Rise Summer Event: Summer of Thorns | Path 1

[Areater]

Writing Prompt 3!
Username: Areater
Clan Thread: BlitheClan
Prompt Writing:
note: bumblepaw is not an official rise cat, just the concept i have for my future medicine cat apprentice (and possibly full medicine cat eventually).
"bumblepaw? did the matrons say anything?" stoatpaw whispered. bumblepaw rolled over in her sleep. "give me a minute, stoatpaw, i'm tired," she mumbled. "bumblepaw, this is really important." bumblepaw shot to her paws at the sound of her leader's voice. "of course, tawnyearth!" she meowed. as a medicine cat, she was the only one in the clan without a matron deity - all of the deities were equally important in her work and in the influence of the clan. "i'd appreciate just being with you, tawnyearth, if that's alright." tawnyearth waved her tail and stoatpaw scampered off. the den grew quiet as bumblepaw turned and grabbed a few berries out of a leaf with her claws, smashing them into a leaf. she also grabbed a bit of tumeric she had stolen from a twoleg garden and crushed into a powder herself, mixing it with some of the berries she scooped into another leaf. a muddy yellow color was formed alongside the purple-red of the berries. the two colors weren't really enough, but she had to work with what she had. a large flat rock sat in front of her, with half-dry paint of past prophecies and thought smeared across it. the only fresh paint was of the matron's mural, which she touched up frequently - a river alongside a muddy shore with a bright sky up above. the river had pawprints on the riverbed, the shore had a small amount of fur in various spots, and the single cloud in the sky seemed tail shaped. without speaking, bumblepaw drew two cats underneath the mural, one tall and thin and another with a collar. tawnyearth hadn't told bumblepaw what the two cats she had met with had looked like, only that she needed the matron's guidance involving the invaders. she drew a dry claw from the river to janus and scratched some of the red juice across his throat, then across the oracle's. tawnyearth shifted slightly, leaning forward to see closer. she then drew the dry claw from the shore and painted over the red with yellow, making the harshness of the red fade, and painted tawnyearth. she was towering above the two cats and appeared calm, but she was nearly five times the size of them, and her berry-purple shadow fell across the two cats and covered them completely. finally, she drew the dry claw from the sky towards the two cats and smudged tawnyearth away. in her place, she drew a small kitten, then another cat, until a whole group of cats had replaced her. bumblepaw shook slightly as she lowered her paint-covered paws, and nodded to show that she was done and tawnyearth could speak. "are...they in disagreement?" she questioned. bumblepaw nodded sadly. "they couldn't agree, the whole dream was turmoil. when i awoke from my vision, the journey river was rougher than when i had fallen asleep." tawnyearth closed her eyes for a moment, angry. earthshaker, i need your guidance. what do you want from me? she felt like she had learned nothing except that the matrons weren't sure what to do either. waterwhisker seemed to be violently opposed to the invaders, while earthshaker seemed to see tawnyearth as above them somehow. but skywing...had replaced tawnyearth with all the rogues. was she favoring them? no, she couldn't...how could she? she must not understand somehow.

[Only_Sky]

Writing Prompt 2!
Username: Only_Sky
Clan Thread: Fogclan
Prompt Writing: [589 words]

The crescent moon glowed softly that night, filling the forest with an eerie, half-hearted light. A lone shadow weaved through the underbrush, invisible in the surrounding darkness, only a pair of glowing amber eyes visible in the half-light. The Fogclan healer wandered silently through the forest, headed in no particular direction, her mind busied with thoughts on the meeting that had occurred earlier that night. Eventually, the black molly found herself at the edge of the northern marsh, the marsh water glistened with the light of the moon and stars. She settled onto her haunches, her paws on a whisker away from the waters edge, and she looked up to the sky and let out a gentle sigh. " Almighty Mave, Powerful Rey, and Playful Tek, I ask for your guidance this night. " A gentle breeze picked up, tugging at the healer's whiskers. " Strangers have intruded on our territory. The clan worries, they are afraid of what these cats may do, the strangers claim to want peace, yet they refuse to leave our territory, and tensions are growing. I fear that things may escalate. I ask that you show me a sign that you are here in our time of need, we need some assurance that you are watching over us. "

