Dark Forest Resident: Larchscreech
Aliases / Nicknames: Annoying Pest, SkyClan's Worst Apprentice, Problem Kit
Gender: tom
Sexuality: omnisexual
Family: Mudcloud (mother), Hailheart (father), Dewpaw, Mallowbark, Ratclaw, Juniperkit (brothers)
Other Relations: Sparroweye (mentor), unnamed apprentice
Clan: SkyClan
Rank: warrior
Characteristics: troublesome, manipulative, calculating, spontaneous, vicious when he wants to be, a sweetheart when he wants to be, hates being told what to do
Murder Motive: to win a game, to feel control, for fun
Number of Victims: 18
Number of Murders: 17
Murder Method: pushing off high places, snapping neck, leaving for predators, tearing throat, tearing underbelly
Known Victims: Burdockpaw, Laurelpaw, Hailheart, Mallowbark, Ratclaw, Dewpaw, Mudcloud, several unnamed Clanmates, two unnamed ThunderClan cats, several unnamed loners
Victim Profile: his denmates, the one that he wanted to win against, his best friend, his father, his brothers, his mother, cats that died in a battle he caused, random cats
Cause of Death: facial vein torn, killed by Mudcloud
Cautionary Tale: ??
Story:
He knows his mother blames herself for the thing that he became.
He doesn't believe it to be entirely true, but he does have fun twisting that wound.
Ever since he was young, they argued frequently. He was always getting into trouble, sneaking out, destroying herbs, talking back. There was no faster way to get him to do something than to tell him not to do it.
That was predominantly true for Mudcloud, who shouted and complained more than she talked or breathed.
It wasn't all his fault though, maybe if his mother had been more understanding and loving instead of always having to be right, they would have gotten along more.
But she couldn't wait for him to become an apprentice and leave her. If she didn't listen to him before, she definitely didn't now that he was someone else's responsibility.
Sparroweye wasn't cruel, but he was strict and stern and all he wanted to do was carve Larchpaw into a little obedient warrior.
Of course, Larchpaw decided to make that as difficult as possible. Everything was a challenge. Every single one of Sparroweye's nerves needed to be pushed to the limit.
His mentor hated him. He was sure his mother did too. But his brothers?
For some reason, they admired him.
They thought that he was the coolest cat in all the Clans, someone to be copied, someone to listen to.
Mudcloud openly blamed him for turning them into such troublesome kits. He couldn't really disagree with that stance, much as it annoyed him. No matter what they did, it was always his fault.
Though everyone and their mother--especially his mother--saw that he was trouble, no one really saw just how deep that darkness went.
It was an 'accident' the first time. No one could blame him for it, as far as they knew.
He had a training session with Burdockpaw. They would chase Lilackite, Burdockpaw's mentor, through the branches of the trees to test their balance.
It was a competition. A race. Larchpaw wanted to win. There was no reason beyond that, no remorse either, no overthinking. When he had the chance to push Burdockpaw, he took it, not even bothering to watch as the other apprentice fell to the ground, and not flinching when he heard a snap.
The only thing that bothered him about the death was that it overshadowed how well he had done in the race.
That night, while the Clan sat vigil and the mourning family wailed their grief to the stars, Larchpaw took Burdockpaw's nest and put it with his own. It wasn't like the other 'paw was about to use it.
He had dreams of Burdockpaw after that, crying, asking why he had done it. Sometimes he would fall, sometimes he would push Larchpaw. Larchpaw guessed that the dead apprentice was trying to guilt him. It couldn't come from his own subconscious, he would need a conscience for that.
If anything, the dreams were wonderful. That repeated look of terror, the thud and then silence, the piercing wail of kin. How easily their lives had been destroyed by one push.
While apart from their mentors one day, Larchpaw encouraged his good friend, Laurelpaw, to climb the Elder Oak, the highest tree in the territory.
Laurelpaw was hesitant, but Larchpaw encouraged her gently, stating that he will be with her every step of the way. His word remained true until they reached the top-most sturdy branches. They sat, catching their breath, and watched the horizon with a view they previously could only imagine.
Larchpaw asked her if she thought it was worth the scenery. Breath in her throat, Laurelpaw said yes.
Larchpaw pushed her. But he didn't let her fall right away. Instead, he gripped onto her forepaws that clung to the branch. Her hindlegs swung wildly. The best part was her expression, staring at Larchpaw in terror. Close in second was the quiver in her voice. He held on so he could see as it dawned on her that she would be dead in a matter of seconds, and to hear what a cat in such a position would say.
