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fallenclan · 8 months

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FANFIC ANON LIVES!! PART 2 OF THE OTHER FANFIC WILL COME... but... lil something different for now since you wanted to hear about it >:)

Believe it or not, warriors are not always on their paws. The dream of every busy cat can be surmised by two words: to relax. As the sun falls from the sky and the moon ascends, Henryclaw sits in front of a group of cats - some are young and old and others are energetic and exhausted - with a wide smile. His tail curls as his mind dances with memories. He's traveled many places and met many cats within his life. A few told him the tallest of tales and others spoke of stories that bewilder him to this day. Perhaps the forces those cats spoke of are real and he was a fool not to believe them then.

But that doesn't matter now as the crowd gathers before him. Even the leader decided to humor his storytelling today. They came to hear whatever he was to say.

Whiskers twitching, Henryclaw casts his gaze up towards the slow arrival of stars within the darkening sky. "Our story begins on a day like today." He begins, gesturing up to the gradient of grayish-purples, hints of the typical sky blue, pink the color of salmon, and yellow as vibrant as a daffodil. "The sun was tucking itself away from our view, going off to another land to gift it life. Meanwhile, the moon rose to raise the dead into its ranks."

There was a cat with long rabbit-like ears some moons ago hailing from a place called BlossomClan. He forgets if their home still remained, but as they ate beneath the marbled sky of blues and purples, their tale weaved between his ears. They spoke the strangest story. One unlike any he had ever been told before. When he awoke the next morning, there was not a single trace of the odd cat. Ah...

His gaze settles back onto his crowd and he gently nudges the memories aside. Taking in a deep breath, he continues. "There once was a Clan that lived out in gorgeous meadows. Never once did they find themselves ill as every herb they could wish for blossomed. Their bellies never rumbled as the rabbits were plump. These cats did not know of hardship. They only knew of the sun's warm embrace." A few murmurs of jealousy weasel out of the cats listening, but the best he can do is silently advise them to hear the story in full.

"Endless peace was a disdainful sight to the old stars within their Silverpelt. The warriors never did their namesake. To the deceased who had fought fang and claw to achieve happiness, it was a bitter and unfair sight. So many moons since their plights had passed that they did not think about how they had spared their kin from the heart-shattering fights they had endured." Henryclaw's tail curls as he slowly shakes his head. StarClan truly was such an odd place...

While this all could be mere fiction, he could and would never know unless that cat returned to confirm it. Alas, the world is no small place. By now, that cat could have traveled to places far beyond his knowledge. "Watching as their traditions died off, the language they used fade away, and rules begin to shift, the ancient cats of Silverpelt had enough. Fueled by hatred - the same hatred they advocated against all their lives - they tore a hole open within Silverpelt."

A few younger cats began whispering amongst themselves. He couldn't catch what they were meowing, but it appeared that they were attempting to spur fear into one another based on the sly grins being exchanged. "Their spirits were turned into the dark emotions coursing inside of them and they overtook the idyllic meadow. Despair befell the thriving Clan. Cats died in troves from illness, attacks, and starvation. Even their own grief was a factor in their demises. They lived knowing they would one day join StarClan, but they never expected to watch their beloved Clanmates to go before them."

The strangest, yet his favorite, part of the tale was next. "One day, a warrior, reeling from heat exhaustion and starvation, finds a rabbit. Unlike normal rabbits, this one had slitted pupils, fangs instead of squares, and claws that functioned like a cat's. This abnormal rabbit did not stop surprising as it stared at the bony cat and said, 'I wish to save you.' The cat rubbed its eyes, dumbfounded. A rabbit meowed like a cat! A rabbit!" He leans forward, dramatics getting the best of him, and grins at his audience. A cat or two groan and leave, though it's no problem of his if they wish to grouch about such a thing.

"As the cat blinked slowly, the haze in their mind dissipated. No longer did the scorching heat burn the cat's back. Rather, a coolness seeped into their body and filled them with relief. They settled their gaze onto the rabbit and warily asked, 'Who are you?'

"For several moments, the rabbit did not answer. The warrior wondered if they were losing their mind, but the rabbit's puzzled expression made them think twice. At long last, a sigh parted from the rabbit's jaws as it said, 'I believe they would call me a witch.' The rabbit did not break eye contact with the cat, though it appeared remorseful. As though something had fractured within its soul.

"The warrior hesitated, but it pleaded with the odd rabbit to help them. It was the rabbit that had gotten rid of their mental fog, was it not? Surely this rabbit could save everyone else. All that met their ears was silence. Desperate, the cat cried, 'I promise we will repay our debt! We will do right by you, I swear it to you!' Still, the rabbit remained silent and appeared perplexed.

