The dreams do not tell her that in so many words, but she can feel it. Spottedleaf is fated to die.

Laying her head on her paws, she lets out a sigh. There’s nothing you can do when StarClan decides-- but she wishes that just this once, she could ask them why. She has seen so much death in this den that sometimes she smells the acrid taint of fester on the walls. Maybe, in a way, it will be a relief. All this pain will be someone else’s

But kits won’t just stop coughing when she dies. ThunderClan will suffer without a medicine cat. 

She doesn’t hear the pawsteps over the rain, but she does catch his scent. 

Firepaw, eyes wide and pelt still kittypet-soft, pokes a soaked head into her den. “Hello, Spottedleaf,” he meows. Her whiskers twitch in amusement at the note of trepidation in his voice. 

“Firepaw,” she greets him. 

He starts on a step in-- hesitates. Firepaw dips his head and meets Spottedleaf’s eyes. “Is it okay if I...come in here a little while?” He asks.

“You don’t have to ask permission to see the medicine cat.” Spottedleaf sees the reluctance locked in his hovering paw. “Of course you can come in.” Given permission, he skitters in, fur fluffed against the cold. “Although I’m surprised you’re not hiding in your den like the rest of us,” she meows.  

Firepaw breaks her gaze. “Dustpaw filled my nest with mud again,” he says. “He keeps saying something about dirty blood-- I don’t really understand it.” His nose crinkles. “But I thought your den might be nicer than sleeping in dirt.” 

“Grateful as I am that you think so highly of me--” And Firepaw’s eyes go wide, semi-mortified, “--Dustpaw can’t keep doing that. Have you told…?” 

“I’m not telling Bluestar,” Firepaw interjects. “I can’t let everyone think that I run to her to solve all my problems. I can’t let them think I’m weak.” 

Spottedleaf tilts her head to the side, re-evaluating Firepaw. He’s still soft, yes, but she can see the iron in his eyes, the root of him. “I think that’s wise,” she says, after a moment. 

“Really?” Firepaw meows. “Graypaw said I was being a stubborn mousebrain.” 

“Sometimes it’s best to do things yourself. But don’t forget-- if you do need them, your Clan is there behind you.” 

“Some of them, anyway.” Firepaw’s eyes flash. “Dustpaw’s not the only one who has a problem with me.” His tail flicks at the cave floor, stirring scraps of leaf and dust together. “I’ll prove them wrong, though-- I’ll be a better warrior than Dustpaw’ll ever be.” 

Where was this resilience in me, when I was an apprentice? Spottedleaf wonders. The sore spot in her heart gives a pang at the thought. “You have to understand,” she murmurs. “That the Clans are proud. Too much so, sometimes. They’re proud of their clanmates, of their skills, but mostly of their blood-- and to some of them, it’s hard to accept someone who doesn’t have that.” 

“I don’t get it,” Firepaw says. “It just doesn’t-- it doesn’t matter.” 

“If you want to stay, you’ll have to learn to understand it, even if you don’t accept it.” 

“There’s no if,” Firepaw snaps. He takes a step back, his wet tail falling between his legs. “Sorry-- I didn’t mean--” 

“My mistake.” Spottedleaf tips her head. “Let me think for a moment, how best to explain it.” She flicks her tail towards one of the dry nests she keeps for patients. “Why don’t you sit down?” 

Firepaw nods too quickly and settles himself in the moss. 

“To the Clans, blood isn’t just what runs through your veins. Every cat has blood, of course,” she explains. “But only certain cats have Clan blood. And that’s different. For many of us, it’s what makes us who we are.” 

She nods at Firepaw. “Haven’t you noticed that you look different from the others? Smaller shoulders, lighter paws, a rounder face-- our appearances come from the blood, and it’s those traits that let us thrive. Tigerclaw could never be a WindClan warrior; he’s just not built for it.” 

“If I train, though, I can get stronger,” Firepaw protests. “I hunt as well as Graypaw, now-- he’s not just better because he’s Clanborn.” 

Spottedleaf weighs this. “That’s true. Hard work and natural talent can do a lot to bridge the gap there, but lineage has a deeper meaning than the size of your paws,” she says. 

Firepaw shakes his head, but he doesn’t interrupt. 

“The Clans believe that there’s a bit of our ancestors in all of us. If that’s true, then blood does matter-- for those with kind ancestors will act kindly, those who have led will lead again-- does that make sense?” 

“And those whose ancestors have done bad things, what about them?” His brows knits and he frowns. 

“That’s complicated.” Firepaw has a way of asking the worst questions. 

“Cats aren’t their kin,” Firepaw protests. “Or their mentors, or anyone else-- they’re themselves.” He draws his back straight. “If I were my mother, I’d be in a twoleg den right now, eating hard food out of a bowl. But I’m not,” He declares. 

“No,” Spottedleaf says softly, “You’re not.” 

“So where does that leave me?” Firepaw shrinks again. To not know your place in the clan, to have no kin to fall back on, no names to add force behind your own-- it’s a hard path for a warrior to walk. Especially one with the raw energy of Firepaw; he’ll want to throw himself into this clan, and she worries for a moment that they won’t let him. 

“You are unique,” she finally manages. 

Firepaw sighs. “I’m alone.”  

He doesn’t seem to want to say much after that, so Spottedleaf gives him space. She slithers deeper into her den to take another look through her herb store, see if she has anything to calm his nerves. While she’s in there, her eyes go bright in the dark. An idea. 

She snatches a bundle of herbs in her mouth. “Firepaw!” She mumbles, barely able to get her mouth around the words. He looks up as she trots back into the main den. Spottedleaf places the herbs on the ground and meets the apprentice’s eyes, her tail curved victoriously above her back. 

“Firepaw,” She says again, more clearly this time. “Can you come here, please? I need some help.” 

He gets to his feet slowly, reluctantly-- but he does, and he walks over as requested. 

She nods to the various leaves she’s strewn on the ground. “These got all mixed up in the storeroom. Would you be able to help me separate them out again?” 

“I don’t--” Firepaw shakes his head. “I don’t know anything about herbs.” 

“You don’t need to! Just use your nose.” 

Spottedleaf starts to work through the scattering of leaves and flowers, placing the tansy by the entrance and the dock by the store. Other herbs make their ways into various piles-- but this she can do on automatic; as she moves, she keeps an eye on Firepaw. 

“I’m going to check that nothing else has been mixed up,” Spottedleaf declares. “You keep going.” 

She pushes into the next room and waits what she hopes is an adequate amount of time before emerging, eager eyes scanning the earth for signs of success. 

There’s little to be found. He’s put astringent nettle with sharp catmint, tansy with elderflower-- not hard mistakes to make, especially in the dark, but telling nonetheless. Firepaw must notice Spottedleaf deflate, because his face lights with concern. “Did I do it wrong?” He asks. His paws chew the earth. 

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Spottedleaf says, but she can’t keep a note of sadness out of her voice. “Nothing that’s your fault, anyway.” She picks over to the piles and sorts them out properly. Firepaw doesn’t ask questions until she’s finished. 

“Thank you for your help.” Spottedleaf rests her muzzle on Firepaw’s head for a moment to show him that she means it. “I know it’s hard to smell the differences between the herbs in this den.” 

“Then why did you ask me to?” Firepaw says, more curious than accusatory. 

Spottedleaf’s ears push back in embarrassment. “I wanted to see if-- maybe if you were cut out to be a medicine cat.” Firepaw looks just short of offended at the idea, but Spottedleaf can’t help but wish that she’d been right.

“It would be easier if you were.” 

Firepaw looks around at the stacks of herbs, his face twisting with doubt. “It doesn’t seem like it.” 

