March Gathering 2022

Burrpaw was furious. Dark Forest or not, he would not stand for it.

“Foxhearts! You mange riddled cowards!”

Burrpaw shouted to no one in particular, but at the total mass of cats before him.

Burrpaw is heckling the invaders, gave permission for a role player to kill.

Upon finding Minnowfin, Mottlerose's panic only decreased slightly. She had new kits back at camp, and the reeking odor that came as a result of these vile creatures... it almost sent her launching at one of them. Nausea choked the small tortoiseshell as she watched cats launch into fighting, only to hear ripples of what all was going on around her. It made her head spin, and she wanted out. Overwhelming urges to get back to her kits, to protect Minnowfin, to protect her Clan... What little remained of her vision faded as the overwhelmed queen momentarily succumbed to the overload within her body.

An intense ringing in her ears was all that she could hear as she regained her consciousness, her amber eyes instantly forcing themselves to target her mate. "We need to get back to them..." She whispered, her voice chilled as if she had been struck with the fear only the powers above had the ability to bring. It was Stoatstar's call that made her feel pure outrage. They would be joining with them? The violence of a mother would know no bounds, and if that small tom thought that his decision was in any way appropriate, bringing such vile creatures into a camp with her babies?

Forgiveness would never be an option.

But, as her overloaded senses quelled, she was able to think. Bloodstar had been struck dead in an instant. Several other cats, being killed with so much as a blink of an eye. Surely... surely he was doing this to spare their lives? Either way, uneasiness and distrust prickled beneath their pelt. Leaning closer to Mottlefin, she refused to depart from her mates' side as Stoatstar began to make his depart. Keeping her tail touching the silver deputy, Mottlerose made her way quickly to the leader. "If your decision brings any harm to my kits, or this clan... May whatever powers of the forest exist take you to be punished." She hissed, a violent anger beneath her words. Mottlerose would desperately try to understand things from Stoatstar's perspective, but now... There was no time for that.

Her ears pinned back to her head as she once more returned to Minnowfin's side, her claws staying unsheathed with each step she took. Defenses were on high alert as she followed, and the warrior was ready to strike at any moment in order to protect her clan.

Rainpaw started to stare at his father, Growing confused.. These cats.. He trusted them? It was strange, But would they Dare argue with the Leader? their DAD? They couldn't. Not now!! It'd be embarrassing.. They still questioned their leaders laws, About bringing kits in.. They found it as Hypocrisy. Oh, So was Stoatstar the only one allowed to bring in kits? They couldn't get mad right now, Not too mad.



Darkheart was Pleasantly Surprised to get Re-Accepted into Thunderclan. "Excellent, Thank you, Stoatstar, I believe we can be.. Fast Friends." Darkheart said, Hoping they could Actually be friends.. Only to show the Warriors he was Truly back. To show them they shouldn't just treat them like visitors, as far as Darkheart knew, they weren't going to be Temporary. The Dark Forest is going to stay for as Long as they Want. As long as they can keep Starclan out, They'll be here.

Vixentooth left, thankfully, which Waterlily was happy about, however she still had the pale tom in front of her to deal with.  But then, Klaus raced behind her towards her kits and looked down at her daughter.  "Get away from them," She hissed.  He mentioned how she would be dead at the paws of Vixentooth if he did not care, which she did not care to respond to that out loud, but in her mind she thought about saying, Then go on.  Call her back.  I don't need or want your care anymore.  Her mouth did not move.  He then claimed that he wanted to help the starving clans.  This was certainly a messed up and interesting way of showing it.

Then he rushed forward and licked her head.  She would never admit it, but that and resting his head on her neck made her feel a bit better, but she could not let it.  She was about to stick her claw into Klaus' chest and rip his heart out, if he even had one, but she wondered what would even happen.  He was already dead, right?  How could she kill him again?  But, even so, she knew that part of her would not allow her to kill him.

She felt like shaking from anger, sorrow, and fear for her children and the rest of the clan.  None of that fear was about herself.  She guessed, out of most cats at least, she would have been one of the only real clan cats that would have been spared from Klaus' rath.  She still thought that he was in love with her... even though he was doing all of this.  She did not have proof, just a feeling.

He asked for her to give him a chance.  Why should I? She thought.  Reluctantly, she listened to his story.  She listened to the monologue of why he does what he does.  But why should she really listen?  He did not deserve even that?  Still, she cared, no matter how much her brain screamed at her to not care, her heart would not listen to her mind.

Stoatstar asked for Thunderclan to retreat and go back to camp.  Waterlily was not about to pull away yet.  Her kits protested against Klaus.  She still was not certain they were safe, so she did not want them yelling at him the way they were.  "It's okay," She told her kits, "I'm okay." Her voice was as calm as she could force it to be right now.  Her focus then again switched to Klaus.  "Have I betrayed you?"  She whispered to him.  He was close to her now, she did not feel the need for her kits to hear this if they did not need to.  "Just because you instructed them to not kill me doesn't mean that this still isn't a betrayal."  She paused.  Her voice was shakier than she wished, but she could not help it.

