[cecro]

Username: cecro
Clan: meadowclan

Quest Number: #1
Response:

Bearsplash was born as a loner prior to him joining MeadowClan, with the name of Bear, living with only his parents from a very young age, having been born a single kit. For him, times were tough, and sometimes even brutal during the colder moons. Bear often had to pitch in to help as soon as he turned half a year old, as the area the family lived in had been experiencing a shortage of prey for a long time, but never left due to it being his mother's birthplace. Bear continued to stick around, even once he had become an adult, as his parents were growing old, and it would be his responsibility to hunt for them on his own. This, of course, caused him a lot of stress, having to hunt what little prey he could find in the area, sometimes having to leave for days on end to find prey outside of the territory they spent most of their lives in.

Eventually, Bear's parents passed on. This left him distraught, his heart aching horribly from the loss of the only two cats he had ever known. Yet, he remained in the area, visiting the graves of past family members daily, including his mother and father. He felt as if leaving the territory would mean abandoning the ones he loved most, now no longer there to guide him through life. But even if he could not find greener pastures, he still pushed onwards, fighting for survival as best as he could, despite everything that was thrown his way.

As Bear grew older, occasionally meeting new cats that brought him joy to interact with, but never stuck around, he found a kitten in the territory, seemingly abandoned. He took care of the kitten for a few days, debating with himself about whether or not he could take them under his wing, permanently. Bear soon decided on keeping the kitten, not wanting to load the burden onto a random passerby, or abandon the kitten entirely. Bear had decided on the name Hawk for the kit, shifting all priorities to being to protect Hawk.

A thought echoed through his head constantly, however. He could not live here any longer, much less so raising a kitten. The place was important to him, yes, but the territory was only losing more and more prey, due to its' harsh conditions. But, Bear still felt that he was required to remain here, due to the death of his parents. He fought with himself for days over this, whether to allow himself to move on from his parents, or remain and hope that things get better.

But, he could not do that to his kit. He could not force a kitten to live the same life he had, to live in a place that only caused struggle at the end of the day, nor could he teach Hawk to believe the same things. So, the following morning, he said his final goodbyes, and took Hawk and took to the meadows, with the hopes that it would be more suitable for them both. Though, they were not the only two cats who were to take permanent residence in the meadows, later finding MeadowClan after being ambushed by a patrol, and receiving the names of Bearsplash, and Hawkkit after MeadowClan took them in.

Word Count: 555

Quest Number: #3
Response:

One of the only times Pantrybowl has fallen ill, was truly a miserable time for her to be experiencing, feeling as if she had been dragged through thick mud, throughout the course of her illness. When this occured, it was around late leaf-fall, when they had been sent out on patrol with Hawkmoss. The clan had been struggling to catch prey lately, and it was decided that the two would have to set out at sunset, as a means of gathering enough food to keep the clan fed. Focusing had become difficult at a point, with sudden gusts of wind that left them shivering, but they did their best. However, about half way through their hunt, even with the success they were seeing, Pantrybowl's throat was beginning to feel sore, alongside a runny nose. She pushed on however, keeping quiet about the pain in her throat, and her developing symptoms, returning to camp by sunrise alongside Hawkmoss with a good haul of prey, before crashing out after the patrol.

When they woke up, they felt like they had been dunked into a cold river, a horrible feeling in their stomach as they laid in their nest, somehow both hot and cold at the exact same time. Her throat felt even more sore than it did while on patrol, accompanied by dry coughs that forced themselves from her throat as she rolled out of her nest, dizzy with a pounding headache. They immediately headed towards the healer's den to find out what they should even be doing about this illness that has befallen them.

After a quick visit to the healer's den, they were instructed to rest for the coming week, eat regularly, come to the healer for herbs if feeling particularly gross that day, and to remain in the healer's den to avoid spreading their sickness. And that was the advice she followed for the rest of that moon. Sometimes there would be cats that came to visit her (usually Hawkmoss for some reason), who were told to keep a safe distance as to not end up in the healers den as well, though it was not often she maintained conversation with them due to her complete lack of energy. Dealing with their illness deeply frustrated, and annoyed them when they were not sleeping, the constant symptoms practically kicking them around when the sickness was at its' worst.

