#longstar

[adr-n-sketchy]

Hi hello. Vet school is destroying my sleep schedule but not my ability to hyperfixate on Giingersnaps’ new warriors au map. It’s absolutely gorgeous and I am so obsessed. So here’s my silly little contribution as compensation for being so late to the game on the hype of these AUs.

More of my obsessive gushing thoughts below the cut

The little scream I screampt when I saw Swiftpaw’s first run cycle as two halves was absolutely unmatched. Even in the storyboards, the movement is so fluid and incredible with the implied stretching of his ghost spine was just so good!! All the little remedies he tried to get Brightpaw to heal were so sweet!! Like curling up in their nests like normal days. And then him always having to be mindful of Brightpaw’s head just going thunk when he forgets to paw attention. And the way he saw Brightpaw dying at the end and he immediately goes up to Bluestar and then just as quickly turns away to transfer his new life to her is just… AAASHDJSKDK so good!!

New paragraph for how absolutely godtier the animation on Brightpaw's resurrection at the Moonstone was!! Like all of elmira's little details in how Brightpaw's legs and bushy tail moved were absolutely insane!! And then @fadedkat's lighting and expressions as Brightpaw goes from realizing shes alright to seeing Swiftpaw to going "okay go time" and charging back out of the cave. AAHHHHHDJSKSJDK

Watermark placement is a little different here than on insta bc still figuring out how to properly size my procreate canvases (bc I’m a dingus)

[theanoninyourinbox]

Longstar Designs 1

The main cast of Longstar AU! The trio, the thems! The new Designs! Now have some Details!

Longstar now has ears that flop when he feels sad and Fab Eyelashes! His Gathering Garb represents the pillars of his life and clan. Would be voiced by young David Bowie.

Fireheart is now a Scottish fold, with joints that sometimes ache in bad weather. He's a Healer with strong ties to Starclan. Would be voiced by Brooklyn from Gargoyles.

Flamewish is absolutely Enormous, just gigantic, humongous woman. First in line for a fight, but decent at diplomacy too. Would be voiced by...uhh...Charlize Theron. Maybe...may change that one.

[naiadic]

foaming at the mouth waiting for lovers brothers killers to come out

already shed real tears over the animatic and completed parts

[dayz-ina-daze]

a LONG overdue gift for @theanoninyourinbox for the main characters in their Longstar AU (which y’all should absolutely check out cause it’s so cool and detailed)!!

I had a lot of fun with this if not some difficulty with Long’s face hsjdbfnf and I hope it was worth the wait!! T^T

Inspo pic under the cut:

[grungetooths-curse]

EXCUSE ME??? THERE'S A LONGSTAR AU???

Holy shit, Arceus! I need to eat this shit up!

[doritopaw101]

My other half of the art trade with @theanoninyourinbox

[snini9s-warrior-cats]

More Longstar AU shenanigans!

Bluestar is saved by Fireheart, naming him as her deputy. Fireheart fights to hold the clan together, but he was still quite new to the clans when he was named deputy.

(He was only in the clan for a year (ish) and Bluestar's mental health was declining rapidly during the series. It takes another year until Bluestar dies, but during that time:

Graystripe leaves for Riverclan

Bluestar's mental health declines

Fire hits the forest

Tigerclaw becomes Tigerstar and later makes Tigerclan

The dog pack kills Swiftpaw and maims Brightheart

Brindleface is murdered, the dogpack attacks the camp, and Bluestar dies)

Fireheart is overwhelmed with the decisions he has to make, with the death of Bluestar and the rebuilding that needs to be done from the dog attack, despite having the clan's trust, so impulsively decides to name Longtail as his replacement and subsequent leader instead of himself.

Fireheart and Sandstorm leave, with permission because we use communication in this house LIKE ADULTS, but Longstar holds the clan together, no problem at all as GRAYSTRIPE WAS NOT NAMED DEPUTY I hate him too much to give him the honor

Who was deputy instead of Graystripe? Mousefur! She wasn't too pleased with Fireheart giving his position up, as it broke the tradition of deputies becoming leaders, but was named as deputy after Whitestorm was killed, as Whitestorm was Longtail's first deputy. Longstar, Mousefur, and Fireheart agree, however, that instead of either Longstar or Fireheart being deputies, that Whitestorm should have been Bluestar's deputy and their current leader.

