People, humans, fleeing. Siren knew the city was failing. The walls echo with the starvation of the streets. Now though, ships sailing through the sky to flee. It was surreal. Siren, now a grown molly, watching the place shred itself apart while she sits on the mountains she always thought were too far away as a tom-kit. Kesterelstar rests a wing, uncanny a cat can have those, on her back. "You can do this."
Dartstrike knew this was a possibility, that's why he took his kits with him. Madoka appeared in camp. Her Two-legs left. If her kits were accepted why shouldn't she be. It was a careful calculation. Cloverstar is forgiving.
-Dartstrike's mate, Madoka, joined the clan.
Drypaw remembers looking down over the edge of the world. He's imagined what it's like to fall. That being said he can say almost being swept over a cliffside is too close for comfort. At least Boragepaw and Basilpaw pull him back up onto solid group.
-Drypaw is almost taken out by an avalanche but is saved by Basilpaw and Boragepaw
10 moons ago two siblings had a vision of the sun disappearing in the middle of the desert. This led to Raccoonpaw and Shrubpaw to officially leave their dead dad's clan and join Cliffclan. Now watching the sun being blot out by Two-leg monsters, they talk about it.
"Raccoon, how will we fix this? How do we stop the sun disappearing forever?"
And Raccoon has no answer.
-Raccoonmoss and Shrubstalk about about a vision
Madoka was exasperated. Play fighting was never supposed to be rough enough to bruise but the moment you have FUCKING SUPER POWERED CHILDREN- Ough. She was so peeved. Not her kits. No. At whoever thought to curse her handsome, handsome mate with powers. And whatever higher being thought it was a good idea to make is generational. Palekit was bruised but Silverkit was perfectly fine... Madoka is concerned this will be a pattern. Her kits doing something stupid because they have powers. Fuck the stars Dartstrike loves for cursing them.
-Palekit is bruised
"Wisteriashade, do you think I can become a warrior?" "Uh, yeah of course?" She was taken a back. Huskpaw was perfectly healthy, ignoring the internal stuff. He spoke again, "I started feeling... Lesser." Insecurity. That's something new. "Huskpaw you're not lesser. You just struggle to feel your emotions. You're actually handling it really maturely compared to other cats." "Oh?" "Yeah. Like you don't know how to be kind. There's the whole empathy thing but you aren't cruel. You don't hurt others because you can't feel that hurt. You still help others. I fully believe you'll become a warrior. I don't think your name is going to be good though." They both take time making guesses and laughing about it.
-Wisteriashade reassures Huskpaw about being a warrior
On their way to Caveclan's meeting, Gambler presses himself against Scorchstripe.
Narrator/Robin: I knew the clan existed. Part of why I left. They were always over there and I was here. Until something happened. And they were everywhere. And they could do something special.
"What the fuck." Kesterelstar gapes. His, now former, deputy laid there. It would've been face down if his face wasn't pulled inside out. It seems whatever pulled out his bones out didn't care for meat, it left his skin and organs. It had to be the doing of another clan. Prey isn't this malicious. He pissed all of them off recently. The prey couldn't have stopped running. The prey couldn't have started fighting. No. no. nononononononono.
It has to be another clan.
Midnightdusk had a goal. Things were calm now but there was a tenseness in the air. The prophecy never left her mind. How was she meant to complete it? How could she become deputy? "Scorchstripe? You there?" "Yeah?" "Can I ask you a question?" "Sure, what-" "Cloverstar's prophecy-" "You weren't meant to hear that." "How am I supposed to complete it though?" "It's already complete." "Huh?" "It was about Robin coming back from the dead." Midnightdusk was quiet before she started yelling.
-Midnightdusk and Scorchstripe had an argument
Wisteriashade gave her mother, Midnightdusk, a vole. Midnightdusk said thank you even though voles weren't her favorite. For a minute it was easy to forget her mother didn't drag her away from Lakeclan just to dump her on Reedwade once they were in Cliffclan. It was made infinitely easier knowing that her mother was never a part of any prophecy. A angry, festering part of her that once wish she was like her now wants her to surpass Midnightdusk. To become deputy and then leader as her mother's dreams wither away. Reedwade says resentment isn't healthy, so today Wisteriashade forgets.