“There’s a lot to learn, but warrior training is nothing to sniff at either, if I remember it correctly,” Spottedleaf says. She doesn’t miss the gleam in Firepaw’s eyes at that, but he holds himself back this once. She’s grateful for it. “But it would make things...simpler.” 

“How?” Firepaw shakes his head.  

“Who are my parents, Firepaw?” Spottedleaf meets his gaze. 

“I don’t...know,” he admits. 

“And my ancestors?” 

He shakes his head again, mute. 

“My kits?” 

“You don’t have any!” Firepaw pipes up, glad to know the answer to at least one of her questions. “Medicine cats aren’t allowed.” 

Spottedleaf nods. “Just like we have no connections to kits, we have no connections to any kin-- we can’t be distracted. All of the posturing, all the blood and claims to greatness, we get to avoid it all.” 

Firepaw cocks his head to the side, sizing up Spottedleaf. “Was Redtail your brother?” 

A chill ripples along Spottedleaf’s spine. Her fur bristles before she can stop it, and she forces herself to stare at the wall until it lies flat again. 

“Yes,” she manages. 

A flash of pride jumps across Firepaw’s face, replaced by concern. He’s young, Spottedleaf reminds herself. He doesn’t know. 

“I thought so,” Firepaw says. “It must be hard to lose kin like that.” 

“Redtail stopped being my kin.” 

Firepaw takes a step forward, indignant. “You can’t just unmake a brother, because you chose a different role than him. This whole thing-- it’s unfair-- that’s--he was--” Firepaw sputters. “Your brother!”

Spottedleaf slides her gaze to the apprentice. He stills under it, feeling the ice beneath her warm green eyes. She’s long learned to cease the creeping spring of sadness in her; letting looes the leafbare inside herself, she lets cold sweep it over until all is frozen and still. 

That doesn’t mean it can’t still hurt. It just means that eventually, it stops. 

“Not anymore.” 

Firepaw is quiet for a moment, and Spottedleaf focuses on the thrum of rain into camp. The forest needed this rain. With rain, the fire might be stayed. Perhaps, with this, they would gain a moon. 

“So you’re like me,” Firepaw says, placing his words carefully. “Alone, in a way.” He dips his head and looks at the ground “Do you miss the past, at all?” His voice is quiet. “Before you were a medicine cat? Do you miss the world before?” 

Spottedleaf takes a shaky breath. She knows what Firepaw is asking. “Yes, Firepaw, sometimes I do.” 

She lays her tail on his shoulders. “I was safe, then, and some things were easier. I was not so alone then. But,” she says, and this she says with a smile, soft with memory. “The path a medicine cat walks is not so lonely as you might think. I’ve always thought it was built on love.” 

Firepaw’s shoulders tighten, but his ears twitch. He’s listening. 

“The reason we don’t have kin is so that we don’t show preference, that we don’t love one more than the rest. Do you know what that means to me?” 

Still tense, Firepaw shakes his head. 

“It means that because I cannot love one above the others, I’ve learned to love them all. From bristly Sandpaw to sweet Dappletail, I care for them all as I would my own. The Clan have become my kin-- all of them.” 

“All of them?” Firepaw asks, his eyes wide with the unspoken end to his question-- even me?

“All of them.” 

Firepaw straightens up a bit, the tension rolling out of his shoulders-- not entirely, but it’s a start. 

“All of ThunderClan,” he murmurs. “What about the rest?” 

Spottedleaf is caught off guard. “The rest?” 

“The other Clans.” 

“I don’t know them,” she says. She has to be careful here. “But medicine cats will never turn down a cat in need, no matter their allegiance.” 

Firepaw nods, resolute. Determination flares in his eyes, simple and ardent. “I think I understand,” he says. “I think I get it.” He turns. “Thank you, Spottedleaf.” 

The rain pounds the muddy earth, turning rock to river. “Where are you going?” She asks. 

“I’m going to talk to my friends,” he says. “And to tell Graypaw not to retaliate.” 

“Small steps.”

“Small steps,” Firepaw affirms. Then he flicks his tail and pads away. 

Something warms in Spottedleaf’s chest. For all the pain and loss and grief that she’s weathered in these moons, there’s something special from being the one to heal a wound. She puts the right herbs, the right words into place, and time does the rest. 

Maybe StarClan will let her linger, be a messenger to set paws aright. She still wants to heal. Her paws itch for it, her heart strains-- it is not fair that StarClan is taking this from her, but perhaps it’s not the end.

Spottedleaf will keep her Clan steady, this life or the next. The storm rages, but her heart, for once, is calm.

[doritopaw101]

Arc1, book 2: Chapter: 10

It had been two weeks since the death of Brokenstar and the exile of his followers. Shadowclan was rebuilding, they weren't completely back to normal but they were doing their best. Best they could considering the circumstances.

'Once they are at their best, they'll be back to picking fights with us in no time' Icefire thought. They remembered hearing the news that Marshshadow had went to the moonstone and was grated nine lives and became Marshstar making Blazefang her deputy.

It was more shocking when they came to see his kits, Badgerfang in tow:

-Flashback-

"How do you feel sweetie?" Icefire said softly, keeping his kit nicly wrapped in his warmth

"My chest hurts" Bearkit whimpered

Icefire licked his daughter softly "I know dear, I wish I can take it away and make it better"

Bearkit nuzzled into his fur "I love you"

Icefire felt his heart warm "I love you too my little cub"

"Icefire" Thymeroot mewed "That's enough" the black tom looked just as sad as Icefire did

He gave Bearkit one last lick "Get some rest dear"

Thymeroot brushed herself against his flank as he left, it was a comforting as she could in this situation. Icefire quickly made their way to the nursery but was suprised when he bumped into Graystripe, even more so when he caught the faint scent of Silverstream and Silvertide.

"What did I say about the scent?" Icefire lowly hissed. Only relaxing when he figured Willowpelt was asleep. The Riverclan scent was faint but Icefire was not taking chances.

"Silverstream distracted me" Graystripe replied, lashing her thick tail

"Mouse-brain, even pregnant he has that on the brain" Icefire rolled his eyes "We're having a talk later" he pulled a mewling Flamekit closer to his belly to nurse.

"You're not any better"

"Shut it" he grabbed some lavender from his nest that Nettlemist left "Here, wear it"

Graystripe did just that. She perked up "Uh...Icefire?"

Icefire drew his tongue away from Violetkit "What?"

"I smell Shadowclan"

Icefire shot up, his tail wrapping around his litter.

Nettlemist and Embereyes poked their heads in. "Icefire?" Nettlemist looked hesitant

"Why do I smell Shadowclan?"

"Marshshadow, Blazefang, and Badgerfang are here for you and your...kits" Embereyes replied "They'd like to enter the nursery but would rather you come out to them"

Icefire curled his lip and was about to demand they come here but he glanced at Goldenflower and Frostbite. Goldenflower was protectively hovering over Waspkit and Hornetkit and Frostbite looked ready to kill anyone who'd dare harm her newborns, Snowykit, Whitekit, and Lightkit.

"Fine," he nosed his kits upward "Help me carry them, Goldenflower could you watch Sunnykit, Rosekit, and Shrikekit?"

Goldenflower nodded "Of course"

Icefire picked up Violetkit while Embereyes grabbed Flamekit and Nettlemist grabbed Cloudkit. He spotted the three Shadowclan cats near the leader's den, Bluestar and Redtail close by with Yellowfang not to far off looking like she was making small talk with his daughters and grandson.

