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Post by thistle on May 10, 2024 21:05:49 GMT -5
Warblerwind watched Hawkpaw go sadly, then swept his gaze over the stunned faces of his Clanmates.
"I'm so sorry," he said, forcing his voice not to waver; he drew on every lesson, every moment of being a leader's kit and the kind of attention that it drew. He forced an air of confidence and calm. "SkyClan is strong, and we will survive. I will go after her, and everything will be better when I return." His eyes locked with Slateheart's and he felt as if his heart would crack in two. He hurried over to him, touching his nose to his.
"Father, I'm sorry," he said, the words tumbling out of him in a rush. "You know Spiritstar didn't mean those things. Spiritstar loves you. I love you. I'm so, so sorry," his voice quivered on the last words, and he dashed out of camp after Spiritstar's -
No, he decided. This ends. Now.
He chased Robistar into the forest.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 10, 2024 21:20:12 GMT -5
Plumwillow watched helplessly, her paws itching to chase after her former apprentice. She felt buzzed with energy, as though something was dreadfully wrong. She looked around at her clanmates, heart aching at the division that was clear. Silvercloud's body was a stark symbol of the recent fears that had flooded the Clan. Unknowingly, Plumwillow pressed herself to Quickwing's side, her voice tight as she mewed. "We... we have to do something, right?"
"What just happened?" Cobrafang gaped, his eyes wide with shock as he had slipped from the nursery. He couldn't understand how Spiritstar had changed so drastically. He glanced to the side as Echowing slipped from one of the ledges, her voice rough and bitter as she muttered. "Spiritstar has a point. Say what you might, Spiderbite, but Starclan punishes cats for existing, let alone whatever we've done to deserve a fire, poison, and murdered Clanmates." She lied smoothly, knowing exactly what Robinstar had done. She expected to feel guilt, yet not even the sight of Silvercloud's body brought her any. Rather, she was more driven than ever to help get Skyclan to weaken enough to accept a new kind of leadership.
"You've no right to say anything." Dreamlily hissed darkly to her sister, tail lashing as she hid the tears in her eyes at the horrible outburst she had witnessed. "Starclan isn't cruel. You just want it to be so you can blame them for all your problems, don't you?"
Echowing hissed at her sister, eyes narrowing.
"What else can this be but punishment?" Dewcloud exclaimed, her ears pinned back as she looked pointedly at her Clanmates.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 10, 2024 21:25:47 GMT -5
Emberpaw called desperately after her sister, scrambling to her paws to follow after her. As soon as she caught up, she breathed. “Hawkpaw, what-… what happened?! And how could she! She’s leaving them to die, her own deputy and our mother!” She seethed, though she was worried for her sister. She had to be the one to be on the patrol, and now all three of their parents were gone.
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Post by Icefire15 on May 10, 2024 21:38:52 GMT -5
"Punishment for what exactly?!" Frostlight snapped, glaring at both her sister and Echowing. Her tail lashed behind her, growing frustrated with the arguments that seemed to be breaking out within the Clan. "We've done nothing to deserve such punishment from StarClan! And how do we know that StarClan is even the one that is sending such hardships our way?!"
Mudwasp slid down next to Echowing, letting his fur brush lightly against hers and giving a supportive nod. He sent a glare at Frostlight when she spoke against Dewcloud and Echowing, his fur bristling slightly, "Clearly it must be StarClan. How many times have we blatantly ignored the Warrior Code? And how many times has the code breaking gone unpunished by our leaders?"
Hawkpaw was pacing back and forth along the camp wall, her tail lashing back and forth in anger. She gave a sharp shake of her head when Emberpaw hurried over to her, "I don't know. We weren't there when they were attacked, so I have no idea what actually happened." She growled, glaring at the camp entrance where Spiritstar and Warblerwind had disappeared. "As for her... like I said, she's nothing like the Spiritstar we once knew."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 10, 2024 21:57:39 GMT -5
It all happened too quickly for Spiderbite to get another word out. His heart thundered. He looked from one cat to the next, baffled by the true feelings of his clanmates. Staring after Spiritstar, his fur prickled. Something about her...when she turned on him...it didn't feel right. It was like a stranger was yelling at him. He hoped Warblerwind could talk her to her senses, but he remembered how Warblerwind acted when he asked the tom about the Dark Forest. Perhaps Warblerwind lost faith too?
Spiderbite shook his head. He dug his claws into the ground and turned to face his clanmates. "That's enough." He stated bluntly. "There are too many high emotions going on. This is not what Silvercloud would want for her vigil. As I recall, Silvercloud came to us as a loner, but strived to be a true warrior. She would want a warrior's vigil. Let's prepare her vigil as we wait for Spiritstar to return. I know everyone is confused and scared, but let's focus on what we can do. I believe StarClan hasn't abandoned us, and Silvercloud--despite her attitude--liked the idea of StarClan 's endless hunting ground. Let's make sure she gets there by sending her off right."