It's at this point, when Fireheart and Sandstorm are away, that Longstar gets blinded, leaving Mousefur to step up and take over temporarily. His blindness is viewed as a bad omen, but Mousefur quells dissent as she acts as his "eyes". Brightheart helps Longstar learn to navigate and manage his lack of sight (he has light perception, but nothing in good detail. His blindness was likely caused by traumatic injury (ie the rabbit), but his progressed to a severe level within a moon or two)

She still gets sick from bad water during TNP, which ends up weakening her in the long term. Immune systems are tough, but her long struggle with overcoming the sickness means she voluntarily steps down in The Sight (Po3), after getting sick multiple times, despite Longstar's requests that she stay. He names Brightheart as her replacement

Longstar ends up training Jaypaw, after he has his whole snarky thing towards Brightheart. Jaypaw is a JOY as always, though is less prickly since Longstar is a leader (rather than an elder like in canon). Brightheart eventually becomes leader and names Squirrelflight as her deputy.

Squirrelflight is leader during canon times (ASC). Brightheart and Squirrelflight's sides will be elaborated on later. I think I'm going to be sticking with this AU. I'm liking it. I'll do a whole book-by-book breakdown at some point too

[sophswritingthings]

Longstar AU — Chapter Eleven

It was one night from the battle with BloodClan, the kits had been trained to fight as much as possible, as well as Cinderpath. Their hope was that BloodClan wouldn’t breach their camp with kits and elders inside, but they had no reason to believe they wouldn’t.

   He was terrified.

   What if he died? What if kits and elders were hurt in this battle, Cinderpath, Swiftflame..

   Could they really take that chance?

   He was snapped out of his thoughts as Blizzardspots approached him, a soft expression across her face. She didn’t look happy, but she didn’t look upset, either.

   “Hey,” She mewed gently. “Firestar asked me to do a little hunting for the elders and kits.. did you want to come with?” A glint of fear sparkled in her yellow eyes. She didn’t want to go out alone.

   “Sure,” Longtail rose to his paws. He followed the white bouncy she-cat out of the camp, the sun bouncing off her white fur beautifully. Maybe.. this was his chance to tell her what exactly was on his mind. “Hey, uh.. Blizzardspots?”

   The she-cat popped out of the tall grass, gazing at him with a puzzled expression, “What’s up?”

   “I.. uh..” The words were on the tip of his tongue, but as his ears flattened, he recoiled. “Nevermind. It’s nothing.” He turned away with a flick of his tail, padding farther into the forest. 

   He approached a squirrel, digging around in the dirt. He dropped into a hunters crouch, slowly creeping toward the creature. He soon leapt at the squirrel, digging his sharp claws into its sides.

   “Nice!” Blizzardspots smiled, holding a small gray mouse in her jaws, “Did you want to talk to me about something? Like, seriously, you can. Anything, Longtail, your my friend.”

   “No, it’s okay,” He said through gritted teeth. “Let’s get a bit more prey and take this to the elders and queens.”

   Longtail nestled into his mossy nest, his long tail curled over his muzzle. He closed his eyes in the dim light, though he felt a pelt brush against his.

   It was already late into the night, though they were just getting to sleep, himself and Blizzardspots. They'd stayed out hunting most of the day, collecting what prey they could.

   Blizzardspots slid into her nest, curling up into a tight ball. She looked to be shaking a little bit, and it wasn’t from the night cold.

   “Blizzardspots?” Longtail said in a low voice, doing his best not to wake the other warriors around them. “Is everything okay?..”

   “N-no,” The she-cat quivered. “I’m so, so scared. W-what if.. what if you die tomorrow? I don’t know what I’d do around here without you.. and, w-what if I die, Longtail? What happens to me? Would StarClan accept me?..”

   He paused, “Of course they would,” He scooted a bit closer to the she-cat, resting his paw atop of hers. “You're a warrior of ThunderClan no matter where you came from. Look at Firestar, he was once a kittypet, now he’s been accepted as a leader by StarClan. And if I die.. I’d be waiting for you in StarClan.”

   “Y-you would?” Blizzardspots sniffled, brushing her falling tears away with a paw.

   “I would,” A soft smile crossed his face.

   “Thank you, Longtail.” Blizzardspots gave a gentle smile, curling back up in her nest. He did the same, falling into a deep sleep.

   “ThunderClan,” Firestar's voice echoed through the camp. “Today is the day we take on BloodClan. RiverClan and ShadowClan have agreed to fight alongside us, as well as WindClan. No matter what happens today, we will forever be cats protected by StarClan. We fight as one, and we fight with the power of StarClan beside us.” He gazed down at his clanmates with determination in his green eyes.

   Longtail knew all that was true. And he would fight for his clan til the very end. A loyalty unwavering.