-Wisteriashade got along with Midnightdusk today
It was a terrible fight. Gingerpaw managed to drag her mentor into the den while Dartstrike brought in Boragebloom. It was a terrible Caveclan skirmish. Apparently they were shouting about revenge for the former deputy. "Shrubstalk something bad is happening," Scorchstripe said once his patients were asleep. "I know," Shrub said quietly, like she was afraid of letting Scorch know. "What will you do when you loose someone you love?" "I don't know."
-Reedwade was injured in a skirmish. Boragebloom got a cat bite. Shrubstalk and Scorchstripe have a hard conversation.
Huskpaw told Gingerpaw about the badger incident. It made Drydust like badass in her mind. She wasn't expecting to find it still in the pit while on patrol though. Albeit in pieces.
-Gingerpaw found a carcass while on patrol.
Scarabpaw knew that dream snooping was a bad habit of hers. But who can blame her. Especially when she noticed another dream visitor lingering around Cloverstar's dreams. The river that unnaturally flowed through Cloverstar's dream space spoke. "Once the flooding stops is when both Lakeclan and Bogclan will be prepared. We will storm Caveclan's camp then. Apparently a lot of cats have been up and leaving... It is concerning that not many have been making it to the other clans." Cloverstar spoke, "We haven't actually seen any defectors." "Odd," The river paused before, "Not as odd as one of your apprentices snooping around the dreamscape though." "What?" Scarab was busted.
Huskpaw was stuck with a trio of rowdy, older apprentices who bossed each other around more than him, the one cat they could boss around. Bad mix when there was a badger. It was slow, thanks to the fact it's fore limbs were wings, but it was still deadly. Boragepaw had the sense to run when she could. Basilpaw was still hootin and hollarin even though the badger was more focused on the idiot who threw sand at it. To be fair no one was expecting Drypaw's secondary powers to suddenly kick in. (Harenkinesis, but they were cats didn't really have fancy names for that shit). The pissed off badger lunged forward, probably to bite Drypaw but the cliffside gave out to sand right below it's hind legs. It fell, not to it's death but to a shallow pit it could probably climb itself out of. Basilpaw gawked, "Dude you never told me you could do that!"
-Drypaw fought a badger and won
It is a bit shameful when an apprentice suffers because it took too long for their leader to find a name. That being said Cloverstar hoped she avoided that in her own children. Basilpaw's ear started growing out more, turning greener. She named her children and Drydust the evening after the badger encounter without warning. The feast was unfortunately mediocre, should've been seen as an omen. The moon started reappearing in the sky as a claw when Basilear's ear finally fell off. It seems as if a sprig of basil replaced its location but not its function.
-Drydust, Basilear, and Boragebloom became warriors. Basilear has partial hearing loss.
Cloverstar frowned as Ginerpaw and Reedwade returned soaked. It was a bit too cold to start swimming lessons again. "Hey be sure to warm up in a den. We don't need anyone catching a cold." Gingerpaw only purred, "Ok!"
-Gingerpaw became a more skilled swimmer
Cloverstar went out alone. Caveclan hasn't been marking their borders was thoroughly and she was worried something happened. Kesterelstar wasn't too stable last she saw of him... Oh! There was an old cat by the border. She hurried over, "Are you ok sir?" "Huh? Who are you?" The old cat was immediately on edge, he didn't smell of any clan. "I'm Cloverstar of Cliffclan. You?" "Foggy... I'm from the city." "Oh..." "You already know," He mumbled, "I'm not going to survive out here long." "Cliffclan would love to take you in. I'm their leader!" "... That's kinder than another cat has ever been too me... I'm too elderly to contribute." "You wouldn't need to hunt." "Hmmm," The old cat suspiciously side eyed Cloverstar, "I won't do that... But I would like to be buried if you do find my body." "We can arrange for that. Be careful though, your on the border of Caveclan territory and they've been hostile lately. You can hunt as much as you need to on Cliffclan territory but Caveclan might hurt you over prey." "I've been hurt over less," Foggy muttered and kept moving on. Cloverstar couldn't help but feel pity.
