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petalrain-of-the-forest · 2 years

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Thank you @cryptidclaw for the base, I will be using them a lot!! Idk if I should @ you every single time I get a character out on here because I don't want to spam you, but I'll figure it out ( or you could tell me ajsha ) !!

THORNSTAR

Thunderclan Leader, 102 Moons, He/Him

A stout, cream-white tom with blue eyes.

The current leader of Thunderclan in my slice of life, fan drabbles set in the Old Forest!

Thornstar is the second-oldest leader in the forest, who's led his clan through both war and peace. He's most known for his compassion and fatherly nature, which is how he leads his clan ( big ol' family ) Harsher critics would call him too lenient, as he is notorious for allowing kittypets and even rogues into his clan, and a coward who is too afraid to make the correct decision if it means conflict. Nonetheless, Thornstar is beloved in Thunderclan, and has made many allies and friends outside of it as well; most notable being Mallowstar of Windclan.

HISTORY

Thornstar was born as Thornkit to two Thunderclan warriors, Aspenbark and Laurelfur. He grew up in a caring environment under Duskstar's reign. She was the previous Thunderclan leader, and was known for her intelligence and precise battle tactics. Thornkit soon became Thornpaw, his mentor being the ever-jolly Graycloud. His mentor is where he learned the importance of an optimistic attitude, and they both were very close.

Thornpaw then graduated into Thornheart. They became a warrior in an anxious time period, since Thunderclan and Windclan were constantly getting into border skirmishes. It seemed as if Duskstar and Darkstar, the current leader of Windclan, were in at an enternal odds against each other, the pair of them playing mind games with the other at the cost of their clan. Thornheart knew this was wrong, and that all this violence over seemingly nothing would only hurt his beloved clan. He quickly realized however, that Duskstar was stubborn, and his own clanmates were too caught up on the idea of winning to see that there was no prize at the end.

It seemed that this sentiment was shared by only one other warrior, Mallowlight, a Windclan warrior. They had met one gathering, and instantly saw how similar they were. They worked together to warn each other about any suprise attacks. Soon, the current deputy of Thunderclan succumbed to the wounds of battle that had occurred at Windclan's border. By this time, Thornheart, despite having no interest in being enemies with Windclan, had proven himself to be a courageous and noble warrior, so it came to little surprise that he was chosen as the next deputy ( Thunderclan was a very small clan at this point, and most warriors were battle-hungry, and though Duskstar disagreed with Thornheart's pacifist views, he had a good head on his shoulders and was well-respected ). He worked with Duskstar in taking control of their borders, which they succeeded on, and at the end of Duskstar's 9 lives, she thanked them for always having Thunderclan's best interest at heart, something she had shamefully forgotten at times. With a heavy heart, yet determination, he took on the name Thornstar at 56 moons.

Thornstar appointed Silvertail as is deputy, a cool and collected warrior who was only an apprentice during the war with Windclan, one of the last warriors Duskstar named. Around this time, a few moons after he became warrior, Windclan's leader mysteriously left- rumored to have ran away from their clan after suffering such losses. Thornstar was delighted that close friend Mallowlight had risen to Mallowstar. They became friendly 'rivals', but unlike their predecessors, their rivalry was contained with who named the most apprentices, and who got their clan to fourtrees first. A long season of peace had graced the four clans.

When Silvertail died of a serious illness, Thornstar named Robinwing deputy, his former apprentice. Robinwing proved themselves perfect for this role, as he is always on top of everything, before prompt or even warning. The two were an unmatched team, which became very apparent when a group of rogues started threatening and ambushing the clan. Under a moon they were chased out, a few even joined the clan ( not without careful supervision on Robinwing's part ).

Currently, Thornstar is content with Thunderclan's seasons of serenity, and is managing the now very large clan ( 30+ !!! ) with his ever jolly attitude. He is in some heat with a few warriors in his clan, who think they should take some of Shadowclan's land to feed the many mouves their own clan has obtained, but he doesn't want to start another possible war after everything that's happened. Overall, Thornstar is the kind and noble leader of the rambunctious Thunderclan, who is proud to be looking forward to being there for his clan for many more moons.

And that's it!!