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Post by Moonblazer on May 10, 2024 22:08:06 GMT -5
Echowing glanced at Mudwasp with a look of gratitude as he moved to brush her side. She glared lightly at Spiderbite’s order, not liking how his voice seemed to grab everyone’s attention.
Dreamlily padded closer to Frostlight’s side, clearly supporting her words as she spoke. The gentle she-cat stopped though as Spiderbite’s words made her heart ache. She looked down miserably at her paws.
“Spiderbite’s right.” Flarestorm mewed then, voice firm as he looked around at the Clan. He turned to look at Nettlepatch and Ravenshade, mewing heavily. “You two need to get back to Thunderclan. If Spiritstar won’t risk a patrol… maybe Lightningstar will see more sense. Spiderbite!” He turned, clearly recognizing the medicine cat as the one to decide what to be done. “I’m going to escort them back to the border, if that’s fine. It won’t take long, and I’ll come right back.”
“I’ll help.” Basilpaw mewed softly to Spiderbite, gravitating towards him now in an attempt to find some security and be useful. Spiritstar leaving had lifted a fearful weight off his shoulders, and he now felt a frantic need to speak now that she wasn’t here. “I… I need to tell you something, before Spiritstar gets back.” He nearly whimpered.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 10, 2024 22:10:13 GMT -5
“But how? How can she just change like that? She… she’s never been cruel or angry before!” Emberpaw exclaimed, her ears flat against her head as she felt both guilty and furious. “It’s partly my fault. If… if I hadn’t led her to lose one of her lives, I bet she wouldn’t have lost her mind! I’m sorry, Hawkpaw. I wish I was on the patrol with you, I swear, I would go with you to find them!” She looked at her paws.
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Post by dewbranch on May 10, 2024 23:08:34 GMT -5
Clovertail didn't say much during the exchange between her leader and the rest of the clan, but she sure wasn't happy about it! She sure didn't believe that Starclan had turned their back on them, and this was not the Spirtstar the clan had once knew. Something was wrong, but she wasn't sure what! Was it stress? Or had she simply given up? What if something worse happened? Clovertail dug her claws into the dirt below her, and glanced around at the rest of the clan. Some seemed to agree with her and Spiderbite was the most outspoken about Spirtstar being wrong. "Why would Spirtstar say that? Why would she do that?" Clovertail snarled, flicking her tail back and forth.
Brightsky was very uneasy. Spirtstar was acting paranoid, and it made her nervous. She wouldn't even look for her deputy! But there were more important things to think about now, like Silvercloud's vigil. I hope she makes it to Starclan safley. Brightsky retreated from the crowd, a little ways away. She sat down and stayed silent, mulling over her thoughts.
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Post by Frozen on May 10, 2024 23:34:53 GMT -5
Firefang returned to camp with Buzzardfall and one of their catches in his jaws. His jovial mood faded sensing the confusion and grief quickly spreading through camp, glancing sharply at his friend. "Something's not right... we need to hurry!" he gasped, hearing Spiritstar's angry yowling close by. "Silvercloud-" Willownose jumped to her paws in shock. How could she have gone down?!? Her ears flattened. And the others were missing? "This can't be happening," she hissed to Redspring. Pheasantcry felt her stomach drop at the grisly scene. Her tail trembled in dread seeing her leader act the way she was. Is she truly beginning to lose faith? StarClan, no!Buzzardfall rushed into camp with Firefang, her breath escaping her in a choked noise as she recognized Silvercloud's still body at Spiritstar's paws. She could hear the end of her loud and angry words, and the Warrior felt her ears fall as she watched, unable to get her words out. "Spiritstar's losing it!" Redspring whispered tightly, for the first time in her life unable to come up with words to say or a solution to give. A part of her agreed that sending more cats to Twolegplace was a horrible idea, but Whitesun was their deputy! Surely they couldn't just... leave him there? What if he was still alive? Firefang dropped what he caught in shock at the scene that unfolded before them. "What's wrong with Spiritstar?" he mewed, voice hollow. He couldn't take his eyes off of Silvercloud's body and the distressed faces of his Clanmates around him. "What's happening?" "Spiritstar would never abandon StarClan or Whitesun," Willownose growled indignantly. However she was acting right now, she refused to see her leader's reasoning. There must be some mistake... or had she truly snapped? "We need to be strong, Redspring. For SkyClan. Something tells me nothing's going to be the same now." she mewed gravely. Her heart ached in grief and concern.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 11, 2024 5:42:33 GMT -5
Spiderbite tilted his ears back when Flarestorm brought up the patrol. It was a good idea, he was all for it, but he didn't intend to give anyone orders. He nodded to the tom and glanced at the ThunderClan cats. As much as he didn't like them witnessing Spiritstar 's outburst perhaps they would tell their Clan? Lightningstar and Peachdapple were against the Dark Forest, they may be able to help them.
