Rise Summer Event: Summer of Thorns | Path 1

[Only_Sky]

Writing Prompt 4!
Username: Only_Sky
Clan Thread: Fogclan
Prompt Writing: Janus and The Oracle’s unexpected visit stirred up quite the commotion in the camp. The clan were very defensive, hostile even, but understandably so. These cats had been avoiding them for a while now, and now they’re here? And in the camp! How did they manage to find them from across the river? Why are they here? What are they planning? The warriors hurried from all over the camp, taking up defensive stances before the camp wall, ready to defend their clan with their lives. Before anyone could move, Ashstar calmly placed herself in between her warriors and the clan wall. “ That’s enough. Whitecloud, come with me. You will all stay put. “ The two called warriors followed their leader out, where they met the two toms.

-

After their brief talk, Ashstar returned to the camp with her companions and the strangers. The clan had broken their defensive formation, but all eyes were on her as she lead the strangers into camp. “ Janus and The Oracle have come to us with news. Their leader has agreed to a meeting. I will travel with them to their camp and discuss how we may come to a peace. I will be accompanied by Whitecloud only, “ Cries of disagreement began to rise until the leader let out a low growl. “ There will be no objections. The day will go on as normal, and Sunclaw will be in charge as with any other day of which I am away. “ Turning her gaze to her deputy, she gave him an intense look. “ You will not send out any patrols after us, or discuss any sort of retaliation until I return. You may come find us if we have not returned by dawn tomorrow. “ Not waiting for anymore responses, she turned tail and nodded for her travel companions to lead the way.

-

The journey through Fogclan territory was awkward, the strangers and the clan-cats unwilling to strike upa casual chat. After some time, Janus spoke up. “ May I ask, Ashstar, what do you hope to accomplish with this meeting? “ The grey molly cast a glance to Whitecloud, who was silent, yet his body language expressed a curiosity shared with Janus, and probably the Oracle, though he too was silent. “ I want to know her intentions. I want to let her know that we are welcoming to travellers, and will tolerate visitors, but this is our home. It is not our issue if you strangers decide to establish a territory nearby, but it is our issue if you intend to move in on our territory. This clan has been here for uncountable generations. We do not want to fight, but if you provoke us, we will make a stand. “ Her voice was hard and determined. No other words were spoken as they continued on.


The sun was now cooling, slowly sinking toward the Western horizon. The group came to a small clearing in a particularly thick area of the woods, near the base of the mountains, and Ashstar’s fur prickled when she smelt the strong scent of cat. In the clearing, several cats lazed about, though not for long as they began to get defensive, sitting up and pinning their ears back with unsure fear, still curious as to why their friends had brought a couple of clan cats to their home. Janus moved on ahead, heading for an ancient, crumbling boulder that appeared to have a followed out center. The brown tabby then disappeared into its shadowy entrance..

[kovit]

Art Prompt!
Username: Crumbleless
Clan Thread: Blazeclan
Art Prompt Number: 2
Prompt Art:

[Guest]

writing prompt!
username: dinah.
clan thread: suntrials
prompt writing: the two rogue cats made their way out of the wheat and into the chill of their camp, their paws most likely sore from the walk over the river and past the barren tree. cats began to notice the two figures as they neared closer, beginning to panic, calling for the queen to store their kits in the nursery and the apprentices to hide in their den. the loud, yet somehow quiet, yells alerted spiderstar from his den, many of the warriors standing in front of the entrance, trying to catch a glimpse of the cats. he pushed his way through the crowd of gathered cats, his muscles softening as he recognized the two familiar cats. his tail flicked at the crowd as they quickly disbanded, a few staying to watch the cats. ' Have you arranged a meeting ? ' spiderstar began, the cats nodding in return. spiderstar called upon his most trusted of his clan, bringing along the medicine cat for learning purposes, and left the clan.

' I don't trust them, ' Batears began, the senior warrior having been brought along with the leader as they followed the rogue cats over their fields of golden wheat, passing the tree and going over the river. ' Silence, Batears. ' spiderstar began, the warrior's ears flicking to the side in slight annoyance, ' We must give them the benefit of the doubt, this meeting is our only chance at peace. ' Talldoe nodded beside them, listening in on their conversation. ' We must give our trust to them in this short period of time, for it might be the difference between peace and war. ' Batears was silent, Lonelybush walking near the back of the small patrol. he didn't know why he had to come along, but he felt no need to argue against the leader. it would be worthless, and he knew it.

Janus and Oracle were silent along the journey, whispering quiet chatter between themselves as they led the clan cats to their make shift camp. they passed the barn at one point, though the clan cats tried to keep a distance, the rogues did not seem to care, brushing up against the white picket fence that guarded the barn from any of the cats. man weren't they lucky they didn't bring redpetal, she would've been a complete spaz on this trip. they eventually passed the white picket fence, going behind the barn to a part of the field they've never seen before.

