In the light of Crowfeather's Trial >> Crow and Breeze
Sept 22, 2017 1:25:39 GMT -5
kinkajou, smilii, and 3 more like this
Post by ❅Maplefrost❅ on Sept 22, 2017 1:25:39 GMT -5
Just a run down reminder of Crowfeather and Breezpelt's relationship in quotes from the series, along with the way Crowfeather treated his son, and the lasting effects it had on his development as a character in the future. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
It was 2 in the morning and I had already started this a few days back so I thought, might as well finish it.
Bonus at the end --->>>
EDIT: Since I don't think my point is getting across. Let me say it up here. This is not an "excuse" post, because we all know how much everyone hates those lol. This is an "EXPLANATION" post as to why Breezepelt ended up the way he did. Addressing how his character was abused, neglected, and taken advantage of, leading to the way he is now as a character.
A fight is the last thing we need! Jayfeather bounded forward, his belly fur brushing the dust and loose pebbles of the dry lakebed. “Stop!” he yowled, thrusting himself between the two warriors. “What value does the lakebed have to any Clan?”
He heard an enraged snarl and scented Breezepelt nose to nose with him. “You would say that, half-Clan cat!” Jayfeather was jolted by the wave of hatred coming from the WindClan warrior. He took a step back, his nostrils flaring.
“What has that got to do with—” he began. Breezepelt pushed his face even closer to Jayfeather’s. “Your mother betrayed my father as well as her Clan,” he hissed. “You have no right to be a medicine cat. No right even to live among the Clans. I’ll never forgive you for what you’ve done! Never!”
Bonus:
It was 2 in the morning and I had already started this a few days back so I thought, might as well finish it.
Bonus at the end --->>>
EDIT: Since I don't think my point is getting across. Let me say it up here. This is not an "excuse" post, because we all know how much everyone hates those lol. This is an "EXPLANATION" post as to why Breezepelt ended up the way he did. Addressing how his character was abused, neglected, and taken advantage of, leading to the way he is now as a character.
The brambles shivered as Breezepaw raced into the camp. “No damage to the barrier,” he called.
“Have you checked it all the way around?” Crowfeather asked. Breezepaw glared at his father.
“Of course! That’s what Whitetail ordered me to do.”
Nightcloud stepped forward. “You should have more faith in our son, Crowfeather,” she chided.
“Whitetail’s my mentor, not you,” Breezepaw added.
“Have you checked it all the way around?” Crowfeather asked. Breezepaw glared at his father.
“Of course! That’s what Whitetail ordered me to do.”
Nightcloud stepped forward. “You should have more faith in our son, Crowfeather,” she chided.
“Whitetail’s my mentor, not you,” Breezepaw added.
“Thank you, Leafpool,” Crowfeather murmured.
“I would give my last drop of blood to save your kit,” Leafpool meowed softly to Crowfeather. “You know that.” Jaypaw flinched at the tension between them, pricking the air like rain.
“Our kit was lucky that Jaypaw was here.” Nightcloud’s comment was edged with sharpness.
“I would give my last drop of blood to save your kit,” Leafpool meowed softly to Crowfeather. “You know that.” Jaypaw flinched at the tension between them, pricking the air like rain.
“Our kit was lucky that Jaypaw was here.” Nightcloud’s comment was edged with sharpness.
Squirrelflight returned his gaze. “Congratulations, Rowanclaw. You are blessed to have three healthy kits.”
Rowanclaw curled his lip. “Three healthy Clanborn kits,” he growled.
“That is only a blessing if they remain loyal to the Clan they were born to,” Squirrelflight pointed out sharply, letting her temper flare. Rowanclaw let out a low growl.
Leafpool stepped between the two warriors. “There’s no need to argue.”
“He was only speaking the truth.” Who said that? Lionpaw snapped his head around. Breezepaw! The WindClan apprentice was standing beside his father. Crowfeather was staring at Leafpool, his eyes glittering.
“Don’t forget, Breezepaw, ThunderClan actually celebrates mixed blood.” Leafpool jerked her head backward as though Crowfeather had raked his claws across her muzzle. She turned quickly and hurried away.
Rowanclaw curled his lip. “Three healthy Clanborn kits,” he growled.
