The future's in your paws. Shape it well.Roleplay in a cat Clan of warriors. Based off the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. Takes place in an AU before the cats in the books existed.
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If Webwhisper's heart was still beating, it would be racing. Feeling the warm, smooth stone of Jaggedrock beneath her paws was such a thrill! A smile curled on her maw as she slowly climbed it, taking her time to relish this moment. Look at her now, standing tall among the living that had ignored and forsaken her. Ohhh, how the hunters became the hunted, what a tale! Far too soon, she had reached the edge of the stone, and she took a few moments to gaze down upon the camp. There had been an apprentice she had been watching, waiting for the perfect time. Her training was nearing an end, and Webwhisper was ready to water the seeds that had been planted in the young cat's mind. "ShadowClan, gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock. It's time for one lucky apprentice to earn their warrior name." She purred, her voice dripping with giddiness to cover the venom.
Exhaustion weighed on Icepaw’s body like a heavy rain. It was hard for her to keep up with everything in camp. She trained with Thalia, Stagshade took her out several times, Rainstrike too. It felt like she never got a moment’s peace. She didn’t particularly mind, though. When she was given those rare moments alone, her mind droned with thoughts like loud cicadas. Sleep felt like the only reprieve, because at least then, she dreamt of sweet nothingness.
Her attention was pulled by an announcement at the Jaggedrock. It wasn’t Murkystar. The news of her passing had caused grief amidst the clan. Though it was known that she still had many more lives, it was only further proof of StarClan not being around, for she did not come back. They weren’t sure if she would. Icepaw got to her feet and walked out to the center of camp to see who it was that was making an announcement in their leader’s wake. Her blood ran cold when it was not even Frostgaze that had taken up the announcement, but a Dark Forest cat. She recognized her as Webwhisper and Icepaw’s heart picked up in speed. A Dark Forest cat taking over the duties of their leader…what was their clan coming to?
Snakepaw scuttled forward in his usual manner, keeping low to the ground. It was easy to forget what a tall and lean cat he was due to the odd mannerisms. His yellow gaze darted up to the jaggedrock, noting it was a Dark Forest cat before the clan. This hardly bothered him. The once dead creatures were powerful and impressive - and seemed to care little about the ways in which he entertained himself. Murkystar's death was known by the whole clan and others seemed impacted by it but all the tom felt was a mild indifference; it changed little for him who gave ranks or titles.
Stopping next to Icepaw, likely an unconcious familiarity spurring on the action, he immediately meowed, "It's probably you, you know. I thought you were a warrior already." Behind the long black frame, his tail twitched as he waited, gaze darting around the camp in the meantime.
Webwhisper purred aloud as the clan began to gather, her gaze settling on each cat as they looked to her and soaking in the attention. Carefully noting the reactions of the ShadowClan cats as they realized what was happening, she curled her tail in glee. What an absolute thrill, the dismay, fear, indifference... All of it was fuel to her. Once a sufficient number of cats had responded to her call, she sat down and lazily lifted a paw to begin cleaning her ears. She was in no hurry, after all, she loves this attention. "Well ShadowClan, it's always such a pleasure. Really. Anyways, Icepaw. She's been training so hard, you know? Even with the death of her mentor, so sorry about that by the way, but we really had to make ourselves clear, I do hope you understand.... Maybe find it in your heart to forgive and forget. Her new mentor is just great, and I think that this she-cat has proven herself ready. So.... Well Icepaw, you want to be a warrior or not? Sacrifice your life, blah blah blah, you know the spiel by now." She mewed, her voice taking a mocking tone at the end. She peered down at the apprentice, tilting her head as she waited for her answer.
Icepaw’s fur raised on end when Snakepaw appeared at her side. She gave him a sideways glance but said nothing. There was no way that it was her ceremony. She wasn’t ready. The Dark Forest cats had invaded right after she became an apprentice, and since then, it didn’t feel like she’d actually done anything. No, Snakepaw surely was mistaken…
Of course not. Webwhisper looked at her and Icepaw felt her heart seize up in her chest. She kept her expression as impassive as she could manage, but the more Webwhisper spoke, the harder it was. The vision of Ratrunner’s bleeding body flashed through her mind again and she felt like she was going to choke on her own heartbeat, which hammered in her chest. Ratrunner was never her mentor. Even Webwhisper thought that he must be, with how much his death affected her. She didn’t deserve to experience such grief; she didn’t have the right. You’re utterly pathetic.
She swallowed thickly, trying to focus on Webwhisper’s face instead of the terrible thoughts swirling in her mind. She barely even registered the rest of Webwhisper’s words, but she knew how the ceremonies were supposed to go. She forced herself to speak, to let her voice grow louder than it had in many moons, to say, “I do.”
Webwhisper frowned slightly. Icepaw had the reaction she had hoped for, fear, grief, loneliness, self-doubt, but it wasn't quite as delightful as she had hoped. Her lip wrinkled as she sneered at the apprentice silently, rolling onto her back to lay belly up on the rock lazily, twisting her head and stretching her neck to look down at the clan gathered beneath her. "Very well. Icepaw, you're now Iceheart. A beautiful representation of your tragic apprenticeship, don't you think? Now go, disperse, do your things. I do sincerely hope that nothing tragic happens during your vigil tonight. It would be a shame...." She trailed off, looking up to the sky and playing with a leaf atop Jaggedrock, not quite ready to leave the sacred place. She would climb down after she'd had her fun.
Her chest felt cold, like snow was building up behind her fur. Icepaw took slow breaths as she waited for Webwhisper’s announcement of her warrior name. She didn’t know what to expect. Icefoot, maybe, or just a random item like Iceleaf or Icerock. Webwhisper didn’t know much about her. Icepaw didn’t expect a very thought-out name. However, Webwhisper surprised her in the worst way possible: Iceheart.
Ratrunner, who she’d loved so dearly, but not enough to help him when he was attacked.
Forestpaw, who she had not spoken with since the Gathering.
She had not dared to let anyone get close to her since those two. She’d retreated on herself, had put up walls. She’d frozen any potential relationships that tried to brush nearer. Any possible closeness froze and died. Whatever she touched would turn to ice and crack. The cold in her chest grew wider. Her entire body felt numb.
Iceheart. It’s so obvious. Even Webwhisper knew it. Now your entire clan knows.
There’s nothing that will fix you. You’ll carry this name as a reminder of your failures.
That’s all you are. Cold, heartless, and a coward.
Iceheart stared up at Webwhisper for longer than she’d meant to. Webwhisper’s teasing threats rang in her ears. Her heart beat slower in her chest until it felt like it stopped entirely. The cold was unbearable. Ice grew and locked into place, securing her heart behind thick walls of frozen waste. This was who she was now. And everyone knew.
She didn't acknowledge him but the black-furred tom could tell she heard his words. When Webwhisper called forward Icepaw, he grinned. The words seemed less stiff than normal and it hardly bothered him that they were strange, less ceremonial. Flicking his tail, Snakepaw watched with interest. Even though he felt no particular attachment to the new warrior, having encountered her before left some sort of air of familiarity. Not that any cat was off limits from his persistent antics and pestering. Looking at Iceheart now, the way she didn't move and stiffened, staring at the jaggedrock... it was an opportunity. Scuttling forward, he spoke once again, "Nice name but you've never seemed that cold to me." It was a mild remark and he darted away as quickly as he'd come, looking for something else to get into.