Though she would never say, Minkpelt held some doubt that the gods were listening. She had only ever felt their presence once before, when she was first apprentice to the previous healer. Since then, she hadn't heard from them since, though to be fair, she hadn't needed to ask for their presence until now. She sat there for some time, eyes closed, searching for some sign in the wind, the trees, that the gods were there. Soon, the sky began to turn a dark purple with the hint of dawn, and so the healer stood up and stretched, preparing herself to leave. As she turned and began heading back into the forest, she heard what sounded like a very faint whisper in the breeze, but she brushed it off, It's probably nothing, don't make a big deal out of nothing, Minkpelt. Before she could continue on, a sudden splash cut through the quiet night-air, and the healer whipped around, her eyes wide with fear. " Who's there? " Creeping forward, she peered at the water, and saw ripples forming near a patch of reeds. Straining her eyes, she noticed a shadowy creature hidden in the reeds, almost invisible if not for her keen eyes. She waited for the creature to move, but found herself staring at.. nothing? Swallowing, she backed away and hurried into the treeline, her black fur fluffed up. As she hurried through, she felt eyes on her, and once more whipped herself around, ready to fight whoever was there. Nothing. A snap of a twig behind her. She turned once more, but nothing there either. " Show yourself! " Another breeze, but this time, she could hear a voice in the wind. Her claws retracted at once. " Tek, you trickster! I should have known. Thank you for showing me that you're watching over us. " She whispered, a feeling of calmness washing over her. Bowing her head, she closed her eyes. She knew that the gods did not have physical forms, but it was almost as if she could feel him nearby, and as she raised her head once more, she could've sworn she could hear gentle footsteps leaving the area. Turning tail, she hurried on back toward camp, her spirits lifting alongside the sun, which was peeking over the horizon.

Art Prompt!
Username: Only_Sky
Clan Thread: Fogclan
Art Prompt Number: 3
Prompt Art:

[Areater]

Art Prompt!
Username: Areater
Clan Thread: BlitheClan
Art Prompt Number: 3
Prompt Art:
"it seems wrong to go from letting them steal our prey to catching it for them..."

[grizzly.]

Writing Prompt 3!
Username: grizzly.
Clan Thread: pikeclan
Prompt Writing: 578/600 words

"Ottermask?" Aspenstar mewed quietly as she waltzed into the medicine den, looking for the brown and cream tom-cat. He was young to be the only medicine cat, but Aspenstar trusted the young medicine cat more then most of the clan. A few moments after Aspenstar had entered the den, the small brown and cream tom appeared in front of her, his fur smelling a mixture of different herbs. "Yes, Aspenstar?" The small tom mewed, his head titled in slight confusion. "You remember the meeting Foxstep and I had with the two medicine cats er...healers?" The grey tabby asked, curling her tail around her paws. "Of course I remember, Aspenstar. We've all been waiting for what you've heard them say. I'm surprised a group of rogues has a medicine cat, let alone two!" Ottermask chirped excitedly, before quickly settling himself down to listen to Aspenstar further. It was then that the small tom noticed his leader's green eyes, mixed with concern and confusion. "W-What is it, Aspenstar? Have they revealed plans to attack?" the brown and tan tom mewed quickly, his fur bristling. "No, no, no! It's nothing like that Ottermask." the PikeClan leader mewed quickly, a hint of amusement in her tone. "They've said that they were told to come here by starry cats." Aspenstar continued, cautiously. "Y-you mean they've been speaking to StarClan?" Ottermask mewed, eyes wide in astonishment. "I need you to go to the Moonstone and see if you can't get any answers from our ancestors." Aspernstar mewed, her green gaze turning serious. "Of course. I'll go right away." Ottermask mewed before ducking into the back part of the medicine den where the herbs were stored, gathering herbs to prepare him for his travel. Ottermask appeared from his den, before making his trek to the Moonstone.