All those moons of living, all those meals taken, stories shared, disagreements made, would end. There was no better sense of power, no better sense of control. It didn't matter what memories were made, how many Laurelpaw's death would affect. It didn't matter how vehemently she wanted to live. It was all in Larchpaw's control, and he could snuff out her light with a mere blow.
The Clan believed it to be another accident, and strict rules were put in place. Some made the argument that trees were part of SkyClan's identity. Others questioned if that was worth more young lives.
Larchpaw was perfectly fine either way, amused by the squabbles.
What amused him more was the fact that Icestar considered him deputy material. How troublesome he had been, amongst...other things. To her credit, Larchscreech had not acted out since Burdockpaw's death. He had found a way to find release, one could say, in a less disruptive way.
But the fact that he was a murderer right under Icestar's nose, had killed her only daughter, and she was now offering him position of deputy in the privacy of her den, fully trusting, was nothing short of hilarious.
He could be in charge of nearly everyone. Could dictate where they went and when, could decide the fate of the Clan once Icestar was out of the way. Everyone would have to listen to his word...
He turned it down with a polite thanks, and suggested that Icestar instead choose Mudcloud. After all, she had to deal with him and her other troublemaker sons. No one could be a better fit to handle the Clan.
It wasn't a kindness. He knew his mother, that the responsibility and burden would crush her. It wasn't out of malice either, simply boredom. It would make for a fun show to watch.
If he had accepted the role of deputy and later became leader, he could lead the Clan to war, could slaughter right in the heart of camp and claim it to be StarClan's will. He could do whatever he wanted.
It would all be so...predictable. He would have power, but he wouldn't have fun. Besides, there were many villainous leaders in the past who have spent their entire lives planning towards their goal, only to be killed by the victorious hero right before they reach it.
It was better to be spontaneous, but to also be unpredictable. It was fun that way, entertaining.
Larchscreech's old mentor that he hates is cornered by a badger? Larchscreech jumps in to help, risking his own life.
Larchscreech's father, the parent he was closest to and who always defended him, is disoriented in the chaos of battle? Larchscreech slits his throat and later feigns great sorrow at the vigil.
He was as kind as he was callous, as gentle as he was vicious.
He would help sweet Rindlebloom, the Clan's oldest elder, walk through the territory so that she could see her favourite spots. He would tell stories to the kits and play their games. He would collect random trinkets that he would give to his Clanmates, and he would give encouragements to disheartened apprentices.
It wasn't always good or bad, either. Sometimes, he did things arbitrarily for the randomness of it, such as becoming mates with a loner-turned-Clanmate he hardly even knew (much to Mudcloud's disapproval).
His brother, Mallowbark, was the Clan's second medicine cat. No one would question it if Larchscreech paid his den a visit, no one would notice if he tampered with the herbs.
It was easy to crush up the holly berries and sprinkle its juices over the herb store, and replace the poppy seeds with foxglove. Mallowbark had already confirmed they were poppy seeds once, when he collected them. Why should he look closely now?
Only three cats got sick, one severely, and only one of the three succumbed to the poison.
The Clan had done nothing to him in the days leading up to that incident, he simply had the thought and ran with it.
Mallowbark was confused and distraught, and while he was pouring his heart out to his dear older brother, sniffling into his fur, the puzzle pieces clicked into place.
He tried to back up, but Larchscreech held him tightly. He whispered into the medicine cat's ear, telling him that he was his favourite brother, before he slammed him to the ground in a swift motion, reered up, and stomped down on Mallowbark's neck.
On a whim, he decided to drag the body to the nearest border--ThunderClan. But Mallowbark's body didn't look too much like the result of an attack, so it had to be cut in a few places to really sell it.
Mudcloud had to be physically restrained by three cats, but that wasn't enough to stop her from screaming bloody murder. She looked rabid as she demanded Icestar not let them get away with killing her son.
Ratclaw announced that he was going to tear off every pelt in ThunderClan, whether or not Icestar allowed it.
Larchscreech joined them. They had killed one of SkyClan's medicine cats! Clearly this was no mistake, they wanted the Clan weak!
Dewpaw, sad and frightened, clung to Larchscreech's side. Larchscreech took that as an opportunity to pointedly ask Icestar if she was going to wait until another one of his brothers was dead as he pulled Dewpaw closer to him.
The war was fun while it lasted. Two cats dead and ThunderClan's medicine store completely destroyed before a truce was finally called.
The family was still unhappy. ThunderClan still denied any involvement in Mallowbark's death, so there was no closure there.