Woo boyyy, I didn't think I'd write this much, but apparently I was very wrong lol. This is the beginning of a very long list of characters I write about ( title: Seasons! ) starting from Thunderclan. Feel free to ask any questions, whether it be about Thornstar or what I write about or me!! Have a nice day/night <33

#warrior cats #oc #base #thunderclan #wa: seasons

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barrenclan · 10 hours

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Our gang sure is in quite a sticky situation!

#ask #anon #issue 35 #mallowstar

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clansoffate · 8 months

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HayClan's Leader

Alrighty first poll! We'll put this at one week and see how many votes we get. I really want to get to a point where we can set a poll to one day. Anyway, leader time.

#hayclan #fanclan #first leader here we go

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brainrotsmoothie · 1 year

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LAGOONCLAN

The Unimaginative and Old-fashioned

LEADER STARLINGSTAR—a short-haired, black she-cat, with gold eyes.

DEPUTY SNAKECLAW—a short-haired, chocolate mackerel tabby tom, with amber eyes.

MEDICINE CAT FIREDSUST—a short-haired, red mackerel tabby she-cat, with copper eyes.

WARRIORS STORMFANG—a hairless, blue mackerel tabby tom, with green eyes.

SOOTSTREAM—a black tom, with short fur, and green eyes.

FOGFUR—a short-haired, blue she-cat, with amber eyes.

DARKPUDDLE—a black tom, with long fur, and yellow eyes.

APPRENTICES CROWPAW—a short-haired, black she-cat, with gold eyes.

PLUMPAW—a cinnamon and red, classic tortoiseshell-tabby she-cat, with short fur, and amber eyes.

THISTLEPAW—a long-haired, blue she-cat, with copper eyes.

MARIGOLDPAW—a red spotted "pseudo-tabby" she-cat, with short fur, and amber eyes.

NIGHTPAW—a black she-cat, with curly fur, and green eyes.

BLEAKPAW—a blue she-cat, with short fur, and copper eyes.

QUEENS ROOKWHISKER—a black spotted tabby she-cat, with sparse fur, and yellow eyes.

OWLBERRY—a short-haired, chocolate she-cat, with yellow eyes.

ELDERS MURKCLOUD—a short-haired, black spotted tabby tom, with copper eyes.

BLACKSTREAM—a short-haired, black tom, with hazel eyes

FIELDCLAN

The Affectionate and Stupid

LEADER

LIONSTAR—a short-haired, cream mackerel "pseudo-tabby" she-cat, with copper eyes.

DEPUTY

LIGHTSTREAM—a short-haired, white tom, with copper eyes.

MEDICINE CAT

SPIDERFACE—a short-haired, black tom, with hazel eyes.

WARRIORS

SLUGNOSE—a long haired, black spotted tabby tom, with yellow eyes.

SHADOWWHISKER—a short haired, black mackerel tabby she-cat, with hazel eyes.

FOGPELT—a blue mackerel tabby tom, with short fur, and yellow eyes.

BEESTONE—a short haired, red spotted "pseudo-tabby" tom, with copper eyes.

SPRUCEFUR—a red ticked "pseudo-tabby" she-cat, with short fur, and hazel eyes.

DAWNCLOUD—a long haired, red classic tabby she-cat, with hazel eyes.

APPRENTICES

RAVENPAW—a black mackerel tabby tom, with short fur, and copper eyes.

SOOTPAW—a black tom, with short fur, and green eyes.

QUEENS

SANDCLAW—a short haired, cream mackerel tabby she-cat, with gold eyes.

POPPYPELT—a red she-cat, with short fur, and gold eyes.

ELDERS

GOLDENFACE—a mostly white, chocolate and red spotted calico she-cat, with short fur and amber eyes.

HOLLYTAIL—a short haired, red classic tabby tom, with green eyes.

FROSTTHROAT—a white she-cat, with short fur, and blue eyes.

FORESTCLAN

The Restless and Sharp

LEADER

REDSTAR—a red ticked "pseudo-tabby" tom, with short fur, and yellow eyes.

DEPUTY

SNAILBERRY—a black tom, with long fur, and hazel eyes.

MEDICINE CAT

HORNETLEG—a red classic "pseudo-tabby" she-cat, with short fur, and hazel eyes.

WARRIORS

BLACKLEG—a black mackerel tabby tom, with short fur, and yellow eyes.

SQUIRRELSTONE—a short haired, red mackerel "pseudo-tabby" tom, with amber eyes.