He set Violetkit firmly between his paws "Hello Marshshadow" no point in trying to be nice in his opinion

"Marshstar" she corrected "I've gotten my nine lives from Starclan and Blazefang is my deputy, you look well Icebelly"

Icefire nodded "It's Icefire now" he only really moving his tail when Flamekit and Cloudkit were sent down in it.

"They're adorable Icefire" Badgerfang commented

"Isn't one missing?" Blazefang asked "Cubkit was it?"

"Bearkit and she's ill and why does that matter?" Icefire growled, he glanced at Marshshadow's chest "What's with the necklage?"

Marshshadow glanced at Bluestar "Did you not teach him the necklace traditions of the clans? The golden ones? The flower ones?"

"I understand the golden and flower ones" Icefire snapped "What's with the vine with the rock in the middle?"

"It's a piece of the moonstone Icefire, I wear it for two moons after I receive my lives from Starclan" Marshstar's tone was fierce whether she meant to or not

"Whatever, all collars to me" Icefire replied with a roll of his eyes "Why are you here and not dealing with your clan and fixing it back up?"

"I've been doing checks on all of Brokentail's offspring, he's being held away from our camp, blind, and heavily guarded" she lowered her head slightly "they are my kin too Icefire"

"I'm well aware Marshstar, Flamekit looks just like Blazefang" Icefire drawled "Why don't you say what you're really here for and not waste time?"

Marshstar sighed "I worry for the kits sired by Brokentail here in Thunderclan, maybe it would be best if they were raised in Shadowclan with their kin"

"So you want to take my kits from me?" he hissed, pulling his kits closer to his belly "I blind and take one of the basturd's lives and this is the thanks I get" he flashed his golden tooth a bit

"That's not what we're saying Icefire" Badgerfang mewed softly "We're concerned for their well-being"

"We don't think Thunderclan is right for them especially the two kits that take after Brokenstar in appearance from what I'm told are Bearkit and Violetkit" Blazefang said bluntly, her gaze was on the kits

He glanced at Yellowfang who wore an emotionless look. Icefire then glanced at Bluestar and Redtail "And you two agree with this?"

"Until proved otherwise Icefire, this is your call and only yours" Bluestar stated, tail-tip twitching "I'll stand by the whatever choice you make"

"Yellowfang?"

"Make your choice kit, not my say" the older molly said, her voice calm

"Redtail?"

"Laws for half-clan kits state that the dam's clan gets priority especially for cases where rape was involved" Redtail said, his ginger tail lashing "It was designed to protect the victim" Redtail stared down at Marshstar "Is there something you're trying to say about the law Marshstar?"

Marshstar bared her fangs "I approve the law of protecting the victims Redtail" she stated firmly "However, cats can be short-sighted and no kits should suffer because of the sins of the parent" she took a small step "Dewflare had another litter before she left and even for the litter she had before, I'm doing my best to make sure they won't be blamed for what their parents did"

Icefire thought of how Beepaw, Roachpaw, and Flypaw were adjusting to this new life style after having the clan at their paws before. They had Dewflare's love, attention and care, what he never got, what he got was being misgendered, raped and insulted. He knew he shouldn't resent them but at the same time, what did they have they he didn't to even Dewflare's love.

"They are still nursing"

"We have some queens who'll nurse them, Fernshade has offered"

"No" Icefire lashed his tail "They are my kits, they aren't leaving me just because of your pathetic concerns"

"Icefire" Blazefang barked "This isn't about you and what you want, it's about the kits and what they need to live normal lives"

"They are too young, how about you let them decide when they're older" Icefire growled

"How old?" Marshstar questioned

"Four or five moons is the standard" Redtail stated "They'll be sent for a moon and see how they fair there"

"One moon in our camp can compare to the other moons here?" Blazefang countered

"Like the laws say, the dam gets priority" Redtail replied, seemingly bored of the conversation "You act like they kits sire was this great cat that should equal chance and not the monster that raped an apprentice"

Blazefang growled but Badgerfang nudged her "Don't"

"You didn't do the standard" Marshstar mewed, her gaze on Bluestar "You gave them up to Riverclan when they were three moons correct?"

"It was a harsh leaf-bare with little food, Stonefur and Mistyfoot would have died otherwise, this is leaf-bare as well, quite honestly Marshstar they shouldn't leave til there apprentice age"

"Why'd you give them to Riverclan then?"

"I don't have to explain any of my choices to you" Bluestar replied, her voice cool "You're on the way of being chased from my camp with your tails between your legs"

"Marshstar stop" Badgerfang advised "It's better than nothing, take it cause I'm assuming that's all Icefire's offering, right?"

Icefire nodded "Glad to see you know me well Badgerfang"

-Flashback ends-

He had time to calm down, sparing with Bluestar did wonders. It would be at four moons they would go to Shadowclan and at six moons, they would decide.

He's honestly just fine knowing Brokentail was overthrown and wouldn't hurt anyone ever again. He felt more free than he'd ever been. His name change fit him honestly. It helped the fierce feeling he held since taking down Brokentail and Clawface. It the moment he requested for a golden tooth and was granted.

Larkpaw and Seedpaw received their warrior names the day after the battle: Larkwing and Seedspots. Lichenpaw and Smokepaw had showed enough skill to earn their warrior names: Lichenstrike and Smokefur. It was honestly amusing watching Lichenstrike try to beat Sandstorm, she managed after a while. He's pretty sure Chestnutclaw only went easy because Bluestar was watching.

Marigoldpaw's training was given over to Sandstorm since Nettlemist expressed that with more warriors, he wasn't needed and Marigoldpaw deserved better training, Sandstorm was all too happy to gain another apprentice especially her little cousin.

Icefire carried his rabbit over to the fresh-kill pile, Lichenstrike carrying her shrew.

"How's Cinderpaw?" the golden molly asked as she dropped her catch

"Doing well the last I heard from Deadfoot" Icefire replied "They're improving well, should be back soon but it'll take time"

Lichenstrike smiled "I'm glad"

"As am I" the voice was of a cat he'd been avoiding since Cinderpaw's accident, Mossthorn. He didn't want to face their wrath, using any excuse to not be in camp.

Icefire kept his eyes on the ground, his nerves growing knowing Mossthorn's stare was on him.

"Lichenstrike, why don't you go find Sandstorm or Smokefur?"

Lichenstrike sounded nervous but obeyed "Okay"

Icefire refused to lift their head, Mossthorn did it for him "I'm not mad at you Icefire"

he snorted plainly "You should be"

"Did you push Cinderpaw on the Thunderpath?" they asked

"Of course not!"

"Then I have no right to be mad at you"

Icefire finally met Mossthorn's gaze, there was nothing but calmness and concern.

"They've been doing alright, it could've been alot worse"

"I know" Icefire mewed

"How's Bearkit?"

Icefire sighed "Not any better, Tulipkit's joined her, they need food"

Mossthorn rested their tail on his back in comfort

"I'm scared" he admitted "What if she..."

"Do you trust your healers?"

"With my life, I just don't want to lose her, I'm trying so hard to be better than Dewflare and here I am dumping them on Brindleface cause I just couldn't sit still"

"They love you Icefire" Mossthorn mewed "They've said so proudly, Brindleface doesn't mind from what I've seen"

Icefire flicked his tail "Don't know why they're proud of me"

"You're doing great and I'm sure Goldenflower or Frostbite would've told you if you did something wrong in parenting"

"Like what Robinwing does?"

"Especially that" Willowpelt hissed "I had to nurse Ravenkit when Rosetail couldn't"

Icefire snorted "Thanks Willowpelt"

"Anytime" the pale gray queen replied "You're doing fine Icefire, better than I did when I had Darkstripe"

"Is he a kit of Leopardstorm or Tiger-roar?"