Thankfully, she slowly began to feel better as leafbare rolled in and the snow layered onto the ground, now in the clear to return to their duties as a warrior. But even as her symptoms died down, even when her wheezes and coughs left, her nose remained runny and her throat remained sore for another week, which bothered her, but hey, at least she's not practically bedridden anymore. Eventually, the sickness had left them for good, allowing them to spend time with their clanmates again, and consistently going on patrols to ensure the territory remained safe, even if during the rest of the leafbare they were consistently very, very hesitant about joining the patrols.

Word Count: 512 words

[dimi.]

Username: dimi.
Clan: Heart of Decay

Quest Number: 1
Response:
Word Count: (If applicable)

Tell us about your deputy’s (or rank equivalent) past!
You may write and/or draw your response to this prompt.

notes for self: writing about onyx.

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Quest Number: 2
Response:
Word Count: (If applicable)
Tell us about a warrior ceremony or your clan’s celebration of coming-of-age!
You may only draw your response to this prompt

notes for self: the first of onyx and envy's children; zig, zag, crow, and wish becoming scavengers/rogues; scavengers heads are donned with a flora or leaf of some sort, and... idk what to do for rogues. i think this later.

------

Quest Number: 3
Response:
Word Count: (If applicable)
Tell us about a time one of your kitties got sick in autumn/winter :c
You may only write your response to this prompt

notes for self: mayyybe rain getting sick, and feeling like garbage makes the snow go crazy? i come back to this one too lol

[WinglessSeraph]

Username: WinglessSeraph
Clan: The Shattered Echoes

Quest Number: 1
Response:
"Look, dear, she's trying to open her eyes!"

A gentle purr resonated above her, vibrating against her tiny body as her eyelids slowly cracked open for the first time. Warm sunlight streamed through the narrow slits of the wooden walls, casting soft rays that illuminated the cozy space. A pale she-cat looked down at her lovingly as the kit peered around her surroundings. “My sweet little Sky," she purred, her voice like a gentle breeze.

“Finally!” a high-pitched squeaky voice called from somewhere behind her. Sky turned her head to see a small brown kit, excitement radiating from his every movement. His tail swished back and forth vigorously as he gazed at her with bright, eager eyes. “We can finally go outside now, right, Mama?”

The pale she-cat chuckled softly as she gave her son a loving lick along his head. “Just wait a moment, Twig. She's only just opened her eyes.”

“But the sooner we get her moving around, the stronger she’ll grow up to be,” a deep, rumbling voice echoed above, causing Sky to look up. A fluffy brown tom stood there, his green eyes sparkling with pride as they met her wide, kitten-blue gaze. “What do you say, little Sky?”

Sky blinked slowly, and she opened her eyes, the world around her instantly transformed. The cozy den faded away, replaced by a narrow alley's gloomy walls. The scent of mildew and gasoline filled her nostrils, and she felt a chill run down her spine. She glanced down at her reflection in a murky puddle—it was no longer the tiny kit she remembered. Her once fluffy fur was now slicked down, and her innocent blue eyes had shifted to a striking, vivid green.

“Sky, spar with me!” Twig bounded over eagerly, sending water droplets splashing from the puddle onto her. Sky recoiled, hissing at the tom. “Why?” she asked, shaking off the droplets that clung to her fur.

“Because I want to get strong enough to compete in the arena!” he exclaimed, his chest puffed up as he flexed his claws.

Sky tilted her head. “Why would you want to do that?” she scoffed, her tone laced with confusion. Twig shot her a low growl. “Risking your life just for some street cat's respect seems... dumb,” she continued, a tinge of sadness edging into her voice.

“Whatever! I'm gonna practice on some rats,” Twig huffed in frustration, turning away with a flick of his tail. “I’ll become the champion one day, and you'll feel like bird dung for doubting me!” With that, he bounded into the darkness, leaving Sky alone, a sense of dread creeping into her heart.

Closing her eyes tightly, she took a deep breath and opened them again, only to find herself surrounded by a chaotic crowd of cheering cats. Her mother was nearby, her soft tabby fur catching the light as she sat with her tail elegantly curled around her paws. “Come see your brother, Sky!” the she-cat called out, her voice bursting with pride.