MISTLETOENOSE—a white she-cat, with short fur, and blue eyes.

BEEHEART—a short haired, red mackerel tabby tom, with green eyes.

ROOKNOSE—a short haired, black mackerel tabby she-cat, with copper eyes.

BURNETHEART—a red mackerel "pseudo-tabby" tom, with short fur, and yellow eyes.

APPRENTICES

SOOTPAW—a black tom, with short fur, and hazel eyes.

CORMORANTPAW—a short haired, white she-cat, with a black and red spotted calico tail and ears, and green eyes.

QUEENS

NIGHTNOSE—a long haired, black mackerel tabby she-cat, with hazel eyes.

CROWTHROAT—a black she-cat, with short fur, and amber eyes.

WILLOWCLAW—a short haired, caramel she-cat, with amber eyes.

ELDERS

PLUMCLOUD—a red ticked "pseudo-tabby" tom, with sparse fur, and yellow eyes

CliffClan

The Boisterous and Well-behaved

LEADER

MALLOWSTAR—a mostly white, chocolate and red spotted calico she-cat, with short fur and yellow eyes.

DEPUTY

BLEAKBRIAR—a short haired, white she-cat, with a blue and cream spotted calico tail and ears, and gold eyes.

MEDICINE CAT

STARLINGBLAZE—a black classic tabby tom, with short fur, and green eyes.

WARRIORS

CINDERFUR—a short haired, blue mackerel tabby she-cat, with yellow eyes.

POPPYBERRY—a long haired, black and red, classic tortoiseshell she-cat, with gold eyes.

ROOKFANG—a long haired, black tom, with copper eyes.

SOOTNOSE—a black tom, with short fur, and amber eyes.

HEATHERFOOT—a long haired, cream mackerel tabby tom, with yellow eyes.

APPRENTICES

BRINDLEPAW—a chocolate and red, mackerel tortoiseshell-tabby she-cat, with long fur, and copper eyes.

QUEENS

CAMPIONCLAW—a red she-cat, with long fur, and amber eyes.

ROWANLEG—a red ticked tabby she-cat, with short fur, and yellow eyes.

CROWEAR—a long haired, black she-cat, with green eyes.

ELDERS

SNAKEBLAZE—a chocolate classic tabby tom, with short fur, and yellow eyes.

Randomized clan generator guys , some names are subject to change, here’s their territory, purple is lagoon, blue is cliff, yellow is field and orange is Forest

#random clan generator #warrior cats #warrior cat oc

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warriors-last-words · 2 years

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Saw this picrew post by @canon-notcanon-warriorcats and decided to try it out with a few of my OCS!

Can you guess the story?

#warriors #wc #warriorcats #warrior cats #wc oc #warriors oc #warriorcatsoc #Gorseheart #Firejay #Mallowstar #Blightstar #Halflight #Thorneyes #notalastword #not a last word #picrew #blood

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residents-of-the-darkforest · 10 months

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Utterly Alone (short story)

Gorseheart felt the cold stares of what felt like everyone in the Clan, icy glares seeping into his bones and around his heart, as if they wished to freeze it to a stop.

Why must he keep making one mistake after another? He had only ever wanted to prevent war between his Clan and Skyclan, and for that he went through complete and utter darkness. It was as if he fell through a pitch-black tunnel, and on the other end were cats that mimicked his friends, but really hated him, and all he wanted was to return to the other side where they laughed with him, shared food with him, loved him.

He noticed his best friend since kithood settle down in the shade with a squirrel. Rushing to the fresh-kill pile, Gorseheart picked up a vole and raced to join him, slowing when he neared to seem casual. “Halflight! Mind if I join you?”

Halflight looked away awkwardly. “A little bit. I’m just waiting for Primrose.” Hadn’t she just left to hunt?

“Oh. Okay. Maybe later?”

Halflight looked doubtful. His gaze flitted to Blightstar, resting on the highledge. It was only a second’s glance, but Gorseheart noticed it, and he realized the true reason for Halflight’s denial. “You know, you don’t have to avoid me just because you’re afraid it’ll get you on the wrong side of Blightstar’s anger.”

Halflight’s ears flattened defensively. “Yeah, well, he’s angry and for once I’m not the one causing it. Don’t ruin that just because you can’t stand eating by yourself.”