Spiderbite looked to the rest of the clan. "I need to prepare the herbs for Silvercloud's vigil. Would anyone bring her body to the middle of camp? And, uh...if anyone has questions, you can follow me to the medicine den. I'll do my best to answer while I prep the herbs." He flicked his tail. The uncertainty everyone held on their face unnerved him. He needed to prepare the herbs for Silvercloud, but he didn't want to leave the Clan to their current discussions about Spiritstar.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 11, 2024 7:29:01 GMT -5
Basilpaw was quick to pad after Spiderbite, his ears fallen back as he stepped into the medicine den. This was where Spiritstar had threatened him, told him that since his Uncle was in the Dark Forest, it was likely his mother would be to, yet with her seeming loss of faith in Starclan, could she really get them to send him to the Dark Forest? He swallowed, mewing as soon as he padded behind Spiderbite.
“When you asked what was wrong with me a few days ago, I- I lied. I was afraid, but… but if Spiritstar isn’t accepting Starclan anymore, and you are, then you’re my only chance!” He looked around quickly. “Spiritstar was saying awful things to Lavendersky in the den, I overheard them talking and it… it was almost like she was waiting for her to die. She caught me listening, and told me that if I told anyone, she would make sure Starclan would send my mother to the Dark Forest, and we’d all go there. I… I didn’t know what to do!”
“I’ll move her.” Poppyclaw mewed roughly, though his voice grew softer with respect and loss as he moved to carefully carry Silvercloud to the center of camp. He placed her down, mewing to her. “Your bravery and dedication inspired me all the moons I was growing up. I am a Skyclan Warrior because of cats like you. Starclan would be foolish, to not take you in their ranks instantly.”
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Post by Moonblazer on May 11, 2024 7:48:47 GMT -5
Clovertail didn't say much during the exchange between her leader and the rest of the clan, but she sure wasn't happy about it! She sure didn't believe that Starclan had turned their back on them, and this was not the Spirtstar the clan had once knew. Something was wrong, but she wasn't sure what! Was it stress? Or had she simply given up? What if something worse happened? Clovertail dug her claws into the dirt below her, and glanced around at the rest of the clan. Some seemed to agree with her and Spiderbite was the most outspoken about Spirtstar being wrong. "Why would Spirtstar say that? Why would she do that?" Clovertail snarled, flicking her tail back and forth. Brightsky was very uneasy. Spirtstar was acting paranoid, and it made her nervous. She wouldn't even look for her deputy! But there were more important things to think about now, like Silvercloud's vigil. I hope she makes it to Starclan safley. Brightsky retreated from the crowd, a little ways away. She sat down and stayed silent, mulling over her thoughts. Cloudberry, while looking shaken up at the leader’s outburst, rested her tail gently on Clovertail’s shoulder. She rasped. “Grief makes us think and say things that might not be true at all. She just needs some time and space, the stress must be crushing her.” She tried to be optimistic, but she couldn’t help the dread that welled up in her belly.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 11, 2024 7:52:08 GMT -5
Buzzardfall rushed into camp with Firefang, her breath escaping her in a choked noise as she recognized Silvercloud's still body at Spiritstar's paws. She could hear the end of her loud and angry words, and the Warrior felt her ears fall as she watched, unable to get her words out. "Spiritstar's losing it!" Redspring whispered tightly, for the first time in her life unable to come up with words to say or a solution to give. A part of her agreed that sending more cats to Twolegplace was a horrible idea, but Whitesun was their deputy! Surely they couldn't just... leave him there? What if he was still alive? Firefang dropped what he caught in shock at the scene that unfolded before them. "What's wrong with Spiritstar?" he mewed, voice hollow. He couldn't take his eyes off of Silvercloud's body and the distressed faces of his Clanmates around him. "What's happening?" "Spiritstar would never abandon StarClan or Whitesun," Willownose growled indignantly. However she was acting right now, she refused to see her leader's reasoning. There must be some mistake... or had she truly snapped? "We need to be strong, Redspring. For SkyClan. Something tells me nothing's going to be the same now." she mewed gravely. Her heart ached in grief and concern. “Yet, she just did.” Redspring glowered, anxiousness in her eyes before she hardened herself at Willownose’s words. She was right, they had no time to speculate. Skyclan had no deputy right now, but they still had plenty of dedicated Warriors. She padded over to Silvercloud, dipping her head in respect, before she glanced back at Willownose. “Silvercloud…” Buzzardfall murmured sadly, pressed to Firefang’s side. She swallowed. “I think Spiritstar has been struck badly with grief. Silvercloud was her closest friend, they spent nearly their entire lives together.”
