krazykitty00 wrote:No one said a word. As if anyone could. The whole clan could feel the sad tension that rose up in their camp, growing with every second the gray molly that was Jaystar stayed silent. Everyone had heard of the sad death of her son Mudpaw and everyone grieved, for he was a loved member of the clan. His damp body, gently wiped dry by Aspenleaf and Thrushclaw, lie in the middle of the camp, still, lifeless, surrounded by all. And again. No one said a word. For they feared that a single word could shatter their fragile looking leader.
After what felt like centuries, Jaystar stepped up to her son, her kit and touched her nose to his fur. Tears began to fall as she whispered words to his departing soul, choking on her words here and there but remaining strong. "Mudpaw, my son.. you have gifted me with such a wonderful life when you were born. You had grown so big, so strong. Nature has stolen you away from me but not forever. Your memory will forever live on in me, in Soulclan. But not as my son or as an apprentice. No. But as what you rightfully deserve." Jaystar rose her head at that moment, looking to each and every cat a strong determination in her water filled eyes before staring at the sky. "I ask my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has learned the warrior code and given up his life in the service of his Clan. Let StarClan receive him as a warrior. He will be known as Mudstone!" She glared at the sky with puffy red eyes as if daring the stars hidden by the sun to disagree. One by one, the clan's voices rose, chanting Mudpaw's new name. "Mudstone, Mudstone, Mudstone!" The more and more his new name was chanted, the more Jaystar could imagine seeing his proud, smiling form, accepting the name with pride as he walked off to join the stars. And there she could see her father, Crimsonleaf, accepting him with open paws. It eased her heart watching him being accepted into their ranks and she smiled softly through her tears. But the smile shattered as she heard the soft, oblivious voice of he youngest kit.
"My, my, all this ruckus. I must say, it is no good for a sleeping molly." Mistlepaw yawned as she stepped out of the apprentice den. Apparently news missed her. And from the looks on each of her clan mates faces, they knew this would not end well... "Oh now it is quiet? You all are quite the odd bunch I suppose. Come on, tell me? Who is this Mudstone fellow?" She asked with a teasing grin as she strutted up to her father. Her gaze met his and she smiled, but his reaction was not one he would have normally gave. He looked away, a heavy air of sadness hanging over him like a curtain as he looked to her. Confused, Mistlepaw looked around to the clan. As their eyes met hers, their heads would turn and descend under that same dark curtain that blanketed her father. The only cat who met her eyes was Thistlethorn, he expression forlorn and sympathetic as she gestured with her head for the apprentice to look back. Mistlepaw did and say the sight of her mother, looking at her, the same melancholic look upon her face as she gestures her over.
"Mama? What is going on?" She asked as she approached Jaystar. But she never got that answer. Nor did she needed. Her gaze fell upon that of the still form of her brother and Jaystar, who had begun parting her jaw to speak, immediately closed it. And once again all was silent. No one said a word as they watched the young she-cat process what she was saying. Heartbeats later, she shook her head and tapped his body. "Mudpaw you dunce, what ever are you sleeping out here for?" She asked with an annoyed tone, making every cat hold their breath. It was only natural of a response for Mistlepaw to believe this as no one has ever perished in Soulclan, no cat has died, and thus no one really feared or thought too much on the topic of death. But to find in such a way would surely break Mistlepaw. "Sweetie, he-" "Mudpaw. Wake up! It is improper to sleep in such a time and manner." Once again she received no response and her irritation grew. As her eyes narrowed in anger, a fact stood out to her. He wasn't breathing.
All the anger seemed to wash away at that moment, leaving worry and slight disbelief. "Mudpaw, I am serious. Cease your games now." Silence. "Mudpaw! I am not kidding, wake up now!" Silence. "Mistlepaw-" "No! Don't you dare tell me a lie! This is all a silly joke that he will tease me with for moons the instant I believe the mess." She said boldly. She believed she knew all his silly little tricks, and this by far was the worst one. A soft jab and nudge into his side and Mistlepaw felt how cold he was. And still she refused to accept anything other than her just reasoning. "I am not falling for it you fool. Get up now or I will claw your ears off." She hissed, but not out of anger. Her anger had long dissipated. Every one could see her inner turmoil that she failed to hide outwardly. Her eyes filled with tears that she refused to let fall, and her claws scratched roughly at the cave floor. She was shaking, breaking, but she didn't allow herself to shatter just yet. This was all a joke. That's her story, she's sticking to it.