   Firestar leapt down from the High Rock, padding out of the camp with his clan behind him. Darkears and Mousefur padded on his sides, as well as Blizzardspots and Runningwind. The group rushed after the rest of the clan.

   Longtail narrowed his eyes as fourtrees came into view, the other clans, along with BloodClan settled inside. The clan cats and BloodClan cats alike bared their teeth and showed their claws, ready to fight for their home.

   “Last chance to back out,” Scourge growled.

   “Never,” Firestar growled back, launching himself at the small tom. The rest of LionClan followed after his lead, taking on one or two BloodClan cats at a time.

   Longtail hurled himself at a brown tabby she-cat, her pelt already torn up with scars. He barreled her over, digging his claws into her sides. Though, she wasn’t helpless, kicking him off with her hind legs, dragging those claws down his stomach.

   He slashed his claws at the she-cats muzzle, blood dripping down her muzzle. She flattened her ears, scampering out of the hollow. He turned his attention on a black and white tom, looking similar to that of the deputy, Bone. Longtail almost jumped at him, but saw that Bone had Firestar pinned to the ground. His eyes narrowed once more, leaping at the BloodClan deputy and knocking him off the ThunderClan leader.

   “Thank you,” Firestar murmured, out of breath from fighting. All Longtail gave was a simple nod, engaging back in battle with another BloodClan tom.

   “Firestar!” Graystripe yowled, rushing toward his mate. Soon enough Sandstorm joined him, her ears flattened tight to her skull.

   Longtail rose to his paws, gazing at the ThunderClan leader. He’s a leader, Longtail thought, though his ears flattened. But.. last time Scourge killed someone.. He thought back to Tigerstar, who had lost all nine lives at once from the BloodClan leader.

   But he was soon proven wrong, Firestar rising to his paws.

   “What..? But, how—I-I killed you!” Scourge stumbled backwards, “You should be dead!”

   “I am a leader blessed by StarClan,” Firestar hissed, eyes narrowed to slits. “And therefore I am given nine lives. That is where you are weak,” He growled. “But I understand where you're coming from, Scourge.”

   “What?” Graystripe hissed, “He tried to take the forest, Firestar!”

   “I understand that,” Firestar glanced around at the BloodClan cats in the hollow. “But they are cats, just like us. And Scourge is their leader. He was only looking out for their well-being, much like us with our cats,” He flicked his tail. “I'd like to offer you a place in ThunderClan, for your cats, if you'd take it.”

   “.. I—“ Scourge stammered, staring at his paws, “That would nice, Firestar.” He whispered, looking back up at the ThunderClan leader.

   “I’m not joining some mouse-hearted clan,” A black and white spotted tom growled, earning a nod from another tom that looked similar. “I'll take over BloodClan to replace our mouse-hearted leader.” He hissed, earning approval from plenty of other cats. The cats who wanted to leave followed these two cats, padding back to twoleg place.

   “I'll come,” The black and white tom they'd come to know as Bone padded up behind Scourge, nuzzling the tom.

   “Me as well,” A black tabby tom padded up behind them. “I’m Midnight, by the way.” He flicked his tail in greeting.

   “Than come along,” Firestar dipped his head. “We have warrior ceremonies to conduct. And.. I must name a new deputy,” He took a deep breath. “Come.”

   They all trotted back to camp, the three new cats settling beneath the High Rock.

   “These cats are joining our clan not as outsiders, or enemies, but as new friends and clanmates.” He smiled down at the three tom's, “From now on, Scourge you will be known as Tinyfrost.” He mewed, “And Bone as Bonespot. Midnight will be known as Blacksight. We welcome them as warriors of ThunderClan.”

   “Tinyfrost! Bonespot! Blacksight!”

   “And one more thing,” Firestar continued, silencing the crowd. “Whitestorm has passed to StarClan.” He mewed solemnly, hanging his head. “So I must name a new deputy. And I could think of no better cat, one of my strongest and most trusted warriors.”

   Graystripe, probably. They’ve been best friends since they were apprentices, Longtail thought with a flick of his tail.

   “Longtail,” Firestar called his name, beckoning him forward. His green eyes stretched wide, padding forward into the clearing. “We have had our ups and downs. When I first joined the clan you had opposed so, though, you have learned to trust me as a warrior and a leader. And I have learned to trust you, as well.” He smiled, “Under the eyes of StarClan, do you accept this position as deputy, and protect and defend your clan with your life?”

   “I would be honored to, Firestar.”

   “Than under the watchful eyes of StarClan I name Longtail as the new deputy of ThunderClan.” Firestar meowed.