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Post by dewbranch on May 11, 2024 8:11:03 GMT -5
Clovertail didn't say much during the exchange between her leader and the rest of the clan, but she sure wasn't happy about it! She sure didn't believe that Starclan had turned their back on them, and this was not the Spirtstar the clan had once knew. Something was wrong, but she wasn't sure what! Was it stress? Or had she simply given up? What if something worse happened? Clovertail dug her claws into the dirt below her, and glanced around at the rest of the clan. Some seemed to agree with her and Spiderbite was the most outspoken about Spirtstar being wrong. "Why would Spirtstar say that? Why would she do that?" Clovertail snarled, flicking her tail back and forth. Brightsky was very uneasy. Spirtstar was acting paranoid, and it made her nervous. She wouldn't even look for her deputy! But there were more important things to think about now, like Silvercloud's vigil. I hope she makes it to Starclan safley. Brightsky retreated from the crowd, a little ways away. She sat down and stayed silent, mulling over her thoughts. Cloudberry, while looking shaken up at the leader’s outburst, rested her tail gently on Clovertail’s shoulder. She rasped. “Grief makes us think and say things that might not be true at all. She just needs some time and space, the stress must be crushing her.” She tried to be optimistic, but she couldn’t help the dread that welled up in her belly. "Then why doesn't she send out a search party if she's so upset!" Clovertail said, trying to keep the snarl out of her voice when she was talking to Cloudberry. "I would gladly go, if she was so inclined!" She tried to calm herself down, but at times like this, there was no way she would be able to, not without doing something. And she didn't want to do anything, because she wanted to see what Spirtstar would do when she got back. "How can she just turn her back on Starclan like that?!"
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Post by Moonblazer on May 11, 2024 12:49:47 GMT -5
“She said she was frightened of anymore cats dying… but Warriors know we could die.” Cloudberry murmured softly, seeming conflicted as she mewed. “This is how Adderclan started. Losing faith in Starclan… but it’s easy to do so, when it feels like everything is being punished, and cats are dying.” She sighed heavily, before she mewed. “Maybe she’ll see sense when she comes back.”
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Post by Foxstar26 on May 11, 2024 15:33:01 GMT -5
Ravenshade was in shock at the exchange. Spiritstar loosing faith in starclan? This wasn’t good at all. Perhaps the dark forest had taken hold here as well. She glanced towards Nettlepatch before moving to touch her nose to Silvercloud’s fur briefly. “I’m sorry.” She whispered to her, paying her respects briefly before moving to follow flarestorm from skyclan’s camp and back towards the Thunderclan border.
Slateheart only nodded to his son as he watched him chase after Spiritstar. His paws felt like lead as he wanted to chase after. He shook his head to clear it and turned away. What was going on? He look towards the clan and the tension rising. Oh starclan.. if you haven’t abandoned us we need you now more than ever.
Quickwing took comfort in Plumwillow’s closeness. “I don’t know what to do.” She murmured. “Starclan wouldn’t abandon us.” She said. “Maybe this is what Lightningstar warned of? The dark forest may truly be trying to return.”
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Post by thistle on May 11, 2024 16:13:22 GMT -5
Where is she going? Warblerwind wondered, racing between the towering oaks of SkyClan's territory. The ground began to steepen, and soon he was bounding among boulders and scattered scree. As the trees began to thin out and they approached the RiverClan border, he felt sick to his stomach.
"Wait!" he cried. "Wait!"
As he burst from the cover of the trees, the sun glared down at him and he saw Robinstar, wearing Spiritstar's pelt, standing perilously close to the Jagged Drop.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 11, 2024 16:15:03 GMT -5
Flarestorm nodded in response to Spiderbite, before he watched Ravenshade pay respect to Silvercloud. Softened by her empathy, he felt his respect for the Thunderclan cats grow greatly. He turned to lead them out of camp, mewing quickly. “If Lightningstar is willing to send a search patrol, just know that you can cut through the territory without us escorting you. I won’t tell if you don’t tell.” He flicked his ear, not caring if it went against Spiritstar’s orders. “Your Clanmate was missing too. That means just as much.”
