Do you hear the people sing? [solo]

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Despite the snow that lay on the ground, the sky was a clear blue as Wisteriabloom padded through the beech copse. The only sound was the crunch made by the two cats' paws as they walked together in silence, and occasionally a brave bird's call would cut through the air. She took no notice of the rouge that followed her, since after what felt like seasons of getting used to it. Many thoughts plagued her mind, but none she was willing to share with her pelt-wearing companion. They weren't wanted there, and so the warrior tried her best to pretend they weren't. Her excuse for leaving camp was that of a hunt, but she didn't bother watching for prey whatsoever. There was more important things to be done.

Her brow furrowed with worry, and she kept a slow pace through the trees, pretending to take in the sparkling white surroundings. Both Hollykit and Echokit's health concerned her, and she knew Shrikefrost felt the same. Echokit had never been, strictly speaking, healthy, but Hollykit... the couple's only she-kit had fallen ill more recently, and it didn't look great. They should've both been apprentices with Moonpaw by now, but yet they were still in the nursery. No matter how much Wisteriabloom cared for her children, she eventually had to return to her warrior duties. She would visit them often, bringing pretty pebbles and feathers and anything she could find to make their nest more comfortable, but for the most part, they were completely under Cloverfrost's care. Even though the old queen had never had her own kits, she had seen countless litters and queens come in and out of the nursery, and she trusted her with the safety and health of her kits.

But even Moonpaw worried her.

He had never seen what normal clan life should be like, how it was when she was young. What if he never sees how Riverclan should be? With warriors doing whatever they please within reason, apprentices making friends at Gatherings... What if nothing is ever right again?

What if this becomes the new normal?

The final thought stopped her in her tracks. She could never, ever let that happen. She may've lost out on the deputy position, but she still had power within her claws. For her parents, for Shrikefrost, for Moonpaw, Hollykit and Echokit, she would fight.

And for Snakekit.

After all this time, underneath her scars, the thought of her small golden daughter still stung. Her cheeky little smile when she was completely oblivious to how inconspicuous she was when breaking the rules; her antics in the nursery; the day that had changed her life when she found her under a snakeskin, nestled in the reeds. How she might never know her younger siblings. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes and silently began to roll down her face. She would never want to show weakness in front of an Asylum cat, yet she made no effort to stop them dampening her cheeks. Today, she would let herself cry. For Snakekit.

Part of her wanted to believe that one day, she would return from a long patrol to find Snakekit beside her nest, clutching some kind of pebble trophy. Everything would be alright, and she would describe the amazing adventure she had been on with the other missing kits. But she knew that would never happen. If she were still alive, (she had to be) she would possibly be warrior-aged by now. Wisteriabloom would've missed so much. Would she even recognise me?

But there was only one thing left to do now. Fight.

For everyone, especially Snakekit.

It may seem impossible now, but someday soon...

The clans would never be as strong divided as they were together, and Asylum knew that full well. There was a reason they had restricted cross-clan communication by banning Gatherings. And their numbers were too great for Riverclan to fight alone.

But if they banded together they could do it.

Fight for freedom.

Freedom.

Her heart was thudding like a trapped bird in her ribcage now. It was a way out.

There must be countless cats across the forest who feel the same. We can plant the seeds of this together. We have anger. A want for revenge. A yearn for freedom.

Asylum had none of those things.

We are strong. And we will never fall.