"I don't care what they did to you or any of the rest of these cats.  I'm sorry, but all of you still had a choice.  You can rise above those you have wronged you or you could become exactly what you have hated for so long.  Seems to me that you chose the latter.  Don't you dare tell me that this wasn't your choice."  The last part sounded like a sharp threat.  She did not know exactly what she could do, but she still tried to make it sound like a threat.

"Thunderclan does not need your help.  I don't need your help.  I raised all seven of my kits without any help from you.  I did not need you than, I don't need you now.  I, Thunderclan, and all the clans, don't need any "help" you think your giving us."  She sighed, then sarcastically added, "Thank you for the such kind offer though. It was greatly appreciated."

Even after all of that, she still could not find herself pulling away from him.

A couple of Beechfang’s blows finally managed to land, but what welled from beneath Shrikestep’s cold fur was far from blood.Even in the darkness, it smelled wrong and wasn’t the same consistency as any living cat’s blood. Who better than a former medicine cat and now-warrior to know the difference? Shrikestep was dead. Something that should never have cause to walk the lands of the living. Yet that’s exactly what now surrounded and overwhelmed the clan cats at fourtrees.

Before Shrikestep thrust her face in front of Beechfang, she caught sight of Bloodstar falling. Fear made Beechfang’s blows less concise, less practiced. Shrikestep spoke again, and Beechfang recoiled as if the words were a physical blow. Plans... Yes, plans. And yes, she hated the stars, how could she not? But this? The dead had no right to walk among the living. And what they were doing now was wrong. Even as Shrikestep continued, bitterness welled up in Beechfang’s throat. "You won’t touch Hollyshine." She managed to hiss, the anger in her words sounding much more muted than it would’ve otherwise. Naive, gullible Hollyshine... How many other cats had Shrikestep lied to? Shrikestep was strong, far too strong. And if not her, then any of the other dozens of dark forest creatures that were around the hollow. The clans stood no chance.

A flash of brown and red fur, and suddenly the weight was lifted off of Beechfang. She coughed, gasping, a violent shiver making its way down her spine as she struggled to her paws. Newtspring had tackled Shrikestep to the ground. Her brother was brave, or stupid, probably both. If the sick feeling of dread and fear wasn’t so overwhelming Beechfang would’ve been grateful. Her gaze shifted from Newtspring to where she’d seen Bloodstar fall, and Beechfang raced forward. He was already gone, that much was obvious. How many lives did he have left? Seven now, she thought, unless there had been more he hadn’t told her of. She had no herbs here, but herbs wouldn’t bring him back from the dead, anyways. That was up to Starclan... Who, if Dawnhawk was to be believed, was dead.

Foxdung.

Her gaze swung back to where Newtspring had Shrikestep pinned for the moment. If she hurt him, Beechfang would... She didn't know. Probably wouldn't be able to do a thing to really touch the snakeheart. Dawnhawk (regardless of new name, he'd always be Daawnhawk to her) was just as untouchable. He was terrorizing what looked like a group of Thunderclans... Beechfang blinked as she recognized the apprentice she'd been talking to earlier. Dawnhawk... Darkpaw had to be his kit. Probably the other apprentice-aged cats that were with him too. No wonder he'd looked so similar to family...

Sucked to be them. The less attention he paid to Skyclan, the better, though Beechfang knew he'd turn his attention back to them soon enough. He always did.

And speaking of Thunderclan... Beechfang's lip curled as their leader's voice rose above the yowls and screeches. Standing down was the only choice they had, even she could see that. But not their enemies? Foolish, very foolish. Even the dumbest of the dark forest creatures would have to see through that transparent lie, surely?

It wasn't like the clans had any other choice.

Her gaze continued over the rest of the clearing, noting a Windclanner she vaguely recognized trying to fight off a... strangely familiar gray and white she-cat. A marbled Riverclanner was slumped next to the Windclanner, fur a mess of blood. Dead. Beechfang didn't need to go any closer to know what those wounds were. Further away, a brown and white tabby with a bobbed tail lay crumpled on the ground, too. And there were more dead. She caught sight of Basilbloom crouched over a Shadowclan tom she vaguely recognized from previous gatherings, as well as several of her clanmates fighting around them with the dark forest invaders.

Didn't they know they stood no chance?

---

From her position at the edge of the hollow, Atalante quietly observed the fighting among the crowd, despite the clear trembling of her paws. Klaus... Morningstar now? Had found Waterlily and her kits. If nobody already knew, all of Thunderclan must know of who they were now. And Stoatstar knew he was her father, too. She could only hope that his actions wouldn't be taken out on the innocent. She'd had no clue of any of this, neither could Darkpaw or his siblings. Waterlily, though Atalante was much too far to hear the conversation, was innocent too, she was sure of it.