' We're here. '

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

[F0XFANG]

xxxWriting Prompt 4!
Username: rockpelt.
Clan Thread: boulderclan
Prompt Writing: (571/600 words)

“Alright, clan meeting!” Lionstar called from Pigeon Point, ignoring any formalities due to the urgency of the situation. “Janus and The Oracle have brought news. They say their leader wants to meet with us, so we will need a patrol.” He looked down at his clan, noting the weary faces below. “Thorntooth, I request you stay behind.” The eyes of his deputy widened, shock covering his face. “I know you want what’s best for the clan, but you can be very…harsh sometimes.” He heard Thorntooth sigh.

“As you wish, Lionstar.” He nodded and retreated to his den, but the leader knew he would silently brood over being left out until the patrol returned home.

“Falcondream, as medicine cat you will be joining us. I know you’re not a fighter, so Berrysong will be assigned as a guard of sorts. Just in case things go badly.” The she-cat ran over to Falcondream, the two feeling very comfortable with going on the patrol together. “Ratrunner-”

“Is the speediest cat in the clan? I know. Thank you, Lionstar, I’d love to join the patrol.” The tom smirked and went to join the other two cats. Lionstar smiled, knowing that he would be the one to run back to camp if it was an ambush.

“And finally, Batsong.” The entire clan waited for a reason why, but Lionstar did not speak again. The black tom slowly walked over to the group, only to be bowled over by the over-excited Ratrunner. Without a word, the leader started walking out of the camp, following The Oracle and Janus, earning confused looks between the patrol. Nobody realised they were leaving right now.

The party of cats headed towards the north-eastern corner of the territory, passing through trees and into the open grass. The walk was silent, aside from a few minor mishaps between Ratrunner and Batsong, leaving the pair laughing. The medicine cat slowly managed to catch up to the leader, leaving Berrysong to deal with the other two toms. “Lionstar?” Falcondream mumbled.

“Yes?” He didn’t look down at the other cat, but the younger knew that he was fully attentive to anything he’d have to say. It was rare that he wasn’t.

“What do we aim to get from this, if it isn’t an ambush? Like, do we want them to leave, or will we invite them to stay in our camp, or do we just help them with whatever it is that’ll make them leave?” His voice became quicker as the scenarios entered his head, but Lionstar’s sigh made him slow down and compose himself.

“Falcondream, I’m not entirely sure I know what we want. Because they haven’t attacked, I’m inclined to help them if they need it, but I also don’t want our food or territory taken by a group of rogues.” The Oracle looked back at the BoulderClan leader for a short moment, brows furrowed.

“So…we don’t really know what we want?” Lionstar shook his head. Exhaling, Falcondream stopped walking for a moment, waiting for the other three cats to catch up. As he turned his head, Berrysong clipped Ratrunner over the back of the head, forcing him to hold back a laugh. When Berrysong noticed that Falcondream was waiting for her, she darted away from the other two.

“Hey, kiddo. You look down. Everything okay?” Her voice was soothing, comforting.

“No, it’s okay. Just hoping this meeting goes well and nobody gets hurt.”

[grizzly.]

Writing Prompt 4!

Username: grizzly.
Clan Thread: pikeclan
Prompt Writing:
"You heard them say what?! Aspenstar, you may need to reconsider taking the safe route on this one...We need to strike them now!" Foxsplash growled, kneading his claws into the sandy floor beneath his paws. "No! You can't do that!" Ottermask chirped from behind the PikeClan leader and warrior. The grey leader and the pale ginger and white warrior spun around to meet the medicine cat's gaze. "What's wrong, Ottermask? Did you hear from StarClan?" Aspenstar asked quickly, approaching the small medicine cat. "More specifically, Sunstar." Ottermask mewed quietly, before sitting in front of the two cats. "He told me to tell you, Aspenstar, to trust in what you're doing. Striking the rogues would lead to unnecessary chaos..." the small medicine cat stopped what they were saying, not finishing the last half of what Sunstar had told them. "Good. Janus and Oracle have told us that their leader wishes to meet with us." Aspenstar mewed to Ottermask. "Oh. That's...so sudden!" the medicine cat mewed. "Would you like to join me, Ottermask?" Aspenstar asked, knowing that if she brought Foxsplash he could cause things to become heated rather quickly. "What about me, Aspenstar?" Foxsplash asked, tilting his head slightly in confusion. "I don't know, Foxsplash, you might want to start something with them...and I can't have that." The leader explained slowly, which caused Foxsplash to jump to his paws. "No! I swear on StarClan I won't Aspenstar! Please, after the news you've told me I'd be more comfortable knowing I was also there with you in case they try to pull something." Foxsplash mewed.