Jaystar couldn't bear to see Mistlepaw like this. She was only making it harder for herself. "Mistlepaw please.. I didn't wish to believe it either but... Mudpaw- stone, is gone.." She said quietly, placing her tail gently across Mistlepaw's shoulders. "We must give him a proper burial." "You bury him and I will never forgive you." Mistlepaw growled as she violently shook off her mother's comfort. The gray leader visibly flinched, looking mortified with the very thought of said words. "Mistlepaw don't be foolhardy!" Thrushclaw stepped in. "Your brother has joined Starclan. He is safe within their ranks. But he must be granted a proper burial." "But he is not dead! What part of this are you not getting! Mudpaw is just joking around! Tell them!" She demanded from the still body as if it would wake up and smile at everyone and admitting to this stupid prank. But once again she was met with silence. "Mudpaw please. Anything..." She begged him, nudging him with her nose. But once again she was met with silence. "Mistlepaw... we must bury him." Jaystar said softly but also placed a more demanding tone in her voice. Her heart couldn't handle this anymore. "Mama no! I will not let you bury him. I am sure he will wake up. I am positive." She said, finally letting the waterfall of tears go. Her vision was blurry but enough to glare at Jaystar before turning back to Mudpaw and falling down beside his body. "You idiot. Imbecile. Fool. Who said you could die?" She choked with her head in his cold side, tears pouring harder than a storm. The clan could only watch as Mistlepaw broke down in tears. Jaystar looked about ready to release more herself. Cinderblaze and Cypressdawn sat by her side and she nuzzled them in attempt to comfort herself. Thrushclaw joined them, and Jaystar gestured to Blackstreak and Russetfall to take Mudstone's body away for burial. The two tom's picked up his body and began to take it out of camp, but not before Blackstreak took off the ribbon around the young tom's neck and placed it by Mistlepaw's paws. She looked up at him, grateful but unable to say so, before she clutched the blue ribbon tightly. The one thing that they shared and proudly showed off as a sign of their relationship. The true love that the siblings shared for each other.
And all through the night, the wails of Mistlepaw echoed throughout the Soulclan camp.
The next morning came and the camp proceeded on as usual. Though the gloom that hung over them like a curtain was suffocating to some. Blackstreak and Russetfall sat together, sharing tongues after a small meal. Brackenfern spoke a small hello to them, earning a brief smile from the tom's before going on to fetch prey for Doeheart and all the other queens. He walked into the nursery, a place where he felt the most welcomed. The queens were so use to his continued presence that they often teased him for being one himself. But many knew his main reason for being there. And that was Doeheart. The two were so close that they were practically mates already. Tinykit already acknowledged him as her father figure. If only the time would simply come out and admit his feelings.
When he stepped in, he wasn't greeted with the normal greeting he had grown so accustomed to, for all the queens were distracted by the new arrivals of their nursery, Poppykit and Drizzlekit. Though he didn't mind that, just as eager to see Sorrelwhisper's kits as the rest of them were. Sootwhisker laid proudly beside her, occasionally nuzzling the red kit back to his mother every time he tried to leave her side. Sorrelwhisper couldn't really communicate back with the chattering queens as she was too tired to try. Though, it wasn't like they were giving her a chance to sign back so... "Why are they so small?" Cloudkit asked, crouched in front of the two little fur balls curiously, batting Drizzlekit lightly with his paw before Whitenose pulled him away with her paw. "You were just as small when you were born Cloudkit." She mused down to her son, giving him a lick on his head. "I know mother, but I grew up into a charming young tom, taking after my lovely mother." He mewed, batting his eyes sweetly as he gazed up at his mother before turning after snide look to the other young molly of their trio. "But Tinykit is just as small as them. Well she ever grow I wonder." He teased, knowing the young she-kit hated being called out for her size. "You know, you're not cute at all!" She growled back from her seat beside her mother. "Y-You guys, you shouldn't be fighting... t-the kits are sleeping.." Silverkit mewed gently, her voice soft and quiet as she tried shyly to break up this fighting before it got any worse and got some cat hurt. "Of course my sweet sister. You are much fairer than that of terrible words of Tinykit. You must get it from our sweet mother. Tinykit, you should be more like Doeheart. Be cuter." He huffed earning a growl from his rival. The two queens exchanged looks of apology in response to their kits before the entirety of the nursery erupted in soft laughter. It was good to laugh after tragedy had befallen them. As the medicine tales go, laughter is the best herb. And yet, through all the commotion, everyone failed to spot their new addition to the den lightly make her way out of the nursery.