Atalante heard Stoatstar's voice rise above the noise of the fighting, and her ears pricked, straining to make out what was said. Leaving... And the dark forest cats were coming with them. There was a queasy feeling in her stomach at the thought, but if that meant the fighting was done... Atalante would run home with the rest of the clan. She had no other choice.

Beechfang is crouched over Bloodstar's body while surveying the crowd.
Ata/Featherpaw has fled.

Once she was sure Pinepaw was accompanied by another warrior, Hollyleaf took in a deep breath, glancing back to the dreaded, ghost-like cat. "I'll not let you harm any of our apprentices," She'd emit a low growl, latching onto the tom's back with her claws, just managing to swipe them to leave a distinct enough mark. And as she leaped back, she was caught off-guard for a moment, a horrendous moment. Hollypaw(shine)— yowling. Even she was caught inside this mess. Though, she hissed, quickly coming back to reality with the ghastly cat she had to face now.

Hollyleaf used Front Paw Strike, dealing 8 damage and using 7 SP.

Hollyleaf
40/40 HP
78/100 SP (-7)

Viperfang
84/100 HP (-8)
180/180 SP

---

Forced to have left, Vixentooth scanned the cats around her, attempting to look for easy prey. One that doesn't carry the blood of Morningstar, anyway. As her paws ventured deeper into the chaos, she spotted one— a black tabby warrior, all alone. They were sidetracked, and through the violent roars the crowd carried, her claws itched to have a real fight this time. With a seemingly peaceful purr, she approached the tom. Even if her intentions said the opposite.

"Well, who do we have here?"

Her voice was coated by a false sense of comfort. For a second or so, anyway. Though his voice and expressions bore the fierceness of a warrior— for a while, his fear scent said otherwise. Flicking her ear, she narrowed her eyes at the tom. You're no fun. Her claws unsheathed, and with swift movement— deadly silent, she leaped across the warrior, claws aiming for his eye.

Something soft was under her claws.

The scent of newly-spilled blood drowned the air, and Vixentooth watched as the warrior's confidence.. seemed to have not been so confident after all, succumbed. "Now, let the real fun began." She'd briefly lick her claws, leaving what she'd taken on the ground before leaping up to the warrior again, claws seeking for lethal damage.

Vixentooth has done something horrible.

Moon was taken surprise as Whitesnake lunched himself at his throat and gripped him, sending him crashing to the ground. As the silver furred tom was pinned onto the ground he felt blood running down and dripping to the ground while Whitesnake was raking his claws through his nice fur. Suddenly, Moon's emotions switched off like the new moon and he grabbed the dark tom's throat and flung the snake off of himself. "Just because you think that you are dead doesn't mean that you can bully me." he said with cold green eyes. "You have no clue what I have been through or what I am willing to do for the one's that I love." He tipped his head at Whitesnake. "I am not like other clan cats, and I am sure that you can tell." he said with a cold calculating gaze.

Moon suddenly lunged at the tom and sank his teeth into the Dark Forest cat's throat. He clung on and felt a little bit of blood flow from the tom's throat. (I can't wait for this time to die, it's been so long since I've felt the life force bleed out of another cat) Moon thought as his claws sank into Whitesnake's hunches.

Staying by Rainpaw's side to calm them now, the she-cat scouted the area with her eyes, in search of more of their siblings. That was when Stoatstar's made its announcement. Her hazel eyes returned to the brown and white tom on top of the rock and what he said... left her speechless. No word came from her muzzle and her face remained emotionless. Siding with the Dark Forest? It was insane. Sure, Cinderpaw wanted more power, more strength and to become one of the greatest fighters the clans had ever seen. But not with someone else's help. Not thanks to the Dark Forest's help. Her path for power was her own and she refused to be bossed around by some dead walking cats.

Her pupil transformed into a barely visible slit as she looked at her adoptive father leapt from the Highrock. Her mentor... her father... her hero... now bowing his head to the Dark Forest. Cinderpaw looked away, unable to accept this version of Stoatstar. And Appledapple following him... Instead, she focused her eyes on Rainpaw by her side. Their parents had betrayed all they have taught them and though the she-cat still hoped they could see the light in the end, she would not be there to see them submit to the Dark Forest. And if she could get her littermates out of there, she had to try. "Mom and dad joining the Dark Forest? I thought we were just going to listen to them for a while and then strike back but you listened to Stoatstar! He wants Thunderclan to become greater with the Dark Forest's help. I... I just can't accept it. I refuse to be bossed around by some dead corpse who should have stayed in the ground!" Her heart was conflicted but she knew deep down this is what she wanted to do. It was the right thing to do for her. "I'm not going back to camp, Rainpaw. I'm leaving and I'm going to train outside the clans to become stronger. Maybe one day... I can help everyone in Thunderclan but right now, I just can't stay here. Will you come with me? I doubt Softpaw would like to join me but... we can stick together if you want."

