The Day the World Moved [November Gathering 2022]

While elsewhere cats were going through the motions of their day– patrolling, sharing tongues, training –those that called the marshes their home would be caught in their sleep, long since retired to their nest for the day with only a few cats left awake to guard their camp. And as they slept through the cool and gentle day, a rumbling would start. First, just once, like the earth's very heart beating, until a proper thunder rolled and the ground trembled below.

With the roaring and the quivering earth, the marshlands began to soften. The pools that etched ShadowClan's territory swelled, pushed to capacity and overflowing. Even their very camp could not escape the rise of water. Though it lacked the violence of the flood that had taken them moons ago, brackish water rose from the earth in the heart of camp, leaked through the sturdy walls, carrying torn foliage and tendrils of thorns with it to startle ShadowClan further from their rest.

Redpaw had been sound asleep when the ground beneath him jostled him awake. Blinking a few times in confusion at first, his adrenaline kicked in and shot him to his feet. This... this was not something he'd ever seen before. Was there a sink hole? No... a sink hole absolutely would have swallowed the camp by now. They would never have had time to react. "Wake up! All of you!" His higher-pitched, scratchy, snake-like voice cracked through the air like a whip. He wasn't so much concerned for his fellow clanmates' well-being so much as needing to redirect his anger and his fear onto something else.

Redpaw charged out of the apprentice den, indifferent as to who he squashed underfoot. What mattered was him. Not anyone else. They would all realize this sooner or later. Once outside, Redpaw's acidic yellow eyes flashed furiously towards the leader's den. His teeth bared and his jaws parted to yowl, to demand an explanation, when the water suddenly rushed in and shocked him into a loud gasp. Fur standing on end, Redpaw wasted no time jumping from one object to another, up to a tree, to avoid the rising water.

To the Dark Forest with everyone else. It was every cat for himself.

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Not all that long after Leopardsun finally shut her eyes, she jolted awake. There was no rest for her, it seemed, as the earth itself shook under her paws; once, twice, and then thundering beneath her. This wasn't like anything else she recalled. As she stepped out of the den, she realized something else: there was water in camp. Particularly unusual, and particularly dangerous.

"ShadowClan, wake up! The earth is shaking and we're being flooded! Help one another to higher ground- carry the kits if you can! We have to keep each other safe!"

It's not like StarClan is looking out for us, after all... We're on our own now, aren't we? Same as ever.

Thalia slept peacefully in her fox pelt, but a familiar feeling woke her: water. Not a lot of it, at least not yet- but she knew what it felt like after being swept away from the clans entirely, and jumped to her paws immediately. The pelt was slightly damp, but she didn't dare shake it off, instead working to wake any still-sleeping cats. "Danger!"

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[Only mods are allowed to see this link]
[character pages]
Leopardstar ~ Nightdancer ~ Lightningbreeze ~ Mistflower ~ Scarletflare ~ Mint
ShadowClan ~ ThunderClan ~ SkyClan ~ SkyClan ~ RiverClan ~ Guardian of Twilight
Leader ~ Warrior ~ Warrior ~ Warrior ~ Warrior ~ Rogue
Tier 5 ~ Tier 5 ~ Tier 4 ~ Tier 4 ~ Tier 2 ~ Tier 1

Iceheart

Iceheart spent a lot of time in the medicine den since she and Forestbreeze had faced off against two foxes. She was not too badly damaged, aside from a leg injury that slowed her down. Forestbreeze on the other hand, was hurt enough that he would need time in the medicine den. And so, true to her word, she had stayed with him. He would not again spend a month in the medicine den with no one but a medicine cat to keep him company. She slept by his side and helped to groom his fur in the evening and joined Burdockpaw on herb hunts to ensure that the medicine den was well-stocked to care for him.

When the earth began to shake and Iceheart heard Leopardsun call from outside, Iceheart leapt to her feet. She went to Forestbreeze’s side and leaned in, nuzzling against his face urgently. “Forest, we need to get to higher ground,” she murmured. She felt water against her paws and looked to see that it was slowly rising. It wasn’t the same rush as the flood from before, but it still worried her. The territory had not fully dried yet, and fresh water was only going to cause more problems for the half-fixed camp. She pushed him a little more urgently and tried to help him to his feet. “Lean on me again. We’re going to follow the others. Just focus on walking.”

Iceheart is helping Forestbreeze get out of the medicine den and get to higher ground.