   “Longtail! Longtail!” The clan cheered his name loud as can be. Finally, he felt he was a trusted and respected warrior, and like he was part of his clan once more.

[maudiemoods]

who is your fav cat in warriors this is so important to me (mine is goosefeather im an arc 1 truther)

How can I only pick one?? I was obsessed with mapleshade for some reason for a long time, I really liked ivypool, ravenpaw was my baby and lionheart always seemed so cool to me, even if we only got a few chapters with him! I also really like mousefur! Also, longtails character development was pretty neat! Oh man and that's just the first series jsnejwnndje

[hollowflight-propaganda]

WHO WAS GONNA TELL ME THAT THERE'S A NEW FISH IN A BIRDCAGE SONG?!?!?!??!?!??!?!?!?

[longstarau]

Longstar AU — Chapter Twenty

   “You have bees in your brain, Firestar!” Leopardstar growled, “And so do your warriors. I knew that ThunderClan warriors were always bee brained,” She gazed at Stormfur, nestled in between Graystripe and Brambleclaw. “And now my own warriors seem to be catching it.”

   “Don’t say mouse-dung about my son!” Graystripe growled.

   “Graystripe.” Firestar hissed, narrowing his eyes. “I understand your anger. Trust me, I feel the same,” He cast a glare at Leopardstar. “You're saying you don’t believe this message from StarClan because it goes against what'd you'd like to hear? Sounds as if you're the one with bees in your brain.”

   “There is no reason for RiverClan to leave the forest.” Leopardstar narrowed her eyes. “I have no qualms with the rest of you leaving. RiverClan has the river—we have our fish, we have our protection. We'll be fine here.”

   “If that’s what you wish, Leopardstar.” Deadstar dipped his head, flicking his tail. “It’s not safe for the rest of us. ThunderClan's camp has been destroyed. They're having to stay in our camp.. and who knows how long that will be safe for. ShadowClan has already spotted them in their territory, mowing down trees. And if you think that RiverClan will fare fine.. than okay. Stay. But we'll be leaving for our families and friends safeties.”

   “Than go.” She growled, “Now, is that all? Can we leave and go home to rest, you three?”

   “Yes.” Blackstar grumbled, “You can go, Leopardstar.” 

   And with those last few words, the spotted leader jumped from the rock, leading her clan out of the hollow.

   “So,” Firestar flicked his tail. “When will we be leaving?”

   “Two nights from now.” Deadstar meowed, “If that’s okay with ThunderClan and ShadowClan.”

   “Perfectly fine, I suppose.” Blackstar replied.

   “Yes, great.” Firestar smiled, “ThunderClan.” The tom rose his voice to the rest of his clan, leaping off the rock. Deadstar followed quickly behind, Longtail padding after the pair beside Mudclaw.

   “So you have kits, hm?” Mudclaw glanced at him, “I’ve seen them running around camp.”

   “Yeah. Why?” Longtail flattened his ears, “Don’t go anywhere near them—“

   “Do you think I would hurt kits, Longtail? You think that highly of me, huh?” Mudclaw rolled his eyes, “I wouldn’t hurt them. Or your mate, for that matter. I was only asking me.”

   “I don’t think very highly of you, you're correct.” Longtail hissed, “You have a disdain for kittypets, or anyone who is simply different. I did once, but I’ve gotten over that and grown up. You can’t seem to, can you?”

   “Mm.” Mudclaw flattened his ears, narrowing his eyes, “I'd keep your ears pricked, Longtail.” He growled, striding away. Longtail sighed, skipping over to his mate.

   “Oh, hi.” Blizzardspots smiled, pressing against his side, “Everything okay?” She mewed softly, a gentle purr rumbling from her chest.

   “Yes.” He cast a glare at Mudclaw across the way, “Mudclaw is just ticking me off. How Deadstar could pick him as deputy confuses me.”

   “Oh,” Blizzardspots shrugged. “He’s been nothing but sweet to me and the kits. And he’s a great warrior ready to protect his clan at any turn,” She took a deep breath. “I don’t see the problem.”

   “We’ve always had issues, ever since we were apprentices.” Longtail meowed, “I didn’t like the way he treated a lot of my friends at the time, and me, honestly. All his bullying pushed me toward Tigerstar. One of the worst decisions of my life.”

   “Don’t let that get to you, Longtail,” Blizzardspots mewed, pressing her head against his shoulder. “No matter what happened with Tigerstar.. your a good cat now. Your the cat I love.” She purred, “Now, c'mon, the kits are going to want to see you.”