As for Ratclaw's death, no one could be blamed but the young cat's bullheadedness. Hearing of a badger back in the territory, he had ran off to fight it on his own, not wanting any more of his family or Clan to be hurt. Too bad it was too much for the poor cat, and he was torn apart, his half-eaten remains found in the badger's den, a trail of blood leading the way there.
There was no reason to think his leg was broken by anything else, no reason for a mother or trusting little brother to think that Larchscreech could have been the one to injure him just so he could watch in the safety of the trees above as Ratclaw was ripped open.
Mudcloud's reaction surprised Larchscreech. He had expected her to become angry again, or to fold in on herself and never get up. Instead, she took action--but not against the badger.
She became the most loving, attentive mother Larchscreech had ever seen. She hardly ever let Dewpaw or Larchscreech out of her sight, never shouted at them--which she had always done--and she did everything she could to make sure they were as comfortable and happy as could be.
But it made sense. She already lost two sons so suddenly, why wouldn't she want to hold on tight to the ones she still had?
It made him curious....how would she react after three sons' deaths?
Dewpaw was the easiest. He never doubted his big brother for a moment.
Mudcloud broke down entirely. She cried silently, sitting stiffly at the vigil and staring at nothing in particular.
When she was able to speak again, she yelled at Larchscreech again. But she wasn't angry this time, she was begging. Begging for his forgiveness. Apologizing for not being a good enough mother to him. Begging him not to leave her too. Saying that she loves him so so much and please, please don't die too, don't leave her, please just stay with her!
What an interesting turn of events.
Larchscreech responded that he forgives her, promising to never leave her if she promises she will never leave him either. Of course, she had cried without a second thought.
Can I trust you?
Of course. There's no one you can trust more!
Even if I did something bad?
Mudcloud asked him what he meant.
At first he told her that it was a mistake, that Burdockpaw bumped into him and he reacted on reflex. Then he told her that Laurelpaw was making him angry and he pushed her without thinking, and she fell before he could grab her.
He didn't mean to do it, and he was the only son she had left, so Mudcloud comforted him through her shock, believing that he really had been a foolish apprentice that made horrible mistakes. She wouldn't tell anyone. His secret was safe.
I need your help.
She woke up to him standing over her, covered in blood. She kept his secret before. She would do it again. She would keep his secrets if it meant keeping him safe.
He didn't mean to do it, he told her. They came at him out of nowhere, jumped on his back--maybe it was meant to be a prank? Just a fun scare they can laugh at? But Larchscreech thought it was a real attack and reacted how anyone else would.
Icestar would understand, but Larchscreech pleaded with her not to tell anyone. Even if they believed him, they wouldn't forgive him. He can't live in a Clan that hates him!
So his mother didn't tell anyone.
Again, and again.
Every instinct screamed at her that he was a liar. This was too many accidental deaths. It didn't add up. But he was her baby, her firstborn, the only child she had left. She couldn't lose him too, she just couldn't, and she couldn't face the truth that he was a monster, no matter how obvious it was.
Larchscreech could see the internal battle Mudcloud was experiencing, and he grinned. It was amusing, and he was curious how much longer she would help him. He would have announced his crimes to the Clan himself just for the hell of it, but he wanted to see this game to its end.
Then he wasn't the only son left anymore.
Mudcloud only had one kitten--much like her first and last litters, a little tom she named Juniperkit.
Larchscreech was good to him. Gave his mother fresh moss and played with Juniperkit. Funny thing though, Mudcloud never let Larchscreech watch Juniperkit alone.
It was Juniperkit that went to Larchscreech. The little scamp had snuck out of camp and found his big brother. Larchscreech didn't even intend to harm him, simply let the excited kit ride on his back while he walked around the territory.
But Mudcloud was terrified. The moment she saw her kit was missing and that her eldest was not in the camp either, her heart seized. She couldn't ignore it any longer. She had to face the truth: Larchscreech was a murderer. He was a danger to Juniperkit.
He...he probably killed her other sons, too.
Mallowbark...
Ratclaw...
Dewpaw...
Juniperkit.
She had to get to Juniperkit!
Larchscreech wasn't hurting him, but the little one wanted his brother to take him to the training hollow and show him how to fight. He was gentle. His claws were out, but it was just for show.
That didn't matter, though, because Mudcloud knew what he was. He was a murderer. He had killed multiple cats in cold blood and looked at her with fake remorse while blood dripped from his teeth. He killed his own brothers, and now she saw him with a paw on Juniperkit's fragile back, his claws out--
She rushed at him.
Additional Information:
--We will see Mudcloud's profile soon!
--Death ref coming soon as well!
--Name suggested by @starfalcon555
--Base by Notsosmartypants on Toyhouse