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PineblossomT5 ShadowClan
70HP/200EP
#6699ff

WillowwispT5 RiverClan
70HP/200EP
#6abcde

RashoumonT1 Rogue
35HP/80EP
#bd1b00

LarkspringT5 RiverClan
70HP/200EP
#787878

PoppystarT5 RiverClan Leader
70HP/200EP
#669966

BlazekitWindClan Kit
10HP/20EP
#ff6600
(not pictured)

Cat Directory ❊ Plot Boards ❊ Codes

Honeylight

Shadowclan Camp

Honeylight bolted awake when the first trembles came. He hadn't been sleeping well in the first place, caught up in his worry for Forestbreeze and Iceheart as he had been. The trembles that shook threateningly underneath him shot the large golden tom to his feet, although the ground rolling and rumbling quickly buckled him right back down for a moment as he gathered his senses. And then the water began to soak in, lazily trickling into the den and pressing up against the nests, soaking the most that Honeylight called his bed, pressing against his large paws. For a dumb moment all Honeylight could do was stare at it. Something Honeylight did not feel very often washed over him in a hot haze. Rage. Rage that Starclan has, once again, taken it's own anger out on his beloved clan. That was the only explanation he could think of in that moment. That Starclan hated them, and that made him so angry he shook.

It was Leopardsun's voice that shook Honeylight back into action. This wasn't the time to fall apart. His clanmates needed him. Shaking off the haze that had fallen over his mind, Honeylight jerked to his feet, running out of the den and taking in the state of the clan. He caught a glimpse of Redpaw, bolting up a tree without hesitation. Good, his apprentice was safe, or as safe as he could be. That was one less thing to worry about for now. His mind then jumped to Forestbreeze and Iceheart, still in the medicine den. Decision as to where he would go made in that instant, Honeylight turned and bolted for the medicine den.

"Do you two need help?" He asked as he entered the den, instinctively rushing to Forestbreeze's other side. He looked towards the medicine cats as well, forcing his voice to be calm and for his mind to focus. The water still soaking his paws made him want to scream, made him want to run, familiar icy fear soaking into his heart and squeezing tight. But Honeylight would not succumb to his fear. "Can I help either of you as well?" He checked.

Honeylight has gone to help Ice and Forest, as well as offer assistance to the medicine cats!

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Stormdance
RC Tier 5 Warrior
70HP/190EP
#9999cc

Sunpool
RC Tier 2 Warrior
40HP/100EP
#de0404

Wrensong
RC Tier 1 Warrior
30HP/70EP
#1f6e55

Hawkmist
SC Tier 2 Warrior
40HP/100EP
#7ba3a8

Rainfrost
SkC Tier 3 Warrior
50HP/130EP
#446fb3

Silentkit
SKC Kit
10HP/20EP
#912787

My Cats!

Nightstar was awoken abruptly with the feeling of a growling giant cat beneath his body, the creaking and howling of the trees and stones in response to the rumbling. But what Nightstar did not quite hear was the gurgle and schlorping of the ground as it turned to mush outside as the marshes liquified with the rumbling. Water oozed and poured into the camp, trickling and gushing past their only recently redone and fortified bramble thicket that protected the camp walls. Nightstar heard the prompt call from Leopardsun, and the rumbling came to a cease, but Nightstars unease did not wain, and neither would Shadowclans. Anger and raged boiled up in the tom cats chest, they had just come home after the flood that had swept them and their home away a few moons ago!

Bounding onto the Jaggedrock, where he could be heard best, he gave the loudest yowl he could muster. "Harechaser, Mothcatcher, I want you both to run ahead, scout a safe route out of here and to Fourtrees if it is still standing. Any able cat, do as Leopardsun said, get the kits, aid the injured and the elders. We need to get out of here as soon as we possibly can." Nightstar leaped from his spot, splashing himself with water as he raced to get Marshmallow and her new kits out.

"We will head to four trees, and we will follow our clanmates scent trail." Nightstar yowled again. "If able, pick a partner and stick with them!"