---

The petite she-cat looked at the two toms fight with widened blue eyes. Her claws were unsheathed, ready to fight if needed but... the young warrior feared she could miss and harm Moon instead of helping him. The molly was petrified, not knowing what course of action she should take. This white-furred tom was dead... how could you kill something already gone? Due to Moon's lack of belief in Starclan, she feared her love would think it was possible to battle such an unnatural creature. Finally, fearing for the tom's life, Tinypool jumped towards the Dark Forest tom. "Stay away from him!" She yowled as her body crashed against the tom's flank, hoping the weight of her body would be enough to throw Whitesnake away from Moon's grip.

Cinderpaw is talking to Rainpaw, asking them to flee the clan together.
Tinypool is trying to break off the fight between Moon and Whitesnake.

Rainstrike

"No! Bearspirit!" She tried her best to mimic the WindClanner's tone, but it had been so long since Rainstrike felt real grief - so long since she'd felt anything, really, aside from emptiness and cold rage, that it came out a poor mockery... which was her goal, anyway, so. She leaped forward after the pale she-cat, and he two of them tumbled together in the snow, Rainstrike's one-eye bright with glee as gashes opened up in her pelt and Swiftspirit's alike. They rolled, breaking apart, and Rainstrike slid to the side, head low, tail lashing, a menacing grin creeping along her scarred features.

She'd hardly noticed the smaller cat approach, but when Magpiesight spoke, Rainstrike glanced over. "Mum, hmm?" she snickered cruelly. Her one eye flicked back to Swiftspirit, who was barking orders at her daughter. "Run?" she echoed, incredulously. A harsh laugh bubbled up out of her parted maw, the shadows around her dancing as she whipped around, her paws carrying her towards the black-and-white she-cat. Fangs bared, she rushed Magpiesight, swiping to catch her shoulder with thorn-sharp claws. "There is nowhere to run to," she snarled. "StarClan is dead, and the forest belongs to us now."

Spottedfrog

Despite her struggle to hold him up, and even with another warrior - one that had been barely an apprentice the last time she saw them - coming to help, eventually, Bloodstar could stay standing no longer. As the life finally left him, the leader crumpled to the ground, and Spottedfrog pulled herself out from under the massive tom. "Dad, please," she choked, pressing her paws against his neck as if she could somehow slow the flow of blood, somehow make him stand again. "You need to get up, we can't-" she felt Newtspring breeze past, and turned just in time to see him slam into one of the shadowy felines, one that had been attacking Beechpaw... or was she a warrior, now, too? She didn't know, couldn't know... it had been so long. "Newtspring, wait-" she cried out, desperate to stop him before he shared the same fate as their father... because Newt wouldn't come back, and the thought of losing her brother, her best friend, tonight, was enough to raise bile to the back of her throat.

Blood-soaked fur clung to the back of her neck and shoulders, and Spottedfrog shivered as it cooled against her skin. The pulse of blood at her paws, against Bloodstar's neck, had slowed and practically stopped, but she refused to let up, refused to allow what remained there to spill upon the snow. Her desperate eyes watched as Beechpaw struggled to her paws, and she waited for her half-sister to turn and assist Newtspring, as he'd done for her. But she didn't. Instead, Beechpaw turned her back on Newt and rushed over to Bloodstar's side. She's coming to help. Spottedfrog relaxed, pressing her paws harder into Bloodstar's neck, "He's hurt bad-" she started, but... the former medicine cat didn't seem like she'd come to help. No, she loomed over Bloodstar like a useless gargoyle, that same stupid look on her face that Spottedfrog had long ago grown to hate as she just... watched, apathetic. She wasn't helping Bloodstar, she wasn't helping Newtspring... useless.

"Why aren't you doing something?" she shrieked. "Why aren't you helping?" Spottedfrog opened her mouth and let out an enraged hiss in Beechpaw's direction, her eyes traveling past the pale she-cat, to land on Newtspring who was still locked in battle with the Dark Forest cat. Her gaze grew cold as it traveled back to Beechpaw, and she wrinkled her nose in disgust, lifting one paw away from her father's neck and staring at the blood that stained her white toes. "Typical," she spat. "You failed as a medicine cat and now you're useless as a warrior, too. I guess eventually you'll find something you're good at, Beech, but until then I guess I'll just pick up your slack."

Bloodstar was gone. His limp body at her paws, how the blood had stopped flowing at all from the gash in his neck, was enough to tell her that. Distantly, she heard Ashstorm's voice, but above the blood pulsing in her ears, she couldn't make out the deputy's words.  Suddenly enraged, Spottedfrog surged forward, claws extended, and slashed them across Beechfang's chest. It was barely a glancing blow, meant as a statement more than anything, and she shouldered past her half-sister, picking up her pace as she neared Newtspring and his opponent.