Gorseheart tried not to let his fur bristle. Suddenly he didn’t feel like sharing a meal with his so-called friend. “Enjoy your food,” he said bitterly, padding away.

A little later in the day, Gorseheart spotted Mallowfur. He approached nervously. Neither of them had spoken since Gorseheart nearly–accidently–killed his mate and the medicine cat, Firejay. Gorseheart still had the leaf wrap around his eye from when Mallowfur struck him for it.

But as soon as Mallowfur noticed him approaching, he quickly turned around and headed in the opposite direction. Gorseheart’s hopeful tail fell dejectedly. He wasn’t going to bother trying to speak with Firejay. She was the most forgiving of his friends, but she was still recovering. Guilt weighed his heart down heavily. None of this would have happened if he had just listened to his leader!

Or if his leader had listened to him, a small voice in the back of his head said.

Gorseheart ignored it, mostly, and looked around. He spotted Thorneyes curled beside the warriors’ den. He lifted a paw to walk over, then hesitated. He didn’t want to be ignored or rejected again by someone he cared about. But he also couldn’t stand curling in his and Emberdawn’s nest for another night believing that they now hated him. He knew, somewhere, that it wasn’t true. The problem, though, was that it felt like it was. He had to show himself it wasn’t. He just wanted to get his old, happy life back, and forget all the trauma and hurt that now surrounded him everywhere he went.

“The shade is good here,” Gorseheart murmured uncertainty. “Mind if I join you? I’m sweating in this heat.” He hated that he had to think of a reason.

Thorneyes shrugged. “I don’t own the shadows.”

“No, I suppose not.” Gorseheart sat beside him. He struggled to find something to say. He just wanted to talk as they normally would, but now he was so worried of saying the wrong thing and ruining his chances to be friends again–but they were still friends, weren’t they?

“Uh, do you prefer the cold or warmth? I don’t think I ever asked.” What a stupid question.

“The cold keeps the prey buried in their nests. The heat brings them out,” Thorneyes responded simply.

“Right,” Gorseheart tried to smile. They were talking, which was more than anyone else was doing for him besides his mate, but it still felt awkward, like they were meeting for the first time and had not been close for seasons.

Thorneyes stood, stretching. “They should be hunted before the weather lessens.”

“Can I go with you?” Gorseheart asked a bit too quickly.

Thorneyes blinked at him. “You can hunt all you wish, but I prefer to be alone.”

“I understand,” Gorseheart called after him. His chest squeezed painfully. He tried not to show how much everything was hurting, and for once he was glad that one of his eyes was covered up, so that he only had to hide the pricking of one.

Perhaps he will go on a hunt, and get everything out of his head. But as he neared the thorn tunnel, he was stopped by a voice from behind him. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Hope faltering to a near complete end, Gorseheart turned to see Blightstar. “I was just going to hunt.”

“Were you?” Blightstar questioned doubtfully. “There’s already two patrols out, and Thorneyes. Do you want to know what I think? I think you were trying to speak with Greenstar again, behind my back–again.”

Gorseheart shuddered inwardly. No way in Starclan was he ever, ever going to make that mistake again. “I was just going to hunt,” he repeated.

“We have enough food already and we’re getting more,” Blightstar replied. “For once in your life, be useful. Repair the dens.”

“But I–”

“Do it!” Blightstar snapped. Tail twitching, he padded for the medicine den.

By now, Gorseheart struggled not to collapse, not to even tremble. All he wanted was for things to go back to normal, or at least to be able to talk to one of the cats he had been best friends with for seasons–years, really, without constantly worrying about messing up and saying the wrong thing. Now he couldn’t even go to be alone with his agonizing thoughts, because Blightstar didn’t trust him enough to leave the camp on his own.

The only one he had now was Emberdawn, and she was one of the hunters–possibly on the complete other side of the territory. Gorseheart forced himself to breathe calmly and deeply, to not hyperventilate, though it felt very much within reach. How had things happened so that he felt only completely, and utterly alone?

--Odd to make a story while talking about he comes to forgive them, but I’ve been wanting to for a while anyway!

--Base is here by MirAnimates. I would have added the leaf wrap that was mentioned in the story, but tbh it was too hard and my phone was on very low battery so I didn’t have a whole lot of time.