   “Papa!” Sandkit rushed up to him, brushing against his legs. Her tail was beating against his paws, “Can you believe we’re gonna be apprentices tomorrow?!”

   “I really can’t.” Longtail purred, rasping his tongue over her head. “You're going to be one of the best apprentices I’ve ever seen.”

   Her tail thrashed back and forth, “Really?” 

   “Really. And your brothers, too.” Longtail dragged his paw over his ear.

   “Sandkit!” Silverkit rushed up to his sister, “C'mon, Dustkit and I are gonna play mossball!” His tail thrashed back and forth.

   “Go on.” Longtail gently nudged the she-cat toward her brother.

   “You'll visit us before bed, right?” Sandkit questioned.

   “Like always,” Longtail flicked his tail. Sandkit smiled, brushing up against his legs before pelting off after her brother. His ears flattened, watching as the three kits tenderly played mossball. He really didn’t know if he was ready for them to grow up.

   “They're sweet, y'know,” Deadstar's tail flicked across his back. “Just like their wonderful mother. And they'll make great warriors, just like their father.”

   “I know, I just..” Longtail murmured.

   “You're worried about Dustkit, I get it.” Deadstar sighed, “He’s blind. He has a disability. But that doesn’t matter. I have one, as well, so do you—so does Cinderpath, so does Brightheart, so does Swiftflame. We are all still strong. We are all still warriors at heart.” He meowed, resting his tail comfortingly on Longtail's shoulder, “You have no need to worry about him. Or any of them.”

   “In my head I know that. And I’m really, really not—I just—don’t want any of them to get hurt. They're my kits, they're my kin.” Longtail sighed heavily.

   “Every father wants their kits to be safe. Every cat wants their kin to be safe. But they must fall down to learn. They must fall down to become warriors—because they must learn to get back up. They're get hurt, they'll—they'll leave—but they'll always come back to where they call home. They'll always get back up.” Deadstar took in a sharp breath, “I'll leave you be. Make sure you rest, Longtail. You need to calm your mind. See our medicine cat if you need.” He flicked his tail again, slipping off to his den.

   Longtail let out a heavy sigh, padding off toward the nursery, his slow tired paws carrying him there. He peeked inside, Blizzardspots lying with Sandkit and Silverkit nestled in the crook of her stomach. Though, there was Dustkit, sitting up straight, his blind blue eyes wide.

   “Papa?” Dustkit slowly trotted toward him, “Is that you?”

   “It’s me, Dustkit.” Longtail murmured softly. “Why aren’t you asleep?”

   “I’m worried, papa,” Dustkit coiled his tail around his paws. “I’m not going to be a normal apprentice like my siblings, a-are I?”

   “Of course you are.” Longtail flattened his ears, gazing at the kit with sadness in his green eyes. “Why wouldn’t you be?”

   “Because I’m blind.” Dustkit mumbled, “They're all going to coddle me like I’m a kit still, even when I’m a warrior. Or a medicine cat, that might be better—“

   “No.” Longtail hissed, “If you want to be a medicine cat, Dustkit, than you'll be a medicine cat. But if you want to be a warrior, you're going to be a warrior. No-one is going to stop you. I'll make sure if it.”

   “A-are you sure?“ Dustkit stammered, “How can you know I’ll even be any good at it?”

   “It’s in your blood, Dustkit,” Longtail leaned down to nuzzle his son. “Now, come on, let’s get you to bed. It’s late and you have an apprentice ceremony to get to tomorrow.”

   Longtail settled down in the empty nest across from Blizzardspots, patting the ground with his paw, signaling for Dustkit to follow. With a gentle purr, the brown tom trotted over, curling himself up in between Longtail's paws.

[justicek-9bunny]

Longstar AU

Long tail become deputy after the blood clan battle in this au

Silver stream never died giving birth because I never like that if they didn’t want Gray strip to go to river he has a good reason Silver Stream Father crook star . Crook star has always spoiled Silver Stream so it makes sense to let gray stripe join. When Raven Paw and Fire Star try to rescue Gray Stripe , Silver stream Stonefur Misty Foot and Featherpaw and Storm Paw Silver Stream tell them to keep running and sacrifice her self for her friends and family. So my guy gray stripe on the journey see that Storm fur and Brooke have fallen in love tell him he should stay with her Gray Stipe stay in river clan even tho he has more kin in thunder clan because he has friends in river clan he doesn’t feel right leaving river clan just yet

