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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2016 21:07:42 GMT -5
STORMSTAR The newly made leader struck the water with a sheer force of will, sending water spraying up into the air. With quick strong strokes, he made it across the stream, and then purposefully set a trotting pace. Not sprinting, which would tire them out and leave them breathing heavily, but also not a casual walk. One might call it a power walk.
Stormstar easily sighted the Purist sentry guarding the entrance. Cloudstrike bristled, clearly concerned and wary that such a large group of cats would so brazenly break into the area of the territory which they considered theirs. Stormstar stopped a few foxlengths away, regarding them thoughtfully.
"We are here to talk to Swanfeather and the Purists."
The tom, although not outwardly aggressive didnt seem eager to let them pass. "Why should I let you through? What if you attack my clanmates?"
Stormstar narrowed his eyes at the tom. "We are also your clanmates, but besides that, do you really think the five of us would attack an entire camp?" The tom looked embarrassed, but still staunch. Stormstar sighed, "Cloudstrike, on my word before Starclan, we mean you no harm, we simply wish to talk. We still follow the code, whether or not your clanmates do." A look of shame flashed across the tom's face and he reluctantly led them into the camp.
Immediately it was as if a badger had entered the camp. Cats arched up, fur spiking and hissing and spitting at Stormstar. To his credit, despite the burning anger in his eyes, the leader kept his fur flat and a serious look on his face.
"STOP! We are not here to attack you!" Although Stormstar imagined the other cats in his patrol were nervous, he hoped they didnt step out of line. "Timberstar is dead. But now I, Stormstar, am leader of Rainclan." He allowed the moment of speculation to skitter through the cats, what about Bluewave he could hear them saying? "Despite your attempts to bar Bluewave from the Moon Tree, we persevered. How? Starclan came to our own camp to give me my nine lives. I was tasked with reuniting Rainclan, and I intend to do so." It was a controversial statement and he could see cats bristling and narrowing their eyes at him. "There is something you need to know. When Starclan came to me, they told me something which deeply disturbed me. Many moons ago, when we drove out Stoneclan, we did so with the prophecy which Swanfeather gave us from Starclan." He paused to send a piercing gaze across the clearing. "Swanfeather lied." The uproar that came from that was about what he expected but he held his ground, despite aggressive moves.
With a fierce yowl he cut through the cacophony.
"Ask her! Ask her if she told the full prophecy! Ask her if Starclan supports her and her endeavor here! But remember something, me and my clanmates have every reason to have come here with anything other than peace. Seven of our clanmates were murdered in cold blood, for no other reason than being different. Tell me how you can justify that with the code? Do you follow the warrior code, or act like rogues and attack cats without moral guidance?" He paused to take a deep breath, hoping, praying to Starclan that he could do this right. "I am a full-blooded Rainclan warrior, and so is my deputy. We promise to uphold the warrior code, and we hate this division in our clan. This is a chance for a new start, for reconciliation. However," He said, anger finally bleeding into his words. "We have also been attacked. Three cats in this camp have murdered clanmates. Leopardyowl, Surgeclaw, and Shadefrost. This is an unforgivable offense, the worst way to break the code, since they did it intentionally. Perhaps if they surrender themselves they will be met with mercy." He sighed again, looking out at all the cats. "Am I the only one who is tired of strife, of conflict. of division? This is your chance to return to a clan which is whole, accepting. But... if you won't do that, it must be understood that you cannot live in Rainclan territory anymore. You have one day to return to the camp, anyone who remains will be considered a rogue trespassing on clan territory and will be chased out. And their names will be erased from our history forever." And on that note, Stormstar guessed he had overstayed his welcome and left, gathering his patrol around him, making his way towards the entrance to leave.
I'm not standing still. I am lying in wait.