“That is only a blessing if they remain loyal to the Clan they were born to,” Squirrelflight pointed out sharply, letting her temper flare. Rowanclaw let out a low growl.
Leafpool stepped between the two warriors. “There’s no need to argue.”
“He was only speaking the truth.” Who said that? Lionpaw snapped his head around. Breezepaw! The WindClan apprentice was standing beside his father. Crowfeather was staring at Leafpool, his eyes glittering.
“Don’t forget, Breezepaw, ThunderClan actually celebrates mixed blood.” Leafpool jerked her head backward as though Crowfeather had raked his claws across her muzzle. She turned quickly and hurried away.
Crowfeather, too, though it was hard for Hollypaw to reconcile the brave warrior, StarClan’s chosen, with the suspicious, bad-tempered, skinny cat who stood in front of her. No wonder Breezepaw is so grumpy. He got it from his father!
“You’re so lucky!” Heatherpaw put in, with a sigh of envy. “I’d give my tail to go.”
"Well, I don’t want to!”
“Don’t worry, you’ll be coming back,” Hollypaw snapped.
“How do you know that?” Breezepaw’s ears flattened and his tail drooped. “I think my Clanmates just want to get rid of me.”
He sounded so miserable that Hollypaw felt a rush of pity for him, but it lasted no more than a couple of heartbeats.
"Well, I don’t want to!”
“Don’t worry, you’ll be coming back,” Hollypaw snapped.
“How do you know that?” Breezepaw’s ears flattened and his tail drooped. “I think my Clanmates just want to get rid of me.”
He sounded so miserable that Hollypaw felt a rush of pity for him, but it lasted no more than a couple of heartbeats.
Crowfeather padded forward a couple of paces to stand beside Squirrelflight. “It is my choice if I go,” he meowed, with a glance at Onestar. Hollypaw wondered if he was defying his leader, but Onestar didn’t rise to the challenge. “And I—I will go. I would like to stand again in the place where Feathertail lies.”
“What about Breezepaw?” Squirrelflight asked.
Crowfeather sighed. “Yes, I suppose he must come too, if Onestar orders it.” Breezepaw shot his father a sulky look and started tearing up the grass with his claws.
Hollypaw thought of her own mother and father; she was glad that they supported her when she wanted to try new things. It didn’t look as if Crowfeather and Breezepaw got along at all. And I can understand that, sort of, she thought, now that I’ve seen Crowfeather a few times. He’s just . . . weird.
“What about Breezepaw?” Squirrelflight asked.
Crowfeather sighed. “Yes, I suppose he must come too, if Onestar orders it.” Breezepaw shot his father a sulky look and started tearing up the grass with his claws.
Hollypaw thought of her own mother and father; she was glad that they supported her when she wanted to try new things. It didn’t look as if Crowfeather and Breezepaw got along at all. And I can understand that, sort of, she thought, now that I’ve seen Crowfeather a few times. He’s just . . . weird.
“I want to say good-bye to my friends first,” Breezepaw objected.
“There isn’t time!” Crowfeather snapped.
“I’ll say good-bye for you.” Heatherpaw darted forward and touched her nose to Breezepaw’s shoulder. “And don’t worry. You’ll have some amazing stories to tell us when you come back.”
Breezepaw didn’t look as if the idea cheered him up
A black she-cat emerged from the group of WindClan cats; Hollypaw recognized Crowfeather’s mate, Nightcloud. She brushed her pelt against Crowfeather’s. “Take care,” she meowed. Crowfeather gave her ear a quick lick, but Hollypaw noticed that his eyes were gazing into the distance.
“There isn’t time!” Crowfeather snapped.
“I’ll say good-bye for you.” Heatherpaw darted forward and touched her nose to Breezepaw’s shoulder. “And don’t worry. You’ll have some amazing stories to tell us when you come back.”
Breezepaw didn’t look as if the idea cheered him up
A black she-cat emerged from the group of WindClan cats; Hollypaw recognized Crowfeather’s mate, Nightcloud. She brushed her pelt against Crowfeather’s. “Take care,” she meowed. Crowfeather gave her ear a quick lick, but Hollypaw noticed that his eyes were gazing into the distance.