The three cats met Janus and Oracle at the place they had met them the two previous times, following them in silence as they lead the trio of clan cats to wherever it was they were camping out. They traveled a good distance before arriving to an area that was almost like walking into a foreign clan's camp, the strong, unfamiliar scent stung the PikeClan cat's noses as they drew near. They could hear commotion of other cats chatting about inside their makeshift camp. The three cats were uneasy as they trekked into the crowd of cats, all eyes on them. It made Aspenstar and her clanmates uneasy, knowing that if they were being led into an ambush, it would be one heck of a fight in order to get out alive. Aspenstar froze, but forced herself to adjust herself into an authoritative stance to show she wasn't afraid of her current situation. She could feel Foxsplash's fur bristle along side her as they could tell the group of rogues were parting so their leader could pass. She shared Foxsplash's anticipation, but forced her fur to lie flat as she waited for the leader to appear in front of them, hoping they would get some answers.

[halflower]

Art Prompt!
Username: MistyWavez
Clan Thread: Sandclan
Art Prompt Number: 3
Prompt Art: xXx

[weegeestar5]

Writing Prompt 4!
Username: weegeestar5
Clan Thread: duskclan
Prompt Writing:
"Well? What do we want out of this - probably useless - talk?" Peachblossom scoffed.
"Peace." Stormstar mewed firmly; not for the first time.
"Seems a bit vague, doesn't it?"
"Well, okay see if this is less vague - we don't want to die. Is that good enough for you?"
Sheeppaw lashed his tail; clearly eager for a fight. Fawnpaw rolled her eyes.
"Well, I want to fight!" Sheeppaw meowed eagerly.
"Too bad, we didn't go down the fight path." Fawnpaw meowed, "besides, they'd crush you instantly."
Stormstar rolled his eyes slightly as his clanmates began to bicker. The stress was evidently getting to everyone.
Swiftpaw's eyes looked calm and contemplative. Stormstar admired that he had grown into a fine young cat. He wondered when Starclan would promote them to full medicine cat. It was a welcome thought to distract him from the worries.
"I think we need to be careful about how we approach them," they meowed, "I doubt either side will truly want bloodshed, but fear and anger brings out the worst in any cat. There are lands beyond our territory that they could surely claim with ease. Perhaps we can even help them. If we are friendly and firm, we show that we are no threat to them - as long as they don't make us one," Swiftpaw meowed suddenly; raising their tail to gain the attention of the others. Stormstar nodded. They should do their best to make friends with this rogue group; to show them kindness so that they may thrive on their own. After all, if they chased the group out... Could they not just do this to another clan, a less friendly one? What about the elders and kits? Stormstar shook his head.
Stormstar looked down onto his clanmates. "We must have peace, or we risk the lives of the young and the old in both of our groups." Stormstar meowed; making sure to lock eyes with Peachblossom and Sheeppaw, the two who were most ready to fight.
Reluctantly, she nodded. Stormstar knew that she was a good cat who simply wanted them all to be safe, and knew she would not go against him. Sheeppaw looked down at his paws. Would his own apprentice disobey orders? No.... He wouldn't. Like Peachblossom, he was a good cat - just.... too quick to use his claws. Stormstar knew that the young tom would learn patience one day. He stepped down from the top of his den and crawled inside it. Out of habit, his clanmates followed; concerned mewing turning into caring purrs and the soft brushes of pelts.
Stormstar looked over his clan.
Peachblossom, the loyal, yet hot-headed, deputy. Swiftpaw, the smart, although often cranky, medicine cat. Wolftail, a calm warrior. Pearflower, a permanent queen who will protect the young with all of her heart. Sheeppaw, an apprentice with spunk and a good heart. Fawnpaw, the more careful apprentice. Ravenpaw, the recklessly protective apprentice. Ratpaw, the nervous and always alert apprentice. Spiderpelt, the elder who showed dedication and devotion to her son. Daisykit, a kit who radiated the calmness of the moon. Daffodilkit, a kit who radiated the energy of the sun. And Littlekit, who recovered emotionally every day.
Duskclan was a large family.
And Stormstar hoped that peace would keep it that way.

[545/600]

[StormSerpent]

Writing Prompt 4!
Username: StormSerpent
Clan Thread: LotusClan
Prompt Writing: [435/600]
EmberStar frowns as she pads into the rogues camp. As she looks around she hopes that they can come to an agreement, or maybe even merge with LotusClan, if food is the problem then they could just share. She thinks about what she overheard, and wonders what happened to get Janus so riled up, if they could make peace, she was sure she could find out. She glances behind her at SweetWater’s looming frame. She knew her deputy shouldn’t be here, but what better way to show that the rogues meant no harm. In the end she just wanted everyone to be happy. She also wanted to show SweetWater that “goodness” could always triumph.