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The Day the World Moved [November Gathering 2022] Dfdosgv-70e9318b-eb4f-43c6-9628-3bb18010e426.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzgyMmY1OGNhLWMyNjAtNDQzYy1iZDIyLWVhNGZiODYxMjFhOFwvZGZkb3Nndi03MGU5MzE4Yi1lYjRmLTQzYzYtOTYyOC0zYmIxODAxMGU0MjYucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0

Nightstalker Tier 5 Warrior of Shadowclan
70 HP / 160 SP

Mothchatcher had also been woken by the lound rumble of the earth, having been resting in order to have the most energy that she could for the night patrols. It was quite a shock, and while she'd been plenty roused by the rumbling, Leopardsun's call only led the patterned molly to flinch as she attempted to rise to her paws. Familiar dampness was quick to settle in beneath her feet, which only led her claws to grasp the ground even harder as she forced herself to get towards the middle of camp. Quick glances around saw the carnage that had quickly been laid around them, and at that point, she was quick to spring into some semblance of action. Surely, there would be clanmates that couldn't escape! Not to mention, the new set of kits that had just come to Shadowclan not even a few sunrises prior.

It was Nightstar's yowl that would halt her in her tracks at the mention of her name, her head whipping so hard to face her leader that a Pop! was heard. Though, it blended into the chaos the rest of the camp was facing. She gave a solid nod, immediately searching for the other cat in question - giving Harechaser a nod before setting out from the entrance of camp. Or well, the new entrance, which was much safer to traverse. Much less water-filled and muddy. There was definitely one perk to her shorter fur, and that was her ability to traverse the muddy terrain without it sticking to her, or making her stick to the ground.

"Let's find a way there!" She called, praying that their travel to Fourtrees would be at least relatively easy. "If we run into any spots that end up being a dead end, I'll re-run our path a few times to make sure they follow the right one." Mothcatcher followed up, so at the very least, there was a plan. Well, as much of a plan that could be had while camp was flooding for the... second time in her life.

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The Day the World Moved [November Gathering 2022] RFRAcV8

v e t e r a n . u s e r • f o r m e r . a d m i n
p r o f i l e s • h e a r t . c h a r t

Murkyriver • Snowvixen • Hollowgrove • Mountainpaw • Loonkit

Harechaser stirred in her nest, mismatched eyes opening briefly and then closing. She stretched, curling up again as she tried to cling to the sleep she'd gotten for just a little longer. She'd get up in a moment, but she was so comfortable...

Rumbling beneath her nest woke Harechaser the rest of the way, and she stumbled, fighting to keep her paws and failing as the world seemed to spin around her. What in the name of Starclan...? A terrified squeak escaped her, joining the calls of her clanmates as she stared around the den wide-eyed.

The earth kept shaking, and it was then that Harechaser realized this was no dream. Fighting to stay on her paws, stumbling further, she hurried out of the den as water and bits of debris broke through the den walls. A sickening sense of dread washed over her at Leopardsun's yowl. All around her the camp was in chaos. It reminded her of moons past, and Harechaser hoped that things wouldn't turn out the same way as they had then.

"It can't just-" Harechaser sputtered, "We just got back! Why?" She despaired, what had Shadowclan done to deserve this? Why? Why, whenthings had finally gone back to mostly normal for them? Could they not catch more than a few moons of peace at a time? Indignant anger surged through her as the ground stopped shaking for a moment, an uncharacteristic snarl flashing across her muzzle.

She had turned toward the nursery, intending to help who she could when Nightstar's voice rang across the clearing, calling her and Mothcatcher. Nightstar had made his way to the jaggedrock, and she was glad to see that her brother was relatively safe. With his words came an order, and with something to focus on the edge of her panic died down a bit. Harechaser searched the camp for Mothcatcher, finding her and hurrying over.

"Right... Let's move, quickly." Before the earth started to move again. "Keep close, if our camp is this bad, the marshes are going to be even more treacherous." She allowed the other she-cat to take the lead, and was keeping her eyes and ears alert for anything that came their way. Mud and water soaked her medium-length fur, and Harechaser shivered as the coldness of it sank through to her skin.

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SkC Leader | Profiles | Plotting

WolfstarSkC
T5 Leader
#a0c8e6

SwandiveRC
T4 Warrior
#0881ab

BriarpatchSC
T3 Warrior
#867b6b

HoneybeeSkC
T3 Warrior
#ff4732
Not Pictured

Cloudjumper [Bonus]WC
T4 Warrior
#a45ee9
Not Pictured

Stoneheart [Perma NPC]SkC
T5 Warrior
#616d87
Not Pictured

Starclan: Beechfang, Mistyfalcon, Birdsong, Swiftspirit, Brackenwing, Harechaser, Moondancer, Graywind

Woken up by Redpaw trampling over her head and smooshing her face into the rising water inside the Apprentice Den, Harrierpaw leapt out of her moss bed and out into camp with an unsettling splash. To her horror, it was filled with the same murky waters as the den had been. "Redpaw what-" Her frantic question was cut short as she watched the tom climb to safety to... save himself? She couldn't help but scrunch her nose as if she'd smelled something rotten just watching him. As she took a step forward in the rising waters to give him a piece of her mind, the memory of almost drowning in the Deep Marshes not long ago made her freeze in place. Her chest felt heavy and the water that clung to her muzzle felt suffocating. Maybe Redpaw had the right idea... There was no guaranteeing she'd survive a second time. No cat was that lucky. Surely no one would fault her if she saved herself too, right?