Willowpelt shook her head "Archeye of Shadowclan, not the first time the clan disapporved of me, if it wasn't my blood it was my choice of mate"

"Blood?"

"I'm not clanborn, raised alongside Redtail and Spottedleaf by Ambershine and Torndust, blood means nothing"

"Ain't that the truth" Icefire smirked

A sudden yowl made Icefire, Willowpelt, and Mossthorn jump. The yowl came from the nursery, Brindleface's yowl.

Icefire rushed over to the nursery entrance "Brindleface, what's wrong?"

"Ashkit, Fernkit, and Cloudkit are missing!" they said franticly

Icefire's heart dropped "What?" he looked around "Where did they go?"

"I don't know" Brindleface replied "I had them all down for a nap and closed my eyes for a bit then they were gone"

Icefire looked around the den, he spotted a kit sized hole near his nest "They left through here" he called "We have to find them"

"What's going on?" Brackenpaw mewed

"I heard yelling" Lynxpaw added

"Cloudkit, Fernkit, and Ashkit are missing, can you two help me find them?"

Brackenpaw and Lynxpaw nodded

He and the apprentices quickly headed for the entrance to camp, knocking past Robinwing and Larkwing.

"Icefire!" Sandstorm called "Wait up, I want to find them too"

"Keep up slug" they snapped "It's snowing"

The snow was getting thicker and thicker as they trud through it. Icefire ignored the snow pushing into his face, he had to find the kits.

"Why would they leave in the first place?" Brackenpaw asked

"I don't know" Sandstorm said "Why did they have to chose now to go missing"

"And Cloudkit's white so it'll be even harder to find him" Lynxpaw realized "I can barely see you Icefire"

"Focus on any moment" he said "Anything"

He felt his pads scarp rocks, he ignored the inevitable blood. He had to stop for a moment to get his barings. He spotted movement near a tree, a vole. A sudden ball of white pounced on it.

"Cloudkit!" he called rushing over to his son

"Icefire, badger!" He ignored Sandstorm's yowl, his kit was the only thought in his mind. The badger, large for one appeared out of no where and rush at Cloudkit. He slammed into the badger head on, taking the bite meant for his son.

"Lynxpaw!" he hissed as he tried to free himself from the badger's hold

"I got him" she replied

He saw Sandstorm leap on the badger's back, biting with enough force that the badger opened its jaws. Icefire struck the badger across the muzzle as soon as he was free, Brackenpaw rush forward and bit into the badger's neck. The badger roared with pain from all sides, the black and white creature bucked up suddenly throwing Sandstorm off and threw a swing at Brackenpaw earning a painful yowl from the golden brown tom.

The badger seems to have enough and ran for it, shoving past a bleeding Brackenpaw.

Icefire rushed over to the injured apprentice "Brackenpaw? Are okay? Can you walk?"

"My paw hurts" he replied, he slowly go to his paws "I think I can walk?"

"Lynxpaw?" Sandstorm called

"I'm with the kits" The golden and black apprentice replied, the three kits safely under her, Cloudkit had the vole in his mouth

"Good" Icefire mewed as he padded over "Are you three injured?"

The kits shook their heads.

"Let's get you three back to camp" he glanced at Sandstorm "Sandstorm, help me carry them. Lynxpaw, help Brackenpaw"

Lynxpaw nodded and padded over and help her fellow peer stand up.

"Cloudkit, cling to my pelt" Icefire mewed

His son nodded, his jaws shut to keep his vole from falling. Icefire picked up Ashkit while Sandstorm picked up Fernkit. The group quietly made their way back to camp.

"Ashkit! Fernkit!" Brindleface cried as they ran over "I was so worried"

"Papa!" Icefire heard his other kits mew

He placed Ashkit down and let Cloudkit climb down to his sisters.

Bluestar padded forward, a stern expression on her face "Why did you three leave camp? Did you know how worried you drove your parnets?"

"We wanted to help Bearkit and Tulipkit" Fernkit mewed

"They needed food" Cloudkit added, holding up his vole "We got it"

Bluestar sighed "You three had good intentions but you worried the clan when you disappeared and you could have frozen to death" she glanced at the vole "You did well catching this and I'll allow you to give it to Bearkit and Tulipkit however you three will take care of the elders for a while"

"Okay" they said

"Brackenpaw!" Lionheart rushed over to nuzzle his son "What happened to your paw?"

"It's fine dad" the apprentice growled "The badger got me while I was helping Icefire and Sandstorm"

Lionheart rounded on Icefire "Badger?"

"Lionheart" Bluestar warned

Icefire fought not to flinch with that intense stare "We found the kits, turns out we got there just i time"

"Who's idea was it to go out in the first place?" Lionheart asked

"Mine" Cloudkit mewed proudly "Papa taught us to follow our gut when helping others"

"How fitting" Lionheart sneered, he whipped back at Icefire "So this all your fault"

Icefire gaped "How is this my fault?"

"Who taught this roach that 'follow your gut' was a good idea? Certainly not Brindleface"

"Don't call my son a roach" Icefire hissed "and I never told him to go out of camp"

"Might as well have and you just had to take my son and niece with you"

"I never forced them to go with me" Icefire hissed

"It's true, me and Lynxpaw wanted to help" Brackenpaw added

"Don't defend this curse Brackenpaw, this cat should've never been allowed in the clan to begin with"

"Lionheart" Bluestar growled

"I'm right Bluestar" Lionheart retorted "Ever since he came here, we've lost Thrushpelt, Featherwhisker, Sweetheart, Rosetail, Spottedleaf, Cricketsong, Dappletail, Adderkit, Leapkit, and why did Palepaw die?" he hissed "Because Brokenstar wanted the kits Icefire bore-"

"I didn't-"

"Quiet" Lionheart hissed

"Lionheart" Leoaprdstorm growled "Stop talking"

"No and I'm not the only one who thinks this. He's nothing but a curse with the death he brings and the brood his kitted"

"Lionheart" Bluestar hissed even louder than before

"No, he's an awful cursed little worm who attacked Graystripe the night before he entered the clan and his a horrible father, pawning his kits on poor Brindleface, news flash Icepaw if you didn't want to care for them you should've gave them to Marshstar"

"Give kits to the clan of the sire who raped him?" Mossthorn snapped

"Spottedleaf was killed because of him, in my opinion he deserved-" Lionheart was cut off when Tiger-roar hit him across the face

"Take a walk you heartless mouse-heart"

/

"Are we taking it back or just passing by?" Icefire asked Redtail. This was the frist patrol he had been on in the last three days. He gave Brindleface a break despite their protests. He only really left camp because Tiger-roar convinced him, the older tom had been one of the only cats to keep him sane.

"Leaf-bare is almost over but it isn't gone, we need as much prey as possible" Redtail replied "No more skin and bones"

"Those fish-faces don't deserve it if they are just going to lay on it all day" Amberpaw added

"They just waste it honestly" Ebonypaw mewed

"Let's make this quick and simple" Tiger-roar advised, tail-tip twitching "We don't want more death"

"Or look like cowards" Nightshade growled "Not like Thrushpelt, at least Rosetail could get things done" She spat out Thushpelt's name like bile.

"Of course not" Amberpaw mewed, rolling her eyes "Redtail knows what he's doing"

Redtail raised his ginger tail for silence. Icefire saw a Riverclan patrol coming over. Oakjaw was leading it, he saw Suneyes, Leopardclaw, Mudbelly, Condorpaw, Lakepaw, Vixentail,Grasswhisker, and Frogleap.

Redtail padded to the edge of the slope they were standing on. "These lands belong to Thunderclan" he spoke loud and proud, no sign of fear.

