A Crashing Realization [Closed]

Subject: A Crashing Realization [Closed] Sun 24 Nov 2019 - 11:38

A quiet, soft rain pattered down the swamp below as Scorchedbird sat at the entrance of the camp. For the first time since he was an apprentice, he was truly happy. The silver warrior's pelt was damp, but his spirit blazed on anyway. He had a mate, the most beautiful cat he had ever laid eyes on. As he waited for his family to join him on his patrol, his mind wandered back to the day they met. A half-hearted squabble when he was Salmonpaw. It was the best decision of his life to stay and talk to that rogue. She had given him the most beautiful and smart and intelligent daughters a father could ask for. Darkpaw had found herself sick for a few moons, but it was alright now with her new name. Finally, they could go out as a family. Scorchedbird sprung to his paws as Cardinalcry, Lightpaw, and Darkpaw came to him. A purr erupted as he nuzzled each of them in turn. "Are you ready for a walk?" He asked softly and fondly.

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Astra inclinant...

.: Coyotegrin :: Kestrelchirp :: Quailprowler : Waspswarm : Burnetpaw :.
#9966ff : #cc3300 : #6699ff : #993366 : #ff9900 : #ff66cc
WC T5 Warrior : WC T4 Warrior : TC T4 Warrior : SkC T2 Warrior (Bonus) : RC App

"When there's nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire."

Subject: Re: A Crashing Realization [Closed] Sun 24 Nov 2019 - 17:43

Cardinalcry purred and nuzzled Scorchedbird back. She was so happy Darkpaw was finally better! Now, she could enjoy life with her own real family. Not her siblings, who were... a murderer and a bunch of traitors. At least when she left, she didn't really know what she was doing. She hadn't done anything wrong. But here she was now, with her mate and kits.
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Lightpaw's whole demeanor changed around her family. "Of course!" She was happier, kinder, a more agreeable cat overall. She flicked her tail in happiness. At least they were safe.

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{*} I am Kade or Jade {*}
Loner, Rowan 45/140 #b44924

Subject: Re: A Crashing Realization [Closed] Sat 30 Nov 2019 - 13:15

Darkpaw bounded in with gleaming eyes. Her fur, once dull with sickness, was now fluffy and shiny from near-constant grooming. She beamed at Scorchedbird, tail high and curled in greeting. "Papa! We're going out? Are we going to the Deep Marshes? One of the other apprentices told me about them. Is it really so deep you can swim in it?" The little she-cat wore her naivety like a veil. Unlike Lightpaw, Darkpaw still held a sort of innocence that came with early apprenticeship.

They might be the same age, but only one of them had been to war.

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^{_{★☆★ My voices don't like your voices ★☆★}}

A Crashing Realization [Closed] QNTjwT2

Subject: Re: A Crashing Realization [Closed] Sat 30 Nov 2019 - 15:58

Scorchedbird gave Darkpaw an extra lick and she joined the group. "We won't go that far, it's a little too chilly to go that deep. We wouldn't want you getting sick again." With a nod to his mate, he lead the patrol out. As they left the camp, the wind and the rain started to pick up. So much for staying dry. The rain was just something that happened, and Scorchedbird was determined to complete his daughter's first patrol.

A sudden lightning jolted through the sky, and Scorchedbird jumped. They had traveled almost to the border. With a step of hesitation, Scorchedbird paused and turned to Cardinalcry. "Should we turn back?" He asked cautiously, pausing by the base of a tree. Another tree stood a few tail lengths away.

Another rumble of thunder brought another bolt of electricity, lighting up the sky. The tom jumped again, but this time a crack, one not made by the magical sky light, ripped through the air. Frantically, he looked around for the sound. And then he looked up.

Time seemed to slow as he saw the large trunk of the tree fall to him and his family. His mind flashed back to when he was a kit, the tree falling and crushing Scorchstar in front of him. Dying, losing a life for him. If he didn't act now, if he didn't act as bravely as Scorchstar, his entire family and himself would be crushed.

Darkpaw stood to the left of him. Cardinalcry and Lightpaw stood to the right. He couldn't save all three of them. He had to chose who lived and who died. Maybe… maybe Darkpaw would move on her own.