Sky padded forward, her heart racing with anticipation, and she settled beside her mother. Together, they watched her brother stand proudly in the center of the arena. He paced in a confident circle, his gaze focused and fierce as cats above him chanted his name, their voices rising and falling in a rhythmic roar.

As the chants faded to a hush, a dark she-cat emerged from the edge of the viewing area, capturing the entire crowd's attention. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation. “Now, the champion!” the she-cat announced, her voice cutting through the electric tension in the air.

A hefty she-cat emerged from the shadows, her sleek, fiery fur glistening under the sun. She locked eyes with Twig, a fierce determination glinting in her gaze as the crowd erupted into a cacophony of shouts and cheers. Sky felt a wave of dread wash over her, a chilling sensation that made her fur stand on end and her heart race. Her brother stood tall and unyielding against his opponent, the tension in the air thickening as the noise around them faded, drawing all attention to the imposing figure of the dark she-cat perched on the viewing deck.

“May the best fighter win!” she proclaimed, her voice ringing out with the authority of the moment, and with that bold announcement, the fight officially began. Sky’s stomach twisted as she watched, horror-stricken, as Twig lunged forward, muscles coiled with fierce energy. He snarled defiantly at the larger she-cat, determination evident in his stance.

But in an instant, the tide turned. Twig was swiftly thrown off balance, his confident front crumbling as his opponent retaliated, her movements fluid and powerful. Sky’s instinct kicked in as she closed her eyes tightly, a shiver of fear coursing through her as she imagined the pain her brother could suffer. Images flashed in her mind of injury, of the potential loss of someone she loved so dearly.

After what felt like an eternity, she cautiously peeked through her lids. Her parents stood on either side of her, eyes lowered to the patch of dirt before them. Her breath caught in her throat in horrific realization: her brother was laid to rest before her. Sky began to tremble, stepping back in shock. Her mother's head turned, sorrowful eyes piercing into her soul.

Sky's paws moved independently, leading her further away from the grave that held so many memories. “Sky?” her mother’s voice rang out, tinged with confusion and worry, drawing her father’s attention. Her words resonated in Sky’s ears, a haunting echo as her heart pounded against her ribcage. Panic surged through her veins like wildfire, and she ran, not daring to glance back as her mother’s shrill cry pierced the air, calling her name with an intensity that stung her heart. Her legs propelled her forward, while her mind raced with an uncontrollable flood of thoughts and emotions, her eyes shut tightly against the world around her.

When she finally dared to open her eyes, Sky was met with a breathtaking sight— lush greenery stretching endlessly before her, vibrant shades of green dancing with the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves above. Yet, the enchanting scenery felt distant, almost surreal, as weariness washed over her like a wave, dragging her spirit down. Her stomach growled audibly, a painful reminder of her hunger that gnawed at her insides. Sky couldn’t quite grasp how long she had been journeying or where she had ended up—far removed from the familiar roads and alleyways that once constituted her world back home.

“Hey, stop where you are!” a commanding voice called out, slicing through the silence. Sky turned, her heart racing anew, to find a group of cats advancing toward her with a mix of caution and curiosity. She stood frozen momentarily, her instincts flaring as the strangers surrounded her. “You’re in clan territory,” announced a spotted tom, stepping forward with an air of authority that both intimidated and intrigued her.

“Clan territory?” she echoed, confusion lacing her tone as she glanced around, bewildered. “I’ve never heard of a clan before.”

“Then you should come with us to our camp; you clearly need some rest,” he suggested, his voice softer as he tilted his head toward their destination. “You can also help yourself to some prey.” With that invitation, the group turned, guiding Sky toward their camp while she felt an overwhelming sense of relief wash over her. As they approached the entrance, exhaustion settled heavily upon her, and she closed her eyes for a moment, embracing the darkness that beckoned.

When weary eyes finally blinked open, Risingsky found herself in her shadowed den. The moonlight streamed through the cracks, dancing along the ground. It had been far too long since she had dreamt of her life before joining the clan, and the bittersweet memories still tugged painfully at her heart. She glanced down at her swollen belly, the undeniable sign of new life growing within her, and her imagination began to wander. Would her parents ever meet her future kits? Would they beam with pride at the life she had carved out for herself, or would they wear expressions of disappointment, lamenting that she had run away when life became overwhelming?

