Red, Dead, Redemption // Lionize

The brand new deputy walked by his leader's side, his green eyes shining with silent fury. His claws were unsheathed, his pupils sharp and his fur rose up, ready to fight at the minimum order of Thornstar. His scarred face looked around the camp, in search for the cats that participated on that patrol. He did not know which one did it... but it did not matter to him. If his leader said so, he would go and kill all four of them, bring them one by one so Redwing's death won't be in vain.

Following Thornstar into camp, Daisyflame stood on the other side of his leader from Lynxscar. The large tom stood tall and proud, watching as the much worried SkyClanner's began to flock, their curious gazes piercing into the ShadowClanner's pelts. Today, they would deal with Tinystar and he flea-ridden clan of cowards, and hopefully, they wouldn't put up a fight so this could get over with, sooner rather than later.

A low growl rumbled in Poppyheart's throat as they entered SkyClan's camp. The camp of rogues that housed the cursed murderer of his beloved Redwing. He used to take pride in his pacifism and fairness when it came to other Clans, always willing to give them the benefit of the doubt no matter what they had done, but now, all he wanted was to see justice be served to the cat that had robbed him of the love of his life. The mother of his only living kit, who had since gone missing. He couldn't help but conclude that she had run away from ShadowClan after the death of her mother. He would be completely alone now would it not be for his brother Asterstrike. His littermate was all he had now.

Because that disgusting SkyClan dung-face took everything else away from him.

That cat would forever rot in the Dark Forest for this.

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Asterstrike couldn't help but feel a little nervous. It wasn't because he wasn't sure he would be able to take on all of SkyClan if he needed to. No, the karmic retribution that surged within his very soul would make certain he would deliver swift justice to any cat who dared attack him or his Clanmates today. Instead, he was just worried about Poppyheart. He had never seen his brother so ... broken. He knew exactly what it was like to lose a very close loved one, and he himself had fallen into a state of unquenchable sorrow and rage, taking out his negative feelings on others who didn't deserve it. He still deeply regretted how he treated poor Frog....

And his brother was walking down the same path he had.

He didn't want Poppyheart to be hated by his apprentices, his own niece and nephew. He didn't want him to get into needless border skirmishes. He didn't want him getting his reputation hurt.

He was afraid that was just what was going to happen if SkyClan doesn't atone for their sins.

There was something about the SkyClan territory that put Flintshard at unease. Perhaps it was the solid ground beneath him, that refused to give away even slightly under the weight of his pawsteps. Perhaps it was the crunchy leaves that prickled at his paw pads, causing his whiskers to twitch with every one the group stepped on. Perhaps it was the unfamiliar sounds that would catch his ear, causing his gaze to icily slide in the direction before falling back to focus on the cats ahead of him. Or perhaps it was simply a general uneasiness, a coldness and anger that could nearly be pelt prickling off of each of their pelts as they stalked into the heart of SkyClan's land.

He was surprised that he had been called on to partake in this patrol by his mother - he was barely a warrior. But he took it with the calm grace that he took nearly every news, dutiful falling in place behind his mother, deputy and the other three warriors. He didn't plan to say a word if he could help it, just silently watch his mother...Engage with Tinystar and get the answers that they sought so much - even if it meant tearing it with force. Justice. He didn't have many strong feelings, but to make right for Redwing's death burned deep in his chest in a cold flame.

Finally, they filtered into the camp and were met with the staring eyes of SkyClan. He raised his head, meeting every gaze that dared to look at him with his general, uncaring expression. He was taking this as a learning experience, to get a understanding of how the other Clans worked...To see if they would have sympathy for their righteous cause or would turn them away to protect their blood-stained Clanmates. A lesson to grasp how they saw the world and to know how to judge further interactions with SkyClan.

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Foxfire was hiding in the shadows near the Warrior den, gaze fixed on his paws as he tried to make sense of the world. He was deputy. How - why - was he deputy? He hadn't gotten the chance to snag a conversation with Spottedleap before the new leader was off to gain his lives, leaving Foxfire in charge of the camp. Oh StarClan, he was in charge. At least the night was setting and it wouldn't be eventful. And then a familiar scent hit his nose and his blood went cold. "Oh no."