So that why Long tail is deputy

When Longtail get injured and blind he has to step down till he able to perform his duty again at the time Gray stripe was acting as a mediator for Thunder clan and River clan since the clan are at peace and plenty of food no has no mind it just a excuse to see his family and friends in thunder clan when fire star and sand storm leave to restore Sky clan I see two out comes Raven Paw and barley and Graystipe go with or Graysripe go to stay in thunder to help his friend long tail lead since at the time it was unknown if longtial would even survive Gray stripe help long tail but Long goes to gathering as acting leader with help of Bright Heart and gray stripe and Cloudtail and his fomer app and app

At the time of the new proverb he doing well and back to being deputy

Instead of Graystripe being taken by twoleg it Longtail since warriors cat is obsessed with bloodlines instead of Graystripe and millie will become mates and You know since it will completely Longstar arc getting over his prejudice

After Firestar dies Longstar will chose Sandstorm to become his deputy

[theanoninyourinbox]

Not really a meme but I think it would be funny with Longstar and his children

Longstar's a good dad...he loves his bimbinis

[clangenstufffromwcnoob]

Me: I'm just gonna check quickly because I want to remember how they look like before bed

Me: *Sees Longstar with this status*

Me: NO LEAVE HIM ALONE

[dayz-ina-daze]

A gift for the ever lovely, ever helpful @theanoninyourinbox of the Snowtuft from their awesome Longstar au!!

I can’t wait to see more of this guy in the reboot!!

[warriors-rewritten-chaos]

Major Arc 4 Changes/General Summary

The Arc That Made Me Stop Reading Warriors (Because I Thought The Story Was Over)

Oh how wrong I was...

So Hollyleaf is probably dead, which means the Three are now Two. This is a problem for everyone, but mostly for StarClan, who somehow can’t see in the tunnels to know if she’s still kickin’. So the Council of A-holes (as dubbed by the constantly exasperated and outraged Yellowfang) makes a decision: just make a new Third Cat. Yellowfang tries in vain to stop them: “Look, if the DF is training living cats to fight, why can’t we do that but for the good guys, why do we have to put the fate of everything on some poor kits every single damn time” and the Council just says “How do you keep finding our secret meetings”. Tallstar looks away slightly when they ask and tries to hold his laughter, but no one notices

So Dovekit and Ivykit are born. While Ivykit seems to be perfectly healthy and fine, Dovekit has... problems. Lots of problems. She’s sensitive to literally everything: gets sick at the drop of a hat, can’t stand any sound louder than a whisper, and just being downwind of the Medicine Den makes her feel ill from the smell of herbs and sickness that permeate the air. Ivykit becomes her sister’s devoted protector, but even she can’t protect her sister from Destiny Bullcrap

The two become apprentices, with Jayfeather and Lionblaze keeping an eye on Dovekit because of her extreme sensitivity. Ivypaw realizes he isn't entirely a molly and comes out as bigender. Ivypaw continues to protect her sister but is sidelined entirely once Dovepaw is officially revealed to be the New Third Prophecy Cat and is taken to stop a drought. He is not okay with this. Muddyhollow and Tigerstar take notice of his jealousy and Ivypaw starts her Dark Forest training. Dovepaw and the ShadowClan Warrior Goldenheart begin to have a secret romantic-friendship thing. Unbeknownst to Dovepaw, Goldenheart also trains in the Dark Forest with Ivypaw. After seeing how good Ivypaw is at fighting, Goldenheart dreads the day that Ivypaw finds out that Goldenheart is romantically involved with Dovepaw

A tree falls in the ThunderClan camp. It would've crushed Briarpaw to bits, but Mistlefur sacrifices her life to save the young apprentice. However, she isn't able to completely push Briarpaw out of the way and Briarpaw’s hind legs are crushed by the tree and she becomes paralyzed. While Snowflight mourns the death of his sister, Millie mourns what she believes is her daughter’s ability to have an independent life. Sensing the negative emotional effect it’s having on Briarpaw, who is already upset due to the loss of her legs, Jayfeather tells Millie to shut up and stop the pity party. “Your daughter is paralyzed, not dead! Do you think Longtail became less of a Warrior after he was blinded, or I’m any less of a Medicine Cat because I can’t see? Is Snowflight inferior to the other Hunters because he can’t hear?” No, no, and no again. “Then why is Briarpaw any different? She may not be a Warrior the way you picture it, but she’s going to have a long, fulfilling life doing something that makes her happy just the same.”