By the time Ottermask reached the opening of the cave that held the Moonstone, it was well after moonhigh "Oh, I hope I'm not too late." he muttered before ducking into the cave, quickly walking down to the stone, nearly running into it before laying down and pressing his nose to the cold stone. It seemed to take ages before Ottermask was on a starry forest floor, a chill ran through his fur as he waited on the starry floor, not seeing a single StarClan cat. "Hello?" the brown and cream tom called to the empty starry forest. "Ottermask, what are you doing here?" a loud, booming voice sounded from behind the medicine cat, making him jump, spinning around to see a large, longhaired pale orange tom, stars embedded in his fur. "Sunstar! I have so many questions! The rouges! They say that you told them to come here!" Ottermask quickly rambled, and even though he had just arrived in StarClan, he could tell his surroundings were already fading away as the moonlight was starting to drift away. "Easy! Easy, Ottermask! I know you're all confused. StarClan did send these rogues here." Sunstar mewed, but held his tail up to seize anymore confused mumble from the young PikeClan medicine cat. "Everything will come to light soon enough. StarClan is guiding both your paws. The pike controls what happens to the group of minnows. Striking brings chaos. Nothing brings destruction." Sunstar mewed before StarClan faded completely away, leaving Ottermask chilled next to the Moonstone. "The pike controls what happens to the group of minnows. Striking brings chaos. Nothing brings destruction?" Ottermask mewed confused before turning and rushing back to camp.

Art Prompt Number: 3
Prompt Art: “I don’t know you, I don’t like you, but you are an elder, and I was raised to respect elders.”

[stormzien]

Art Prompt!
Username: kiffell
Clan Thread: breezeclan
Art Prompt Number: 3
Prompt Art:

[MeltiTheDragon]

Writing Prompt 3!
Username: Diamondshine101
Clan Thread: Cascadeclan
Prompt Writing:


Silver moonlight filtered through one small hole in the cave roof, illuminating the swirling and rippling water of Moon Lake. The spirits seemed restless tonight. For what reason, that she was trying to figure out. She cleared her throat, about to speak to the ones of the stars, but her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a clicking. A cat's claws for sure, definitely Campionstar considering the heaviness of the pawsteps. She looked up briefly to see an unfocused patch of white. Her gaze returned to the water as she spoke.

"Campion, old friend. It's near sun up."

The molly looked surprised for a moment. "I know Mottlenose, I know. This is important though. Wait, how did you know it was me?"

"When you hauled tail down here, you took multiple trips."

Campionstar's bright orange eyes went wide at that. "Hey! I'm not fat, I'm big-boned!" she hissed. The medic stared at her for a heartbeat, then went right back to staring at the lake. She heard the leader sigh. "Mottlenose...I hate to ask, but is it possible to speak with Starclan tonight? We talked with the rogues and they supposedly speak to Starclan. I want to know if they're being truthful or not."

She paused to find her words. "Will do."

[---------------------------]

As the light in her cave became too much for her eyes, she retreated under the arch on stiff achy legs. Her front paws rested in the water to serve as a connection into their realm. Not a minute after she'd gotten herself comfy, she fell into a restless slumber.

[---------------------------]

The skeletal tortoiseshell's ragged fur caught on the brambles. She stumbled to a stump and leapt shakily onto it. This looked an awful lot like the edge of their territory. She took in a deep breath. The smell of many cats struck her, the same sort that she smelled on Campionstar's fur earlier. This was where the rogues had settled. She almost fell backwards off the stump in shock. Normally, her dreams were surreal and foggy. Never had she dreamed of a real spot such as this one.

"Nice to see you here, Mottlenose. I think I know what you are. "

She jumped and anxiously spun around. "R-R-Rainstar?" she stuttered.

"Indeed," meowed the dark blue tabby tom.

His appearance left her speechless. Cascadeclan's founder, standing in front of her, proud as ever. It made her almost forget what she was going to ask him. "The rogues-"

"Yes, we have spoken to them"

"You daft?! This is our land, our home."

"And they needed a home. You need more cats. We intended to help you both. The Oracle is an honest, trustworthy cat ; it's their leader that's a bit misguided. Their leader's actions are not our fault. Each choice changes the course of not only one cat's life, but many. Make the right choice. What lies in the shadows is not to be afraid of. For light cannot exist, without the dark-"

[---------------------------]

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath Highledge for a meeting!""

Campionstar's booming voice woke her up too soon, before he could finish speaking to her. Even so, she could piece together that last bit of his words. What lies in shadows is not to be afraid of. For light cannot exist, without the darkness. A prophecy. A real, honest to Starclan prophecy. Would they believe her for once?

She hoped so. This was important. If they didn't act just right, the clan could be in grave peril.