All of this took place in seconds.

With a swift movement, uncharacteristic of the dorky warrior, driven only by the adrenaline and love, in a swift movement Scorchedbird launched himself into Cardinalcry, shoving both her and Lightpaw to the side. They went sprawling out in front of him, out of the path of the tree.

He took a breath, about to whip around to save Darkpaw when it was too late.

With pain he had never felt before, the tree landed on his back legs, crushing them out of sheer weight. Crying out, his head whirrled from the pain. He couldn't move. He couldn't do anything. "Darkpaw?" He called out. Turning his head to the left….

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Astra inclinant...

.: Coyotegrin :: Kestrelchirp :: Quailprowler : Waspswarm : Burnetpaw :.
#9966ff : #cc3300 : #6699ff : #993366 : #ff9900 : #ff66cc
WC T5 Warrior : WC T4 Warrior : TC T4 Warrior : SkC T2 Warrior (Bonus) : RC App

"When there's nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire."

Subject: Re: A Crashing Realization [Closed] Sat 30 Nov 2019 - 18:51

The world outside of the camp was such a wonderful place! The little torbie wasted no time exploring her surroundings, her tail held high and her ears pricked forward as she inspected every shiny pebble and strange plant. Each time a bug flit past, Darkpaw made a point of chasing it for a moment before realizing she might be straying too far. Each time she'd come trotting back with a huge smile and bright eyes.

She was loving this.

The clouds gathered above did nothing to dampen her move, though the agitation on her father's face did make the young apprentice take pause. A blinding white claw tore through the sky, followed by a boom so loud she felt her ear-fur ruffle. Her pelt quickly spiked up in panic.

What was that??

She'd never seen such a thing before, and her eyes darted around to look for something to hide under. Her parents paused, her papa saying something to her mama. Freezing, wet little pinpricks stabbed through her short fur, adding to her fear. She moved a few paces away, sitting under a tree that appeared to have at least some of it's leaves. She was afraid, but she knew she'd be okay. She was with her family after all.

Nothing would hurt her here.

Another blinding light flashed above her and she jumped in fright. She jerked her head up, only to look away as rain pelted her face. The rumble that followed was loud, but it was nothing compared to the deafening crack that split the air beside her. She gasped, twisting to look for the source of the horrible screech.

At first she didn't see it.

Then she did.

The tree she'd positioned herself under was getting bigger, swelling with some unknown force... or, wait... no. Was it falling...?

Towards her?

She heard a shout and looked away from the tipping tree, towards her father.

Towards her family.

Scorchedbird looked terrified.

...

...

...

She was going to die, wasn't she?

The splitting sound got worse for a heartbeat longer, only for one final snap to echo out around her. The crash that followed as branches struck the ground around her was terrifying and Darkpaw took a single step forward before crouching to the ground. For a moment, she thought she was going to be fine.

Then another branch snapped.

The pain only lasted a moment before it was gone.

It was all gone.

Relief flooded her. She only got grazed. She was okay! Papa wouldn't have to worry now!

"Darkpaw?"

Her father's hesitant, strained voice reached her ears. It sounded strange... distant even. She looked at him, her eyesight just a little blurry.

"Pa... pa?" She mewed hoarsely, only to burst into a fit of coughing.

Why couldn't... she get up?

Twisting her head, she tried to look back at herself only to realize she couldn't quite turn her head far enough. She couldn't feel her paws... or her tail.

What was happening?

"Mam... a...? Light... paw..?"

Was it getting darker? Had more clouds appeared? Strange... she couldn't feel the rain anymore. Had it stopped?

"... Pap... a...? Pa... p... a?" Tears welled in her eyes. She didn't understand. Why couldn't she feel anything? Why was it so quiet all of a sudden? Where was her papa? He was right there just a moment ago. Why couldn't she see anything?? Eyes wide, she stared blankly ahead as panic flared within her tiny body.

No... she shouldn't be scared. Mama and Papa would help her. Lightpaw was there too, there was no way they'd let anything bad happen to her, right?