"That was until it said, 'Give me a name. One that is reminiscent of your own. If you do that, then I will do everything to help you and your Clan.'

"A warrior name is a special gift. To ask a warrior - no, a cat who is so scrawny that they could die in a few days - to name it was shocking. Appalling even. The warrior stared and stared, knowing they had to answer with a fitting name, but could they truly answer...?

"Seconds turned into minutes. The heat began to sear the warrior's back once more. Their head was spinning. Nothing was making sense, not as though it could when a rabbit was talking to them. 'Strangehope.' They heaved out. As offensive as the name could sound, there was nothing but gratitude in the cat's trembling voice. 'Please, save us, Strangehope.'"

Henryclaw's chest tightens as his lungs ache due to speaking for so long. Taking a moment to rest, he directs his gaze to the darkening sky. The yellows had faded and were replaced by darker pinks and oranges. "Strangehope, huh?" He murmurs, laughing slightly at the name. Was that really the name that cat had told him? Or had he mixed in some of his own fantastical thoughts?

Shaking his head, he focuses onto the cats still listening. "The rabbit then stood on its hind legs, smiling at the cat as it pressed its paw against their head. In a flash of light, the rabbit disappeared and left a rabbit-shaped puddle of fresh water. Within the glistening water, they could see their head had a strange mark and even stranger ears while their legs had grown stronger and longer than before. Perhaps stranger than the changes to their body was the energy coursing through their veins.

"This small bit of water could bring hope to their Clan through this horrendous drought. It could save a few lives. As the realization set in, the warrior began running. The grass beneath their paws crunched, but they didn't care. Driven by hope, the cat found some moss that, perhaps by a miracle, was able to soak up the water. They rushed to camp. No cat stopped them to ask what had happened to them, all too weak from exhaustion themselves. Skidding to a halt at long last, they dropped the soaked moss in front of the weakened kits. 'Drink,' they edged, nudging the kits' maws toward the moss, 'You need to survive.'

"The kits didn't look up at them or say anything in return. Desperately, the kits lapped up the water and slowed the pain within their sore throats. There wasn't a drop remaining, but, so long as the sun hadn't stolen it all yet, there was some left in the puddle. Once more, the warrior ran. The sun hadn't taken anything from them. It was as if it couldn't. The logic of it all was beyond the warrior's questioning. All they knew was that their Clan needed this strange puddle of water.

"After several trips, every cat beside the warrior had something to cure their parched and overheated selves. For the briefest moment, the cruel season felt survivable. All thanks to the warrior." Come to think of it, Henryclaw doesn't remember the warrior's name. He should have remembered such a core detail, but... alas. Perhaps later, he can come up with one. For now...

He smiles and closes his eyes. They sting at first, but they settle down and accept the comfort of closing. "Unfortunately, the blight consuming the land did not take well to the inference. The few remaining herbs wilted and a rabid wolf was now amongst the threats the Clan had. However, the warrior's strength and, more importantly, hope had not dwindled. Even as cats continued to be picked off and others lost the slivers of hope that they had found, the warrior held their head high. Every day, cats were still able to drink and, while gruesome battles ensued, they ate the predators that wanted them dead. They could survive. It was plausible.

"The Clan's size dwindled until only twelve cats remained. The once bustling Clan with a multitude of camps and bright-eyed cats was reduced to a mere shell of itself. Heaving, the leader of this desolate Clan, Wishstar, summoned the hopeful and strong warrior to her den. With trembling paws, she stood and demoted her deputy, who was at StarClan's borders, before appointing the warrior with her last breaths. She crashed onto the ground, life leaving her body, and the star on the warrior's head shined brighter than the moon outside.

"Light overtook the warrior and they found themselves within a realm that the eyes could swear was a fractal. Nothing made sense. Chunks of earth floated within the air and dirt crumbled off of their surfaces. Though, their eyes could not linger on the mutilated world for long as nine cats approach them. Several cats, most notably the leader and deputy of their Clan, were familiar. The rest they knew nothing about.

"A strange tortoiseshell stepped forward first. Sorrow dug into her gaze as they made eye contact. She then pressed her nose into the star on their forehead. 'Save those that remain with this life.' She pleaded.

"Phantom pain did not rush through their body, but the urge to break down into sobs coursed through them. Despite this, they managed to only let a few tears fall. Tears were healthy in times of respite, but the drought would punish them for such feelings.

"Next came a small and wiry black cat. Hidden within the whites of their eyes were two black pupils. They motioned for the warrior to bow its head and, once they did so, they pressed their nose against the star. 'Let the fear turn into instincts. Fear that beast so you can survive it.' Their voice trembled as they spoke, but a seriousness was embedded deep within.