[587/600 words : Note- Mottlenose is not an official Rise cat yet, this is just the concept for my medicine cat.]

[Guest]

prompt three!
username: dinah.
clan thread: suntrials
prompt writing:
' I feel pathetic, first they were stealing our prey, and now we're catching it for them! ' Spiderstar spat, his paws crunching at the dry strands of wheat on the floor as they made their way back to camp. Lonelybush stayed quiet, his posture sagging as if trying to sink into the ground. ' You're not pathetic, Spiderstar! we're just, just trying to be nice! ' Lonelybush tried to make an effort for his leader, though he could hear his own voice lacking. their paws grew sore, wearily making their way towards the barren lake they called home, mentors training apprentices at it's borders, queens teaching their kits the world. it make Lonelybush sad. He thought of his own family, black silhouettes standing next to him, faceless and figureless, lifeless. he had never known them, and he never will. he will never have a family, and that would make anyone sad. spiderstar had stopped his random chatter, turning to face the tom, noticing the rather odd look on his face. spiderstar flicked his tail in the air, watching the cat as he mindlessly walked alongside his leader. he didn't really seem interested. ' Go talk to the sunbringers. we'll need all the news we can get. ' at the mention of his name, lonelybush looked up, the leader's head flicking in a small nod towards the sunspot. Lonelybush simply nodded, and swerved to the side. he brushed through the tall stalks of wheat as they poked his fur, coming up to a small chill in the wheat. he sat near the middle of the shallow clearing, the sun warming at his thick fur as it shone down on him. he stooped to a lay, his stomach pressed against the ground. he closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

He awoke in a wide, golden plain, the stars above shining brighter than those of his world ever could, the sun hiding in the horizon. Many cats stood around him, muttering and chattering amongst themselves, their eyes not leaving the small brown tom in front of them. Lonelybush looked around, the golden clearing silver with the light of the moon. a group of three cats came from the gathering around him, their pelts bright as they shone with the light of the sun. he was now in the land of the sunbringers. Lonelybush stared at the cats in front of him, one tall and the other short, the third of average height. One tabby and one striped, the third of plain fur. They seemed rather odd to Lonelybush. They began to speak, taking turns with their words,

' Our land has been invaded. '
' You must save our land. '
' Bring peace to our land. '
' Help our land. '

This seemed out of place to Lonelybush, were the sunbringers panicking? why were they speaking so? He did not recognize these cats, they were new to him, and perhaps new to the sunbringers, as well. They had stopped speaking, Lonelybush left to question their strange tone, their strange pelts-- And then he woke, safe in the sunspot.

art prompt!
username: dinah.
clan thread: suntrials
prompt art:

[weegeestar5]

Writing Prompt 3!
Username: weegeestar5
Clan Thread: duskclan
Prompt Writing: [509/600]
Swiftpaw stood at the edge of starlit pool - briefly pausing to marvel at the beauty of the dots of light reflecting on the still water.
"Starclan," Swiftpaw turned to face the crack in the top of the cave, "I pray you won't be useless."
They sighed and crouched down; touching their nose to the still pool.
They awakened to find themselves standing in a meadow. A meadow that was highlighted by the multitude of colours from the sunset.
A lithe silver tabby sat before him; stars twinkling from her paws and from her inquisitive green eyes. A warmth was in her eyes - it was a familiar warmth, Swiftpaw could easily see Stormstar in this cat. Blizzard. Stormstar's mother.
"Blizzard," he purred, nodding towards the she-cat.
"Young Swiftpaw," her voice was a soft purr, not unlike the wind whistling through the leaves on a peaceful spring day, "you have come here because your Clan is troubled, yes?"
"Yes. A group of rogues have settled onto our land and seem to be insistent on stealing our prey. They claim their ancestors told them to come here. Do you know anything about this?"
"I have seen what you have seen, and heard what you have heard," she meowed in response; concern evident in her eyes, "we have received no sign that they should be here. We have not seen their ancestors in our skies - or, at least not yet, I suppose."
"Would it truly be the will of any ancestor to occupy an already inhabited territory? This can only lead to conflict." Swiftpaw meowed; shaking their head.
"Not the will of a benevolent, peace-keeping ancestor, but perhaps an angry or dark-hearted one," Blizzard sighed.
"So... Is there anything we can do?"
"I cannot provide spiritual guidance. We did not even see a hint of this situation in the wind or the clouds. That said," she paused; her green eyes locked onto theirs, "your clan is young. You cannot risk the safety of so many young cats."
"Of course. Stormstar doesn't like fighting. I imagine we'd sooner flee than fight," Swiftpaw commented.
She purred. "My son likes to keep the peace. Put all of your heads together to use the best negotiation skills." She meowed.
"Is that all?"
"Unfortunately, yes, young Swiftpaw. I cannot even remotely guide you through this. But we will wish for all of your safety," she meowed, before touching Swiftpaw's ear with the tip of her nose, "farewell, young Swiftpaw, for we must part ways."
Swiftpaw could never get used to the feeling of a Starclan cat's touch. It seemed to light your veins on fire, yet freeze every hair on your body at the same time. The tingling feeling at the paws felt as if you were brushing against the stars as you raced across the sky.
They woke up, and gently stretched each of their limbs before shaking their pelt.
"Guess we'll just have to figure it out for ourselves," they sighed; pausing to glance at the sky through the crack before they turned towards the entrance.