-The clan met Foggy.
"Where would I go when I died?" It just came out of Gambler when he was helping Scorchstripe gather herbs. "Starclan," Scorchstripe said. It was where all clan cats went anyways. "They'd let me there?" "Of course, I'd fight them all if they didn't!" Scorch pressed himself against his crush's side.
Lakeclan stuck to their word, not a lick of 'em. Tonight was nothing but trouble. Kesterelstar knew that considering his plan but by the end of tonight he was going to have more cats that could fight against the prey.
"Bogclan, Forestclan, and Cliffclan. Thank you for coming here tonight. I have promised information regarding the Two-legs. I will step down to let former city cat, Siren, to speak."
Siren stepped up once Kesterelstar shuffled to the side. When she spoke it felt like the air was set alight. Every word was truth.
"In three days time almost every human will be gone. All their possessions will be left behind, including fellow cats who didn't make it to the ships. Expect more cats like me to move into your territories." Siren glanced towards Kesterelstar, who gave her a nod. "I have been asked to request information in kind. Talonclaw and Snaketail you left Caveclan as apprentices. Kesterelstar requests that you consider rejoining Caveclan. They-" A small nudge from Kesterel made Siren chose her next words more carefully, "We would love to have you back."
To Gambler's horror there were no loud objections. Like a spell hazed through the crowd. Shit, could he shout? Could he say something? He opened his mouth but nothing came out. Siren then turned her attention to the cat Gambler cared most about. "Scorchstripe, you had your son before being exiled, right?" "After," It looked like Scorchstripe couldn't stop from responding, "I didn't even know I could- I was born a tom." "Did you have him in the mountains?" "Yes." "Before Cliffclan was founded?" "Yes but he was born where Cliffclan's camp is now." "Drypaw still technically belongs to Caveclan." And then it was true. It didn't matter that Scorchstripe was exiled, his son belonged to the clan that casted them both out. Fuck whatever spell she had them under. Could no one else scream? Shout? Yowl to the moon? To their ancestors? To his? Then the air snapped. Siren let them go.
"Robin?" Her sister was there. Covered in dirt. Holy shit someone else escaped. "Sister?" She didn't say anything but everyone else did. Suddenly there were caterwauls of those released from the spell. There was a young cat that looked like Siren who threw herself in Robin's side, crying. A niece? She didn't know her littermates had any kits.
"Siren, get them back under control."
Siren turned to Kesterelstar, "I can't force their paws when they're louder than me."
Over the shouting of cats, the "what the fucks", the "why did you do thats", and the "oh my stars look!", Caveclan's leader yowled, not a powerful roar like what he wanted but the shrill cry like a kit throwing a tantrum, "Then you will force my claws."
Robin choked. She wasn't very aware, probably hasn't been since she dug herself out of her own star-damned, sun blessed, grave, but she recognized the faces. Something tore itself out of her throat, wings, and slammed into Kesterelstar. They were wet and feathery but big enough to dwarf the leader. Probably big enough to lift Robin up if she let them dry. He let a squeak and scrambled off. Robin wasn't fast enough to stop him from leaving a mark on her littermate but she was there in the end.
-Robin returned from the dead. Siren joined the clan. All clans have agreed to treat Caveclan with hostility.
When Scarabpaw heard about her mother returning from the dead, she hurried to spend the rest of the day and next morning with her. Her and her siblings told their mother their fears and worries. Even if she couldn't really talk back. Scorchstripe said that apparently there was two wings, just folded up in her throat. "I was worried you would disappointed if I wasn't a warrior," Huskpaw admitted while they were curled in the medicine den, even though Scarabpaw had been cleared by now. "I was worried mom would be disappointed if I didn't want to be a warrior," Scarabpaw said right after. "Oh what are you going to be be then?" Cornpaw asked. "Oh probably still a warrior," Scarabpaw shrugged, "I cuss too much to be around kits." "You could be a medic," Huskpaw plainly said. "Bleg, I'm tired of always being in here." "You could leave," Shrubstalk loudly interupted, "You do know mediators exist right?" "Uh no? What is that?"