He leaped to his paws - with a slight wince from his recent injuries - just in time for the hulking form of Thornstar to come barreling into the camp, yowling for Tinystar and threatening the entire camp. Behind her streamed ShadowClan warriors of similar size - all looking to be older than Foxfire...And the only one he was certain was perhaps younger he had a feeling still loomed over him. No. Nonononono. His ears slicked back as his mouth went dry, struggling to even try to understand what was going on. Why was Thornstar here? What had SkyClan done?

His mind flashed back to his battle with the ShadowClan apprentice, fear gripping in his chest that perhaps she had said something to Thornstar - perhaps twisted the truth to send her into a rage to invade the SkyClan camp but...No. It was something else. There was an anger to them all, grief and rage clear on their faces and pelt...Well, perhaps other than for the strange tom that lingered to the back - seeming uncaring about this entire situation as if he had simply tagged along for the show.

"Birdfeathers," the deputy murmured as he was suddenly hit with the realization that Thornstar would never get her answer if he didn't step up - he was in charge. Oh no. He licked his lips as he swallowed, bowing his head a bit as he quicken his pace to meet her and her warriors in the center clearing. "Tho-Thornstar!" he called out, his voice cracking slightly despite his attempts to bury his terror and think. "I'm...I'm afraid that Tinystar isn't here - he...He is out. At Moonstone. He's retiring - Sp-Spottedleap is now leader a-and...I-I'm in charge of SkyClan at the moment as the new deputy whi-while the others are out performing the ceremony. B-But..."

his voice failed as he craned his neck to look up at her, trying to not look like a terrified kitten in the meanwhile. "I...I'm sure we can talk about whatever it is that is...Why you are so..." Once again, his voice failed him as he tried to get a read on the situation but the terror in his chest made it hard to gather. Why. Why were they here? Certainly it wasn't about his fight with that apprentice, was it? "...Angry. H-Hopefully without violence," he added with an almost hopeful tone.

But then something hit him. Someone was missing - minus the SkyClan leadership that he wished was here. Why did they have to come now of all times. But no, the ShadowClan deputy - Red...Redsomething. He had missed catching the new deputy's name at the Gathering but had gotten a glimpse of her red pelt beneath the rock. Thornstar had brought five of her warriors along with her but not her deputy? Why wouldn't she be...?

He felt a chill run up his spine, suddenly very worried that he wouldn't like the answer as his eyes slowly slide to meet Thornstar's intense, burning gaze as he waited to get that answer..

OOC: IMPORTANT: FOR SKYCLAN. This takes the day that Foxfire is named deputy - Spottedstar, Tinylegs and Sagelight are out doing the leader ceremony so keep that in mind for your own personal timelines if you have other topics going on!

Honeypaw poked her head out nervously at the strange scents that wafted into camp. With wide, scared eyes, she recognized the scent to be ShadowClan. She remembered fighting a ShadowClan apprentice a few days ago when she trespassed over the border. Why were they here, though? They didn't think she had initiated the fight, did they? They weren't coming for her, were they?

Trembling hard in fear, feeling as though she were going to be sick, Honeypaw looked around wildly in camp in search for her father. That's when she remembered: he hadn't returned from Highstones with Tinystar yet. Her father was gone, and her mother certainly wasn't going to help her. So, she made a run for it to the medicine den, dashing into the safety of the cave through the fern barrier, where she hid near the back end of the den. She looked around helplessly for her uncle Sagelight, but when she didn't see him, she was instantly reminded that he had left with Tinystar and Spottedleap to go to Highstones together. Beginning to hyperventilate, her fur bushed out, Honeypaw shut her eyes tightly, unable to stop a wave of terror-induced tears. "Sh-ShadowC-Clan.... They're h-here.... They know I attacked that apprentice.... They're here for me! I don't wanna be taken away!"