, Fawn , @sparrow , Hellion , @jem , @marshymutt , , @savagewolf , Amber
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Post by Hellion on Oct 18, 2016 1:27:11 GMT -5
Swanfeather had gradually become more and more unnerved in the days since the medicine cat meeting. Her interaction with Frostfang hand shaken her faith to the core. Why would the cats she believed in so strongly force her to see such a dreadful sight? Was it written in the stars for her to see so much torment in her moons? As the confusion phased into anger, Swanfeather had taken indifferent approach to those that still remained loyal. She gave nearly full leadership to Leopardyowl and his brief capture resulted in his mate Petalfall stepping up to lead the band of rebels. Despite not 'leading' them as she was before Swanfeather had noticed when fewer and fewer cats considered them apart of her group. The rumors that Lotuswhisker and Willowbreeze had left did not last long before being proven true. Swanfeather stood before her band of followers and called them blood traitors and anywho who left the same worthless blood. Petalfall agreed with Swanfeather's declaration and vowed to punish anyone who tried to rejoin the Clan. However, the greatest hurt was Bravebird's departure from her icy blue gaze. Hearing the news that her adopted son have left saddened her heart and propelled the medicine cat into a deep sadness. It seemed that they were at a stand still. The news of the murders and deaths carried quickly on the wind. Very few cats were unaware, but no one took credit at least not publically or to her. Once Salmonclaw boasted that he had attacked and hopefully killed Gullswoop, it was in that moment Swanfeather knew it had gone too far. It was one thing to disagree and protest Timberstar leading RainClan but to try and kill a clanmate. Swanfeather was revolted with herself even if she didn't have the courage to admit it. Pride stood in her way. It seemed that all the tension had built to this moment. The sound of snarls and growls from outside her den coaxed the she-cat to emerge. Her eyes settling on Stormheart, ears flicking in annoyance to his loud voice. Hearing of Timberstar's death had Swanfeather almost rejoicing but she didn't dare make a move, instead he watched and listened to Stormheart. Even as he claimed that he was so publically made Stormstar, Swanfeather felt that there was truth in his words. All leaders had a special sort of presences, almost like they had a bit of StarClan's strength within them. However that all shattered. "Swanfeather lied."Her own reaction was almost like a flinch. A few cats shouted back that he was lair, those that didn't trust her looked toward her, expecting to find some damning evidence. Swanfeather focused are keeping her face stoic, voided of any emotion in order to buy herself some more time. He continued on talking but Swanfeather blocked it out. Whispers started under the sound of Stormstar's voice. Voices that carried stronger venom than a rattle snake. Panic began to prickle up Swanfeather's spine as she realized that those who followed her were starting to shift their loyalty. Only a few that looked past her lie bother to defend her, bust most of the purists saw her lie as the ultimate betrayal. Swanfeather's attention only returned to Stormstar at the mention of having only one day to return to camp. Swanfeather saw this as her informal exile, she could never go back. There was no place for her there among the RainClan cats. Swanfeather was no longer their medicine cat instead she was the bringer of death. The hatred that buried itself so deep within her soul had consumed her and those around her. There was nothing to go back to. Glancing around to those that kept talking even after Stormstar left Swanfeather saw none of them as allies. Most there already talking and making plans to leave, those who had almost the same amount of hatred in their heart decided to accept their fate, turn to the mountains. Swanfeather would likely follow after them, but not before coming clean at least to those who cared to listen. Now that Stormstar and his allies were gone, Swanfeather made her way to the center of their makeshift camp and called them all to listen with a sharp and curt yowl. "I stand before you to confess. Stormstar is correct. I lied about the prophecy but it was because I wanted to ensure that RainClan would be able to handle the leafbare. I stood before our leader and told them to take on StoneClan and drive them out. And if I was given the chance I would do it again because my first duty has always been to ensure RainClan is healthy." She explained to them all. Few cared about her words, others shouted out she was still a lair and not worthy of her connection to StarClan. She hissed toward those who did and lashed her tail angrily. She opened her mouth again but noticed that no one was listening to her anymore. They had all turned their back on her. Swanfeather tried to recover by looking toward Petalfall, but instead all she was met with was a glare from the she-cat before she looked toward her son. For the first time in her entire life Swanfeather was truly alone and truly without power. Realizing there was nothing left her to say or to do, Swanfeather retreated. She returned to her den, she'd stay even if that meant Stormstar would drive her out. She was staying because it was was the only she had left. Her hatred kept her going in such a dire time of her life.
939 words.