-Scarabpaw recovered and became a mediator apprentice.
Gatherings were a time all the families gathered to see each other again. Cats were trading herbs, smoked prey, pelts, pots, and stories. Brothers and sisters were yowling hymns and bad catmas carols. While the average cat was free to intermingle as they wish, the leaders had to attend to business. In the old Desertclan camp, inside the leader's den, the five leaders were smushed in. It wasn't really a den made for multiple cats. Everyone noticed that Minkstar was absent, and the deputy Honeyheart was representing Bogclan. Kesterelstar of Caveclan opened his mouth.
Honeyheart cleared his throat, "Bogclan will speak now," he was clearly interrupting Kesterelstar, which won him a glare, a snicker, a "Thank the stars", and a sigh of relief from the other leaders. "Catfishclaw and Toadtumble had their litter soon after the last gathering." "How many kits?" Popstar asked. "Two, Fishkit and Frogkit." Some of the leaders cooed, kits in any clan is good news. "Unfortunately, as you might've guessed, Minkstar died. We found another deceased cat nearby and bird tracks, the big ones." Clearstar sprung up, "The ones we saw before-" "Yes. I believe the bird that took a life from you also took the last of Minkstar's." There was silence before Cloverstar spoke, "We recently were hosting a mother who left when her litter became apprentices..." "The body did smell of Cliffclan." Cloverstar teared up as a collective sigh from the other leaders was heard, everyone knew a cat outside the clans who they didn't want to get hurt. "Is that all?" Kesterelstar ground out through gritted teeth. "Yes, that is all from Bogclan." Clearstar hopped up to cut off Kesterelstar, "Lakeclan wishes to inform all the clans of a threat. As you might've guessed, I lost a life from a giant shrike-" "Hold on a shrike? Those things typically couldn't lift up a kit, and one killed you?" The Forestclan leader asked. She was cunning and hard to read, "If what you say is true, then do you think the prey has started expanding their magical prowess?" Fortunately, she was also cautious and valued safety first. Clearstar responded, "No other birds have been affected, we believe this is just a single instance of a powered prey." "Is that all?" Kesterelstar was pissed that he was skipped over, "I have a request." "A request?" "That we meet up in a moon." "Why?" "Negotiations. We believe that some lost clanmates are among the other clans." "Who are they?" "Some apprentices." There are mixed grumbles, missing apprentices have a history or not getting a name in time and had to flee to get one. Cloverstar spoke up, "As far as we know, we haven't seen any runaways, but we did close off most of the underground entrances on our territory." "Forestclan also hasn't seen any Caveclan apprentices," It was obvious that both clans were covering their tracks before any conflict arose. Kesterelstar hummed before turning to the youngest leader, "We are also hosting an injured cat from the city. Once she heals, she can give important information to Bogclan." Honeyheart perked up, Bogclan had a history of worrying about the two-leg settlement, "I mean if next moon works for everyone else." "Lakeclan unfortunately cannot make it." "Cliffclan will make it," Cloverstar had the youngest clan, she would try and prove that Cliffclan was a clan at every turn. Including not missing gatherings. Now that three out of five clans were going, a hesitant "Forestclan will make it."
-Robin died over the Bogclan border.
---
Scarabpaw laid in Scorchstripe's den as she waited for the poultice on her scrapes to stop stinging. She stayed behind to try and hunt. Not successful in catching anything and getting hurt. Her mother was so focused on basic hunting skills, and Scarabpaw struggled to do the one thing she was expected to do. It felt bad to be left behind... Then again, it felt nice to be left alone. There was a sniffle and Scarab looked over to see Gingerpaw, she was crying. "Scarab, Moms dead." "What." "They found her body. She's dead. Cornpaw's power hit in full." "Shit."
-Cornpaw started growing corn.
