The Day the World Moved [November Gathering 2022]

Fogfeather launched into action at once, not given a moment to think or process the scene before him. His sisters and brothers, clanmates and friends all surrounded him again— SkyClan scents, SkyClan air, SkyClan drama. Even out of capture, the drama was never ending.

Fogfeather missed it.

He quickly ran over to aid his mother and cousin, barely able to acknowledge Plumpaw, Spottedfrog and Wolfblossom all surround and circle him as they help the two trapped she-cats. Bloodstrike and Ravenclaw stood too, strong and tall as they always had. He could hear Blackbear’s gruff meow somewhere in the distance, a welcome sound for the first time in either of their lives. It was strange, the emotions that coursed through him as he pushed and strained alongside Dawnfeather; his sister lay injured, his leader dead, yet an odd sense of tranquility and peace ignited him and his movements. Briarstar would live on, Birdchaser seemed… mostly alive.

And Fogfeather was home.

At once, the medicine knowledge that had been pushed out of his head came back in a rush. He moved his focus to Briartstar and Birdchaser’s visible wounds, green eyes wildly searching between blood and Plumpaw and the all-too-familiar medicine den. They were going to need some herbs and fast.

Fogfeather has returned! He attempts to get Plumleaf's attention, albeit in his own special way.

Crookedkit

Crookedpaw flinched when the frightening, scarred molly that entered camp snapped at him. He had no idea who she was, but her growling tone was loud and frightening and it propelled Crookedpaw towards the crowd around Birdchaser. He silently hoped that he wasn’t getting in the way of the stronger cats as he slid up beside Rainpaw. He rubbed up against his friend, but for once words could not get through his maw. He only joined Rainpaw in pulling at the branch as much as his small body could manage.

Crookedpaw is assisting in getting Birdchaser free.

Birdchaser

Through her rattled mind, Birdchaser became aware of pawsteps rushing towards her. She blinked blearily, and was equal parts pleased and horrified to see Rainpaw was among the first to rush to her aid. Rainpaw, stars, I'm sorry. Pulled from one tragedy and thrown into the next no sooner than he had time to adjust to this new life. She leaned into the gentle press of his nose, murmuring the closest thing to reassurance she could in response to his shaky breaths. He worked hard to haul the branch off her as best he could, and as Rainpaw pulled, she could feel the sharp, splintered bark dragging against her leg. A tight hiss again left Birdchaser. The throbbing pain that radiated from the wound had gone... numb, almost. She was still aware of it, she couldn't not be, yet it felt somehow distant. Whether her leg had broken or adrenaline had finally settled into her nerves, she couldn't tell.

Birdchaser was getting ready to speak, to Rainpaw or to the rest of the Clan she wasn't sure, when another thunderous crack echoed throughout camp, followed by a yowl far more pained than her own. More cats were coming to crowd around her-- Crimsonflame, which surprised her, then Plumleaf, Willowpaw, Wolfblossom, but she was more concerned about the shriek. Shaking focus back into her body, Birdchaser turned her attention towards the leader's den. That was Briarstar's voice she heard crying out, heard cut sharply off. Her heart sank deep into the hollow of her chest. She had seen Froststar wither away, every life he was meant to guide with stripped unceremoniously. She prayed, desperately, that Briarstar was alive under there.

As she was fully freed by the cats gathered around her, Birdchaser shoved herself to her paws, wavering slightly. She flexed the pinned leg, and felt a sharp tremor of pain rocket through the limb, more present than the dull throbbing. When she tried to bear her weight on it, the blaze intensified until she felt she would crumple against it. But this was no time to worry about pain. SkyClan's leader was crushed beneath a tree, the world continued to rattle back and forth, and camp was no place to stay. "SkyCl-" Her rising yowl was cut off by thundering pawsteps and the appearance of a massive, scarred tom she recognized immediately as Bloodstrike.

Birdchaser watched, dazed, as the elder tom bounded across the clearing and made for the tree that had pinned Briarstar, voice rising to summon warriors to his aid. Her ears lowered, but she was grateful to see cats going to his aid. And then-- more new arrivals. Her head was starting to spin. There was too much going on, her limbs were quivering even without the earthquake's help, and...

And Beechfang was here. The deputy's eyes widened as her mother appeared in the midst of the chaos. With her, a pale she-cat Birdchaser didn't recognize, and Fogfeather, too. They had all rushed to help Briarstar. If her remaining lives were left in tact, she would be fine. But the rest of the warriors and apprentices, those without blessings to spare, would need to leave, urgently. She had to do something to get out of there. Taking a moment to touch her nose to the top of Rainpaw's head, and turning towards the newly-arrived Crookedpaw to press her nose just as gently to his ears, Birdchaser dragged herself forward.

"SkyClan! Camp isn't safe for us right now!" She yowled, ashamed at the way her voice trembled. "Capable warriors, I need you to lead the way to Fourtrees! Make sure that the kits, elders, and queens are out of their dens safely. Some of you will guide the path there; I need the rest of you to follow the group and make sure that none are lost or harmed along the way. Apprentices, follow them closely. Do not try to be brave or act above your rank." She prayed that her Clan would make it out safely. Nosing Crookedpaw and Rainpaw again, she urged them nearer to the warriors now milling to gather cats and shepherd them away. "Go," she murmured softly, "join them. I'll join the rest of SkyClan soon, I promise." She gave the pair another nudge, slightly rougher, then turned on shaking paws to join the group surrounding Briarstar.

Even just the walk to the leader's den was difficult for her, and Birdchaser wondered dimly if she would make it to Fourtrees before next sunrise, especially if as much disarray had been caused in their territory as in camp. Eyes flicking between Beechfang and Bloodstrike, distracted as they were by working to free Briarstar, she opened her maw to speak softly to them anyway. "I've sent the rest of SkyClan to Fourtrees. I can't say you two are welcome there, but," a particularly harsh tremor rocked her, and the deputy staggered, a hiss rising through her when her damaged leg touched the ground, before she could continue. "I don't-- I can't debate politics right now, and I can't turn you away right now, not when you came to help, and," she sagged, especially as her eyes landed more focusedly on Beechfang. It had been so long since she'd seen her mother. "Seek safety, please. I need to follow the rest of the Clan. Please, free Briarstar, and join us at Fourtrees if she allows it."