SweetWater follows behind EmberStar and the rogues. She smirks as she realises how near their camp was close to viper pit. If anything at all happens then she could just, throw them in. problem solved. And now she was sure that she overheard EmberStar talking to FrostPaw, about the “medicine cats” lying. They would obviously make SOME sort of trouble, then she could give the nasty rats what they deserved. She was going to wipe them out, and no small orange tabbys could stop her. She hissed in pleasure, as always her plan would win.

FrostPaw pouts as she sneaks behind SweetWater, why wasn’t she allowed to go with them. Well she could do what she wanted. No “adults” could boss HER around. She was the medicine cat for starclan’s sake. She was a “high ranking official” she snickered as she thought about being called that. SweetWater spun around with a glare. And FrostPaw stepped out meekly dipping her head in shame, when she looked up she saw that the deputy didn’t seem that upset with her. She shushed her and hid her in her bushy tail as TigerLily looked back at them. She could only hope that no one would be too mad at her, and that no one got hurt.

TigerLily strode behind her leader. She was surprised she was allowed to come, especially when their medicine cat wasn’t. she looked over at SweetWater, would she attack first thing, to make her deputy proud of her? Or try to talk it out, after all the leader’s word is law. She’d broken the warrior code before, but not in front of EmberStar, she knew she had to do what was “right” which would be to be as diplomatic as possible, they needed to try to make peace, and get them to leave without bloodshed. She just wanted to get those vile fleabitten savages out of LotusClan land. Hopefully without bloodshed.

[Placebo]

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[Placebo]

»»———— • ————««

When the leader of the other group comes to stand in front of you, you're startled you have to guide your gaze down to see her. She's short, very unnaturally so, and looks not much older than one of your new warriors. You don't comment in fear of angering her but can't help and wonder how she came to be the leader of this band of cats. She introduces herself as Hecate and says she came here on instruction from the cats in the stars.

You can't help but ask about the metaphorical twoleg in the den. "And yet, nothing good came out of your decision. Did they tell you to steal when you got here?" 

The small she-cat bristles, obviously having taken offense to the words, which are, admittedly, rude. But who can blame you? Her cats came to your land and stole your prey, threatened your clan. You think you're allowed one snide remark.

Hecate flattens her fur with obvious effort, still annoyed but trying to be civil. "My Oracle merely told me of the land the starry cats showed him. I received no instruction with it. My cats were starving and dying, I'm willing to do what I can to keep them from doing so," she pauses, eyes flashing with barely concealed anger to her ambassador, who seems to be watching the interaction coolly. Janus regards her stiffly in turn but stays silent. It seems your earlier hunch was at least partially correct. Perhaps they really did have a spat over her course of action. "I realize that the path I took to provide for them may not have been the best. I'm sorry for the trouble it has caused all involved."

The apology seems forced, but you appreciate that she's trying. While her execution may not have been favorable, you can't help but feel a small pang of empathy for her motivation. You would do anything to keep your clan alive and well, too, and you understand how a cat her age can go about things terribly wrong even though they have good intentions. Perhaps what she needs is guidance, someone who can help her group prosper. In their own, separate territory.

"We're willing to forgive any wrongdoing, as long as you and yours can live peacefully beside us, in your own territory." This seems to confuse the small cat, and you can't help but feel she hasn't been offered this sort of respect or kindness very often in her life. Maybe that's why she instantly jumped to invasion. After a moment, you decide to extend your offer. "We would be willing to show you how to live as a clan, if you'd like. Show you how to communicate with the starry cats. Clan life might suit you more than being a band of rogues."

Hecate hesitates and glances around at her group, perhaps taking their input. You can guess that she probably doesn't ask for this often. After a moment she sighs and nods, "We could use direction; I could use direction. If you show us where to set our borders, we will stay off your territory."

You figure this is the best outcome you can hope for at the moment. Perhaps they won't end up sticking to what you teach them, or decide that clan life isn't what they want. That's a problem for down the road, though. For now, you can bask in a peaceful ending, one that kept your cats safe and has offered a new take on life for these strange intruders.

»»———— • ————««

Prompt 5: How does your clan feel about this ending?

Art Prompt: Draw your leader/high ranking cat standing next to the shorty Hecate! You both seem to have come to an understanding now. Good job!

»»———— • ————««

Character References: (for your convenience in referencing off their designs for prompts!)
Janus || Oracle || Hecate

»»———— • ————««

End Date: This writing prompt closes at 11:59 pm EST on the 28th. The art prompt does not close until the end of the event.

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[b]Writing Prompt 5![/b]
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[b]Art Prompt![/b]
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