Pigeonsun

It was all he could do to follow Spottedfrog, Newtspring, and Orchidmask to where it seemed SkyClan was gathering around Bloodstar. He narrowly avoided a Dark Forest cat's claws as they lashed out in passing, and he grew near enough to hear Morningstar's parting words just in time to watch Bloodstar stagger and half-fall, with Spottedfrog and... was that Driftpaw? - he couldn't be sure, it was so dark - holding him up. The scent of fresh SkyClan blood was heavy in his nostrils, and the tabby's wide blue eyes followed Morningstar, the cat who had just struck down SkyClan's leader, as he pranced away like nothing. Pigeonsun's ears slicked back against his head, indignant anger spurring his limbs into action before he really even knew what he was doing. Bloodstar wanted to fight, and if there was anything that Pigeonsun was good at, it was following orders. He'd been exhausted when they arrived, worn down from moons of travel, but now as he beelined for Morningstar he felt nothing but anger. They'd just returned, they'd gotten here just in time... surely it had to mean something, surely StarClan had guided their paws for a reason, even if these abominations claimed that their ancestors were gone. He didn't believe it. Pigeonsun ducked past a pair of scrapping cats, and now there was nothing in between him and Morningstar, just straight open space as the ghastly cat had stopped to talk to someone - he didn't know who, didn't look, didn't care. Heavy paws propelled him forward and at the last moment he leaped, slamming into Morningstar with all the force he could muster, claws tearing, fangs snapping at any bit of him that he could reach.

Rainstrike is tormenting Swiftspirit and Magpiesight.
Spottedfrog is heading for Newtspring and Shrikestep.
Pigeonsun has attacked Morningstar.

The apprentices, his kits, were vocal about his actions towards Waterlily. He looked at them with only his eyes, taking in their appearances with interest. Of course they wouldn't accept him right now, but he was going to change that. Ignoring them for now, he refocused on Waterlily when she spoke again. He finally pulled away from her, though his eyes were still soft.

"I tried many times to be better and to be accepted by a clan. All of them wanted to execute me rather than give me a chance. You're right, I did have a choice. I could either attack them first, or I could return to Skyclan to die. I chose the former, and after you're done being mad at me you'll come to an understanding. You're not stupid." He left it at that, though he didn't have much of a choice. He heard the rushing of pawsteps across snow coming straight for him. He backed away quickly from Waterlily and the kits so they wouldn't get caught up in the tussle.

An unknown tom... a Skyclanner from the smell of him, barreled into him. They rolled a full rotation one time... before Morningstar bit the other tom's throat and yanked it sharply in one direction. That was the end of that. He kicked the dying tom off of him and rolled back to his feet and approached Waterlily once more as if nothing happened.

"Skyclanners... absolutely no foxing manners..." He said with a mild annoyance. He wasn't even out of breath. "Well they're getting restless, I guess it's time for me to take them home. Go home with Thunderclan, I will see you again soon." He wasn't asking permission. With a final look at his kits, he turned away and began to move toward Skyclan once more.

"Skyclan! Due to your leader's recent passing, I gladly accept the burden of leadership in his place." He gave Ashstorm a single warning glance along with Beechfang: Challenge me, I dare you. "The Forgotten Order will come with us as well. Let's go!" He spoke loud enough for the Order to hear him. With a single thought, his army of undead cats surrounded the remaining living members of Skyclan in an impenetrable wall of death and decay. Any stragglers would have all of the strength sapped from them and thrown on the backs of these undead creatures to be carried forcefully to camp.

"Beechface, come up here with me. I haven't been to Skyclan camp in awhile, and I'm sure I could find it, but I'd like here to navigate with me anyway." The monstrous cat creatures parted just enough to let her pass through and walk beside him. "You're going back home, Hollyshine, aren't you excited?" He gave her a grin and a twitch at the tip of his tail before returning his attention to his silver sister.

"I haven't seen mother in awhile either. I'd like to say hello." He said with a smirk.

Morningstar is leaving with Skyclan surrounded by Undead cats to force them to leave back to camp.

---

Darkpaw jumped when the Skyclan cat attacked Morningstar. He'd hoped that the brown tabby warrior would manage a fatal blow... somehow... but of course that wasn't the case. The Skyclanner died swiftly and Morningstar brushed it off like an annoying insect. Once he told Waterlily to leave, Darkpaw was ready to follow her home. He wanted nothing more than to get out of here.

Foxdung. The dark forest cats were closing in, and Morningstar clearly expected Aether to follow him to SkyClan. He had missed his chance. And who knew when he would get another one. He looked at Aoife and Hollyshine, suddenly growing worried. What if Aoife told Morningstar? He was her father too. Why would she choose to help him over her own dad? And what about Hollyshine? Why should she keep her mouth shut? Telling Morningstar could even help her out.