Briarpaw is still depressed, but feels a bit better with Jayfeather and Longtail helping her out. Longtail is especially helpful, as his circumstances were similar to Briarpaw’s once upon a time, and as such he can empathize with her and help her come into her own and her life. Briarpaw eventually becomes a Warden and earns the Warrior Name Briarlight alongside her siblings when they receive theirs, but we’ll get to them soon

Millie is still a bit overly doting on Briarpaw, but nowhere near as bad as canon. Blossompaw still thinks her parents love Briarpaw and her older step-siblings and nephews more than her, despite all evidence being that they love her just the same. This is partly due to being an angsty teen, and partly because the Dark Forest has already gotten their claws into her and have started manipulating her to hate the Clans. Bumblepaw develops a crush on Dovepaw, which she isn't sure if she reciprocates or not. He’s a little bit creepy and obsessive about it...

After Lionblaze accidentally kills Russetfur in the battle against ShadowClan, Blackstar names Rowanclaw as the new Deputy. Rowanclaw is only Deputy for a few days before they realize that they cannot put up with Blackstar’s crap and step down for the sake of their mental health. Tawnypelt, having been mentored by Blackstar after her first mentor and father Tigerstar died, is able to deal with him just fine and remains Deputy permanently

Dovepaw and Goldenheart become even closer. In ThunderClan, Cinderheart, Icecloud, and Lionblaze start to have serious talks about their relationship. When Cinderheart starts to be afraid that the three of them can’t be together because of Lionblaze’s destiny and powers, Lionblaze counters with “remember my grandpa?” because everybody knows that Firestar was like the OG Prophecy Cat and he has three whole mates and it’s fine. Cinderheart is still a little insecure about it, while Icecloud is concerned that the Prophecy might end in Lionblaze’s death, so nothing’s fixed, but it’s a little better than it was

Ivypaw gets lost while Dark Forest training and meets two spirits who seem to be hiding from the others. She asks them what they’re doing, and they introduce themselves as Frecklepelt and Snowtuft. They tell Ivypaw that he needs to get out while he still can, and that the Dark Forest’s intentions are not as noble as “helping Warriors train and the Clans become stronger”. But Ivypaw doesn't listen and continues training, although she doesn't tell her Dark Forest mentors about the two almost kind spirit cats or their warning. Ivypaw regrets the decision, however, when his father Birchfall, another unwitting Dark Forest trainee, is killed during training by the WindClan Warrior Antpelt. And Antpelt is praised for doing it. And Ivypaw sees the entire thing happen from start to finish. She kills Antpelt in a fit of vengeance-fueled rage and is praised and fawned over by Muddyhollow and Tigerstar, who are just so proud of Ivypaw and how far he’s come...

When Ivypaw wakes up, he vomits and cries uncontrollably. Even more so once it is confirmed that Birchfall has apparently died in his sleep. And that in WindClan, Antpelt has as well. But Ivypaw knows what really happened to them both. She can’t be quiet anymore. He tells his sister, Lionblaze, and Jayfeather the whole truth and becomes a spy in the Dark Forest for the Clans. He also enlists the assistance of the two friendly Dark Forest spirits he’d met prior, Frecklepelt and Snowtuft, to try and show the other trainees what is really happening and try to get them out of there. The operation begins!

Meanwhile, Jayfeather and Flametail of ShadowClan go out on the ice together to play a game to lighten the mood. Flametail suddenly falls through the ice and Jayfeather fights desperately to save him, not wanting to lose another friend. However, Rock intervenes, since it is Flametail’s destiny and time to go, much to Jayfeather’s rage. Dawnpelt, having come looking for her brother and seeing the broken ice and flailing limbs and bodies underneath, drags Jayfeather out of the water alone as he begs her to let him go, he has to save Flametail! Dawnpelt tells him that she doesn't see Flametail’s body and they both collapse sobbing on one another as they mourn his tragic passing. Jayfeather wonders aloud if it’s possible to kill fate. Dawnpelt responds that if he ever finds a way to do so, she’d like to help. Jayfeather is not accused of murder because Dawnpelt knows he didn't kill her brother and defends him from the accusations and the two become friends

Jayfeather begins to have visions of the future of the Clans, and it does not look good for them. Meanwhile in the Lunar Feles, Stoneteller’s successor is chosen. Jayfeather receives a vision from Lady Half Moon, showing him the tunnels and that Hollyleaf is still alive down in them. She is accompanied by a ghost of an Ancient named Fallen Leaves. Jayfeather begs to be shown a way to get to her, to see her again and tell her to come back, but is instead shown an eclipse...