Flowerpaw sat toward the back of the camp. Out of everyone's way. They still hadn't really bothered with her but with the patrol with Spottedstar? Spottedleap? From earlier she was feeling a tiny bit better. Only a little bit of the emotion she was feeling escaped and it was going to stay that way. If they didn't want to be concerned at any point for her then why should she bother. The only thing that was good in all of this was the fact that her leader had earned a bit of her respect. Foxfire was her friend but she didn't know if that remained anymore. Everyone else? Who knows.

She smelled the Shadowclan patrol before she saw them. Blue eyes turned away from the piece of prey she was eating and to the group at the entrance of camp. Her gaze dull and an angery. Her tail thumped against the ground in her distaste of the clan just walking into their camp. A low growl of a warning coming from her throat. If they tried anything she would definitely lash out. She was looking for more stuff to sink her claws into. All she knew is that if they tried to lay a single claw on Foxfire, Sagelight, or Spottedstar when he returned she wouldn't hesitate to attack. She would gladly die for any of those three. Maybe she would join Mistyrain tonight.

Movement. She saw movement. Ice blue eyes had remained locked on the Shadowclan leader as soon as she sent a glare her way. Flowerpaw was on her paws within a second of Thornstar taking a threatening step towards her deputy. The small Skyclan cat moved without thinking. She had already settled with the idea of giving her life for the orange tom. Even if he didn't like her that much anymore.

No warning was given before she struck, not many sounds were made on her end either. Her claws slashing across the leader muzzle as Flowerpaw forced her way in between her deputy and Thornstar. If the Shadowclan wanted to take Foxfire's life, she would have to go through her. Another low growl left the pale She-cat. Her eyes returning an equally harsh glare to Thornstar. "Back off." She growled out. She didn't dare speak up any more than that. Her heart was pounding in her chest but she wasn't going to move from her spot.

Flowerpaw used Front Paw Strike on Thornstar dealing 6 damage, -10 SP

Flowerpaw:
20/20 HP
70/80 SP

Thornstar:
114/120 HP
300/300 SP

Foxfire glanced around nervously as he spotted his Clanmates start to gather around them, eyes wide with terror and a few cries rising from the cats. He didn't want a fight - he didn't want his Clanmates to worry. He prayed he could sort out whatever this was, even if he felt terrified. And then Thornstar finally snarled, spitting with venom the deeds of SkyClan against her Clan as she stormed forward. "What," the deputy squeaked as took a couple steps back, cowering slightly in the shadow of her imposing form, afraid to even question if the threats were simply for show or...No, he had a feeling she meant every word with the fact that Redwing- that was her name - she was...Dead? And SkyClan was to blame? Oh no. He felt bile rise in his throat at he stared at the other cats, suddenly terrified that a fight would break out. Who... Who would have...Why would they... He didn't doubt Thornstar's words but...No, there had been no mention of it - no cat speaking a word of doing such a thing. Redwing was dead, oh StarClan, what had happened...?

"I-I..." He opened his mouth barely able to start a sentence,  only for a moment to catch his attention. A familiar pelt caused him to freeze, a single name escaping his mouth. "Flowerpaw...?" Then the apprentice was running past him, his eyes growing wide as he realized what was about to happen. "Flowerpaw - no!" He watched in horror as his friend threw herself between him and the leader, striking out with a claw at the mighty, ShadowClan leader with a hiss. He wasted no time to brush past her, sparing her a wide-eyed glance as he gently shoved her backwards. "Flowerpaw, please! This...This is going to be okay, w-we can't...I don't want a fight...Please. I'll be fine. Just...Just stay close. Please?" he murmured, before he swallowed and turned his head to the fearsome leader. "I'm sorry, Thornstar. Pl-Please don't hold her actions against her. This...This is stressful fo-for all of us," he begged, eyes flickering terrified to the warriors that flanked her. If they fought...Oh StarClan, they didn't have the strength to deal with this. Not now - not with Spottedleap and Sagelight being gone... He cleared his throat, before trying to pull the focus back onto the question - the snarling demand for answers... "As for...A-As for what happened with Redwing.....I-I'm afraid that I...I don't know."