Plumwillow shook her head sharply. “No, I refuse to sit by and let that happen. If the Dark Forest thinks it can ruin our home, they’ve got another thing coming.” She looked at Quickwing with determination. “We need to get Spiritstar’s mind on right. I think we should go after her.” She decided.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 11, 2024 16:31:19 GMT -5
Where is she going? Warblerwind wondered, racing between the towering oaks of SkyClan's territory. The ground began to steepen, and soon he was bounding among boulders and scattered scree. As the trees began to thin out and they approached the RiverClan border, he felt sick to his stomach. "Wait!" he cried. " Wait!" As he burst from the cover of the trees, the sun glared down at him and he saw Robinstar, wearing Spiritstar's pelt, standing perilously close to the Jagged Drop. The wind blew sharply through Spiritstar’s fur as she stood over the Jagged Drop. Here, she stared over the territory she once ruled, her lips peeling back with a bitter grin as she vowed to rule it again. Over and over, forever, until a second death ended her existence. She lifted her muzzle, voice as chilling as ice. “Thank you for that out, Warblerwind. I was nearly gagging, at all those dramatics. I only wish I had been there to see Silvercloud breathe her last breath. You have. No idea. How long I’ve wanted to see her dead.” She gave a chime of laughter, Spiritstar’s voice a contrast to Robinstar’s bloodthirsty glee. She turned slowly, now facing her nephew as the open and bloody orange sky making her fur gleam as if drenched in blood. Eggshell blue replaced the silver frost in her eyes. “If only you had noticed it sooner, my dear.”
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Post by thistle on May 11, 2024 16:37:28 GMT -5
Warblerwind expected to be overcome by grief, but deep down he'd known for a long while now. Spiritstar was really and truly dead, and Robinstar was playing with her body like a sick kind of game. Instead, he only felt rage and resignation, locked together in a terrible tango. He slid out his claws, his muscles thrumming with tension.
"Tell me," he growled. "How is this possible? Tell me before we go on with any of this. I need to know."
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Post by Frozen on May 11, 2024 16:42:41 GMT -5
Firefang dropped what he caught in shock at the scene that unfolded before them. "What's wrong with Spiritstar?" he mewed, voice hollow. He couldn't take his eyes off of Silvercloud's body and the distressed faces of his Clanmates around him. "What's happening?" "Spiritstar would never abandon StarClan or Whitesun," Willownose growled indignantly. However she was acting right now, she refused to see her leader's reasoning. There must be some mistake... or had she truly snapped? "We need to be strong, Redspring. For SkyClan. Something tells me nothing's going to be the same now." she mewed gravely. Her heart ached in grief and concern. “Yet, she just did.” Redspring glowered, anxiousness in her eyes before she hardened herself at Willownose’s words. She was right, they had no time to speculate. Skyclan had no deputy right now, but they still had plenty of dedicated Warriors. She padded over to Silvercloud, dipping her head in respect, before she glanced back at Willownose. “Silvercloud…” Buzzardfall murmured sadly, pressed to Firefang’s side. She swallowed. “I think Spiritstar has been struck badly with grief. Silvercloud was her closest friend, they spent nearly their entire lives together.” Willownose paid her respects to Silvercloud with flattened ears. When she was done, she looked back at Redspring. "Where is Ashfeather? I can't imagine how he'll react to all this..." Firefang swallowed nervously. "I understand her grief, but all of this? Spiritstar is always so composed and calm. It sounded like she was lashing out in pain, as if she was hiding these feelings for too long." he murmured, thinking empathetically.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 11, 2024 16:53:04 GMT -5
Warblerwind expected to be overcome by grief, but deep down he'd known for a long while now. Spiritstar was really and truly dead, and Robinstar was playing with her body like a sick kind of game. Instead, he only felt rage and resignation, locked together in a terrible tango. He slid out his claws, his muscles thrumming with tension. "Tell me," he growled. "How is this possible? Tell me before we go on with any of this. I need to know." “What kind of cat would I be to be telling you such secrets, Warblerwind? You’ve all already been told how this can happen. And yet, nobody believed him when he tried to tell you.” Robinstar laughed again, her tail swishing lazily as she mused, referring to Goldberry’s insistence that something else had made him kill Silversting all those moons ago, something dark and evil invading his mind. “Even if I told you now what you can already assume, would anyone really believe you?” She gave a terrifying grin. “When Spiritstar loses her last life tonight, Skyclan will only have you to blame. When you push her off this ledge, the envious son so tired of being seen as the leader’s kit, they won’t believe that Spiritstar had her sister in her head.”