Part of Aether hated himself. He used to love his father, how could he be so scared of him? Morningstar would never hurt him. He wouldn't. And yet here Aether was, going behind his back. What happened to the times he would have done anything for his father? Maybe he deserved to be punished. No, he definitely did. It was with his head and tail down that he followed his father, his paws dragging along the ground in defeat.

Primroselight abandoned all plans of helping other Skyclanners the second the stench of death hit her. Instead, she picked her way back through the crowd in search of Muddythorn, knowing he probably wasn't fairing too well (if the battle with Windclan moons ago was anything to go by). She found him quite quickly, curling her body around him for comfort, before that all-too-familiar voice began to speak. Starclan? Dead? The warrior had always known Starclan wasn't perfect, but surely they were too powerful to be killed so easily. And how in the world could you kill a group of cats already in the afterlife? 

Muddythorn was still unable to do anything but freeze in place. When Primroselight arrived, he tried to bury himself in her fur just as he'd done as a kit, and his little body couldn't sustain enough warmth in the snow. "Mum... t-that's Dawnhawk." She probably already knew, and stating it didn't make it seem any more real. Unlike many of the cats in the gathering, Muddythorn could only see a flash of red on the tom's pale pelt at his throat, where the fatal blow had been dealt. "Starclan can't be dead, I've brought apprentices to meet them recently, and no way could that happen, not just like that, no..." The half-moon meeting wasn't too far away, and he would get something there. He had to.

Whilst the dark forest cats scattered among the clans, some talking and others attacking, Primroselight didn't move a muscle away from where she stood with her son.

"Bloodstar!" Muddythorn called out as the leader fell. His mother tensed at his shout, but then relaxed slightly - he had lives to spare, it would be fine. However, what did that mean if Starclan was truly gone? How long would they be without a leader?

Dawnhawk (he was still Dawnhawk to Primroselight, even if she'd denounced all relationship to him a long time ago) called for Skyclan to leave, and as much as she didn't want to follow that mange-pelt, it was clearly the only option here. Begrudgingly, both her and Muddythorn began to make their exit alongside the rest of their clan.

Primroselight and Muddythorn are leaving with the rest of Skyclan

---

Magpiesight ignored her mother's ask for her to run, and instead stood by her side. She hated the dark forest warrior's imitations, her pride not being able to handle not being the one mocking herself. And she could, if she wanted to, but there was no use in teasing death - Swiftspirit didn't need to lose any more, neither of them did. Rainstrike lashed out at the young warrior, making blood poured from her shoulder, staining the white fur of her chest when she leaned forward, unable to keep steady with one leg in so much pain. She'd never been in a real cat-to-cat fight before, previously on having sparred or fought predators. This was completely different. She tried to strike back with her good leg, but her blow was slow and clumsy and could easily be avoided.

Magpiesight is (trying) to fight Rainstrike with Swiftspirit

---

It seemed Silversnake had stumbled upon the deputy. Even better. "I wasn't going to lay a claw on your little clanmates," She said in false offence. Then, as if to prove her point, she unsheathed the claws on one of her forepaws, holding it up to survey them. "Not yet, at least..." Placing her paw back on the floor, she swept her thin tail across her paws, "Don't put so much trust into your leader - just because he's on our side, it doesn't mean none of us will be allowed to have a bit of fun."

"Oh, and I can promise you Perchfall, making you angry is the last thing I want to do. No need to make me face your wrath." She said, laughing slightly. As she got to her feet, Silversnake took a step closer, so she was face-to-face with the deputy, pale eyes unflinching. "Last time I tried to kill Riverclan's deputy I was unsuccessful, by no fault of my own. But it's unlikely I'll fail twice. That is, only if you give me a good enough reason to try in the first place." The scarred warrior had no quarrel with murder in the heat of a battle, but having no personal, pre-meditated plan took all the fun out of it.

Silversnake is threatening Perchfall

---

Aoife was taken aback by Hollyshine's sudden outburst, mostly surprised that she had the energy to do so. Her legs shook as her cousin shouted in her face, trying her best to retain the stoic expression she had spent so much time mastering, yet still unable to stop the tears forming in her eyes. No matter how much she tried to blink them away, they remained. But she couldn't cry here. She wouldn't. When this was all over, she would go on a nice solo hunting trip, and deal with everything then. Not in front of all these other cats.

"I'm sorry." She whispered, so quietly it couldn't be heard over Hollyshine's shouts. Aoife bowed her head slightly to hide her tears, but at the warrior's suggestion of killing her, she replied, loud enough to hear this time but nowhere near the calico's volume. "I can't!" Her voice broke slightly. "Don't make me, because I won't be able to." Maybe she would've been able to kill Webshadow, but even that was unlikely. She could've killed the Shadowclanner that took her brother away, but Hollyshine had never done anything to hurt her.