His claws sunk into the ground as he tried to steady himself. He didn't know - he didn't have an answer for her. "I-I swear to you that...I don't know. I don't know. I don't know, I don't know! Who would have...Why would they...?" His breath came fast and paniced, his voice shrill and cracking. His eyes darted back and forth as he sought through his memory, searching for anything he could give her but nobody had come into the camp reeking of a fight other than him recently - and that was just because he had stumbled across that ThunderClan cat. But... Something clicked, his heart dropping. "I...Four of our Clanmates have been missing all day. T-They went out for a patrol - by the ShadowClan border in fact I-I think but...But they didn't return. There's been no sign of them, not returning for any of the ceremonies and we were starting to get worried. They...Oh StarClan." Sandblaze, Lightfang, Burningsun, Swallowflight... Terror leap in his throat, trying to wrap his head around them perhaps being the ones that Thornstar was hunting for. No, surely they wouldn't, it couldn't be them but...Why hadn't they returned? They never should have been away from camp this long without something...

"I-I don't think it was anybody in this camp, Thornstar, I'm sorry. It c-could be our missing warriors, maybe...B-But I swear to you that I don't know where they are - none of us do. I-I'm so sorry that it happened - that Redwing is, oh StarClan, that Redwing is dead but we had no part of it! W-We would give you them if..." he drifted off, his voice dying as he took a small step back. Would they? Would it be his choice to give them to Thornstar for punishment if they had been behind it and he knew where they were. He was deputy and in charge while Spottedleap - Spottedstar - was gone but...He didn't know what choice to make, panic causing his breath to hiccup as he struggled to steady himself, to find the words to speak. "I'm so sorry, Thornstar. I-I really am but I don't think we can help you...If they were behind it...I-I don't know where they are. Where they went...Oh StarClan. I am so sorry for what happened. Please. I-if I knew where they were I would tell you. I-I'll give them over. We don't want a battle. This - Redwing's death...It shouldn't have happened." He paused, swallowing as he fought back tears of terror before he started to ramble again. "Please-"

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Hm. Flintshard's gaze lazily scanned the camp, blinking at the terror that permeated the air from the SkyClan cats. Were they really that terrified of ShadowClan - of Thornstar? Perhaps they were right to, he expected no mercy to be shown once they found the cats who had ended Redwing's life. A stuttering voice caused his ear to twitch, watching as a lean orange and red-ish tom came meekly up to the group. Perhaps the thing that caught his attention the most was the lack of tail, watching as the dark-reddish fluff that poked from where his tail should be was twitching in terror. Deputy? This tom was deputy? He looked more like a kit with the fear in his eyes, but the warrior said nothing as he simply stood there in silence.

He wasn't surprised by his mother's threatening words, tilting his head as he grew curious to see the Clans' reaction. Would they do the smart thing and let justice be served? He hoped so, to see the Clans have a similar mindset...But then from the side came a she-cat - an apprentice by the deputy's shrill shriek of her name but a warrior in size. She stuck at Thornstar, causing the warrior's gaze to narrow ever so slightly. Hm. He had no doubts that the apprentice would stand no chance against Thornstar, not that a chance of a real fight breaking out could happen when the deputy started to apologize and getting between the two.

...For all of his stuttering, he at least was still brave enough to stand in front of his Clanmate to protect them. But then there was the answer. 'I don't know.' Really? He had no idea what one - or more - of his Clanmates had slaughtered the ShadowClan deputy? That they had blood on this paws. But...The terror that practically rolled from the deputy convinced him that perhaps it was true. He had no idea...And was shaking under Thornstar's glare with his pleas for no fighting to start. Pathetic, if true - the cats who had taken Redwing's lives hadn't even saw it fit to return to their Clan. Good riddance. He focused his attention back onto his mother, wondering if she was going to believe the mewing responds. While Flintshard had the mind to believe the terrified deputy, he kept his mouth shut - it was not his place to speak. Thornstar would know best to do in this situation.