He angled his ears, trying to pick up more interesting
snippets of conversation, but all he could hear was Crowfeather telling Breezepaw about the best way to catch prey in the mountains. The two WindClan cats were padding side by side a few tail-lengths from the rest; Jaypaw could feel Breezepaw’s resentment at being forced to come on the journey. I don’t think he and his father even like each other, Jaypaw decided.
snippets of conversation, but all he could hear was Crowfeather telling Breezepaw about the best way to catch prey in the mountains. The two WindClan cats were padding side by side a few tail-lengths from the rest; Jaypaw could feel Breezepaw’s resentment at being forced to come on the journey. I don’t think he and his father even like each other, Jaypaw decided.
“Well, from the sounds of it we’ve helped them enough,” Breezepaw objected.
Crowfeather sighed; Lionpaw thought he had never heard a cat sound so bone-weary. “You’ll never understand loyalty,” the gray-black tom meowed.
Crowfeather sighed; Lionpaw thought he had never heard a cat sound so bone-weary. “You’ll never understand loyalty,” the gray-black tom meowed.
Purdy looked at him. “You’re right, I don’t catch prey no more. I get my food from Upwalkers. But I reckon just this once I might try eatin’ ill-mannered kits.”
“I’m not a—” Breezepaw began indignantly, only to clamp his jaws shut as his father lashed out a paw at his ear—a hard blow, though with his claws sheathed.
“I’m not a—” Breezepaw began indignantly, only to clamp his jaws shut as his father lashed out a paw at his ear—a hard blow, though with his claws sheathed.
Crowfeather let out an irritable hiss and turned his back. Hollypaw felt an unexpected pang of sympathy for Breeze
paw. She would rather be scolded by Brambleclaw than face Crowfeather’s coldness. Did he even like Breezepaw? She and her littermates couldn’t stand the WindClan apprentice, but Crowfeather was his father, for StarClan’s sake! I’m glad he’s not my father, she thought.
paw. She would rather be scolded by Brambleclaw than face Crowfeather’s coldness. Did he even like Breezepaw? She and her littermates couldn’t stand the WindClan apprentice, but Crowfeather was his father, for StarClan’s sake! I’m glad he’s not my father, she thought.
He heard Breezepaw ask if they could stop and hunt, and Crowfeather snapped at him that there was no time. “You might want to spend the night out here, but I don’t!”
Almost at once a terrified yowl burst from the WindClan apprentice. He was sliding forward, scrabbling frantically to stop himself. Hollypaw saw that a chasm split the top of the ridge, hidden from sight in the shadows. She darted across to help Breezepaw, but Crowfeather raced past her. He fastened his teeth in Breezepaw’s tail and dragged him backward until he could stand safely on the flat top of the ridge.
Breezepaw let out a screech of pain. “My sore tail!”
“Tough,” Crowfeather snarled. “Next time, think before you start showing off, and do what the Tribe cats tell you.”
Breezepaw glared at his father, then padded after the others with his head and tail drooping.
“Pity,” Lionpaw commented as the WindClan apprentice caught up to him. “I was looking forward to seeing you bounce all the way to the bottom of the mountain.”
“Shut up, stupid furball!”
“That’s enough.” Tawnypelt thrust her way between the two apprentices. “For StarClan’s sake, stop bickering.” Lionpaw muttered, “Sorry,” and gave his chest fur a couple of embarrassed licks, while Breezepaw just ignored her.
Breezepaw let out a screech of pain. “My sore tail!”
“Tough,” Crowfeather snarled. “Next time, think before you start showing off, and do what the Tribe cats tell you.”
Breezepaw glared at his father, then padded after the others with his head and tail drooping.
“Pity,” Lionpaw commented as the WindClan apprentice caught up to him. “I was looking forward to seeing you bounce all the way to the bottom of the mountain.”
“Shut up, stupid furball!”
“That’s enough.” Tawnypelt thrust her way between the two apprentices. “For StarClan’s sake, stop bickering.” Lionpaw muttered, “Sorry,” and gave his chest fur a couple of embarrassed licks, while Breezepaw just ignored her.