Risingsky dipped her chin, resting it between her forepaws as she closed her eyes again. Perhaps one day, she would reunite with them, but for now, she knew that day was still far beyond the horizon.

Word Count: 1,408 words

[I Like Bees]

Username: I Like Bees
Clan: The Edge

Quest Number: 1

Tell us about your deputy's (or rank equivalent) past!

Response:

They'd found it. After all this time, they're really done it. They'd found the way out.

Frog gazed at the swirling kaleidoscope of light in the doorway before him. There was a strange depth to it, as the colors shifted between shades of purple and blue, light and dark. Occasionally, harmless sparks of sorts flew out and onto the nearby grass. It was fascinating, wonderful, frightening, and.. for most of the group, it was full of hope.

Dragonfly walked up to Frog's side, sitting close as they stared at the portal together. "Thinking about leaving?" she asked. Frog could hear the edge of worry in her voice, though she was trying to mask it. He didn't respond at first, lost in thought.

Finally. "I was thinking.. I think I'll stay."

The other cat visibly relaxed at that, but still mewed, "Are you sure? I mean, your past life is out there. There might be cats missing you, or- I don't know. You'll have to start all over here. And if you stay, you might never find out what your past was like."

Frog pulled his gaze away from the portal, studying Dragonfly instead. "My past is behind me," the Travelers' Second mewed, "and my future is here -- with you, and with Ghost. It doesn't matter what my history is, because now I have you. I'm going to stay."

Word Count: 228

---

Quest Number: 2

Tell us about a warrior ceremony or your clan's celebration of coming-of-age!

Response:

Word Count: N/A

[Hazelfang]

Username: Hazelfang
Clan: Kin of the Vixen

Quest Number: 1
Response: Tell us about your deputy’s (or rank equivalent) past!
You may write and/or draw your response to this prompt.
Word Count:

Quest Number: 2
Response: Tell us about a warrior ceremony or your clan’s celebration of coming-of-age!
You may only draw your response to this prompt.
Word Count: n/a

Quest Number: 3
Response: Tell us about a time one of your kitties got sick in autumn/winter :c
You may only write your response to this prompt.
Word Count: (If applicable)

[Polluux.]

Username: Polluux.
Clan: HOO

Quest Number: 2
Response:
Word Count: -

[ToraOkami303]

Username: ToraOkami303
Clan: Eagle Camp

Quest Number: 1
Response:

Applerose was born to two camp cats as a singleton 5yrs ago while Speckledstar was still the leader and Shadewillow was still the Deputy. Ze was a shy little kit often sticking to zir mother’s side instead of scampering off to explore with zir agemates. Ze was a bit too much of a worry wart to follow zir agemates in exploring. While ze was very shy to interact with the other kits, ze loved to play with zir parents under a nearby apple tree and try to catch the apple blossoms that would sometimes fall when birds flew around in the branches. It was this penchant for playing with the apple blossoms petals that led to zir being named Applekit.

When Applepaw became old enough to start zir apprenticeship ze started training as a regular Warrior. Under zir mentor ze started to learn how to gain a little more confidence in zir abilities. Ze was still a bit of a constant worry wart but ze also would stand a little more firm on what ze believed. Ze received zir apple earring during zir time as an apprentice, one of the older crafters helped zir put it in zir ear. Ze seemed to become a little more confident with what ze now called zir good luck charm.



Shortly after Applerose became a Warrior ze would be challenged in zir first truly dramatic way. A small pack of dogs found the camp at a time no one was expecting them to be roaming, destroying some of the brambles to get in. Though ze was afraid ze summoned all zir courage to help the other warriors chase off the pack. It was this act that led to Shadewillow seeing something in the young cat that he felt should be nurtured. He offered to take zir under his tutelage to be the next deputy, an offer ze nervously accepted.

Applerose spent the next two years training with Shadewillow to become the next deputy, learning all the responsibilities he handled as well as the ones he shared with Speckledstar. Ze sometimes wasn’t sure if ze could really handle all the responsibilities it would take to be a good deputy but Shade never faltered in his belief ze was the perfect fit for the role. Ze often asked what exactly he saw, since ze was far from the only young warrior to defend the camp that day but Shadewillow refused to comment on what he saw that day, saying ze would eventually understand one day.