--His scar is redder because it’s fresher.

--While Gorseheart in no way deserves this treatment, they do have fairly good reason.

-When Gorseheart was attacked sneaking into Skyclan territory to speak with Greenstar and hopefully prevent battle, Brownfrond wanted to go with him. Brownfrond is Blightstar’s son and was hurt, so Blightstar is furious at that AND at Gorseheart getting into a fight with a Skyclan patrol and making things worse.

-Thorneyes and his mate, Nettledeer, are going through a tough time, which is why he’s awkward and wants to be alone. Gorse has no way of knowing this.

-In his panic from his trauma, and PTSD, he struck Firejay, thinking she was Foxbreeze, and nearly killed her. That’s why both she and Mallowfur are angry at him.

-Halflight is normally the one Blight snaps at, and he’d do anything to be on Blight’s good side for once.

Of course, NONE of them knew just what Gorseheart went through and how much they were hurting him until he was too far gone.

#gorseheart #tunnel poly #tunnel family #gorseheart story #gorseheart's silence #firejay #blightstar #mallowfur #mallowstar #brownfrond #thorneyes #halflight #wc #wc dark tales #dark forest tales #dark tales

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feather-clan · 1 year

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An old gray tom walks unsteadily into the center of camp, tripping over nothing a few times before coming to a standing halt.

Cats have taken notice of his strange behavior and watch, concerned, as his eyes wander the perimeter of the clearing, seemingly searching for something, or someone.

"Mallowstar?" A brown tabby, Brackenglint, carefully makes his way out to meet the cat, painfully aware that something isn't right. The older cat slowly turns to look in his direction, but no recognition flashes in his eyes.

"Mallowstar, is everything alright?"

Suddenly, the gray cat collapses, and a panicked wail rises from the newly formed crowd. Brackenglint rushes forward, pressing his nose into his leader's pelt, urging him to stand.

"Mallowstar, can you hear me? Please, tell me what's wrong!" The deputy leans down towards the leader's nose and mouth. "He's not breathing. You there, Gladepaw!" He gestures to a small, pale tabby, who is clearly not expecting to be addressed. The cat's ears are flattened in fear and shock. "Go get Toadcatcher, right now! Tell her Mallowstar is sick!"

Gladepaw stands still for a moment, Brackenglint's words unable to register, until the deputy is shoving him in the direction of the medicine den with his muzzle and commanding him to go.

At this point, the entire clan has heard the commotion, and even the elders are sticking their heads out of their den to see what has happened. There is a wave of concerned mumbling and crying coming from the cats, each asking each other what they just saw.

"Brackenglint, what happened? What happened to him?"

"Is he going to be okay?"

"StarClan, help him..."

"Everyone, stay calm! Toadcatcher and Honeyblaze will know what to do for him, and they'll cure him. Mallowstar will be alright, I'm sure of it. Now quickly, someone help me move him to the medicine den!"

After what feels like an excruciatingly long walk towards a small cave on the right side of camp, Brackenglint orders the cat who helped him move Mallowstar to leave, and paces listlessly while waiting for the only two cats that can help him to return, hopefully with Gladepaw in tow.

It seems like an even longer wait before all three of them burst in, panting and panicked.

"Show me his body," Honeyblaze commands. Her voice has a steely edge that Brackenglint knows only comes out when a situation is truly dire.

He steps aside to let the Honeyblaze and her companions examine Mallowstar. They check for his breath and listen for his heartbeat, but it's clear from their demeanor that nothing can be done now. Mallowstar is not returning. It's as if a load of rocks come tumbling down upon Brackenglint's shoulders all at once, and he falls to the ground in silent anguish.

He hears Toadcatcher gently tell Gladepaw to go find and console his sister, and watches as she goes to pull a branch in front of the entrance after he leaves, a signal that no one else is allowed inside the den at the moment.

Then she returns to Honeyblaze's side, and they mew quietly to each other, occasionally taking time to look between him and Mallowstar's body. Brackenglint can't find it in him to care about their conversation. He closes his eyes and tries not to feel the age in his bones or the grief in his chest.

Soon, he feels a nudge at his side. Toadcatcher is looking at him, concerned. She gestures towards her counterpart with her tail in a silent bid to get Brackenglint to look up.