Lionpaw stared at the small gray-black cat crouched beside the pile of stones. “Why is Crowfeather so upset? They weren’t even in the same Clan . . .”
“Crowfeather loved her.” Tawnypelt’s tone was gentle. “She died saving him from Sharptooth, and she saved the Tribe as well.” Understanding stirred in Lionpaw’s mind like a mouse in a drift of leaves. Maybe losing Feathertail was what had made the WindClan cat so bad-tempered all the time. He noticed Breezepaw watching his father with a jealous glint in his narrowed eyes. For once Lionpaw felt a pang of sympathy for him. He wasn’t sure how he’d feel if Brambleclaw got so upset over a cat that died ages ago, not when he had Squirrelflight now.
“Crowfeather loved her.” Tawnypelt’s tone was gentle. “She died saving him from Sharptooth, and she saved the Tribe as well.” Understanding stirred in Lionpaw’s mind like a mouse in a drift of leaves. Maybe losing Feathertail was what had made the WindClan cat so bad-tempered all the time. He noticed Breezepaw watching his father with a jealous glint in his narrowed eyes. For once Lionpaw felt a pang of sympathy for him. He wasn’t sure how he’d feel if Brambleclaw got so upset over a cat that died ages ago, not when he had Squirrelflight now.
A few tail-lengths away he spotted Breezepaw. The WindClan apprentice was ready for battle too, with bristling fur and his lips already drawn back in a fierce snarl. He was padding just behind Crowfeather, yet his father didn’t offer him any encouragement. Lionpaw felt a pang of sympathy. Maybe Breezepaw wouldn’t be such an annoying furball if he had Brambleclaw for a father instead of Crowfeather.
"Even though he was as bad-tempered as his father and twice as smug, she had begun to feel sorry for Breezepaw. Crowfeather treated his son with such scorn that Breezepaw sometimes seemed a loner among his own Clanmate"
"It had been obvious from the start that Breezepaw hadn’t wanted to come to the mountains. And Crowfeather hadn’t acted like he was glad to have him along. He didn’t seem proud of anything Breezepaw did, unlike Brambleclaw, who made Hollypaw feel like the best warrior in ThunderClan when he praised her. Compassion welled in her chest as she looked at the miserable WindClan apprentice."
Jaypaw lifted his nose and smelled Hollypaw and Lionpaw. He heard claws scrabbling over rock as Breezepaw arrived. The hunters had returned.
“Let’s see what they’ve caught!” Tawnypelt hurried to greet the apprentices.
Jaypaw already knew what they’d caught. His belly rumbled as he padded after her, the mouthwatering smells of squirrel, rabbit, and pigeon filling his nose. If only it weren’t going to be given to the Tribe.
Crowfeather and Brambleclaw were already clustered around the makeshift fresh-kill pile. Stormfur and Brook hung back as though embarrassed by the gift.
“This rabbit’s so fat it’ll feed all the to-bes,” Squirrelflight mewed admiringly.
“Well caught, Breezepaw,” Tawnypelt purred.
Jaypaw waited for the WindClan apprentice’s pelt to flash with pride, but instead he sensed anxiety claw at Breezepaw. He’s waiting for his father to praise him.
“Nice pigeon,” Crowfeather mewed to Lionpaw. Breezepaw stiffened with anger.
“And look at the squirrel I caught!” Hollypaw chipped in. “Did you ever see such a juicy one?”
“Come see!” Tawnypelt called to Stormfur and Brook. The two warriors padded over.
“This will be very welcome,” Stormfur meowed formally.
“The Tribe thanks you.” Brook’s mew was taut.
“Let’s see what they’ve caught!” Tawnypelt hurried to greet the apprentices.
Jaypaw already knew what they’d caught. His belly rumbled as he padded after her, the mouthwatering smells of squirrel, rabbit, and pigeon filling his nose. If only it weren’t going to be given to the Tribe.
Crowfeather and Brambleclaw were already clustered around the makeshift fresh-kill pile. Stormfur and Brook hung back as though embarrassed by the gift.
“This rabbit’s so fat it’ll feed all the to-bes,” Squirrelflight mewed admiringly.
“Well caught, Breezepaw,” Tawnypelt purred.