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Post by Icefire15 on May 11, 2024 17:13:07 GMT -5
Echowing glanced at Mudwasp with a look of gratitude as he moved to brush her side. She glared lightly at Spiderbite’s order, not liking how his voice seemed to grab everyone’s attention. Dreamlily padded closer to Frostlight’s side, clearly supporting her words as she spoke. The gentle she-cat stopped though as Spiderbite’s words made her heart ache. She looked down miserably at her paws. “Spiderbite’s right.” Flarestorm mewed then, voice firm as he looked around at the Clan. He turned to look at Nettlepatch and Ravenshade, mewing heavily. “You two need to get back to Thunderclan. If Spiritstar won’t risk a patrol… maybe Lightningstar will see more sense. Spiderbite!” He turned, clearly recognizing the medicine cat as the one to decide what to be done. “I’m going to escort them back to the border, if that’s fine. It won’t take long, and I’ll come right back.” “I’ll help.” Basilpaw mewed softly to Spiderbite, gravitating towards him now in an attempt to find some security and be useful. Spiritstar leaving had lifted a fearful weight off his shoulders, and he now felt a frantic need to speak now that she wasn’t here. “I… I need to tell you something, before Spiritstar gets back.” He nearly whimpered. Mudwasp huffed and gave Echowing a small nudge, "Come on. It's pointless to try and argue right now." He grumbled, sending a final glare towards Dreamlily and Frostlight before he turned away from them. "Let's go somewhere else for now." Frostlight frowned, surprised to see how quickly both her siblings seemed to loose faith in StarClan. "I can't believe those two!" She huffed in annoyance, her tail lashing behind her as she watched Mudwasp leave with Echowing. Hawkpaw turned quickly to face her sister, "It's not your fault!" She mewed fiercely, not wanting Emberpaw to keep blaming herself for what had happened. Hawkpaw sighed and sat down with a thump, the grief of losing her parents in the Twolegplace and Silvercloud's death starting to overwhelm her, "The duty of a leader is to protect their Clanmates with each life gifted to them by StarClan. Spiritstar was doing what she was supposed to do when she went to rescue you, Emberpaw. And you weren't the only apprentice she sacrificed a life for either! Do you see Springpaw blaming herself for what had happened to her?" She looked at her sister, a sharp sadness and grief in them. In one patrol, they had lost both of their parents and now Spiritstar was refusing to send a patrol to look for them. What were they supposed to do now? "I'm sorry, Emberpaw. I'm so sorry... I want to go look for them too, but who in the Clan would even think to defy Spiritstar now? And the two of us alone would never be enough to find and save them from whoever took them from us." Hawkpaw mewed, her voice breaking as she spoke.
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Post by thistle on May 11, 2024 17:13:45 GMT -5
Warblerwind expected to be overcome by grief, but deep down he'd known for a long while now. Spiritstar was really and truly dead, and Robinstar was playing with her body like a sick kind of game. Instead, he only felt rage and resignation, locked together in a terrible tango. He slid out his claws, his muscles thrumming with tension. "Tell me," he growled. "How is this possible? Tell me before we go on with any of this. I need to know." “What kind of cat would I be to be telling you such secrets, Warblerwind? You’ve all already been told how this can happen. And yet, nobody believed him when he tried to tell you.” Robinstar laughed again, her tail swishing lazily as she mused, referring to Goldberry’s insistence that something else had made him kill Silversting all those moons ago, something dark and evil invading his mind. “Even if I told you now what you can already assume, would anyone really believe you?” She gave a terrifying grin. “When Spiritstar loses her last life tonight, Skyclan will only have you to blame. When you push her off this ledge, the envious son so tired of being seen as the leader’s kit, they won’t believe that Spiritstar had her sister in her head.” Warblerwind faltered. He could see no way out of this that didn't end in him appearing to murder his own mother and left to deal with the consequences. But he knew it was the only way to rid SkyClan of the threat of Robinstar. He would just have to go with her. "I find that I'm all right with that," he said, taking a threatening pace toward her. "I'd rather be remembered as a killer than allow you to tear SkyClan apart using my mother's face, and ruin her memory for every cat that ever knew her. You've done enough damage, and I'm not so stupid to believe I didn't play some part in it." He slid into a half-crouch, his claws glinting in the blood-red sunset. "I never should have trusted you, but I must thank you. If it weren't for you and your demons in the Dark Forest, I doubt I'd have the strength to do what I must. This ends here and now, Robinstar."
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Post by Moonblazer on May 11, 2024 17:50:17 GMT -5
“Yet, she just did.” Redspring glowered, anxiousness in her eyes before she hardened herself at Willownose’s words. She was right, they had no time to speculate. Skyclan had no deputy right now, but they still had plenty of dedicated Warriors. She padded over to Silvercloud, dipping her head in respect, before she glanced back at Willownose. “Silvercloud…” Buzzardfall murmured sadly, pressed to Firefang’s side. She swallowed. “I think Spiritstar has been struck badly with grief. Silvercloud was her closest friend, they spent nearly their entire lives together.” Willownose paid her respects to Silvercloud with flattened ears. When she was done, she looked back at Redspring. "Where is Ashfeather? I can't imagine how he'll react to all this..." Firefang swallowed nervously. "I understand her grief, but all of this? Spiritstar is always so composed and calm. It sounded like she was lashing out in pain, as if she was hiding these feelings for too long." he murmured, thinking empathetically. "I'm not sure. I'm guessing he's likely near Shadowmask, or maybe with his apprentice." Redspring mumbled, glancing over at where Wingpaw was clearly looking frustrated as he sat and glared pointedly at the camp entrance. She brushed her shoulder to Willownose, mewing hoarsely. "Spiritstar has to come to her senses." "She may have been, and we never noticed it." Buzzardfall fretted miserably, her eyes wide as she mewed. "After all she experienced with Adderclan, to have to kill your own sister, become leader after being believed to be dead, I can't imagine all she had to push down to restore Skyclan after that awful time."