When Applerose was 4 years old tragedy struck the camp, another pack of dogs attacked the camp. This one was much larger and more fierce than the last and amidst the fighting Speckledstar lost his last life and Shadewillow lost his only life, suddenly the camp was faced with no leadership in the middle of a battle. Apple and Mudwatcher had been caught in one of the dens collapsing under an attacking dog’s lunge, pinned only able to watch in terror as their leaders fell. Ze saw something then, as they lay there motionless two starry cats rose next to them. These perfect starry replicas of the fallen turned to look at Applerose, and ze felt something. It wasn’t words but it was an understanding that this was what Shadewillow had seen that day. Or something like it.

At Mudwatcher’s urging after freeing them both Apple pressed into action again, knowing that by the time the sun went down that day ze would have to make a choice. Ze just hoped ze made the right one.

Word Count: 595

~*~

Quest Number: 2
Response:


Word Count: N/A

[craig?]

Username: craig?
Clan: https://toyhou.se/Almondclans/characters/folder:2415695

Quest Number: 1
Response:
Toothpaste was an indoor cat.

He was an indoor cat.

Until, that is, his owner never came home.

She'd always been so punctual- that is of course, unless she was coming home with food and toys, but either way, she always returned at the same time every day, and then was fed.

It took about four days of trying and failing to find food before another twoleg came to check on him- they seemed worried. Scared. They barely noticed him until he made himself know, meowing at his food bowl in desperation. They looked even more worried when he led them to his various needs, pleading for their help. His stomach twisted in knots as he wondered what happened to his twoleg to make her abandon him like this.

They were talking to someone on their phone, and upon finally finishing, paused, and then scooped him up in their arms. His heart couldn't stop beating as they took him outside with them, dreading the thought of returning to the place all abandoned cats go, the place his fading memories of kithood refused to acknowledge, and so, with all his remaining energy, he kicked off of them, and made his escape.

He could always return home if his owner found him.

If his owner ever came home for him.

He was so disoriented, trying to just hide but stay nearby, trying to keep a lookout, and yet the roaring of the city noises were even louder when not muffled by the space between the balcony and the streets below.

And then he was found.

Not by his owner, but by a group of strays who called themself The Store. They marveled at him, whispering something about how someone had been right about him being there. He later learned that this "someone" was a fellow abandoned pet like him, who the strays had been calling Cashewclaw. Apparently, she'd been having visions of a pale cream cat like him at this very location, down to his clear blue eyes, his white toes and tip, the way his fur darkened at his points with stripes to match, and the blaze on his forehead.

This made her very special, and thus it meant he must be special as well.

They brought him back to their home, telling him how their oldest leader had recently retired, and how this meant they now needed to start seeking an heir to train, but were waiting for the right sign- and the sign they received led to him.

They would train him to learn to lead them.

He had a home now.

A... new. Home.

His stress and worry for his owner plagued his mind as they asked his permission to grant him a new name.

He would keep his old name.

Just with... something new.

And thus, the training of Toothpastetoe begun.
Word Count: 474

[crexmii]

Username: crexmii
Clan: here !!

Quest Number: three
Response:

piper was hopelessly lost.
she was wandering aimlessly through the snowy landscape, the endless sea of white stinging her paws as she walked.

the snow fell relentlessly as she struggled and stumbled, trying to find a path to warmth and shelter. she knew they weren't chasing after her any more. in fact, they had probably turned tail and gone back to camp and let her slowly freeze to death in the blizzard.

"a-choo!" another sneeze, a sniffle and a cough. stars, it was so cold. she was slowing down. no matter which direction she searched in, all she saw was the starless ether, indigo and twilight hues framing a white backdrop. she didn't see any familiar landmarks, nor did she see any signs of life or salvation.

she felt her throat constrict as if invisible talons were grasping it. the coughs were rattling and wheezy.

her pale green irises were bloodshot.
sniffling all the way and shivering, piper felt awful.
everywhere she stepped, the snow was there, following her.

she felt like she could wrap herself up in mounds and mountains of white and let herself slowly freeze there. even through her thick coat, she could feel the cold creeping into her bones, seeping into her joints. her legs wobbled, threatening to give in and buckle under her weight.

she was dragging herself around at this point.
suddenly she felt warm paws on her pelt, and she felt her body moving by itself.
to safety.

she felt the cold subside. blinking slowly and groggily, her gaze met a familiar pair of mismatched eyes.
"sirius." she croaked. her voice was hoarse from the coughing and the phlegm.