"That's a laugh" Suneyes cackled

"R..Redtail we're outnumbered" Smokypaw stuttered

Redtail seemed to ignore all replies "Stand down it will not end well for you"

Oakjaw's ears were pinned to his head "Never" he hissed

"Death is their wish" Amberpaw drawled

Redtail walked to the patrol, they made way for him. The tortie stopped and turned back and hissed "Thunderclan attack!"

They all obeyed.

Icefire bit into Grasswhisker's shoulder and dug his claws into the tabby's shoulder. He tossed the fish-dung like bones. Sending the tom tumbling to the side, sliding with the mud. Amberpaw pounced, Grasswhisker bit the tortioseshell molly's ear and began another brawl.

While his sense of hearing went through the sky with horrid ringing sounds, his sense of feel didn't change. He stepped to the side, Condorpaw hit the ground face first, his upper half skidding with the mud with his lower half in the air.

Icefire smirked as he pinned the fellow albino down. "Not bad" Icefire chuckled "But you'll have to do better than that Condorpaw"

Condorpaw coughed "Not my fault my eyes were acting up" the younger tom was slashing his back legs with his lower claws. He didn't really hurt.

"Excuses Excuses" he purred, he'll admit he likes to toy with his opponents, Condorpaw was no different. He got off him "Go"

Condorpaw nodded and dashed away into the fray. Vixentail was fighting Ebonypawpaw. Leopardclaw and Nightshade were locked. Tiger-roar was in a brawl with Lakepaw Suneyes, and Mudbelly.

Icebelly spotted Redtail and Oakjaw dooking it out. Oakjaw had Redtail pinned down at one point "Give up Redtail"

"Never" the tortie tom spat

"Just as stubborn as your leader" Oakjaw growled

As Icefire struck Frogleap across the nose, he noticed a large rock start to fall towards the deputies. He rushed as fast as he could to warn them but it seemed Oakjaw noticed as well. The gray tom's throat had been slashed open but with the last of his energy she shoved Redtail out of the way. The loud screech of pain and crack of bones rang through the clearing.

Icefire went to Redtail's side, the tortie's wounds looked deep. "Redtail?"

Redtail stared at the rocks that had Oakjaw buried underneath. "I cut through his throat and yet he-". Redtail stood up with a jolt "We're ending this now"

Icefire followed Redtail as the deputy leaped up on a smooth but long rock. "Oakjaw is dead!"

The Riverclan cats froze at the news. "Retreat!" Leopardclaw called

The patrol cheered as they watched Riverclan retreat.

"Everyone head back to camp" Redtail mewed, he was still on the rocks, close to the water. His paw looked broken

"I'll help him to camp" Tiger-roar sighed

"You'll need the help with that stuborn cat" Nightshade added

"We should have a feast" Amberpaw purred

"I get the squirrels" Ebonypaw laughed racing the tortie back to camp. Most of the patrol following. He followed close behind the apprentices eager to return to his kits but Icefire had a feeling, Raveneye wasn't with them and seeing Goosefeather gazing to the direction of Sunningrocks definitely added to that. He doubled back to Sunningrocks, well as fast as he could with a limp leg.

He saw Redtail but he also saw Tiger-roar and Nightshade, they said they were going to help him. It remined him all too well of Thrushpelt's death, he wouldn't put it past Suneyes to have been the one to kill him.

He spotted Raveneye close by but said nothing.

"That was awesome, didn't need help either" Redtail purred

"Only because you had me,Icefire, and Tiger-roar to back ya'll up" Nightshade hissed, she wasn't exactly wrong. Tiger-roar and Nightshade were Thunderclan's best warriors beside their sister, Chestnutclaw, and Icefire apparently. Some cats could argue he was giving Tiger-roar a run for his name.

"That was reckless Redtail how could you even agree that was a good idea when we were outnumbered and the apprentices could have died" Tiger-roar's lip curled in a snarl.

"We won but at the cost of death" Redtail replied "Oakjaw, he saved my life"

Nightshade unsheathed her claws, her green eyes narrowed "What a waste"

"Tiger-roar? Nightshade? what is this?" Redtail growled

"Just as the stars told" Goosefeather mewed in his ear

"You plague this clan, too soft" Nightshade spat the last part like a hairball

"I'm the true leader of this clan, I won't make it soft" Tiger-roar added, his long front claws out "You get a choice, leave or fight"

Icefire's felt his heart drop, another cat with lies, how could he have been so stupid?

"Leave?" Redtail said like these two cats were crazy

"I'll get Pouncepaw, Amberpaw, and Lightpaw for you Redtail, just leave and don't come back" Nightshade mewed, she was closer to the tortie.

"Make your move Redtail" Tiger-roar said simply "I will become deputy of this clan, by any means nessasary"

Redtail seemed to be realizing something when his amber eyes widen in shock and horror "You two planned Thrushpelt and Rosetail's deaths didn't you?"

"Smart"

Redtail's eyes narrowed "He was your brother! He helped raise you as did Rosetail"

"Prices have to be made for greatness" Tiger-roar said, he started circling the tortie tom "Come on Redtail, you know you won't win"

"What will happen?"

"The deputy spot in free and I or Nightshade will be picked"

"And if Bluestar chooses someone else?"

"They will be 'dealt' with" Nightshade sneered "Tick tock Redtail, wouldn't want to end up like Thushpelt or Featherwhisker"

"What do you mean by that he killed himse... you two killed him with a snake?!"

Tiger-roar laughed "I applaud you Redatail"

Redtail noticed Icefire and Raveneye for a moment but said nothing about it. "Starclan may take me but you will never win" Icefire knew Redtail was telling him and Raveneye to avenge his death. Redtail launched himself at Tiger-roar. Leaping onto the great tabby's back, going for the neck. Nightshade bit into the tortie's leg and threw Redtail off. The dark brown tabby grabbed the tortie with one powerful arm, dragging Redtail across the rocks. He slashed Redtail's throat with ease.

Redtail wheezed as blood gushed out but then something more rotten happened.

Nightshade shoved Redtail off the rocks causing Redtail to fall into the river. He heard Redtail's low screech as he was being washed away. He hoped Redtail died from his throat wound before he hit any rocks. He knew why Nightshade did that, no blame could be placed if Redtail fell into the river.

Icefire had flicked a bush with his tail in his panic. Tiger-roar raised his head, Raveneye slammed Icefire down. The two crouched low and began moving, as soon as they could they ran as fast as they could back to camp.

Blackfoot saw the rise and fall of Russetfur's pelt as she breathed. He slowly padded into the nursery, it looking clean and soothing than it had in the past moons under Brokentail's rule, it took him back of his own kithood. He saw Dawncloud curled up with Ratkit and Snowkit resting near her head and Cloudykit and Hemlock-kit asleep in her tail.

His eldest, Foggyclaw was already dozing off. Her belly plump with one of the last litters Brokenstar would sire. Aside from her, Goldenmint, Marshstar, Blossomhaze, were the last cats to bare any of Brokenstar's kits, the clan only really knew that because Blossomhaze had been keeping track. Dewflare's new litter: Adderkit and Fangkit were being nursed by Fernshade with her own kit, Ravenkit.

He knew Blazefang would rather forget that her own brother had no problem mating with her but she had the evidence forever with the birth of her son, Timberkit. The tom was small for a kit, he was missing a front leg and was sickly. Not like Marshstar could forget either, still expecting and dreading the birth.

He didn't think he'd have kits again since bringing Elderpaw to the clan but things happen. He had a new litter to worry about. His and Russetfur's. He slowly rested a dark paw on her side "How are you?"