It was Leopardsun's yowling that jolted some sense into her. How despicable would it be to waste this new life Leopardsun had given her that day just saving her own pelt? She could already see the disappointment in her adopted mothers eyes should Harrierpaw even mention the thought had crossed her mind. Was it selfish to only help because she didn't want to disappoint anyone? Sure. But she was still going to help. No matter what. Don't even get started on what Sablestrike or Marshmallow would say-

Marshmallow. The She-Cat had JUST given birth! Newfound panic set in as Harrierpaw made her way to the nursery, making it there just after Nightstar. "I can grab a kit or two, just say the word!"

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The Day the World Moved [November Gathering 2022] 13770

won't you shake a poor sinners hand?:

The Day the World Moved [November Gathering 2022] JPzjwJV

The Day the World Moved [November Gathering 2022] JPzNeMg

The Day the World Moved [November Gathering 2022] JGg2mwx

The Day the World Moved [November Gathering 2022] JPzwPEb

The Day the World Moved [November Gathering 2022] JcTsSP1

The Day the World Moved [November Gathering 2022] JcnAVnI

The Day the World Moved [November Gathering 2022] JaZZNs4

click photos for profiles | sprites by Aspen!

【Forestbreeze】

❒ Startling awake in his nest in the medicine den, Forestbreeze looked around groggily. Why did he wake up? He very nearly went back to sleep but the frightening shaking that followed a low, almost animalistic rumble snapped him awake. His amber eyes were wide with worry and fear. "Iceheart!" he called out. Iceheart was by his side not a moment after and was telling him that they needed to get out and get to higher ground. "W-What? Why? What's going o-" His eyes snapped to the ground when he felt the all too familiar feeling of water soaking his fur. The feeling was ingrained within him after the horrible experience with the flood. He let out a strangled gasp, his fur rising in horror. Was it going to happen again? It wasn't moving as fast as it did before but it could be only the early minutes. He sure hoped that wasn't the case! They had barely gotten through the last one! And why was the whole world shaking so furiously? Oh, stars!

❒ He was slightly calmed by the fact that Ice was right there with him. After the terrible fox attack that they survived, neither had wanted to leave the other much. Iceheart only left to help Burdockpaw restock the herbs but that was occasionally. At first, they had both been settled into the medicine den to recover from their injuries. Iceheart was the first to heal from her wounds but unlike the first time he'd been in the medicine den, Iceheart had continued to stay with him. His injuries were more extensive and required him to stay there longer. He would be forever grateful for her dedication and care. She always made sure to help him groom his fur. She kept him company and slept by his side, sharing her warmth. They had both made promises to each other. They wouldn't be leaving either alone. Nothing would be able to pry them apart without them fighting tooth and claw.

❒ Breathing shakily, Forestbreeze nodded and with Iceheart's assistance, he got up onto his paws. He had his front left limb carefully off the ground. It was still healing from the break and he still couldn't put any pressure on it. He carefully leaned on the smaller cat and gave another nod. "Okay, let's go," he meowed softly yet urgently. "I need to find Batpaw! I want her to stay safely close to me."

❒ Before they could go anywhere, though, Honeylight came rushing over to the two warriors. Forest's amber eyes lit up as the cat he regarded as a son came over to help them. "Honeylight," he greeted with a thin smile. "Thank you for coming... We wouldn't mind your help at all. However, if the medicine cats need your help, please go help out." He bumped his nose against the younger tom's cheek in a reassuring manner. "We'll be fine either way." He leaned back and began to look around. "Have you seen my apprentice, Batpaw? Is she still in the camp?" Forest was beginning to get worried. What if she had left the camp?

❒ The grey-and-white tom-cat looked over to where Nightstar's voice rang from and breathed out through his nose. He needed to steel himself for the trip. It was going to be a delicate and dangerous journey but he had faith that they'd all make it through this. They needed to keep a level head and remain vigilant. The clan needed to have each other's backs and keep each other safe. They couldn't afford to get separated like the last time. However, his anxiety for Batpaw was making him restless. Where was she?