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Post by Moonblazer on May 11, 2024 17:55:44 GMT -5
Echowing glanced at Mudwasp with a look of gratitude as he moved to brush her side. She glared lightly at Spiderbite’s order, not liking how his voice seemed to grab everyone’s attention. Dreamlily padded closer to Frostlight’s side, clearly supporting her words as she spoke. The gentle she-cat stopped though as Spiderbite’s words made her heart ache. She looked down miserably at her paws. “Spiderbite’s right.” Flarestorm mewed then, voice firm as he looked around at the Clan. He turned to look at Nettlepatch and Ravenshade, mewing heavily. “You two need to get back to Thunderclan. If Spiritstar won’t risk a patrol… maybe Lightningstar will see more sense. Spiderbite!” He turned, clearly recognizing the medicine cat as the one to decide what to be done. “I’m going to escort them back to the border, if that’s fine. It won’t take long, and I’ll come right back.” “I’ll help.” Basilpaw mewed softly to Spiderbite, gravitating towards him now in an attempt to find some security and be useful. Spiritstar leaving had lifted a fearful weight off his shoulders, and he now felt a frantic need to speak now that she wasn’t here. “I… I need to tell you something, before Spiritstar gets back.” He nearly whimpered. Mudwasp huffed and gave Echowing a small nudge, "Come on. It's pointless to try and argue right now." He grumbled, sending a final glare towards Dreamlily and Frostlight before he turned away from them. "Let's go somewhere else for now." Frostlight frowned, surprised to see how quickly both her siblings seemed to loose faith in StarClan. "I can't believe those two!" She huffed in annoyance, her tail lashing behind her as she watched Mudwasp leave with Echowing. Hawkpaw turned quickly to face her sister, "It's not your fault!" She mewed fiercely, not wanting Emberpaw to keep blaming herself for what had happened. Hawkpaw sighed and sat down with a thump, the grief of losing her parents in the Twolegplace and Silvercloud's death starting to overwhelm her, "The duty of a leader is to protect their Clanmates with each life gifted to them by StarClan. Spiritstar was doing what she was supposed to do when she went to rescue you, Emberpaw. And you weren't the only apprentice she sacrificed a life for either! Do you see Springpaw blaming herself for what had happened to her?" She looked at her sister, a sharp sadness and grief in them. In one patrol, they had lost both of their parents and now Spiritstar was refusing to send a patrol to look for them. What were they supposed to do now? "I'm sorry, Emberpaw. I'm so sorry... I want to go look for them too, but who in the Clan would even think to defy Spiritstar now? And the two of us alone would never be enough to find and save them from whoever took them from us." Hawkpaw mewed, her voice breaking as she spoke. "Sounds good to me." Echowing mewed pointedly, her eyes sharp as she and Dreamlily glared at eachother as they passed by. She looked back at Mudwasp then, her voice softening into her normal tone as she admitted. "Thank you. Even if you're being logical, it's nice to know that I don't have to face Dreamlily's foolishness by myself." "I can believe it." Dreamlily mewed softly and with a hint of bitterness as she rested her tail on Frostlight's shoulder. "If Mudwasp is talking with Echowing, I can see how she'd persuade him to be as much of a cruel foxheart as she is." She started suddenly as Withermist suddenly seemed to slip up beside them, the silent tom having made no sound as he whispered shakily to Frostlight. "Frostlight..." Withermist breathed, voice cracking. "Spiritstar's going to fall... she's going to fall for the last time. I... I don't know how to stop this..." Emberpaw wilted as Hawkpaw snapped at her, the guilt in her belly growing even stronger as she knew her sister was right. But it was impossible to not see Spiritstar's dead body fall from the ledge trying to save her. Emberpaw sank her claws into the ground at her sister's other words though, desperation in her voice as she mewed. "We have to do something! We have to! Even if it means breaking the code, we can't give up on them. They're all we have left!" She tried to urge, even if she felt like she was ready to collapse.