"am i dying? am i finally going to join the spirits?"
her words were barely audible, even softer than a whisper.

her companion gazed at her sadly, brushing the blue molly's fur with her bushy tail.
"piper. you're going to be alright," sirius mewed grimly, covering her shivering friend with a thick blanket of moss.

"...PIPER! you have a fever!"

"eat this." sirius placed a paste seemingly made of feverfew in front of piper's mouth. she lapped it up and giggled softly. her eyes were glazing over, and she seemed to be in some sort of daze. "would you look at that....the goddess of death telling me i'm sick. are you sureeeeeeee i'm alive, sisi?"

sirius rolled her eyes, rubbing piper's paws to warm them up. "yes, yes. you don't die this winter."
piper suddenly seemed to jerk, attempting to sit up. as she did, another harsh coughing fit overcame her.

"piper, sit down!" sirius hissed anxiously.

but she refused, stubbornly staring into the goddess's eyes.
"what do you mean this winter?!
are you saying i will die in the winter, sirius? will i die next winte, or the winter after that?" piper cried.

the poor molly sounded so desperate and scared it broke sirius's heart. "no- no, i-"
but it was too late. the truth had been spilled.

sirius sighed. "don't fret. you die when you're old and creaky."
alas, her attempts to console piper didn't seem to help.

"i don't exactly like the fact that i know when my death is going to be.
soon you stop living life normally and start fearing the ticking of time as the days go by. soon you try all you can to avoid it, and you stop enjoying every day as it comes.

...i don't want to fear the winter. it's when the lands make room for new life to grow. it's when i can watch the snowflakes with you, and when the auroras come out."

"i don't want this to end, sisi." piper mumbled, before closing her eyes and starting to mutter incoherently. sirius felt the pangs of guilt as she stared down at her sleeping friend, wrapped up in moss blankets and curled up like a ball.

hesitating, the tortie took a step closer towards piper's slumbering form and snuggled up next to her to keep her companion warm.

"get well soon, piper. i don't know what i would do without you." sirius whispered, letting the words flow into her grey, folded ears.
piper sniffled once, and shifted slightly, the corners of a smile curving upward on her face.

"a-choo!"

sirius jumped. "h-hey! you were awake the whole time! you sneezed right on me...." she meowed accusingly. piper simply snorted and patted one of sirius's white paws.

"i love you too, sisi."


Word Count: [ # 740 words <3 ]

(omg no way crex is finally doing a quest board after so long 😭😭😭)

[Embergleam]

Username: Embergleam
Clan: In The Wake Of Giants

Quest Number: #1
Response:

(As a content warning, this post alludes to death, depression, and survivor's guilt. It's a fairly heavy post, so please skip if you don't feel safe reading it!)

"I don't understand."

"Stars and spirits, Aldertrail, it's a promotion, not a death sentence!"

Ivystar might have laughed, but her eyes never left her presumptive deputy's face. Nearly a moon had passed since she and Duskbloom had officially become mates, and it was well past time to fill the role the latter had vacated. The decision had simply been... rather more difficult than anticipated. The Wake, as it turned out, was rather spoiled for choice when it came to excellent candidates. Sparkrise had an easy, intuitive understanding of tactics that made him a natural leader on the battlefield. Mimic's's irreverence hid a deceptively sharp mind and wealth of experience built up over a dozen lifetimes. Even young Stormhaven, the clan's first truly homegrown warrior, was maturing into a force to be reckoned with.

But Aldertrail- veteran of a hundred battles and a dozen wars- stood head and shoulders above all the other candidates for one very simple reason.

He knew all too intimately what it meant to fail.

"I understood that part quite well." The cat in question sat heavily, as if the strings holding his haunches up had been snipped. "I simply struggle to understand why you would offer the position to me."