"Sore from being on rat duty" She replied, her nicked ear twitched "Your daughter and son have been causing a ruckus, glad I had Darkflower and Dawncloud to help"

He looked and saw two kits who looked just like their mother, Rowankit and Cedarkit, two moons old and causing chaos for all. "Little monsters they are" she mewed, licking his cheek, he flinched slightly which Russetfur noticed.

"My bad"

Blackfoot sighed "It's fine, it's just.." he trailed off

"That's the tamest reaction I've seen when someone likes the Broken scar"

This thing on his left cheek, it would forever follow him and make him remember the lowest point in Shadowclan's history.

"Whitethroat still feels bad for hissing at Crowcloud and the chicks"

"She already forgave him" Russetfur replied "Should've saw it, she refused to let him sleep by himself had to drag Littlecloud over"

He curled up with Russetfur, grooming her ears softly. "A new era for us all" she mewed sleepily

"It will be good" he replied letting sleep take him

/

Blackfoot yawned as he woke. He crept out so he wouldn't wake anyone. His eyes stung as they felt the sun's rays. He gazed at the fresh-kill pile that looked more full that than it had in seasons. Blackfoot grabbed a toad and sat near the warrior's den. He felt at peace and less destructive than he had ever been.

Things in Shadowclan had been somewhat peaceful.

The clan was somewhat smaller since the clan was mostly made up of Brokenstar's elite. Pineshadow and Crowcloud had a choice to leave the clan but they chose to stay. Crowcloud had her litter of three: Garlickit, Sloekit, and Twilightkit and Pineshadow also had her litter of two: Foxkit and Larchkit.

Clawface's body wasn't taken to the grave yard. Marshstar had the body run over by monsters then they buried the remains. In Shadowclan burying the dead was deemed a big dishonor but when it was a vile cat it was the rule to do so, he was dishonorable in life so he will be dishonored in death.

Cats wanted to be renamed: Marigoldcloud took on the name Goldenmint in honor of her brother Mintkit and Hollowheart took the name Darkhollow.

He felt a tail rest on his shoulder, he turned his head to see his sister.

"You're up early" Fernshade's tired mew called. He heard a yawn from Whisperleaf, Lizardstripe had gotten her good in the right eye.

"Yeah, my body thought I should be awake" He nudged his toad at the two mollies. Whisperleaf snatched it and began to eat.

"Shadowclan honestly seems better" Fernshade muttered leaning against him

"Let's hope it sticks" Blackfoot replied

He spotted Slatepaw, Sootpaw, Copperpelt, and Elderpaw padding out of the warriors den. His son, Slatepaw, and Sootpaw were usually a night owls like the rest of the clan but they had their moments like everyone else. Copperpelt honestly preferred to do stuff in the day time. He wasn't the only one: Littlecloud and Goldendusk preferred to do things in the day time.

Speaking of Goldendusk, he felt the golden tom rubbing himself against him.

"Missed you last night" Goldendusk purred softly

Blackfoot rubbed his check against the golden tom's "I was with Russetfur and the kits"

"How are they?" Fernshade asked, licking her paws

"Great" he replied

"More kits for our smaller clan" Goldendusk added

Marshstar was changing Shadowclan for the better but there was one thing she wasn't going to get rid of, which was understandable. Marshstar had her own elite, it wasn't necessary but Shadowclan had founded this rank and it was rare that a Shadowclan leader didn't have one.

Raggedstar didn't have an elite, thought it was unnecessary and looked how that worked out.

Marshstar's elite was small but the clan had gone down since the exile of Brokenstar's followers, she had: Tangleburr, Russetfur, Fernshade, Badgerfang, and Blackfoot. He was a little surprised that she chose him but didn't decline the offer.

He felt Goldendusk nip his ear gently, he smirked at the golden tom. He looked to the right and saw Blazefang padding over. They bowed to their deputy.

Blazefang flicked her thick tail to the camp entrance, she made the signal for five cats, she then made a straight line on the ground. She wanted a patrol near the Thunderpath.

Blackfoot nodded, he signed [I'll join]

Goldendusk and Fernshade did the same thing. Whisperleaf shook her head, the torbie yawned.

Blazefang let out a low hiss at Cinderfur and Sootmask, they padded over. Today would be good.

The night of the gathering was as chilly as always, the cooler it was the more calming it was for Icefire as strange as it was considering what had happened. Tiger-roar had said that Redtail had fallen into the stream and they've been looking for the body but needed help. They did find Redtail's body, the tortie had been caught between some rocks.

Sandstorm, and the rest of Redtail's family had been understandably heartbroken.

-Flashback-

Icefire flicked the last of the mud from his paws. He watched Tiger-roar drag the tortie's body as they made their way back to camp. He and Raveneye joined the search party so they wouldn't look suspicious. He did notice Nightshade wasn't around.

He ducked his head as they walked through the gorse tunnel. The rain was just now starting to clear up but the mud was still there of course. The clan turned their attention to the arriving cats.

Raveneye was glued to his side, he'd been more silent than ever.

Tiger-roar tossed Redtail's body close to where the highrock was.

Sandstorm, Birchstep, Brindleface, Lightpaw, Amberpaw, Leopardstorm, and Pouncepaw dashed to Redtail's body. Lightpaw, Amberpaw, and Pouncepaw were sobbing in Redtail's fur. Sandstorm was crying a paw-step away, Birchstep holding her close. White-eye and Willowpelt walked over to her.

"A..auntie...Gr..grandma" Sandstorm murmured

White-eye pulled Sandstorm and Birchstep close. Willowpelt hugged Lightpaw and Pouncepaw. Redtail had appeared beside Icefire, not speaking but just gazing at his family mourning him.

He felt Raveneye gripping his tail, the black tom's own tail was flicking back and forth. He didn't glance over to Tiger-roar, worried the older warrior would suspect him or Raveneye.

He noticed that unlike the others, Redtail's wounds weren't healed.

"Bluestar" Robinwing called "Who'll be deputy now?"

"His body isn't even cold yet" Sandstorm hissed. Featherears got in-between the two mollies.

"A deputy needs to be named" Smallear said

Bluestar didn't look up from Redtail's body "Tiger-roar will be the new deputy of Thunderclan"

Icefire shared Redtail's outrage but felt more awful knowing he was the only one hearing Redtail's screeching.

-Flashback ends-

Riverclan and Shadowclan hadn't arrived yet, but Windclan was already there. Duskstar gave Bluestar a respectable nod, Deadfoot seemed to engage in conversation with Bluestar like old friends.

Tiger-roar took his place on the deputy rock, proud and regal.

Icefire spotted Weaselwhisker and bounded over to meet him. "Hey Weaselwhisker" he mewed, he yearned to nuzzle the brown tabby but he remembered that this was a gathering. Raveneye almost didn't want him to leave and was sticking to the medicine den.

"Hey Icefire" Weaselwhisker replied "How are you? How's your family?"

"I'm alright, Violetkit, Flamekit, Sunnykit, Rosekit, Shrikekit are okay, Cloudkit gave me a scare and Bearkit...has greencough"

"Oh I'm so sorry to hear that" Weaselwhisker seemed to want to show affected too.

"How's Cinderpaw doing in Windclan? Your family okay?" Icefire asked, changing the subject

Weaselwhisker chuckled "They're a easy learner that's for sure, Deadfoot kinda has his paws full though, Stagleap and Wrenflight are fine, Wrenflight's new litter are doing well"

Icefire smiled "How's being a big brother treatin ya?"

"They bite my tail if they can't find Wrenflight's" Weaselwhisker replied "Harekit is kinda glued to Cinderpaw and Poppykit had to be removed from my leg so I could come to the gathering, Dandelionkit's kinda shy"

"Cinderpaw has plenty to tell me when their back, anyway how's Morningflower and the kits?"