Yeah... she was fine. She just had to wait.

She was feeling pretty sleepy anyways.

All in all, she felt like this had been a pretty awesome day so far. When she woke up, she hoped they could do it all again. Maybe she should say that before she went to sleep? Mothglow said it was important to thank people when they did something nice for you.

"Tha... ank y... ou... paa..."

But she fell asleep before she could finish her words.

Maybe it was for the best.

After all, she'd never have to see what had become of her. When the last branch keeping the trunk of the tree from impacting with the muddy ground snapped beneath it's weight, Darkpaw's tiny body had been crushed beneath it. The manner of the impact had spared her any pain, luckily.

But it had stolen her life regardless.

Only her shoulders and head had escaped the crushing weight of the tree's trunk.

Darkpaw didn't realize her voice wasn't coming through.

Darkpaw didn't realize she was only mouthing the words.

But Darkpaw was happy regardless.

Goodnight Darkpaw.

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^{_{★☆★ My voices don't like your voices ★☆★}}

A Crashing Realization [Closed] QNTjwT2

Subject: Re: A Crashing Realization [Closed] Sat 30 Nov 2019 - 19:08

Cardinalcry didn't see it. She'd been so concentrated on being happy that... the lightning didn't bother her. But she was knocked to the ground. She tumbled a few taillengths, then pulled herself to her paws. What was tha-

Oh.

Oh no.

She ran in front of them. No, no, no! They were gonna be okay, Mothglow could help them! She started to push the trunk, silently crying. They could recover. But... No. the dark crimson by her daughter and mate said otherwise. It was too late. Instead, she touched noses with her mate, shutting her eyes tightly so she wouldn't have to watch the life leave his eyes. Silent cries and sobs filled her, cold rainwater running from her nose to his.

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Lightpaw had been distracted. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Everyone knew that you never let your guard down. Especially outside camp. But no, she let herself go, let herself have fun for a few minutes and then Starclan struck. A tree fell- Scorchedbird pushed them out of the way. Reflexes allowed Lightpaw to tumble and land on her paws, like a Real Warrior.

And she watched as the trunk crushed Scorchedbird and Darkpaw.

Of course, they were okay, right? They were still awake and alive and who was she kidding? She'd heard the bone-crunching sound. She could see the pain flash in their eyes. Those were the eyes of fear, of a cat who knew they were going to die. Poppyheart had that same look in his before she disposed of him.

Lightpaw ran to her sister. She wanted to tell Darkpaw that she was right here, that Darkpaw was going to be fine, but Lightpaw knew that wasn't true. Instead, she tried to wail in pain. But nothing happened. She watched as Darkpaw's eyes lost their shine, relaxed, grew out of focus- Lightpaw licked her sister's forehead as Darkpaw went to Starclan.

The rain masked her tears. But it couldn't mask the pain.

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{*} I am Kade or Jade {*}
Loner, Rowan 45/140 #b44924

Subject: Re: A Crashing Realization [Closed] Sat 30 Nov 2019 - 19:45

Scorchedbird's eyes watched as his daughter, finally healed from illness bled out in front of him. Her mouth gaped and her eyes stared into the marshes. She didn't even give any final words.

He could feel his life start to fade away. The silver tabby forced himself to look at his mate. Cracking a smile, he forced himself to speak. The warrior tried to take a deep breath and coughed, sputtering blood. His green eyes met his loves as he searched for words. His last words. "This is rather… unfortunate…" he wheezed. A jokester from the start. "Love my clan as much as I love you." As he spoke his last sentence, his voice became slower and slower. More slurred. With the final word, he burried his face in Cardinalcry's shoulder. With a raspy, final breath he joined his father and daughter in StarClan.

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Astra inclinant...

.: Coyotegrin :: Kestrelchirp :: Quailprowler : Waspswarm : Burnetpaw :.
#9966ff : #cc3300 : #6699ff : #993366 : #ff9900 : #ff66cc
WC T5 Warrior : WC T4 Warrior : TC T4 Warrior : SkC T2 Warrior (Bonus) : RC App

"When there's nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire."

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