"I don't know what da- Morningstar wants with you. I wish I did, because maybe then I could help you in some way. But if I fail, chances are he could kill us both. I wouldn't put it past him." Klaus was preoccupied with the clan cats below, and she was no longer scared of him overhearing them. A while ago, Aoife would've been shocked to know how lowly she thought of her father. But what Beechfang had said never truly left her, and from what she had seen tonight, it was probably all true. Even about his younger sister. "Maybe I'm just trying to save my own pelt but..."

She trailed off when Aether appeared, not wanting to let him in on their conversation. He wanted to leave. To risk everything to get away, even the wrath of Klaus. (And yes, she would continue to call him that, but only to herself. Morningstar was far too clan-like.) "Aether, you can try to leave, but I'm staying.  I don't want to be here either, but it's better than starving to death in some distant unknown land. I need to stay near everyone else." If they went together, she would only have one brother. She didn't know if she could survive without all her siblings nearby.

"Looks like you will get to see your family again," Aoife said, turning back her attention to Hollyshine when it was announced that the Forgotten Order would be going to Skyclan. Part of her was curious about learning more of her family there, but it was unlikely any of them would be as willing to talk as her cousin, and she was far from friendly a lot of the time.

She looked around for other order members, surprised to see Aether following the group away. So he'd chickened out. Good, it wasn't worth his pelt to try and escape. But she wouldn't tell anyone about his moment of weakness. She owed him that much.

Aoife is leaving to Skyclan with Hollyshine in tow

There was no preamble to the fighting except for a mild-toned question when the Dark Forest cat noticed him. It earned a hiss from Webshadow, but that was all he had time to manage before she sprang. Every muscle along his body tensed, ready to take the weight of her blow. The sting of claws across his face had become a familiar feeling in recent moons; uncomfortable, but he could bear a fresh scar if it meant he could flip her to the ground afterwards.

Claws flashed a hair in front of him. Claws connected.

A sickening, wet crunch sounded once. Immediately after, pain erupted from the right of him, and his ears started ringing, a horrible drone, accompanied by the scent and taste of blood flooding his tongue.

With an almost unearthly screech, Webshadow went reeling backwards. He staggered, paws catching against each other, and in his haste to get away he ended up tripping over himself. Bile rose in his throat as he hit the earth– thankfully, having enough grace (or was it just luck?) –to land on his left. He shuddered violently, and he couldn't stop himself when he turned up the contents of his stomach.

"Wha'did you d-dooo t'me?" The tabby bellowed, words slurred and broken.  Everything was black–

His heart hammered hard with panic, legs kicking desperately through the snow, flexed claws grasping at empty air in an attempt to save himself. Blood spilled from the cavity where his eye had just been, soaking into his dark fur. He was only dimly aware of it; beneath the throbbing pain, his face was starting to go numb.

Another wail left him, and another; until Webshadow had devolved entirely into a screaming, thrashing mess.

An attempt to lift his head offered him only another burst of pain, dizzy nausea wracking through him, and he dropped again, defeated, panting between his cries. Where are my Clanmates? Someone has to be nearby. His thoughts were racing, and dropping into a place of senseless. Why can't I see them? I know they're there. They just were. Someone has to come help me. The next series of screams was louder, a wordless plea for someone to find him. Then he was wheezing again, struggling to catch his breath before yowling once more. The only thing he could manage in defense was a withered, accusatory look towards Vixentooth.


Shrikestep was easy enough to hold down. She writhed, but it was more like she was putting on a show than really trying to get out from under his paws. A few times, she swiped at his legs, and thin pinpricks of blood welled up in the wake of her claws. Momentarily, his grip would loosen as he recoiled from the sudden shot of pain, then Newtspring would shove her into the earth harder, claws fixing into her. "Stay." He snarled, the hint of a challenge in his words.

Touch my family, and I'll kill you.

Beechfang appeared in the corner of his vision, lingering; then she was off again. Probably to help Dad. The tabby assured himself, lip curling when the warrior opened your mouth to speak.

"You're so unruly! You and that Beechfang both are. Shouldn't you two be grateful?" Shrikestep cried, shrill. Beechfang and another dark warrior were having a screaming match... and it distracted Newtspring long enough that she could kick away from the mottled tabby, scoring a blow to match the one Beechfang had just received. She hopped quick to her paws, tail whipping, just as the other dark warrior raced over to help. As Newtspring was stumbling away from his fresh wounds, the Dark Forest cat shot them both a look. Don't try that on me again.

"Are you family too, dear? That must be... Unfortunate." Shrikestep cooed, voice thick with fake sympathy. "Being raised by a cat named Bloodstar... gives me absolute shivers! I haven't been able to get over that, not since the very first time Hollyshine told me that. Really, who names a kit that? Though I guess it is fitting now." The molly gave the offending leader a look, studying, ignoring the hiss of defiance that rose from Newtspring. "Bear would have been a good name for him. Boar even, or Wolf. Good, strong names." She shrugged, unbothered, then shoved her way between the siblings. "I heard Morningstar drop a name I'm very interested in, so I'm going to walk away, alright kits? Don't kill each other while I'm gone."