Jaypaw waited for the WindClan apprentice’s pelt to flash with pride, but instead he sensed anxiety claw at Breezepaw. He’s waiting for his father to praise him.
“Nice pigeon,” Crowfeather mewed to Lionpaw. Breezepaw stiffened with anger.
“And look at the squirrel I caught!” Hollypaw chipped in. “Did you ever see such a juicy one?”
“Come see!” Tawnypelt called to Stormfur and Brook. The two warriors padded over.
“This will be very welcome,” Stormfur meowed formally.
“The Tribe thanks you.” Brook’s mew was taut.
“Stop dawdling!” Crowfeather nudged Jaypaw with his nose, steering him down a smooth rocky slope onto the grassy hillside.
Jaypaw bristled. “I don’t need help!”
“Please yourself,” Crowfeather hissed. “But don’t blame me if you get left behind.” He pounded ahead, his paws thrumming on the ground. Imagine having such a sour-tongued warrior for a father. I’m glad I’m not Breezepaw!
“Hurry up, Jaypaw!” Lionpaw was calling.
Jaypaw bristled. “I don’t need help!”
“Please yourself,” Crowfeather hissed. “But don’t blame me if you get left behind.” He pounded ahead, his paws thrumming on the ground. Imagine having such a sour-tongued warrior for a father. I’m glad I’m not Breezepaw!
“Hurry up, Jaypaw!” Lionpaw was calling.
Lionblaze trusted him completely; he couldn’t imagine a better father. If Spiderleg’s not careful, he thought, he and the kits are going to end up like Crowfeather and Breezepelt. They don’t even like each other!
“It’s true,” he meowed. “You didn’t know, did you?”
“No….” For a heartbeat, Crowfeather sounded dazed. Then Jayfeather felt anger growing within him. “I have one mate,” he snarled. “Her name is Nightcloud. We have one son, Breezepelt. I don’t know why you’ve come to me with these lies. Go home, and don’t come back. Why should I care about ThunderClan cats? You mean nothing to me. Nothing!” Jayfeather heard a gasp from Hollyleaf, and the sound of Lionblaze’s claws scraping against stone. Calmly he faced his father. “The truth is out now,” he warned. “None of us can hide from it again.”
“No….” For a heartbeat, Crowfeather sounded dazed. Then Jayfeather felt anger growing within him. “I have one mate,” he snarled. “Her name is Nightcloud. We have one son, Breezepelt. I don’t know why you’ve come to me with these lies. Go home, and don’t come back. Why should I care about ThunderClan cats? You mean nothing to me. Nothing!” Jayfeather heard a gasp from Hollyleaf, and the sound of Lionblaze’s claws scraping against stone. Calmly he faced his father. “The truth is out now,” he warned. “None of us can hide from it again.”
Lionblaze had followed Hollyleaf across the clearing, and sat down next to her. “Crowfeather’s here,” he muttered.
“I know.” Hollyleaf had already spotted the WindClan warrior, but he hadn’t seemed to notice
WindClan warrior, but he hadn’t seemed to notice her. Now she glanced to where Lionblaze was pointing with his tail, and she saw her father sitting close to Nightcloud and Breezepelt. His head was turned away, but Hollyleaf guessed that he knew exactly where she and her brothers were. All his kits together at once. How nice for him.
“I know.” Hollyleaf had already spotted the WindClan warrior, but he hadn’t seemed to notice
WindClan warrior, but he hadn’t seemed to notice her. Now she glanced to where Lionblaze was pointing with his tail, and she saw her father sitting close to Nightcloud and Breezepelt. His head was turned away, but Hollyleaf guessed that he knew exactly where she and her brothers were. All his kits together at once. How nice for him.
Crowfeather’s voice rose above the rest in a furious yowl. “It’s not true!” He had sprung to his paws, his dark gray fur bristling. Beside him, Nightcloud and Breezepelt looked bewildered and angry. “She’s the one who’s lying!”
Then Leafpool stood up. The crowd of cats fell silent, their eyes turned toward her. “It’s true, Crowfeather,” she meowed. “I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you, but there was never a right time.” Her amber eyes were seared with grief. Pity stirred in Hollyleaf, but she choked it down. I hate her! She lied and betrayed us all!