Cinderblaze knew she shouldn't be doing what she was doing. It was a bad and overall stupid idea, but she couldn't help but want to see him. Or try to at least. Let him know that he was to be a father and watch his excitement and pride that he would be a father. But she hadn't seen him since that night on the half moon where they stayed together for night. though it's not like he was avoiding her, of course not. It was simply because she had been confined to camp. But that didn't change the fact that she missed him. And with the camp distracted by the death of her little brother, Cinderblaze found it easier to sneak out. But with the first step, she spotted Mistlepaw tying something around her tail. Withoout even glancing her way, the young apprentice spoke. "Where are you going?" "Oh... U-Uh, I-" "Never the mind, I do not care." She huffed in a dull tone of a cat who has clearly been up all night grieving. It was so completely different from the little sister she watched grow up, smiling, proud of herself, and always happy to join her big sister and brother where ever they were going. Cinderblaze wanted to say something to her little sister, anything at all. This would be the perfect chance to bond with her sibling and let her know she cared about her. But instead, Cinderblaze turned tail and continued to head towards the border.
Upon her arrival, she sat there, a giddy look on her face as prayed to Starclan to bring them together just this once. She waited, claws kneading the poor grassy ground and tail tip twitching in anticipation. Soon the day was passing her by. It felt like she had been seated there for almost a full moon. It wasn't like Asptail to not pass by this border to find his herbs. She opted to call out his name but to no anvil. Cinderblaze sighed as she laid down, her belly beginning hurt a bit, and wait. 'Just a little longer..' She thought to herself, staring desperately over the borderlines. Time moved on, but she didn't want to. He'd be here, she knew he would... She hoped he would.
The sound of pawsteps filled her ears after he eyes had closed briefly. Cinderblaze hopped to her paws -as fast a pregnant queen could - and looked over the border, expectations held high. "Asptail?" She didn't notice the paw steps had come from behind until the smooth voice of Nettlefoot filled her ears. "My my, look what we have here. An abandoned queen." She giggled as she approached Cinderblaze's left flank. Said queen flinched and twirled around fearfully only to relax at the sight of the molly. "Oh Nettlefoot, it's just you. I'm relieved." "Now I'm hurt. I am here too you know." Came Thistlethorn's voice on her right flank, frightening Cinderblaze as the dark molly seemed to appear from then air. But she was calmed by their presence. The sisters were known to be the two of the kindest cats of Soulclan, always there to lend a helping paw no matter the situation. "Sorry Thistlethorn. I didn't see you." She chuckled, sitting back on her haunches to fully relax. "What are you two doing out here?" "Oh, that's funny, you se, we planned on asking you the same thing." Thistlethorn chuckled, a slight dark air around her words. "Ah, no need to answer though. We already know why. You're not very slick about it either." Nettlefoot giggled.
"Seriously Cinderblaze, if you're going to fall in love and break the code at least do it secretly." "Yes, as my sister says. not doing it on the hush-hush really leaves you open to manipulation my dear darling." Cinderblaze looked back and forth between the two, ears drooping in confusion. It was bad enough they seemed to know about her and and Asptail was frightening enough, but their cryptic speech was what really set bad shivers through her body. "What are you two going on about? Manipulation." "Oh how cute! She's clueless. Cinderblaze sweetie, imagine what would happen if Jaystar happened to hear about your little romance. She won't be too happen." "Just like with Whitenose and Smokeclaw. And from what I hear, those two are really in for some hard times. Now you wouldn't want that now would you?" Thistlethorn said with a look of mock sympathy. "Though, your secret is safe with us. In exchange for your unwavering loyalty. You see, Soulclan is going to fall. We will be the ones to make it happen. And you, darling will help us." Cinderblaze was speechless, unsure of what to do or say. They couldn't have been serious. But they didn't seem to be kidding. But the idea of allowing them to destroy Soulclan made her furious. "You guys are fools if you think I'm going to help you. Just wait until Jaystar hears about this." Cinderblaze hissed, getting up to walk away. Her path was blocked by a swift step from Nettlefoot. "Now now Cinder, cooperate. We would hate for your kits to have an.. unfortunate accident." That surely made Cinderblaze stop. "You wouldn't" "Oh but we would. Just ask Mudstone." "Oh yea. He wasn't too keen on the water. But I'm sure they're the best of friends now." Cinderblaze looked taken back, crouching down in fear as she looked up to the what she thought were the sweetest mollies. They killed Mudpaw. And they felt no remorse. "You monsters.." She said quietly, "Aw, thanks we try." "Now, Cinderblaze. Do we have a deal? Or are we going to have to personally introduce your kits to Mudstone in Starclan." Their yellow eyes looked down at her maliciously, evil grins boring down on her. Cinderblaze couldn't protest, couldn't argue, for if she did, her kits wouldn't live past the nursery. All she could do was nod silently, feeling as if she was signing over her soul to the Dark Forest. "See? Not so hard." Nettlefoot purred and giggled, stepping aside at Thistlethorn's orders. "Off you go, back to camp. Oh, and keep quiet ok?" The dark mollies let out blood chilling laughs as they let Cinderblaze go, and she knew that they would haunt her dreams..