Huskpaw ponders. He doesn't really do that often. He's missing something. He must've left it somewhere. The feeling only started after Cloverstar told him that his mother was dead. Oh, He realized, I miss mom.
-Huskpaw misses Robin
It was easy to follow Dartstrike. Shrubstalk knew he was hiding something for a while. The tall Two-leg tower had a few kittypets. Frankly seeing Dartstrike with a pretty molly with kits made Shrub realize what was going on. There were no laws against it. Kits would bring good fortune. Cloverstar would have some happy news to share in the upcoming meeting. Cornpaw would have something to get his mind off of his dead mother. Of course she turned a left before Dartstrike could outspeed her to camp.
Next morning she purred when Cloverstar announced that the kits would be staying in camp, Silverkit and Palekit. Lovely names.
Shrubstalk is caught outside of clan territory. Dartstrike brings home a litter of kittens
When Gambler's patrol returned and informed Cloverstar of Lakeclan's prophecy, she had to visit Starclan. She was the closest link as leader. She brought Scorchstripe and Dartstrike just in case. Clearstar's warning was vague. With the deputy and medic standing guard at the entrance, Cloverstar entered alone.
Cloverstar knew the sight of her own face well. A leader had to, especially when the Mirrorcave twists oneself so viciously. "Starclan?" Cloverstar asked. The cave lit to life, Cloverstar lined the walls, ceiling, and floors of the Mirrorcave. The Cloverstar in front of her had clovers all over her back like a messed up porcupine, "Starclan," all of her echoed back. "I have heard Clearstar came to claim his lives." "Clearstar claimed his lives." "I have also heard of a prophecy as well." "Correct." "Will it affect us?" There was silence before a response, "Cliffclan is the best prepared for the future." "Prepared? Is there something going to happen?" The cave echoed with overlapping whispers until there was a shriek, "INTERLOPER!" It was a small junebug. Before long, most reflections faded away but one with cheek spots instead Cloverstar's signature mask, "Sorry Cloverstar. I can give you a smaller prophecy that's unalterable." "Thank you, I needed guidance." The reflection gently stepped out of his mirror and gently touched his nose to her forehead, "The prophecy will arrive at night," and then he was gone. The Mirrorcave flickered then went dim. Cloverstar noticed the junebug was still there, ten-stripes and all. She simply squished it, and a puff of sparkle flowed from under her paw, "I didn't think bugs could dreamwalk..."
-Cloverstar visits the Mirrorcave
Snow coats the mountains earlier than any other place on the island. With most herbs either dried out or replanted inside the herb storage, all that Scorchstripe really needs is cobwebs. Of course, he asked Gambler to come along, he is great at gathering cobwebs (he's not). The webs gleam with frost and light snow, Scorchstripe reaches out. Gambler reaches out. They touch paws. Oh, my swirls, we touched paws. OMS! Don't light on fire, don't light on fire, don't light on fire, Scorchstripe felt heat flicker up his fur to pool in his face. This will be a totally productive patrol.
-Scorchstripe (somehow) gathers cobwebs with Gambler
Cloverstar was running down a list of her warriors. The prophecy weighed on her mind, but so does apprenticeship. Robin's kits need to be apprenticed, but there might not be enough warriors to train them all... The worst part is Huskkit recovered from greencough, so she can't just delay his apprenticeship. Reedwade will need to take another apprentice. Hmm, would Wisteriashade make a good mentor? Speak of the devil. "Cloverstar, can I ask something?" "Oh! Go on!" "Well, uh, I wanted to be Huskkit's mentor." "Oh thank stars. I was worried that you wouldn't want that responsibility yet." "Oh, uh. Ok," Wisteriashade was clearly expecting to have more push back. A win is a win.
-Wisteriashade asks Cloverstar if she could mentor Huskkit. Huskkit recovered from greencough. Cloverstar thinks Wisteriashade is helpful.