“You mean nothing to me, Leafpool.”
Crowfeather’s voice was cold. “That moon has passed. My loyalty is only to WindClan, and I have no kits other than Breezepelt.” He glanced to where Nightcloud and Breezepelt stood beside him; the black she-cat had her ears flattened to her head, while Breezepelt’s teeth were bared in a snarl.
Then Leafpool stood up. The crowd of cats fell silent, their eyes turned toward her. “It’s true, Crowfeather,” she meowed. “I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you, but there was never a right time.” Her amber eyes were seared with grief. Pity stirred in Hollyleaf, but she choked it down. I hate her! She lied and betrayed us all!
“You mean nothing to me, Leafpool.”
Crowfeather’s voice was cold. “That moon has passed. My loyalty is only to WindClan, and I have no kits other than Breezepelt.” He glanced to where Nightcloud and Breezepelt stood beside him; the black she-cat had her ears flattened to her head, while Breezepelt’s teeth were bared in a snarl.
A fight is the last thing we need! Jayfeather bounded forward, his belly fur brushing the dust and loose pebbles of the dry lakebed. “Stop!” he yowled, thrusting himself between the two warriors. “What value does the lakebed have to any Clan?”
He heard an enraged snarl and scented Breezepelt nose to nose with him. “You would say that, half-Clan cat!” Jayfeather was jolted by the wave of hatred coming from the WindClan warrior. He took a step back, his nostrils flaring.
“What has that got to do with—” he began. Breezepelt pushed his face even closer to Jayfeather’s. “Your mother betrayed my father as well as her Clan,” he hissed. “You have no right to be a medicine cat. No right even to live among the Clans. I’ll never forgive you for what you’ve done! Never!”
Jayfeather stifled a sigh. “That’s not possible,” he began. “Warriors can’t just stroll in and out of StarClan. I would have to hurt you or make you sick, and medicine cats can’t—”
He broke off at the sound of a soft pad of footsteps from the edge of the hollow. Breezepelt’s voice echoed coldly off the stone. “What’s this? Another dilemma for ThunderClan? You cats should really learn to control your emotions, you know. Now you’ll just have more kits who should never have been born,” he added.
“Breezepelt!” Poppyfrost sounded shocked. “What are you doing here?”
“That’s not very friendly.” The WindClan cat’s voice was soft. “The Moonpool isn’t ThunderClan territory, you know.”
“Leave us alone,” Jayfeather snapped, trying to conceal the fear that was trickling like icemelt down his spine. “We don’t need you here.”
“Oh, I think you do.” The soft voice was drawing closer. “I’m willing to help Poppyfrost get to StarClan, even if you’re not.” Jayfeather gulped, picking up a wave of fear and bewilderment from Poppyfrost, as if the young she-cat couldn’t understand why the WindClan warrior was threatening her.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he meowed. “You won’t kill her, not when I’m here.”
“Oh, really?” Breezepelt snarled; he was only about a tail-length away now. “And you, a blind medicine cat, think you can stop me, do you? When her body is found drowned in your precious pool, it’ll be your word against mine. I was never here tonight. My Clanmates can lie as well as yours, Jayfeather.” Poppyfrost let out a gasp. Jayfeather stepped in front of her, guarding her from Breezepelt. The waves of hatred coming from his half brother were almost enough to knock him off his paws—and he realized that Breezepelt would do anything to punish him for being born.
“Your quarrel is with me, Breezepelt,” he growled. “Let Poppyfrost go.”
Breezepelt gave a snort of contempt. “Sending you to StarClan isn’t enough of a punishment. You need to know what it’s like to have every cat in your Clan stare at you, whisper about you. You need to know that you’re surrounded by lies and hatred and things that should never have happened.”
“You think we don’t know that?” Jayfeather challenged him. “The worst of the lies were told about us. We didn’t even know who our real parents were.” For a heartbeat he felt the force of Breezepelt’s hatred falter. But the moment did not last.