❒ Forestbreeze turned his head to look at both Iceheart and Honeylight then offered them a shaky smile. "Let's go, then..." His eyes then flicked away as they began to move. He kept his eyes peeled for his missing apprentice. Oh Starclan, please let her be alright!

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【Current Cats】
═════════════════════
⓵ Forestbreeze of Shadowclan
⓶ Brookstone of Riverclan
⓷ Briarrose of Thunderclan

ShadowClan Warrior

ROSEBURN

CODE

First the ground shook beneath her paws.

Roseburn had been resting, just as every cat had been. But as the rumbling started, she shot upwards, panicked, as she felt water pooling around her. Was it another flood? No, this was different. She didn't know what was going on, but the shouts outside were enough to tell her to get moving.

She spotted Iceheart helping Forestbreeze out of the camp. Honeylight had arrived too, while Forestbreeze called out for Batpaw. "I'll look for Batpaw, you guys get out of here!" And with that said, Roseburn took off, keeping her eyes peeled for the apprentice.

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The Day the World Moved [November Gathering 2022] Ea9Ylnv

As Nightstar rose and gave his own orders, Leopardsun at last felt secure enough to properly join the rest of her Clanmates; resisting the urge to immediately dash toward the nursery when she realized both Nightstar and Harrierpaw had already done so. Instead, she first searched for the elders and any cats that looked like they were struggling- though she was also searching for Echomist. ShadowClan's last brush with disaster had left her mate injured, and she wouldn't stand by and watch while it happened again.

In the meantime, she kept an eye out for any cat that seemed to be struggling to lend a paw, and mourned how their newly-rebuilt camp had fallen to ruin so quickly. True, the damage wasn't nearly as bad (it was still standing, at least for now), but she had personally overseen and contributed to much of the camp around her.

When she was assured that her clanmates were helping each other, at least for the most part, she allowed herself to move toward the nursery. Echomist would be fine, and he would find her. Of that she was- not entirely certain, but mostly. "Let me help you," she said upon arriving. "Disaster and ruin, one after the other! I feel like we could use a moment to breathe every once in a while. ...But failing that, I'll settle for safety."

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[Only mods are allowed to see this link]
[character pages]
Leopardstar ~ Nightdancer ~ Lightningbreeze ~ Mistflower ~ Scarletflare ~ Mint
ShadowClan ~ ThunderClan ~ SkyClan ~ SkyClan ~ RiverClan ~ Guardian of Twilight
Leader ~ Warrior ~ Warrior ~ Warrior ~ Warrior ~ Rogue
Tier 5 ~ Tier 5 ~ Tier 4 ~ Tier 4 ~ Tier 2 ~ Tier 1

MARSHMALLOW
-
Marshmallow awoke at the very first rumble, instinctively pulling her kits closer to her stomach. She didn't quite understand what was happening, but her claws unsheathed clinging to the ground beneath her. She remained still, and the ground shook once more. Not just a growl from the earth, a roar. What in StarClan's name?- Have StarClan come to punish me?

She yowled out in a cry for help, probably waking up her tiny newborns from their quiet slumber, if the movement of the ground beneath them hadn't already. The cats in the rest of the camp had surely heard it, and she was scrambling to pick up her kits. "I'm too tired." She mewed to herself, trying to keep balance as she picked up her kits, trying to keep them out of the water.

She blinked up, eyes widening to see both her apprentice and her leader had come to assist her. "Thank StarClan you're here..." She mewed. "I have six kits, so we all can carry two." She explained. "I'll take Fangkit and Poppykit, Nightstar, please take Cicadakit and Amberkit, and Harrierpaw..." She blinked down at the remaining two kits. "You can have Sunkit and Applekit." She realised her claws were still out, clinging onto the muddied ground. "Please keep them safe..." She mewed, setting down all her kits except Fangkit and Poppykit.

Marshmallow would never forgive herself if she never saw her other kits again...

CICADAKIT
-
Cicadakit had awoken around the same time as her mother yowled. As young as she was, she did not understand anything that was going on around her. Her eyes had opened, but they were still very blue, and her sight had hardly developed. The most she could see were confusing colours, but she could smell so many more confusing and new smells. Squealing as something flooded over her white paws. She was luckily scooped off of the ground by presumably her mother, before the Weird Something washed over more of her dappled fur. She couldn't understand most of what was being said, but soon enough, she was placed into the Weird Something again, right at something.. white? And bumpy? Her young mind couldn't quite comprehend anything, but Cicadakit was pretty sure nobody would let her get into too much danger.