Robin was young once. At her kits age, she escaped the city and lived alone. Her children would never be solitary like her, but now they are old enough that they both can hunt. Robin didn't want to compete with her own children for enough prey. Of course, when trying to explain that to Dartstrike, who lives in a society that is built around community, it gets more complicated. "And why do you see your children as competition?!" "We both need to eat. Leaving is easier than choosing between feeding myself or feeding my children." "We have enough prey for you, you lived in these mountains first!" "There won't always be prey, and I don't want to starve, I don't want my kits to starve trying to feed me." There was silence. Both Dartstrike and Robin knew there was one downside to the clan, watching your loved ones slowly die. Robin didn't want that. Dartstrike watched a snowflake land on his nose and melt. He never knew any different. "Does Cloverstar know?" "She knew the whole time."
-Robin and Dartstrike have a long talk
Cornkit was nervous about the ceremony. He didn't want to fight. He was very anti violence! Of course, he asked Cloverstar if he could just stay a kit, and she just laughed! Laughed right in his face! Now the ceremony is being called and everyone is gathering around and they'll laugh at him. Oh, stars, they're gonna all laugh at me... There was a pit while Cloverstar talked, "Huskkit, Scarabkit, and Gingerkit, you three can leave the camp and as a result you will be named Huskpaw, Scarabpaw, and Gingerpaw until you become warriors." Oh stars, she left me out on purpose, now what? "Cornkit, you also can leave camp however you mentioned an anti-fighting... wish. You will train to be our first caretaker under the name Cornpaw." Oh... is that good or bad? "Huskpaw, Wisteriadusk specifically asked to mentor you, and so you will be her apprentice. Scarabpaw, I am going to mentor you," Cloverstar paused to scan the clearing, "Reedwade, you did just finish up training an apprentice, but can you consider taking on Gingerpaw?" "Of course Cloverstar! I do enjoy being a mentor." "And finally, while Cornpaw will learn most of his caretaker duties from other clans but he will still need to know the basics. Dartstrike do you want to train Cornpaw the basics?" "Gladly," Dartstrike respectfully bowed his head. "Great let's go feast in celebration!"
-Robin's kits are apprenticed. Huskpaw's mentor is Wisteriashade. Scarabpaw's mentor is Cloverstar. Gingerpaw's mentor is Reedwade. Cornpaw is mentored by Dartstrike
Her kits were the center of attention, and they were loved. She noticed Cornpaw trying to wiggle out of the celebration. The first caretaker must be really important. Robin quietly slid out of the celebration, heading towards the exit. There was a blur, and suddenly Dartstrike was in front of her, using his speed, "Can I convince you not to leave?" "No." "Please." "No." "Pretty please." "No." "What about your kits?" "I'm leaving them the best territory here." "What about you? Where will you go?" "To find their sire." "You're leaving them for a tom?!" Dartstrike whisper shouted. "I'm leaving them because that's what mothers do!" Robin snapped back. Dartstrike was shocked. Robin took the opportunity to leave camp.
-Robin left Cliffclan
Scorchstripe stayed up after the celebration. Something was wrong and with Shrubstalk as another medic he can stay up all night. Midnightdusk was counting the prey that was left over, more than enough for the next several days. Leaf-bare was a lot easier in the mountains than anyone expected. The night was quiet, the owl that was hooting a few nights ago disappeared. Scorchstripe waited, and waited, and waited. And waited.. And yawn waited... Waiting... Scorchstripe started falling asleep. Until there was a yowl from Cloverstar's den. Midnightdusk was already hopping to it when Scorchstripe got up but Midnightdusk couldn't do what he needed to do. The leader's den was blocked by giant clovers. Midnightdusk made her shadow slide past the clovers while Scorchstripe started burning away the foliage until he could pull out Cloverstar. The leader shook like a leaf and tiny stems poked their way out of her fur. "Midnightdusk keep an eye on her, I'm going to clear out her den." Midnightdusk nodded as the smell of smoke stung her physical nose. She looked down to Cloverstar and heard her whisper, "A warrior's spirit will journey beyond the stars." And Midnightdusk foolishly hoped.
-Cloverstar had a prophecy. Midnightdusk hopes it's about her