"Please, pay attention. This involves you too, you know." Honeyblaze gives him an intense look from a few paces away. "You'll have time to sit and grieve later, but now you must attend to your duties as FeatherClan's second in command. Need I remind you that we are at war right now? If any of the clans catch wind that we have no leader, I can guarantee that there will be trouble. I'm sorry that we have to do things this way, but I truly believe you'd be putting us all in more danger if you waited to claim your lives until after the vigil."

Brackenglint hesitantly pulls himself to his feet, willing himself to bury his pain to be dealt with later. Honeyblaze is right; now is not the time for grief. He can wait until later tonight to process his emotions. Still, though... something nags at him.

"I don't understand," he says to no one in particular. "As far as I knew, he still had four lives left. How could he lose them all at once? He wasn't mortally wounded, or fatally ill..."

Toadcatcher speaks up. "Sometimes, when a cat lives for too long, StarClan steps in, to ensure the natural order is not violated. Surely even you could see Mallowstar was getting on in age... his mate had passed moons ago, and he had no kits of his own... he had no reason to stay."

"That's a load of dung," Brackenglint whirls around and spits at her feet, anger overriding his sadness for just a moment. "He had me. He had you both. He had his former apprentices, and Yellowstripe and Greengaze and every other member of this clan. He cared for us like we cared for him and I will not sit here and listen to you tell me he had no reason to live anymore!"

A moment of tense silence, and then Honeyblaze speaks once more, though there is less of an edge in her voice now.

"Brackenglint, think about it. A cat can only live so long before his body starts to betray him, followed by his mind soon after. StarClan was showing him, and us, mercy by allowing him to join his ancestors while he was still himself."

Silence again. Brackenglint's tail lashes from side to side, but he can't argue with her. Still, he refuses to see this as a good thing. When Honeyblaze feels as if he has regained his composure, she continues.

"You must go to the Starplace, and soon. The sun is about to set, and the way there is long. Toadcatcher will prepare Mallowstar's body for the vigil tonight while I function as your escort."

Sensing his hesitation, Toadcatcher chimes in, trying to reassure him.

"You'll see him again when you get your lives, you know. This doesn't have to be goodbye."

Brackenglint nods. "Thank you. Thank you both. I leave him in your capable paws." He turns to leave, and before pushing past the branch adds, "I'll give him your regards."

The trek up the mountain to the perpetually frozen pond known as the Starplace was just as tiring and long as the medicine cats had warned him about. Brackenglint looks over at Honeyblaze and wonders what she might be thinking. Does she consider him to be a worthy successor? Or is she simply doing this out of a sense of responsibility to her clan? He opens his mouth to ask but quickly closes it again; small talk seems pointless at the moment.

After an exhausting climb, the mountainous terrain flattens a bit, much to Brackenglint's relief. He knows better than to ask for a break right now, though his body aches for one. Suddenly, he is shocked out of his thoughts when he feels his paws hit something cold and wet.

"Snow?" He asks aloud, taken aback. "But it's the middle of greenleaf..."

Honeyblaze purrs in amusement. "My first few visits up this way shocked me just as much. It's always astounded me how quickly the weather changes up here... the closer we get to the Starplace, the colder it gets. It's like leafbare year-round on the top of the mountain."

Brackenglint looks at her, puzzled. "But how?"

The medicine cat shrugs and continues her climb, seemingly unfazed by the snow between her toes. "I don't know. Anything to do with StarClan is always mysterious. We medicine cats may be a bit more connected to them but I wouldn't consider ourselves experts on their abilities by any means. I have to believe they are the ones responsible for the disruption of the seasons up here... if only because without a permanent leafbare we wouldn't have a Starplace to visit."

Brackenglint nods, a bit surprised by the revelation that she wasn't all-knowing in the ways of their ancestors, but he supposes to himself that it would be silly to expect any cat to completely understand their ways.

The duo continues plodding through the snow in relative silence until a dark cave opening comes into view.

"In there," Honeyblaze gestures towards the opening with a swish of her tail.

Brackenglint wordlessly walks forward into the darkness, grateful to be walking on something other than snow. Honeyblaze follows close behind, intent on keeping Brackenglint moving.

She silently leads him further into the cave, navigating through the twists and turns with ease. Even though Brackenglint can see fairly well in the dark, he still finds himself a bit turned around by the time the narrow hallways open up into a large room.