"Horror crept through their veins as though it were thousands of cockroaches wriggling inside of them. The disgusting sensation made them shrink into their own fur and their body trembled furiously.

"It only abated when a paw gently tilted their head up. The silver tabby smiled softly at them, a breathy purr following. 'It's okay.' He soothes, pressing his nose against their forehead. 'Remember that you'll be okay and believe in yourself.'

"As if the bountiful streams had returned, a calmness claimed their mind as they watched the regal tom slip back into the crowd.

"Bouncy and wide-eyed, a small cat approached. Once again, the warrior had to bend down so the cat could press their nose against their head. 'I dunno much about talking.' The young cat meowed shamelessly, but a smile was so wide on his face none could chide him. 'So, uh, beat those evildoers up!'

"Euphoria poured into their body and they could envision the three struggling kits who lingered on becoming six moons old. They were not able to wear a smile like him. Their cheeks were hollow and ribcages showed. It was pathetic that kits were subjected to so much suffering due to merely being born at the wrong time...

"They were taken out of their thoughts when they saw a familiar face. A speckled brown cat approached and she buried her head into the crook of their neck. 'Oh, my darling kit...' Their mother's voice was as raspy as they had last heard. It was nothing like the jolly and honey-sweet purr she had when they were a kit. 'Take care of yourself, please.'

"Warm love filled their heart and they buried their head into her fur. She still carried the stench of sickness, but they tried their darndest not to pay it any mind.

"Eventually, their tender moment flickered out and she slunk back into the crowd. After her came a tired-looking ginger tabby. She stood a distance away from them, laughing wearily. 'Never expected a cat-rabbit to breach StarClan's borders.' She sneers, though the jeer crashes into the ground as her head hangs solemnly. Her claws dig into the ground and a hiss tears from her scarred lips. 'Keep Soaringkit and Gingerkit alive for me.'

"No emotion ran through them. Instead, they were forced to watch as the ginger tabby strayed off from the group and plopped down. An illusion sparked around her, showing off a time where she could have been playing with her grandkits. The bitter expression she wore was nonexistent and she purred louder than his own mother had. Though, reality crushed the sight. She could only watch them from beyond the grave and wish them the best.

"A grinning cat sauntered up to them and shoved his paw against their forehead. 'Win,' was the only word that came out of his maw, but they understood what the word meant. Competitiveness bled into them, merging with their desires and lighting them up like wildfires. They had to win. It was the only way to survive. The only way to provide a future...

"Shortly thereafter..." Henryclaw went to continue, but - at long last - it seems that someone else felt like speaking.

"So," a cat yawns lazily, "Could we speed this up?"

Honestly! How much rudeness can one fit into a cat? Huffing, he scoffs and meows, "I warned everyone this would be a long story. You're free to leave whenever you please." The cat makes eye contact with him for a brief moment before adverting their gaze. A few seconds of silence pass by, prompting him to carry on.

"Shortly thereafter," Henryclaw starts and, upon hearing no interjection, continues, "The deputy of MeadowClan stood before the warrior. Her striped black fur was not as glossy as it once was, but she laughed louder than she was able to in life and pressed her nose against their forehead. 'I had a hunch when my sister was mentoring you that, one day, you'd climb your way up.' She told them before she shifted back.

"The life was not overwhelming. In truth, it left them smiling and proud of themself. That smile carried as they looked at their leader. She did not tremble as horribly as she had in life, but her body lurched forward with each step like she would come crashing down again. 'I believe in you.' She said, her conviction clearer than a cloudless starry night. Pressing her nose against their head, they felt the final life slam into them.

"Happiness and pain danced like joyous birds inside of them. A caterwaul tore from their lungs. Every fur on their body bristled due to the agony, but they endured for the sake of those that believed in them... For the sake of the hope still within them. Their eyes screwed shut and they told themself that it wouldn't be much longer. The warring emotions would subside soon enough.

"When their eyes flung open, they found themself standing in the leader's den with the medicine cat by their side. They told him what had happened and, while they mourned, the warrior-turned-leader knew what they had to do. Standing above the Clan, the cat cried, 'We cannot cower any longer! The blight cannot be our fate! There has to be more to life than endless death. Raise your heads and rekindle your will!'

"No cat responded. Wallowing in their despair and misfortune as their stomachs rumbled, no cat tried to aid the hopeful soul. None dared to even lift a paw. In fact, now that they thought about it, no one other than Strangehope had ever offered to do so. The burden always laid on their shoulders. Despite that cruel fact, the strange-looking cat stood tall and proud. Leaping off of the Serene Oak, they steeled their heart. It was their battle now, as unfair as that was.