This time Ivystar's bright eyes narrowed. Cloverpatch- clever, watchful Cloverpatch- had warned her that Aldertrail might struggle to accept the offer. Ever since the horror in the mountains he had struggled to feel worthy of... well, anything. It had caused the siblings no end of trouble then, and remained a sore spot now. The clan's mediators were working with both of them, but Ivystar hoped to take a rather more direct approach.

"Why wouldn't I?" She sat as well, plumed tail tucked primly around her paws. "You're one of the best fighters in the clan, to say nothing of one of the best leaders during combat. You've got a wealth of practical experience. You've more than proven yourself capable of keeping your head when the fur is flying. And more than that, I trust you to speak in my stead. What about that doesn't say 'second in command material' to you?"

Aldertrail swayed on the spot, ears flattened as if in pain.

"I don't- there's so much I haven't told you yet."

"About Peakclan, I take it?" It took a concerted effort to keep her voice level, to not let her disgust at Aldertrail's natal clan creep into her voice. She must have succeeded, for the patched tomcat nodded, relief making his whiskers sag.

"Yes. About Peakclan, and Jaggedstar, and what I should have done."

"Then lay it out for me. Help me understand."

Aldertrail didn't want to. Denial and pain so old it had calcified flashed across the calico's face, aging him a lifetime in the span of a heartbeat. For a long moment Ivystar feared he might turn away, cling to his pain like a talisman, then-

"I don't... particularly enjoy revisiting those memories. I'm sure you understand."

He sighed, rubbing a paw over his face as if to chase away the shadows that gathered there.

"But somehow I doubt you'll let me brush you off that easily. Clover's been in your ear, hasn't she?"

"She has." Not much point in denying it. "And you're trying to change the subject."

Aldertrail huffed a laugh that never reached his eyes. They stayed firmly locked on his paws, where his claws sheathed and unsheathed, sheathed and unsheathed.

"Before Jaggedstar," He began, tone carefully schooled to neutrality, "There was Froststar. She was... a good cat, I think, but not necessarily a kind one. Life had never been easy for her. She had always had to fight for every scrap of food or inch of territory, and expected the clan to as well. Under her guidance Peakclan became... ruthless. Cruelly self-interested. Our warriors were told to ration out our aid carefully, and only to those who truly deserved it. We could never truly know when the great reckoning might come upon us.

"And so we turned our back on our allies, on the Warrior Code, with barely more than a grumble.

"Froststar died in a border dispute. Negotiations went sour and fangs flew. It all happened so fast that no one, medicine cat, warrior, or otherwise, could do anything about it. A few of us dared to hope that her successor might learn from her mistakes. I suppose he Jaggedstar did learn from her, simply not the lesson I thought he would. He used Froststar's death as an excuse to slam our borders shut. If our so-called allies would kill a leader in broad daylight, all for a few fox-lengths of forest, what other depths of depravity would they sink to?"

Aldertrail closed his eyes, the long-dead leader's words ringing in his ears. It had all felt so right then, their cause just, their actions righteous. Some among the warrior ranks had muttered that Froststar had gone too far, Aldertrail among them, but most held her up as a martyr. In their eyes her death had revealed the darkness enveloping the world around them. Their mountain had become an island, a fortress beset by monsters twisted beyond all imagining.

"After that, there was no such thing as 'too far.'" Moments prior the old warrior had had to fight to keep his tone even. Now his words came dull and tired, as if each one weighed on his shoulders. "When Jaggedstar called for more patrols, cats tripped over themselves to sign up. When those patrols received orders to kill on sight, it seemed entirely justified. When he forbade cats from starting families, ordered all kits and apprentices into brutal training regimens, it seemed logical. Why bring innocents into the world when the Dark Forest itself was at our borders? Why leave our precious few youngsters in danger an instant longer than necessary?"

He rose, restless energy making his fur stand in untidy spikes. Anger simmered in Aldertrail's low voice- at Peakclan's leaders, yet, but far more of it seemed aimed at himself.

"And through it all I did nothing. I absolutely could have. Froststar trained me herself, considered me one of her warrior elite. I had ample opportunity to cut the rot out at its source. One training accident, one mistake on patrol, and Peakclan would have been free-!"

The anger shattered like so much ice. Grief welled up to replace it, cold and sick and strangling.