In the center is a large, frozen pond, illuminated by an opening in the rock near the top of the cave. The light from the half moon drips in, making the ice look as if it is glowing.

"You must lay on the ice and rest. It will be difficult because of the chill, but it is imperative that you sleep so that StarClan can visit your dreams and grant you your lives."

Honeyblaze takes a seat near the edge of the water and watches Brackenglint intently, tail twitching softly as she explains what he needs to do.

"I will keep watch. If anything goes wrong I'll wake you. Quickly now, come take your place before the moon passes us by."

The brown tom pads over to the pond and tenderly places a paw on its glassy surface. Surely the ice is thick enough... it won't break under him while he sleeps... right? He looks back to Honeyblaze for confirmation, and she nods. He swallows his fear and slowly ventures out to the center of the pond.

The ice is frigid, and as he settles onto his belly he can feel its chill permeate his fur and settle deep in his bones. It takes all his mental strength to not bolt upright and seek warmth. Heart pounding, he puts his head on his paws and closes his eyes, praying that sleep will descend upon him quickly.

When the two cats finally return to the camp, the vigil is already under way. It seems as if the whole clan is gathered around Mallowstar's body; no one wants to sleep a wink tonight, not with their former leader gone.

Settled closest to Mallowstar are Greengaze and Yellowstripe; two of Mallowstar's closest friends. They both founded the clan with him - Greengaze was his very first apprentice. Their grief is palpable, even from all the way at the top of the cliffs surrounding camp.

Brackenstar quietly thanks Honeyblaze for her help and bids her goodnight. She nods and heads for the medicine den, probably to recount Brackenstar's ceremony to Toadcatcher before the two join the vigil.

The newly appointed leader slowly makes his way towards Mallowstar, careful not to disturb any of the cats surrounding him. He eventually takes his place next to Yellowstripe and Greengaze, who give him a polite blink before returning their gaze to their dead friend.

"He was a good cat," Brackenstar says softly. "Great, even. He had big plans for this clan..." He trails off. Seeing Mallowstar up close like this, the scent of rosemary rich on his pelt, brings all the weight of his sadness back in full force.

To his surprise, Greengaze laughs, startling him out of his thoughts for a moment.

"He sure did." Greengaze's eyes are alight with brief happiness, though his words are bittersweet. "I remember as he trained me, he would always say that I had great potential and would one day be an amazing asset to the clan, and to him as well... I was so proud, I think I walked around for the next week with my fur all fluffed up."

Yellowstripe purred. "I remember that! It's like you were glowing. Nothing bothered you that entire week, even when you got all battered up on patrol and came back with claw marks all down your pelt."

"That's just the effect he had, I suppose," Brackenstar hummed. "He wanted to bring out the absolute best in every cat."

Yellowstripe licks a patch of Mallowstar's fur that hasn't been completely smoothed down yet in an effort to keep himself from crying.

"Do you think he's proud of us?" Greengaze whispers quietly.

Brackenstar looks up at the sky, as if hoping to see Mallowstar somewhere in Silverpelt already.

"I have to believe that he is. Maybe he didn't live long enough to see FeatherClan grow as strong as he wanted it to be, but I hope he knows we'll all carry on his work for him. His legacy... I'll make sure it'll never fade."

Yellowstripe wordlessly stands, tears in his eyes, and nods to both cats before padding away to the warrior's den.

Greengaze watches him leave. "I'll have to check up on him tomorrow. He knew Mallowstar better than I did... I hope he doesn't take this too hard... I know him, I know he'll try to throw himself headfirst into his duties to keep himself afloat and to honor Mallowstar's memory, but I don't think that's what he'd want..."

The new leader licks Greengaze's shoulder reassuringly. "He'll be fine, eventually. We all will. Right now it feels like a part of us has died but in reality, it's up to us to keep living, for Mallowstar's sake. And that definitely means not working ourselves to death for his benefit."

Brackenstar then adds, louder, so the whole clan can hear: "The best way to keep his memory and legacy alive is to live long, happy, and fulfilling lives. We owe this entire clan to his efforts. Living well is proving that his death was not for nothing."

The rest of the cats murmur in agreement, then everything falls to silence once again. The only noise to break it is the sound of the warm greenleaf wind blowing through the camp.

#records.txt

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