Newtspring spat when Shrikestep brushed past them, but reluctantly he let her go. "Don't bother. I know yer mad." He instructed his sister in a low tone. "Let'er look. I'm... I don't think I can stop her. 'N'... 'M more worried about Beech. I wanna see Dad." The look he gave Spottedfrog was pleading, but he didn't wait for permission, following halfway in Shrikestep's pawsteps to settle at Beechfang's side.

Someone had struck her, thin tracks of blood laying across her chest. He wasn't sure if it was from Shrikestep, or... the tabby turned to give his sister a questioning look, then just as quickly refocused forward, to Bloodstar's body. He'd never seen his father so... still before. "He'll be back, right? I mean... gotta be." He murmured, ignoring Dawnhawk's call to leave. Every muscle in him twitched to go lay at Bloodstar's side, press his head up under his chin and pretend he wouldn't get coated in blood– but Newtspring just sat, still and quiet as shock washed through him.

As Hollyleaf's paw collided with his muzzle, black mist sprayed out instead of proper blood. Viperfang's face was distorted, glitching in appearance with only his green eyes faintly glowing in focus. Despite the damage, the tom's eyes glinted with delight, savouring the pain inflicted and eager to do the same. His tail lashing behind him, the tom stood up to his full height, spotted pelt rippling in the moonlight. "Save your concern for yourself, child. Tonight, you will be sleeping with the fishes."

He feinted to the left before twisting at the last second. His claws kicked up dust as they propelled him into Hollyleaf's side, colliding in a crunch of bones and muscles against each other. He repaid her for her kindness before.

Viperfang used Dishonorable Charge, dealing 10+2 damage and using 20 SP.
Hollyleaf is STUNNED for two turns.

Hollyleaf
28/40 HP
78/100 SP

Viperfang
84/100 HP
160/180 SP

"There’s nothing I can do." She hissed, taking a step back in shock. "You abandoned your clan and now you attack one of your clanmates? If dad were alive he’d drive you out just for that if someone else didn’t. It would be the least of what you deserve, Spottedfrog." The claws to her chest were hardly enough to be concerning, but that and Spottedfrog’s words affirmed all of Beechfang’s thoughts on her half-sister. Spottedfrog was no true Skyclanner, and everyone would’ve been better off if she had stayed gone. Newtspring was at her side then, looking almost dazed as he stared down at their father. Shrikestep brushed past them and Beechfang hissed, but made no move toward her and instead turned her attention back toward Newtspring. "They don’t resurrect if their body is in immediate danger, Lilacstar took a while too when we raided their camp. There’s nothing anyone can do but wait." She said dully. She had to cling to that belief, Bloodstar wasn’t dead. He couldn’t be.

Pigeonsun lunged for Dawnhawk, and Beechfang was too late to try and tell him not to. Dawnhawk cut down Pigeonsun without so much as a second glance. She hadn’t known him well, but she’d liked the young warrior. He’d been loyal and true.

"Primroselight!" She rasped, "Help me- Dad’s not staying here." They’d get him back to camp, he would resurrect once out of danger. A different voice told her that it was hopeless. They’d have to bury him and move on. She didn’t want to listen to that voice at all.

Dawnhawk raised his voice. Skyclan would be going home. He and these brutes of his along with them. Just like Asylum, he’d be lording over them, except this time his cronies were the dead, not living rogues that could bleed or be overpowered. "You will never be our leader, Dawnhawk." She spat. If Bloodstar was truly gone (something she really didn’t want to think about) it would be Ashstorm who led them. Never Dawnhawk. A warning glare made Beechfang’s gaze drop, then lift, seeking out the clan’s deputy in a sudden flash of panic as Dawnhawk continued to speak. The dark forest cats closed ranks around them, forcing Beechfang forward. Her claws dug into the earth, tail lashing back and forth as her fur lifted. She felt sick at the thought of being near him. Sick at what she knew was coming even before he spoke.

Mother... No. No no no. None of them would be able to stop Dawnhawk from killing her. Smokefeather was already dead and had been from the moment her misbegotten kit had stepped foot into fourtrees with an army of the dead behind him. Beechfang shivered violently, paws trembling as she walked.

---

The dark forester spoke in a twisted mimicry of Swiftspirit’s words, and she flinched, eyes darkening as she stared at the tabby and white she-cat with the horribly disjointed neck. "Get. Away. From. Her." Swiftspirit’s growl was hardly recognizable as she lunged for the she-cat once more. Her wounds stung, but the only thing on her mind right now was keeping this foul creature away from Magpiesight. Even so, her movements were slower, agonized thoughts not at all lending to the proper headspace she needed to be in to think and fight clearly.

Beechfang has snapped at Spottedfrog, addressed Newtspring, Primroselight and Dawnhawk and is leaving with Skyclan.
Swiftspirit is still fighting Rainstrike with Magpiesight.