“Don’t try to talk your way out of this,” Breezepelt hissed. “You’re nothing but a coward.” StarClan help me! Jayfeather thought, knowing there was only one way forward. Unsheathing his claws, he sprang at Breezepelt. He felt the WindClan cat’s surprise as he was bowled over; Jayfeather landed on top of him and battered at his neck and ears, ripping his claws down his pelt. Breezepelt let out a yowl of pain and fury. But Jayfeather knew that he couldn’t hope to win a fight against a seasoned warrior. The WindClan cat threw him off and flipped him over onto his back. Holding him down with one paw, Breezepelt landed several hard blows on Jayfeather’s belly. Wriggling in a vain attempt to escape, Jayfeather realized dully his adversary was keeping his claws sheathed. He’s playing with me. He’ll finish me off when he’s ready. Poppyfrost’s terrified wail came close to Jayfeather’s ear.
“Stop it! You can’t kill a medicine cat!”
“Watch me,” Breezepelt growled. Poppyfrost aimed a blow at his shoulder, but she was heavy with her kits and clumsy; Jayfeather could tell the blow had no force behind it.
“Get out of here!” he gasped as another blow to his belly winded him. “Think of your kits!” Poppyfrost backed away, whimpering, but she didn’t try to leave. In the next heartbeat Breezepelt sprang away from Jayfeather, who scrambled, half-dazed, to his paws. Standing still, he tried to locate the WindClan cat, but between pain and fear he was losing control of his senses. Then Breezepelt leaped back in front of him, lashing out with his paws, claws still sheathed as he just brushed Jayfeather’s ears and muzzle.
“Go on, see if you can hit me!” he taunted. Jayfeather sprang forward, but before he reached the WindClan cat a heavy weight landed on him from behind and claws raked across his shoulders. Another cat? Oh, great StarClan, no! Remembering his battle training, Jayfeather let himself go limp, flopping down on the edge of the pool with the strange tom crushing him down. He lashed out with all four paws, clawing frantically at the other cat’s belly. Who is it? How many cats want to kill me? The newcomer’s scent was all around him, but Jayfeather didn’t recognize it. The tom didn’t belong to WindClan, or to any of the other Clans. But he’s not a rogue or a loner. I ought to recognize that scent, but I don’t.
The unknown tom’s weight suddenly vanished; Jayfeather struggled to his paws, only to stagger as a massive paw swiped him toward the pool. Breezepelt blocked him and shoved him back; for a few heartbeats the two cats batted Jayfeather between them like a pair of kits playing with a ball of moss. Poppyfrost was still hovering close by. “Breezepelt, don’t!” she pleaded. “StarClan will be angry if you kill a medicine cat.”
“Like I care!” Breezepelt snarled. Yowling in fury, Jayfeather tried to lash out, but his blows were too wild and uncontrolled to do any damage. He felt blood start to trickle from one shoulder as Breezepelt scratched him. They’re getting tired of this. They’ll finish me off soon. He was close to keeling over with exhaustion when he felt another cat leap down beside him. His last hope died at the thought of yet another enemy attacking him. Then he heard a startled screech from Breezepelt, and he realized that the latest arrival had sprung at the WindClan cat, driving him back.
“Hi, Jayfeather,” the new cat hissed through clenched teeth. “Having trouble?”
“Honeyfern!” Jayfeather gasped.
The StarClan warrior’s scent wreathed around him as she jumped back to his side. The massive tom bore down on them again; this time Jayfeather slashed with rapid blows at his ears, while Honeyfern dealt the WindClan warrior a hard blow to the belly. Jayfeather heard a furious growl coming from the unknown cat as he backed off.
“Get away!” Honeyfern snarled. “You’re not wanted here! And as for you, Breezepelt—” She swung around to face the WindClan cat again. “You get out of here, too. Or do you want a couple of shredded ears?”
“You might have won this time,” Breezepelt spat. “But don’t think this is over, Jayfeather, because it’s not.” Jayfeather heard his paws retreating up the spiral path; his scent faded. Breathing hard, Jayfeather turned to Honeyfern and realized that he could see her. She was sitting at the edge of the pool, with starlight shimmering in her pale tabby fur. Rows and rows of starry cats had appeared behind her, clustering around the Moonpool and up the sides of the hollow. Jayfeather didn’t dare look at them too closely, in case he saw Hollyleaf among them. Or didn’t—which might mean she was somewhere much, much worse.