[Placebo]

Reminder that writing prompt 3 closes at 11:59 pm est today! The art prompts will remain open until the end of the event. Any edits to the form with your writing prompt after this time will disqualify your writing prompt.

[Ravenshadow17]

Writing Prompt 3!
Username: Ravenshadow17
Clan Thread: AuroraClan
Prompt Writing:

Echomist stood just outside the camp, she paced restlessly. Ravenstar sat beside her. "I know it is sudden, but we need answers." The dark she-cat stated. Echomist nodded. "I know, but I wish the ancestors could have given us a warning of sorts. They've never been ones to stay silent for so long." The medicine cat stated. Ravenstar nodded. "I know." She agreed. Echomist sighed. "I'm sure they have their reasons. I must get going if I'm to reach the crystal cavern on time." The silver she-cat declared getting a nod from her leader.
"Be careful." Ravenstar called as the smaller she-cat raced into the forest.

Echomist raced over the mountains, hardly stopping to rest. She knew her clan needed help as soon as possible. The situation had the small clan restless and wary. Even the forest seemed unnaturally silent to the medicine cat, as if the territory itself felt the strain of the invaders' presence. The silver she-cat soon began the climb up the twin mountains. The cold wind buffeted her fur but she pressed on. Soon the entrance to a hidden cave emerged. Slipping inside, Echomist entered the Crystal Cavern. The large central crystal reflected the moon's light, making bizarre patterns stretch across the walls of the cave. The entire cave was silent except for the distant howling of the wind, and the nearly indistinguishable hum of the crystals. Though that may have been Echomist's imagination.

The she-cat settled beside the central crystal and pressed her nose into its cold surface. Instantly a warm breeze rustled her fur, and a scent that was distinctly starlight filled her nose. She opened her eyes to see large silver paws in front of her.
"Hello Echomist. It is good to see you again." Stoneheart greeted. The large tom had a sad look in his eye as Echomist returned his greeting. "You've come for answers." He stated, getting a nod in return.
"The invaders claim that the Ancestors have ordered them to encroach on our territory. What is going on?" Echomist questioned. The large tom sighed. "It is true. Some Ancestors have made this order. However, it is not without reason." He declard. The small she-cat bristled. "What reason could possibly explain this?" She demanded.

Stoneheart sidhed once more. "Their leader. She descends fom us. She is a descendant of the clan that used to call this place home. The Ancestors want her to have a place here. But we do not want your clan to be wiped out. Either come to an agreement as neighbors or merge your clans. Those are the options that the Ancestors want you to choose from." Stoneheart declared.

Echomist nodded, eyes wide in shock. "I'll tell the clan and we will figure out what must be done." She declared, giving Stoneheart a sad smile. The tom sighed and brushed his nose against her head. "You will find a way to fix this. Now go take care of your rowdy clan." Stonehart teased. The two silver cats shared a smile and then Echomist woke up. She began the journey back to her clan, the Ancestors' words whirling around in her head. "Merge the clans? Or become neighbors? How do we do that without bloodshed?" She questioned, glancing at the stars one last time before going home.