"Emotion overcame reason. No more could die to the blight now that they were leader. They sped out of camp, running until the sky was as dark as it is now. Pants heaved out of them, but they had found the beast they were looking for: the rabid wolf. White foam poured out of its mouth and the creature staggered as it prowled. Regret bubbled up inside of their heart, but they couldn't leave now. Their spur of the moment decision was permanent.

"Knowing this, they crept over to one of the few trees in the meadow. It was a rotting weeping willow, believe it or not. Previously, a river had ran beside it, but it was as dry as sand now. Upon perching themself in the tree, they began to make a racket. Of course, it drew the attention of the predator. Once the creature was beneath them, it began hurling sticks at it. The rotten and fractured wood pierced the wolf's sagging hide, but, in the grand scheme, that was as useful as a bear getting a splinter.

"Then they heard a sickening crack. The branch they were standing on began to break off from the tree. Luckily, they were able to leap to another branch before it fell onto the ground, but their heart was racing. Truly, this was a stupid decision. There was no going back now though. They had to...

"Then... Hck!-" Henryclaw's throat dries, causing him to slump and wince. Furiously gulping, he steadily can feel his throat be moistened again. Goodness, these stories really do wind a cat. Taking a moment to scratch behind his ear, much to the chagrin of his audience, he aligns the plot points. Right... "Then a hulking beast with three heads stalked out of the distant shadows. It was cat-like, but was the size of a bear, had the horns of a buck, and the wings of an osprey. The creature approached the wolf and, before they could blink, ate it whole. Blood stained its maw and, as it licked its lips, they could see the wolf's fangs.

"Horror grasped them. This was not something cats could hope to defeat. It was a monstrosity beyond the imagination! But what could they do? Strange hope was the best they had...

"Their eyes settled onto their long, rabbit-like legs. Perhaps it was for this exact moment they were given these. If they aimed and timed their leap perfectly, they could try to get onto one of its faces and try to blind it. At worst, they'd all die to the hideous creature... But they had never tried to give up before. Not even when their mind was filled with fog and dreary from hunger.

"So they leaped. Their claws tore into anything it made contact with while their fangs ripped at the beast's ears. Bloodshed ensued immediately... Power surged through their veins as they did everything in their power to make this creature suffer. Adrenaline made them press onward and they did their darndest to achieve their goal. Brutally, their plans came screeching to a halt when they lost a life as their body was crushed and thrown into the decaying willow.

"When they came to again and saw the beast looming overhead, they swore it was the end... That was until they heard battle cries. Their Clanmates, who resembled the prey animals that once thrived in the meadows, had rallied together after a revelation struck. Now in a seven against one, there seemed to be hope. All that was left was to win.

"The beast was a fearsome opponent, but utilizing their skill and determination, the cats eventually got the edge on it. Finally, it was time to kill the beast... and that was when they heard it. 'You finally learned!' The beast shrieked. Its morbid warble made them flinch and they stared up at it. Despite seeing their determination to kill it, the monster wore a sickeningly sweet smile. 'Despair... You understand it now, don't you? You aren't weak, soft cats anymore.' Its cheery chirps made their ears pin against their skull.

"They wanted to wonder what the creature was saying, but their claws unsheathed as far as they would go. Snarling, they lunged at the middle neck. Light poured out of it as their fangs dug into its neck. Rather than fight, the monster threw its heads back and maniacally laughed. Blood cascaded from the open wounds, but that did not halt the beast's amusement.

"When the beast crashed into the ground at long last and victory stood by them, the new leader felt their paws tremble. The last thing they saw was the beast's body turning into golden flecks of light.

"Soft birdsong trickled through their ears when they awoke. Dragging themself to their paws despite their insistent headache, they saw one of their Clanmates who had wings similar to a canary's singing for the younger cats. The grass was still dead and the heat was immense, but they swore they could see vibrant green amongst the dull colors and that the sun felt nice today.

"Upon noticing their leader awake, the cats gathered around them with wide smiles. Purring and throwing their heads toward the starry sky, the cats cheered..."

Ah, he remembers it now. That strange apparition that smiled warmly as they sat out on the meadow, watching far off cats go about their lives. They had a rabbit-like appearance, but it gave them charm. When they met, he found the cat to be quite an oddball. How often do you meet a cat so optimistic? Their smile was so contagious that, as he thinks of them now, he can't help but smile just as wide as their Clanmates must have.

"Bunnyspring!"

HOLY SHIT???? THIS IS INCREDIBLE WHY ARE THESE GOD-TIER WRITERS THROWING THEIR ART INTO MY INBOX HELLO

#im stunned #this is incredible holy fuck #im gonna have to come back and read this like. four times today at least #fallenasks #fallenfic

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