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Post by Willow on May 11, 2024 20:08:20 GMT -5
Flarestorm nodded in response to Spiderbite, before he watched Ravenshade pay respect to Silvercloud. Softened by her empathy, he felt his respect for the Thunderclan cats grow greatly. He turned to lead them out of camp, mewing quickly. “If Lightningstar is willing to send a search patrol, just know that you can cut through the territory without us escorting you. I won’t tell if you don’t tell.” He flicked his ear, not caring if it went against Spiritstar’s orders. “Your Clanmate was missing too. That means just as much.” Plumwillow shook her head sharply. “No, I refuse to sit by and let that happen. If the Dark Forest thinks it can ruin our home, they’ve got another thing coming.” She looked at Quickwing with determination. “We need to get Spiritstar’s mind on right. I think we should go after her.” She decided. Nettlepatch, still in shock at everything he witnessed nodded numbly to Flarestorm. "Thank you, we appreciate it. I hope everything here is... resolved." he murmured before ducking back out of camp toward the border. "Come on Ravenshade. Let's go home."
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Post by Willow on May 11, 2024 20:11:29 GMT -5
Ashfeather, spotting his mates, trotting over to them. His face deeply troubled. "Redspring, I told you Spiritstar had been acting strange. Something is very wrong." he mewed hoarsely. "Willownose, you've noticed it too haven't you?"
Shadespots padded over to Silvercloud's body, bowing deeply to the senior warrior. "Thank you for everything you've done for our clan. You truly belonged here with us every pawstep of the way."
Skyflight's head was bowed toward her paws as thoughts raced through her mind. Her friend was gone, Spiritstar was gone mad. Their deputy was missing! She squared her shoulders, she and the other senior warriors needed to step up and help Spiderbite until Spiritstar returned to her senses. Someone had to lead the clan.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 12, 2024 6:44:50 GMT -5
Basilpaw was quick to pad after Spiderbite, his ears fallen back as he stepped into the medicine den. This was where Spiritstar had threatened him, told him that since his Uncle was in the Dark Forest, it was likely his mother would be to, yet with her seeming loss of faith in Starclan, could she really get them to send him to the Dark Forest? He swallowed, mewing as soon as he padded behind Spiderbite. “When you asked what was wrong with me a few days ago, I- I lied. I was afraid, but… but if Spiritstar isn’t accepting Starclan anymore, and you are, then you’re my only chance!” He looked around quickly. “Spiritstar was saying awful things to Lavendersky in the den, I overheard them talking and it… it was almost like she was waiting for her to die. She caught me listening, and told me that if I told anyone, she would make sure Starclan would send my mother to the Dark Forest, and we’d all go there. I… I didn’t know what to do!” Spiderbite blinked in surprise at Basilpaw's admission to lying. He had his suspicions, but he didn't think anyone would actually lie to their medicine den. It was a birdbrained concept. However, what the apprentice said about Lavendersky pinned his ears back. Spiderbite glanced frantically at the lichen curtain Lavendersky laid behind. Had he checked on her lately? Had Spiritstar done something? A moment of panic flared through him. He wanted to argue that Spiritstar would never do such a thing. Never speak ill toward Lavendersky and never threaten an apprentice. Yet, what he saw out in the camp was the evidence that supported the truthfulness in Basilpaw's eyes. Spiderbite stepped over to the herbs. His chest felt tight. What was happening to this clan? Why was StarClan putting them through this? 'Keep the faith,' Spiderbite lightly scolded himself. 'If I falter now, I go against everything I stand for. I'm a medicine cat, dang it!' Spiderbite swallowed slowly. As much as he wanted to snap out and scold the apprentice, Lavendersky's teachings of gentle nestside manner rang in his ear. Scolding wouldn't soothe the fear in Basilpaw's eyes. "They can't force anyone to the Dark Forest," Spiderbite said carefully, but you could tell it was an effort for him. His fur prickled with his defensiveness of Lavendersky and StarClan. "But they use trickery to get cats trapped there. If a cat is destined for StarClan that's where they will go, but the Dark Forest intervenes by seeding doubt and fear into the minds of cats that when they die, instead of looking forward to StarClan's hunting grounds, they stare in fear at the Dark Forest and that traps their souls." Spiderbite lifted his head and looked Basilpaw in the eye. "That's what I believe. The Dark Forest has no hold over us unless we give it to them. They're just a bunch of bitter and lost dead cats, after all."
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Post by Foxstar26 on May 12, 2024 6:54:50 GMT -5
Quickwing hesitated a moment before nodding her head in agreement. “Yes good idea. Maybe we can talk some sense into her.” She moved to hurry out of camp, following their scent. She noticed after a moment that they were heading towards Jagged drop. The memories of the last time she was there with Spiritstar flashed in her mind.
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