"...and Whisperwind would never have been exiled. And Cloverpatch would never have had to use her skills to harm instead of heal. It should have been me, Ivystar. It should have been me. But it wasn't. I failed. And everyone around me suffered for it."

Silence fell between them, heavy as stormclouds and half again as ominous. For a dozen heartbeats Ivystar let it reign uncontested. Cloverpatch had warned her Aldertrail was carrying the world on his shoulders, but she had never expected all of this. The tired old warrior was limping through life held together by scar tissue and sheer grit. It was a minor miracle he was functional, much less seeking out ways to improve his adoptive clan.

...Haven and Heartleap would probably have a few things to say about why he was so keen to lend a paw, but that had never been Ivystar's area of expertise. She was a cat of action, of the in-between moments, of honest words backed up by quick actions. So, for that matter, was Aldertrail. Perhaps that was what this situation called for.

"I don't think you failed." Her choice of words- or perhaps the blunt honesty behind them- made Aldertrail flinch back as if slapped. "I think you're shouldering a burden that was never yours in the first place."

"But-"

"I'm not done yet. Aldertrail, what would Jaggedstar have done if you'd spoken out against him?"

"He would have killed me." Aldertrail met Ivystar's eyes, and in his face Ivystar saw some shadow of the ferocity that had won him a place in Froststar's vanguard. Apparently there was more than just old wounds buried deep in the warrior's core. "That doesn't make it any better."

"Who would have stood up for the youngsters if you didn't?"

Shock flickered over the calico's face, followed by something suspiciously like doubt. "I... suppose someone else would have. Clearview, perhaps, or-"

"Cloverpatch told me you covered for the cats who defected. You invented cover stories for them. Predator attacks, accidents, friendly fire incidents. You made sure no one from Peakclan was on their tails. Who else would have done that?"

There was that shock again, rawer this time, and with it came the first glimmers of understanding.

"...no one." He murmured, and looked away before Ivystar's stare could skewer him. "No one besides me."

"That's about what I figured." Ivystar sat with a sigh that seemed to come from her bones. This was good, healing, necessary work, but Stars above was it hard and exhausting for all parties involved. "Aldertrail, what happened to Peakclan wasn't your fault. None of it."

The Aldertrail of yesterday would have argued the point. Now, the first tentative tendrils of understanding taking root in his heart, he waited in silence, though it seemed to be a challenge. Ivystar took it as a good sign.

"No one made Jaggedstar turn his back on the world outside his borders. No one forced him to ever-greater heights of tyranny. Every action he took, he chose. The guilt, and the consequences, of those actions are his and his alone. That burden is his to bear, not yours. It was never yours.

"You admitted it yourself: he would have killed you if rebelled openly. So you didn't. You kept your head down. You fought back where and how you could. You protected those who didn't have the same position and privilege you did. You covered more vulnerable cats' tracks when they made their escape. None of that sounds monstrous to me. It sounds pretty darn heroic."

Silence fell a second time, calmer this time, somehow less accusatory. When Aldertrail broke it some of the horrible self-loathing had eased out of his tone.

"I had a plan," He said, embarrassment weaving through his words, "To end Jaggedstar once and for all. But Cloverpatch beat me to it. She always could leap faster than me, even when I was in my prime. I suppose there's a certain... symmetry to her beating me again. What else are big sisters for?"

They laughed together, just a little sadly, grief and humor and an easing of tension all wrapped up into one. Ivystar rose and shouldered companionably against the old warrior, pleased to see he didn't shy away this time.

"Think about what I asked, alright?" Her ears angled forward, fond and entreating all at once. "You don't need to give me a yes or no right away. But you learned some incredibly valuable lessons the hard way, and the Wake could benefit from your expertise. So could I, for that matter."

Ivystar padded off into the gathering dusk, leaving Aldertrail to sort through his thoughts- and through the tumult of emotion raging in his chest.

At the next clan meeting he gave her his answer: he claimed the position behind and to the side of his leader, the one so recently occupied by Duskbloom, and smiled nervously out at the clan.

Aldertrail had not fallen into his current state overnight. He wouldn't heal overnight either. Now, at least, that long and arduous process could begin.

What else was a loving (if sometimes fractious) clan for, but dragging someone back from the brink?


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