Fawn @jem @marshymutt Phoenix BlooRey DVD @savagewolf Amber |
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Post by Fawn on Oct 18, 2016 10:21:49 GMT -5
 42 Moons | RainClan | Tom | Senior Warrior Russethawk understood at once why he had been chosen to join Stormstar's patrol. As they approached the Wooded Cove, the urge to yowl into the faces of every cat there overwhelmed him; he wanted to convince himself that they thought they were doing the right thing. That they might not know about the murders. But there was a dark thought fighting against Russethawk's weakened optimism. They could be knowingly sheltering the murderers.
Stormstar had chosen him because, in spite of his ever-ready personality, he had matured enough to know that a Clan leader's word was law, and his claws would stay in their sheathes unless Stormstar commanded otherwise. Russethawk's hackles raised, and he watched the Purists through narrowed emerald-green eyes, feeling sadness and frustration as he recognized so many cats he'd once called friends.
The ultimatum was delivered, and Russethawk savored the look of unease on everyone's faces. Good. That means they aren't so far gone they can't all come to their senses. The fur along Russethawk's spine began to relax, until he saw the cold glitter of Surgeclaw's eyes among the crowd. He bit back a snarl, tail lashing at one of the three cats StarClan had named as murderer.
I'll turn you into crowfood, you mangy fox-hearted traitor. Russethawk wrenched his gaze away, looking fixedly at Jaycry and Duststorm and Badgerpaw, feeling as though he might retch or attack Surgeclaw if he looked at him for another heartbeat.
After what felt like twenty seasons, Stormstar finally gave the signal for the patrol to return. Russethawk did not look back; he didn't want to get his hopes up, even as desperate optimism tried to claw it's way back into his heart. They have to come home. They have to. He glanced at Stormstar, appreciating the older tom's diplomacy and leadership ability. Bluewave had been a good deputy, but StarClan was right -- Stormstar was exactly who they needed, now more than ever.
The debating whispers and hisses followed them out of the Wooded Cove. Russethawk's fur didn't lie flat until they were safely near the camp stream.
Word Count: 345 Words Tags: @dreamer , Hellion , @jem , Amber , @sparrow , @savagewolf
Surgeclaw Stormstar! Surgeclaw growled under his breath as Timberwing's supporters strolled into camp, and Stormheart announced himself as RainClan's new leader. Fury gripped him like an icy claw, hating the old gray warrior for having taken his chance away from him. He was supposed to be RainClan's new leader! He was going to purge RainClan of it's filth once and for all!
Cautiously, he threw dark glances at his Clanmates, picking out the weak ones who dared show confusion, who looked as though they might go back on their decision to be Purists. Poppyflame and Mothfoot, the parents of Berrypaw, Frogpaw and Goldpaw, had their heads together, murmuring.
They gasped, however, when Stormstar pointed every cats' attention to him, Shadefrost and Leopardyowl.
Surgeclaw lifted his head higher, proud of what he had done for the Clan. Cats moved away from him, Poppyflame drawing Berrypaw back as if he'd just transformed into a fox. Surgeclaw snorted, derision clear in his eyes as the Clan slowly reacted to the truth. That moment of glory was stolen from him, however, by Stormstar pointing the blame at Swanfeather, the medicine cat apparently having faked a prophecy from StarClan to drive StoneClan out of their territory.
He stared at her, taken aback but not furious. That was... cold-blooded, wicked, even. I knew there was a reason you and I saw eye to eye. Surgeclaw moved to stand beside Swanfeather, feeling a thrill of energy as their pelts briefly touched.
"I only did what you all were too cowardly to even try!" Surgeclaw's claws flexed, tail-tip twitching as if daring anyone to challenge him otherwise. "This changes nothing! RainClan is still full of bad blood, and it will stay that way until we finish what we started." Who's with me?
Surgeclaw knew he could count on Leopardyowl and Shadefrost. But as for the rest of these fish-hearts?
Poppyflame and Mothfoot, shaking their heads in disgust, herded their three kits out of the Wooded Cove.
"We're going home." Said Poppyflame, sniffing haughtily, while Mothfoot looked at him as if he were crowfood.