The sisters mused about to each other, throwing out possible ideas for their new pawn. "Maybe we don't use her at all and simply have her live in fear the rest of her life. Wouldn't that just be satisfying." "Nettlefoot, you are truly diabolical." They laughed, already enjoying their one step closer to Soulclan's downfall. Not too far off though was Aspenleaf, staring at the two with wide eyes and a look of shock. She had gone off for a walk to shake off the gloom air of death in the camp only to come across the terrible scene of Thistlethorn and Nettlefoot. She had heard everything, from the threatening of Cinderblaze, to their confession of killing Mudstone, to their silent happy plotting. And with each word they spoke, Aspenleaf could see the prophecy playing before her eyes all over again. The dark shadows that mercilessly struck down the two birds, the sharp to yellow eyes the at were filled with evil intentions, the blood chilling smirks. It was them. Oh how wrong she had been to suspect Hearthflame, so very wrong. Crimsonleaf's final words circled her mind. "Run if you must" And that's just what she did, getting up from her crouching position in the underbrush and turning to run back and warn Jaystar.
The medicine cat didn't make it far before a crushing force tackled to her to the ground, causing a yowl to erupt from her throat as they rolled for a moment. When the momentum left them, Aspenleaf was left squirming under Thistlethorn, the warrior's large paw a crushing force on her throat and slowly taking her breath away. "Oh! Nice pounce sis!" Nettlefoot said, eyes wide in appreciation for what her sister managed to do. Of course, she then turned her sweet smile onto Aspenleaf and sat down beside them. "How much did you hear?" "Enough to make you regret ever- ACK!" Aspenleaf's words were cut off by more pressure choking her. "Oooo, wrong answer." Nettlefoot said with a shake of her head before looking at her sister who continued to glare down at the medicine cat. "What should we do sis? We can't really keep her quiet like Cinderblaze. And she has a lot of influence over Jaystar.." "Yes, but so does Hearthflame." "Oh! You're right!" "And besides, we don't need two medicine cats. I say we get rid of her." "Haha! You always know how to make things fun! Well, I'll leave that to ya. You know how much I hate getting my paws dirty." Nettlefoot giggled and took a step back. Thistlethorn smirked down at Aspenleaf who was thrashing about wildly under her, a terrifying grin on her maw that nearly froze the gray molly in place. "Your biggest regret? Being in the wrong place at the wrong time." Thistlethorn laughed as she raised a unsheathed paw. Aspenleaf tried to fight her way out but she was simply a medicine cat. There was no way she could take on a strong, battle hardened warrior like Thistlethorn. And even if she could, Nettlefoot would be there to help. She had no choice but to accept her fate. Though she knew one thing was for sure. Her biggest regret was not finding her way here and dying by their hands. No. Her biggest regret would be that she never got to apologize to Hearthflame. 'I'm so sorry Hearthflame. Please forgive me' Was her final thought before all went dark.
Meanwhile, Nettlefoot glared over the border, a sound crossing her ears, alerting her to a pair of watching eyes. Whoever it was, they were not going to be met with a happy Nettlefoot. One interruption was fine, but two? Unacceptable!
[Hunting Patrol: Graystone, Sandfur, Wrenshine, Gorsetail, Amberstorm, Leopardpounce]
[Border Patrol: Tumbleshade, Firestrike, Smokeclaw]
[Apprentice Training: Mistlepaw, Archpaw, Maplepaw]
[Mudpaw received the Dying Apprentice Ceremony -> Mudstone]
[Aspenleaf has fallen by the paw's of Thistlethorn and Nettlefoot]
[Moonpool: Warrior, Apprentice, or Queen]
meet Derp my cat snek
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