Basilpaw had been on her way out of the elder's den when she noticed something unusual. Cats gathered in the center of the camp. Had someone called a meeting? She knew Spottedleap and Tinylegs had left for the moonstone, and that was all. Surely Foxfire would have told her if he intended to bring the clan together for some reason. They always told each other everything and she made her best attempts to relentlessly chat his ears off. Confusion and curiosity lit her bright green gaze. It was then that a strange scent hit her. With little experience, the young apprentice had no way to know it was Shadowclan cats that had violated the sanctuary of the camp. But, quickly, she also came to the realization that foreigners stood in their midst. Foxfire was there to meet them. Based on the bristling fur and furious eyes, she knew this couldn't be a good thing.

Briefly, she considered seeking out the pelt of her mother, although a strange streak of bravery caused her to pad forward. While perhaps she should have been alight with the drive to defend her clan, Basilpaw could not deny that she had no idea what was happening between the gathered cats. Ever-growing in her softer speech as the down of a kit was outgrown, her little black nose pried silently for a moment. Foxfire's voice was desperate and strained. Worry overtook her in an instant. Never before had the grey and tan coated Skyclanner seen such expression upon the russet warrior's maw. It was concern that drove her forward. As she slid next to her friend, the scent of blood hit her nose. Her coat pressed tight against the deputy's. The strange, massive, beast of a cat that stood before her held merely a flicker of a wound across her cheek. Basilpaw tried not to think about the sheer size of the monstrosity of a cat before her, yet it was difficult being so small in stature herself.

Her gaze held a mixture of emotions as she locked eyes with the leader, there were hints of a plea that came from the fractured safety of her soft life in camp, but beyond that was a concern for her friend. Unlike Flowerpaw, the she-cat wasn't inclined to or yet trained to lash out. However, she wasn't simply going to allow that her best friend face these strangers alone. Little Basilpaw did not even spare the rest of the patrol a glance, instead fixating on the raging creature in front of them, "Who are you? What are you doing in our camp? Is something wrong? You don't need to yell at Foxfire, he's a good cat I promise."

His jaw snapped shut as the leader snarled at him, eyes growing wide as he took a slight step backwards. His ears slicked back, barely finding the words to respond. "I-I...I've literally been deputy since sundown," he murmured as it if explained his nervousness, not having the energy to even be upset at being referred to as 'kit.' Stars, look at him. Pathetic...Why did Spottedleap even made him leader when he couldn't even talk to another leader - granted that Thornstar was very scary - without stumbling over his words. He winced as she continued on, simply nodding. Right, he could do that. If it was another...Well...No, that was smart. It would be tough to get Firflower's attention thought.

He was about to turn and call out for the warriors to step forward when he felt a brush of fur, eyes widening as he glanced down at his other side to see that Basilpaw had stepped up. "Bug!" he gasped as she spoke up, eyes flickering toward the leader. Oh StarClan, Basilpaw didn't even realize who this was - he felt terrified that the leader would strike her for such disrespect but...He blinked, watching as some of the anger disappeared from the leader's face. He swallowed, dipping his head as she responded - much calmer than before. He wasn't sure if he ought to still call all of the warriors forward but...No, perhaps not. It was something that Spottedleap - Spottedstar, could handle if Thornstar saw it was still fit. "R-Right, Thornstar. Hopefully they won't be long...I pray, that they aren't long. I'm..." he drifted off for a second, closing his eyes as he steadied himself. He wanted to curl up into a ball and cry - perhaps he would end up doing that once ShadowClan was gone but...

"I'm...I'm really sorry, Thornstar," he said as he flickered open his eyes, trying to pretend that he wasn't in the middle of a tense, Clan issue but maybe more like...Oh, he wasn't sure. More like he was comforting his friend. Throwing away the idea that he was deputy, that he had a huge burden on his shoulders caused him to actually relax a little as he kept the idea buried deep down. "I am. I-I didn't know Redwing, but...She must have been a great warrior if you made her deputy. I can't believe that...That something like this happened. Whoever did it...I promise you that if we do find out which one did it...They will be punished if we find them first. And if you do...Well," he grew silent for a second, expression growing serious and solemn. "May StarClan have mercy on their soul then."