"Cowards! Traitors!" Surgeclaw snarled, even as Swanfeather retreated into her den.
"The only traitor here is you," spat Mothfoot. The tom brought up the rear as the family of five made their departure.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2016 9:59:54 GMT -5
 6 Moons. Apprentice. RainClan.
The last few days had been chaotic and confusing. First Leopardyowl disappeared, and then gradually cats just started... leaving. Berrypaw, her training disrupted, had little to do except talk with her family and muddle around camp. Her mother had told her that under no circumstances she should be leaving camp alone, particularly after Vinestripe returned wounded. Berrypaw had listened dutifully, but her days had been stalked by the nightmares of her sleep. Of huge cats with fangs gleaming with the blood of fallen and wounded cats. She had always woken in a horrified stupor lashing out against her siblings. Frogpaw took it alright, Goldpaw less so.
So when Leopardyowl had returned and Swanfeatehr had sent out a patrol to block the other cats from going to the Moon Tree, Berrypaw had had to ask her mother, in a level of confusion unequalled in any day of her life so far, what was even going on.
"I don't know, her mother had said nervously, bringing her closer. "But I guess, that the other Rainclan camp has had some troubles. I guess," and then she got a smug self-satisfied look, "I guess the rest of Rainclan has finally come to their senses and deposed Timberstar. Which means we may be having a new leader soon enough." Poppyflame licked her daughters head. "We can go home Berrypaw!"
But that had only left the young she-cat even more conflicted. Home? This was home!
She remembered how her mother had helped her memorize the code, had talked about how the other Rainclan had twisted, had allowed relationships across clan lines, had allowed cats from other clans to join the clan.
Then Stormstar had come striding into camp like all her nightmares, huge, intimidating, stern. Although he only glanced at her as his gaze passed over the assmebled cats, she shuddered, pressing down into the ground. As he spoke, Berrypaw's eyes opened with a fascinated alarm. Starclan had come themselves? That could only mean that he was the true and rightful leader. Although Berrypaw didn't understand a single thing about a prophecy which drove out Stoneclan, she did understand one thing. Swanfeather had lied about Starclan, and that was very very bad. How could you lie about the ancestors, whose power even enabled her to learn to heal and care for her clanmates. Could she even be a true medicine cat? Surgeclaw looked like he was about to claw the other toms face off, and she she heard Stormstar's proclamation, she realized something which sent her heart dropping like a stone in her chest. Surgeclaw and the other murderers like him were the real nightmares.
When her parents decided that they would be returning, she followed meekly, head still spinning with confusion, doubt, and uncertainty. What could she believe anymore?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2016 10:35:16 GMT -5
 Though he'd begun the trek to the Wooded Cove with as much confidence as he could muster, it was hard denying that some of it had dissipated upon arrival. Looking out over the numerous faces of the cats that had betrayed them, Duststorm felt sorrowful and angry. Had they never left in the first place, then perhaps none of the murderers would have had incentive to kill. Perhaps the dead and injured would still be fine, happily going about their day as they usually would. Surely, even those who had decided to return deserved some sort of punishment right?
Though in all reality, he knew that the fact that these cats would be returning to a clan that no longer looked at them the same would be punishment enough. Briefly, he wondered if anyone, himself included, would ever be able to look at these cats and see anything but their betrayal again. Though as his eyes scanned the crowd of cats for any signs of hostility or potential threat to their new leader's life, his eyes looked with Surgeclaw's and he immediately knew the answer to that question. At least, he knew what his own answer would be.
A sudden desire to unsheathe his claws and lunge straight for the murderous tom began to fill his heart. Yet instead of acting on it, he turned his attention back to his fellow warriors, looking at Russethawk as though he were the most interesting thing in the world. It would be pointless of him to try and avenge the dead now. It would only get him killed and ruin the peace mission for everyone. Even as Surgeclaw took on a prideful look when accused of murder, he stood his ground and held back the desire to harm him.
He had already made up his mind, the only way he would consider attacking one of the traitor cats was if the attempted to kill Stormstar.
 He thought it happier to be dead,
To die for Beauty, than live for bread. |
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