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The Day the World Moved [November Gathering 2022] Untitled730-20231230004356

FINCHKIT - KIT - THUNDERCLAN [10HP/30SP]

Duskflight

Water reaching his moss bed, Duskflight awoke in a jolt to see murky liquid soaking up parts of his fur. Soon, the distressed calls of his clanmates were detected, and the tom made his way out of the den, helping whoever he could out of the further flooding parts. Thunder echoed across the sky, and the horror rose to the tom again as he recalled the previous disasters. No. It can't be like that again. He didn't know what StarClan had planned for him, or Shadowclan, yet he could only pray for the best. They've only just returned from the flood that struck them a few moons ago.

Trotting over to Nightstar to see if any cats needed assistance, it seemed that all of Marshmallow's kits have been carried, and Forestbreeze was helped by the other warriors. "If any of you require assistance, please call on me." And looking back to the medicine den, the tom bit his inner cheek, anxiety filling his heart. Where was his son? His eyes scanned for the sight of his mate, not being able to spot her within the crowd as well. Where was she?

"Swiftheart? Fuzzybelly? I'm here!"

Crowspirit

Rumble. Thunder and murky waters interrupted Crowspirit from her rest. Peering out to see what had happened, her eyes widened at the sight of a flood. Not again! We just got back! Spotting Harechaser with Motchcatcher, the she-cat hurried over to them, her fur soaking wet from her head to her paws. "Are you both alright? Harechaser, what happened? And why are we going to Fourtrees?"

Glancing back, she could see each cat assisting each other, and it grew to her relief that mostly everyone was alright. "It's not like last time again, is it?" Her ears flattened in worry.

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The Day the World Moved [November Gathering 2022] Copper_drew_siggy3_20240107084231

Thrushnose │ ThunderClan │ Tier V Warrior │ 70HP / 160SP │ #7b675d
Fennelbreeze │ WindClan │ Tier IV Warrior│ 60HP / 140SP │ #88ab84
Fawnshine │ ThunderClan │ T4 Classic MC │ 25HP / 60SP │ #d1bea8
Harrierpaw (not pictured)│ SkyClan │ Apprentice │ 20HP / 60SP │ #944c3e

Art Requests │ Character Profiles │ Heart Chart

It had been an ordinary day for Lighttail. She wasn’t on daylight patrol, so she settled in her nest between Sablestrike and Honeylight. The gentle breathing of her brother and friend lulled her to sleep as always. But she didn’t sleep long before the very ground lurched beneath her. Her stomach twisted and she clung to her nest, frozen in fear. The last time she’d had anything but stable ground under her paws, she’d been swept away by a flood and wound up far from home. The water flowing into the den only confirmed her fears. She’d had an uneasy truce with water. It stayed where it belonged, and she hunted and patrolled through it when needed. Now it had broken the truce. Blinded by anger, Lighttail let out a stream of rather rude words.

Then Honeylight disappeared and Nightstar and Leopardsun started barking orders. That snapped her out of it. She flicked her tail against Sablestrike and all but hissed, “Bro! Get up! We’re in danger! The camp is flooding again. Go get Burnpaw and get to higher ground! I’m going for Mother!”

And with that, the silver tabby shot across camp to the medicine den, where it seemed Honeylight had also gone for his injured family. The den was crowded, but in a heartbeat Roseburn was out, Lighttail was in, and she was face to face with her mother. Her mother, who she’d barely acknowledged since the accident. She’d been busy trying to put up a strong front for her brothers, and she felt it best to keep her distance. Snowpaw didn’t know her, after all. But now, with adrenaline-induced nerve, she addressed her mother as an apprentice. “Snowpaw! The camp’s flooding! Come on, we have to get out!”

Snowpaw lay in her nest, trying to make some sense of the commotion, but the very real sensations of water against her wounds and the earth shaking were blurred by what might have been memories. First she thought she smelled something rotting, then flashes of light like the stars were falling. Then she was choking on something. Then another strange smell, another clan perhaps? What did any of this mean? Finally, a voice broke her trance. The battered she-cat staggered to her feet and followed the silver cat out of the medicine den.

Sunkit, compared to most of his clanmates, had practically no fur. His coat was short and smooth and did pretty much nothing to protect him. So when his surroundings were suddenly wet and cold, he screamed at the top of his lungs. Tail whipping back and forth, the tiny tom yowled frantically for anyone to help him.