Sagelight led his brother and his former leader back to the SkyClan camp, his paws aching and his stomach rumbling from the journey. The herbs he had eaten the day before were gradually wearing off, just in time for them to return. He peered over his shoulder at his new leader, his dear brother Spottedstar, and at Tinylegs, worry clouding his features. From what he knew about leader ceremonies, they were incredibly painful and he couldn't imagine having lives taken from him. The medicine cat slowed his pace to match that of his companions. "Are you alright?" he mewed, looking between them. "We're almost home, then we can rest." He offered Tinylegs a reassuring smile and his brother a flick on the flank with his tail.

The growing scent of SkyClan rose up in his nose like the tall pine trees surrounding them and he pushed himself to move a little faster, eager to get back to camp to enjoy some fresh-kill. As he came into view of the camp, however, a new scent struck his senses. ShadowClan. Sagelight frowned, his tail raising in alarm. What in StarClan's name was ShadowClan doing so far in SkyClan territory? He looked back at Spottedstar, trying to see if the elder sibling had sensed the same thing, then broke into a sprint towards camp. He ignored his throbbing paws, pushing his way through the brush. There, sitting in the center, was Thornstar, surrounded by several ShadowClan warriors and Foxfire, Flowerpaw, and Basilpaw. The tabby tom gasped, his tail brushing out momentarily in fear. "Thornstar...! Spottedstar! Tinylegs! We have company!" he yowled out, trotting swiftly towards the group. The ShadowClan stench stung in his nostrils as he approached the imposing molly leader, his bright blue eyes searching the gathered SkyClan cats for a moment. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, relieved that they all seemed okay.

"Sorry we missed your arrival, Thornstar," Sagelight meowed politely, nodding towards the black she-cat. "I'm Sagelight, SkyClan's medicine cat. We have just returned from Spottedstar's ceremony. Um...what can we do for you? It must be important for you to come all this way, huh? And...I see you brought your warriors too. What's going on?" He squinted between Foxfire's blurry form and the blurry shape of Thornstar in front of him, catching the tension in the air but at a loss for what had happened while he was gone.

Spottedstar exhaled heavily in response to Sagelight, a weariness like a thousand sleepless nights tugging relentlessy at him with each step. But adrenaline-fueled spikes of energy coursed through him at every thought of trespassers in his camp, as Lion's Eye had warned him. He had no idea what threat awaited him and endless frustration at not having his single question answered. What use were StarClan if they wouldn't even tell him who was invading or where his warriors were? The apprehension ruled his mind more than the ache of his new lives, but his body did not go unaware. "I don't think rest is waiting for us at camp." He meowed lowly.

The familiar territory was a welcome sight, pine trees towering like the protective walls of a den. He kept his pace with his brother, pushing himself harder, and detected the scent a little after Sagelight. The medicine cat's tail had raised right when the foul scent of marsh cats struck Spottedstar's nose. "Carrion rats!" He snarled, his nervous energy transforming into aggression with the raising of the fur along his spine. Trading an alarmed glance with Tinylegs, the newest leader sped up even more and entered the clearing shortly after Sagelight's yowl.

Foxfire cowered, Flowerpaw behind him and Basilpaw at his side. Thornstar's warriors crowded the center of the camp and the ShadowClan leader's muzzle bled, freshly cut open. Suspense crackled between the gathered cats like lightning.

He stalked towards the intruding group, slower than Sagelight, and approached from the other side. A growl was forming in his chest, but he held it back like he smothered the instinct to unsheathe claws. His brother asked all of the relevant questions and was much more tactful than Spottedstar would have been. He eyed Thornstar's warriors as he walked, one at a time, assessing the situation and trying to determine if anyone other than the she-cat had caught claws. So there wasn't an outright fight. Then Thornstar wanted something from them. What it was remained to be seen.