Weaselwhisker chuckled "Morningflower's alright, the kits are getting hectic"

Icefire chuckled "Really now?"

The brown tabby sighed "Brairkit's the ring leader of their antics"

Icefire purred with amusement

Rabbitwhisker toke a risk, he lifted the white tom's chin with his paw "She said she wants to see you though, after the gathering"

Icefire smiled "I will, it's been awhile"

"Also Juniperleaf brought some kits to camp"

"He did what?"

"Yeah"

Icefire was trying to calm the shock when two different smells hit his nose, Shadowclan and Riverclan.

"Finally" Weaselwhisker growled "I thought I was gonna freeze"

Icefire did his best to calm and shrugged "I prefer the cold"

"That's because you have fluffy long fur" Wetfoot called "Not like us short-furred cats"

"Though that fur must be a pain in green-leaf" Appletooth added

"It would, feeling hot all the time" Badgerfang finished

The three Shadowclan cats were as snappy as ever but looked happier and more fed than they did in Brokenstar's time.

"How have you three been?"

"Great" Appletooth smiled, her longer canines made it hard for her to show emotion but she managed to make it work "Taking care of Snakekit is work but I love him"

"How do you Shadowclan cats mange to eat and talk with those teeth?" Weaselwhisker asked in pure curiosity

Wetfoot chuckled, he traced his own fangs with a claw "Make sure they don't get too long to the point where you can't eat or talk, some have longer fangs than others though like Apple and Badger here"

"Runs good in my family" Badgerfang shrugged "How are you Icefire?"

"I'm fine Badgerfang, it's fine" he said stiffly 'soon they'll leave'

Icefire felt a pelt brush past him "Hello, Frogtail right?, Darkflower's brother?"

The black tom nodded, he then signed [Badgerfang is right, your eyes are beautiful]

Icefire smirked [Why thank you kind cat of the night]

"He's just like Blossomhaze" a black molly with ginger markings added "Looks just as attractive as a snowy crow"

"Excuse me?" he said baffled, out of all the insults he's been called, a crow has never been one.

"Oh right sorry need to explain in Thunderclan: crows and ravens are viewed as very beautiful birds in Shadowclan, I was complimenting you not insulting you"

"Flirting more like Turtleshell" Appletooth mewed gruffly "Stick to basics"

Marshstar let out a yowl for attention, the moonstone necklace still around her neck. The gathering had started.

"Duskstar you wanted to speak first" Marshstar mewed, stepping back and letting the older leader speak.

"Thank you Duskstar, Windclan has been alright these past moons, leaf-bare is fading and new-leaf begins which I'm sure we're all thankful for" Duskstar mewed

The cats mewed in agreement. No more hunger, greencough, or shivering pelts.

"Windclan has been blessed with kits: Marigoldwing has given birth to Bristleclaw's kits: Graykit, Grasskit, and Rock-kit , Appledawn has given birth to two kits: Dawnkit and Sunkit. Rabbit-tail and Sorrelflight has also given birth to: Birdkit, Windykit, and Hollykit. Also five kits were brought to Windclan and have been named Flowerkit, Softkit, Pinekit, Crystalkit, and Blossomkit"

"Those five are the kits Juniperleaf brought" Weaselwhisker mewed

"I have more siblings" Icefire sighed 'Better from him than Dewflare, at least I know he won't fuck them up, we are certainly having a talk next time I catch him'

The cats of Windclan cheered the new kits.

"Stormstar" Duskstar backed away "You may go"

The gray tabby tom padded forward, he looked tired but tried to wave it off. Icebelly hadn't been to Riverclan in a while and honestly it was for the better considering what happened recently and Riverclan's fish problem, he doubted he'd be safe around the camp with cats like Blackclaw and Suneyes around.

"The fish is flowing well in Riverclan" Stormstar began "Our nursery has new additions: Flameshell, Greenflower, and Sliverstream are expecting, Mistyfoot has recently that their litter of three: Primrosekit, Pikekit, and Perchkit, as well as having a new warrior in Shadepelt"

Icefire's jaw dropped 'Why wasn't I told? What is it with my sisters not not telling me shit'

Stormstar bowed his head "We also mourn the deaths of Cedarpelt, Lakeshine, Echomist, and Oakjaw, may Starclan welcome them"

A brief silence went through the clearing in mourning.

"Marshstar" Stormstar backed up

Marshstar padded forward, her head high showing her scared right side which revealed more teeth and her scared eye that left her half-blind. "Shadowclan has been well these moons, we have new warriors in Prickleback, Batwhisker, Copperpelt, Lizardswipe, and Muddyclaw"

Shadowclan cheered the new warriors.

"We have nothing else to report other than we sighted a fox on our territory and chased it off, from what I'm told it went into your territory Bluestar"

Bluestar understandably didn't look pleased with this news "Perfect" his leader said through gritted teeth. Bluestar padded forward, her blue eyes showing nothing.

"Redtail has died, Tiger-roar has taken his place as deputy" Bluestar mewed, Stormstar looked ready to spit something but Bluestar beat him to it "Riverclan had nothing to do with it, Redtail had lost too much blood and fell into the river"

That shut Stormstar up.

"My patrols have been picking up the scents of Brokentail's followers, I shouldn't have to tell you all to be cautious"

Marshstar's ears were pulled back "Bluestar, if you'll allow me I could send some of my warriors to help track them down"

Bluestar glanced at Marshstar, it wasn't a furious look but it wasn't a thankful one either. "One or two Marshstar, if your warriors take any prey there will be consequences"

[duhragonball]

Dragon Ball Z 054

Krillin has come to Grand Elder Guru’s house to ask for the Dragon Ball he keeps on his throne.  I was always under the impression that Guru was the Kami of Planet Namek, in addition to being the father of the rest of the planet’s population, but this hasn’t actually been mentioned so far.    

Guru seems to know most of what’s going on, and he trusts Krillin implicitly, since he rescued Dende from the invaders, and he’s offering to look after the Dragon Ball, which is pretty courageous these days.   What he doesn’t understand is how Krillin even knows about the Dragon Balls, so Krillin explains how one of the Namekians emigrated to Earth a long time ago, and he created a set of Balls for Earth.

This jogs Guru’s memory, and he identifies that Namekian as the child of Katas.   There’s a lot of unanswered questions about all this.    We know there was a huge disaster on Namek that nearly drove the Namekians to extinction.   Guru was the only one left on the planet after it was over, so it fell to him to rebuild the population.   The only other survivor seems to be the “child of Katas”, who made it to Earth and eventually became Kami and Piccolo.   But we don’t know what happened to Katas himself, or why his child was sent into space all alone. 

Krillin explains that Kami was killed by a Saiyan named Vegeta... which actually isn’t true.  Nappa did the killing there, but why quibble.   Guru finds that surprising, and asks if the killer happened to be a Super Saiyan.   

This is kind of a big deal, because up until now, the term “Super Saiyan” has only been thrown around to refer to Gohan’s potential to exceed Saiyan abilities.  When Guru starts talking about it, he seems to be referring to a specific concept--a type of Saiyan that has existed before and could appear again.   

Krillin doesn’t know what he’s talking about, though, so Guru reads his mind to speed things up.   Once he learns about Kami and Piccolo splitting apart, he finally understands.  

It’s odd how this flashback differs from past depictions of Kami purging himself of his latent evil.   The scene in this episode makes it look like Kami was asleep when it happened, and Piccolo tore free of him rather violently, without any deliberate action from Kami.    Then again, Guru is only reading Krillin’s thoughts, and he probably doesn’t know the full story.