As heralded by Jayfeather’s vision, Sol shows up again and tries to manipulate Onestar and WindClan into attacking ThunderClan this time around. It doesn't work, mostly because the Clan cats all remember Sol making ShadowClan implode on itself and attempting to destroy the Clans. Also, Hollyleaf emerges from the tunnels to beat him up and drive him off for good. She is tackled by her entire family who are overjoyed to see her again. Leafpool and Squirrelflight forgive her and apologize for their past actions, and Hollyleaf apologizes for hers

Also, Dovewing, Ivystrike, and the rest of the apprentices earn their Warrior Names

So now there’s Four Prophecy Cats. But it’s best not to get too cozy, because the Dark Forest has been working in the shadows and is preparing one final strike to destroy the Clans for good (minus SkyClan because they don't know about them). While some Dark Forest apprentices have been converted back to the Clans’ side, they cannot stop training or reveal this, because they will be killed for their betrayal (as seen with Beetlewhisker of RiverClan when he tries to leave). As Dovewing starts to grow closer with Bumblestripe, Bumblestripe is revealed to be receiving advice from a Dark Forest cat... But it’s “offstage”, so to speak, so none of the canon characters know this is happening, only the readers do. Wonder how this is gonna turn out...

The final battle begins. Birchfall’s spirit is seen with StarClan, as he was a good cat who was duped into his role and Snowtuft and Frecklepelt snuck him out of the Dark Forest and into StarClan before he could be forced to become a Dark Forest spirit. Speaking of the two of them, they are unable to join the Clans in the final battle out of the risk of retaliation by the other Dark Forest cats. While Dark Forest and StarClan cats cannot be killed in their respective domains, simply reforming if anything happens to them there, they are able to be destroyed for good if they are killed in the mortal realm once more. This happens to many Dark Forest and StarClan cats over the course of the fight

Brightheart’s body chooses the exact worse time to start kitting and she goes into labor during the battle. A group of Dark Forest cats attacks ThunderClan’s Nursery upon hearing her cries. Snowflight, Dustpelt, and Ferncloud make the decision to lay down their lives to protect the monarchs and their kits. They rise as StarClan spirits and keep on fighting

Longtail and Mousefur are also killed in the battle but reanimate. Longtail, Lynxswift, the now adult StarClan version of Swiftpaw (now Swiftfire), Cinderspark, Mistlefur, Speckletail, Smallears, Lionheart, and Goldenflower all square up and the whole family joins the brawl together. Purdy and Mousefur join in too, with Purdy being asked about his heart condition and if he’s okay to fight, and he says that today is as good a day as any to die

Leafpool is saved from being killed by Mapleshade (who goes after her because she thinks they are alike) by a trio of StarClan cats who tell her to run and that they’ll handle their mother. She doesn't see any of those cats, including Mapleshade, again for the rest of the battle

Brokenstar is battled by Ratscar, Swampbloom, and Oakfur, the last three surviving apprentices from his reign in ShadowClan. Yellowfang and the adult StarClan versions of the kits and apprentices Brokenstar killed show up to help take him down for good

Mudclaw, still as stupid and reckless in death as he was in life, goes after both Onestar and Tallstar at the same time and obviously loses the two-on-one battle

Thistleclaw’s spirit is torn to shreds by Snowflower, Bluestar, and Spottedleaf, who all work together to end him

Muddyhollow squares off against Ivystrike. She nearly kills him before being accosted by Darkheart, Brambleflower, and Hollyleaf. She is overwhelmed but manages to escape, vowing her revenge. And getting a fatal blow on Hollyleaf, who dies in the embrace of her mother, aunt, and siblings who all rush to her side when Jayfeather senses her dying

Finally, we have Firestar versus Tigerstar. Good versus evil. They fight fiercely, but since Firestar is mortal, his body tires while Tigerstar’s doesn't. As Tigerstar stands gloating over Firestar, he is stopped from killing him by a harsh blow to the back from... another Dark Forest cat? Wait, is that? Yep, its Scourge, who upon his death ended up in the Afterlife. While he wouldn't normally have cared about the Clans dying (and would really have been quite happy about it), he wasn't going to let Tigerstar be happy ever (and was also pissed that he was still around in any way shape or form). He deals a few more blows to Tiger and leaves, telling Firestar to finish this properly. And Firestar does, but it takes the last of his strength. While he dies, he names Brambleflower his successor (at some point in this arc Brackenfur steps down from the Deputy position because he doesn't want to be Leader and Brambleflower is chosen as the new one). He ascends to StarClan surrounded by his family

The Clans say goodbye to their fallen friends as they go to StarClan and decide to put the Dark Forest trainees on probation instead of just executing or exiling them thanks to Ivystrike’s efforts

And that’s where the story of Firestar ends...