Guru now sees how the child of Katas could have been killed by a Saiyan.    According to Guru, the kid was a prodigy, and he estimates that he would have been a very powerful warrior... if he had remained a single person.   Instead, he lost his memory and ended up becoming the previous Kami’s apprentice, and split himself in two in order to succeed him.

Guru expresses this as dividing his “uncanny power” in half.  I find that confusing, because King Piccolo was much, much weaker than Kami was, even at the height of King Piccolo’s abilities.    Piccolo Junior surpased Kami, but even then, their combined power would have been nothing against Nappa or Vegea.   I’m assuming that’s why Kami never joined the battle against the Saiyans in the first place.  

But Guru seems to think that if they had rejoined their bodies into a single person, that guy would have been much, much stronger, to the point where nothing short of a Super Saiyan would have been able to beat him.  Moreover, if the child of Katas had been one person and come along to Namek, Guru thinks he would have been strong enough to kick out Frieza and his henchmen. 

So in a roundabout way, Guru is stating that a Super Saiyan would be powerful enough to beat Frieza.    A Namekian “prodigy” apparently has comparable power, but Kami and Piccolo are dead, so it’s not worth worrying about.

Guru gives Krillin the Dragon Ball, but warns him that he may not be able to make his wish, even if he manages to take the other six Balls.   That’s because Guru expects to die in the next few days, and when that happens, the Namekian Dragon Balls will become inert, just like what happened to Kami’s Dragon Balls on Earth.

Before Krillin leaves, Guru offers to awaken his hidden power for him.   Krillin doesn’t understand what he could mean, and even suggests that he can’t have any untapped potential, because he’s been thoroughly trained and is fighting beyond his limits as it is.

But Guru knows better, and Krillin suddenly gets a lot stronger in a matter of seconds.

There’s something pretty cool about this.   Krillin is so modest that he can’t believe Guru would think so highly of him, but look at everything Krillin’s done so far.   He traveled all the way here on a slim hope that he could resurrect his friends, he rescued Dende, and now he’s pledged himself to guard the last Dragon Ball, despite the risks, and knowing that he may never get to make his wish.  

And the very first thing Krillin does after this is ask if he can bring Gohan over to receive the same treatment, since he feels Gohan has far more untapped potential than he ever could.   Even then, when he makes this request, he asks if it would hurt Guru to do it a second time.    But Guru’s totally cool with it, since his own life force has no stake in the technique.

So Krillin heads back to his hideout to fetch Gohan, and he tells Dende to wait here.

Meanwhile, Appule.... uh....excuse me... Orlen. Finds the village that Vegeta attacked three episodes back.   Let me try to explain what’s going on here.   

Earlier, Zarbon and Appule were tasked with finding the last two Dragon Balls for Frieza.   They split up, and Zarbon ran into Vegeta and defeated him.  In the manga, Appule found Tsuno’s village, already sacked and with no sign of a Dragon Ball.    In the anime, Toei substituted Orlen instead.   

Why do this?   Well, it has to do with the survivor Orlen discovers in the village.    He’s crawling over to the lake where Vegeta hid the Dragon Ball, and when Orlen questions him, he tells him that it was a Saiyan who attacked them, but Orlen kills him with a ki blast, thinking the Namekian has no more useful information to share.

Back at Frieza’s ship, Zarbon reports his elimination of Vegeta, but admits that he didn’t actually see him die, because there was a bunch of water, and he didn’t want to swim down to check.

He also points out that if Vegeta really has died, then any Dragon Balls he may have found will remain hidden.  

Coincidentally, Orlen shows up and gives his report, adding that he killed the only survivor of Vegeta’s raid.

So Frieza kills Orlen on the spot, and that’s why Toei swapped out Appule in this episode, because Appule shows up later.    For some reason, Toei wanted Frieza to kill a minion in this episode, so they had to invent a guy to take the fall.

The message to Zarbon is made quite clear.    The only reason Frieza hasn’t killed him yet is because there’s still a slim chance that Vegeta might still be alive for questioning.   So Zarbon’s a dead man unless he can find Vegeta and successfully interrogate him. 

Again, this sort of arrogant complacency is what seems to trip up Frieza’s organization the most.   These guys all seem to count on LOWARD FUREEZA to protect them whenever anything goes wrong, but then they go around acting like they can just do whatever they please, as if Frieza won’t kill them if they step out of line.  

And really, the bar seems fairly low with Frieza.   A lot of his henchmen are pretty weak, but he gives them a lot of latitude as long as they follow orders and put the mission first.    Orlen and Zarbon were never ordered to kill anyone, but they used lethal force anyway because it’s practically second nature to them.   That’s fine in most situations they’d be in, but this time they’re looking for something hidden, which calls for a subtler approach.   Frieza’s not angry that they exceeded their mandate; he’s angry that they didn’t think things through.

Then Frieza summons Appule (see?) and orders him to contact Planet Frieza (which one?) and arrange for the Ginyu Forceto be summoned to Namek immediately.

Zarbon questions Frieza’s order, which is pretty damn ballsy, considering how much trouble he’s in right now.   Then again, Frieza can’t kill Zarbon for insubordination, because Zarbon’s the only one who knows where Vegeta is.

Anyway, Zarbon doesn’t see the need to bring the Ginyus into this, but Frieza has had a foreboding that a Saiyan might rise up to become a threat to him, and he wants the Ginyu Force on hand just in case.    Zarbon doesn’t understand that, because there’s only three Saiyans left in the universe, and he just clobbered the strongest one.   

I kind of feel like Zarbon is missing the point here.   A big chunk of Frieza’s crew has been killed today, thanks to Moori’s village and Vegeta.   Zarbon’s living on borrowed time, so Frieza’s going to  replenish his forces, especially if the Dragon Ball search is going to get this complicated. 

After Zarbon leaves, Frieza reflects on the Saiyans.   Probably what’s bugging him is that Vegeta has defied his expectations to this degree.   He always knew Vegeta wanted to rebel against him, but he just assumed that he’d never have a chance.   But now, Vegeta has bounced back from a defeat on Earth and he’s killed two of his best men and he’s hidden a Dragon Ball.   If he is still alive, then it stands to reason that he could become an even bigger thorn in Frieza’s side later on.   And if not Vegeta, then perhaps some other Saiyan Frieza missed.   

And then Frieza drops the term “super” Saiyan, reflecting Guru’s conversation earlier.   Hmm...

Speaking of Saiyans, Goku’s stuck on the floor, because the gravity is 50 times that of Earth, and he’s exhausted from working out.

On Namek, Zarbon finds Vegeta really is still alive, and he drags his ass back to the ship.

At the cave, Bulma detects a Dragon Ball moving towards them, and Gohan realizes that Krillin’s trip must have paid off.   He looks really cute here for some reason.    Look how happy he is.

Then Bulma notices another Dragon Ball nearby, near the village that Vegeta attacked. Gohan can’t sense Vegeta’s presence there, so he reasons that Vegeta must have been unable to find the Dragon Ball.   He takes Bulma’s radar and plans to go grab it before anyone else finds it first.   

And so, all the bad guys are occupied.  Zarbon and Appule are stuck in the ship waiting for Vegeta to recover so they can interrogate him.   The irony is that even if they find out what Vegeta knows, it’ll be too late to act on it, because Gohan’s on his way to steal his Dragon Ball.

And Krillin has the seventh one that none of the villains have even had a chance to look for.     Moreover, he can just floor it and fly back to base as fast as he wants, because Vegeta’s not around to sense his ki and follow him.    On top of that, Guru boosted his power, so he’s even faster than he used to be.   Everything’s coming up Earth.