He broke off at the sound of a soft pad of footsteps from the edge of the hollow. Breezepelt’s voice echoed coldly off the stone. “What’s this? Another dilemma for ThunderClan? You cats should really learn to control your emotions, you know. Now you’ll just have more kits who should never have been born,” he added.
“Breezepelt!” Poppyfrost sounded shocked. “What are you doing here?”
“That’s not very friendly.” The WindClan cat’s voice was soft. “The Moonpool isn’t ThunderClan territory, you know.”
“Leave us alone,” Jayfeather snapped, trying to conceal the fear that was trickling like icemelt down his spine. “We don’t need you here.”
“Oh, I think you do.” The soft voice was drawing closer. “I’m willing to help Poppyfrost get to StarClan, even if you’re not.” Jayfeather gulped, picking up a wave of fear and bewilderment from Poppyfrost, as if the young she-cat couldn’t understand why the WindClan warrior was threatening her.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he meowed. “You won’t kill her, not when I’m here.”
“Oh, really?” Breezepelt snarled; he was only about a tail-length away now. “And you, a blind medicine cat, think you can stop me, do you? When her body is found drowned in your precious pool, it’ll be your word against mine. I was never here tonight. My Clanmates can lie as well as yours, Jayfeather.” Poppyfrost let out a gasp. Jayfeather stepped in front of her, guarding her from Breezepelt. The waves of hatred coming from his half brother were almost enough to knock him off his paws—and he realized that Breezepelt would do anything to punish him for being born.
“Your quarrel is with me, Breezepelt,” he growled. “Let Poppyfrost go.”
Breezepelt gave a snort of contempt. “Sending you to StarClan isn’t enough of a punishment. You need to know what it’s like to have every cat in your Clan stare at you, whisper about you. You need to know that you’re surrounded by lies and hatred and things that should never have happened.”
“You think we don’t know that?” Jayfeather challenged him. “The worst of the lies were told about us. We didn’t even know who our real parents were.” For a heartbeat he felt the force of Breezepelt’s hatred falter. But the moment did not last.
“Don’t try to talk your way out of this,” Breezepelt hissed. “You’re nothing but a coward.” StarClan help me! Jayfeather thought, knowing there was only one way forward. Unsheathing his claws, he sprang at Breezepelt. He felt the WindClan cat’s surprise as he was bowled over; Jayfeather landed on top of him and battered at his neck and ears, ripping his claws down his pelt. Breezepelt let out a yowl of pain and fury. But Jayfeather knew that he couldn’t hope to win a fight against a seasoned warrior. The WindClan cat threw him off and flipped him over onto his back. Holding him down with one paw, Breezepelt landed several hard blows on Jayfeather’s belly. Wriggling in a vain attempt to escape, Jayfeather realized dully his adversary was keeping his claws sheathed. He’s playing with me. He’ll finish me off when he’s ready. Poppyfrost’s terrified wail came close to Jayfeather’s ear.
“Stop it! You can’t kill a medicine cat!”
“Watch me,” Breezepelt growled. Poppyfrost aimed a blow at his shoulder, but she was heavy with her kits and clumsy; Jayfeather could tell the blow had no force behind it.
“Get out of here!” he gasped as another blow to his belly winded him. “Think of your kits!” Poppyfrost backed away, whimpering, but she didn’t try to leave. In the next heartbeat Breezepelt sprang away from Jayfeather, who scrambled, half-dazed, to his paws. Standing still, he tried to locate the WindClan cat, but between pain and fear he was losing control of his senses. Then Breezepelt leaped back in front of him, lashing out with his paws, claws still sheathed as he just brushed Jayfeather’s ears and muzzle.
“Go on, see if you can hit me!” he taunted. Jayfeather sprang forward, but before he reached the WindClan cat a heavy weight landed on him from behind and claws raked across his shoulders. Another cat? Oh, great StarClan, no! Remembering his battle training, Jayfeather let himself go limp, flopping down on the edge of the pool with the strange tom crushing him down. He lashed out with all four paws, clawing frantically at the other cat’s belly. Who is it? How many cats want to kill me? The newcomer’s scent was all around him, but Jayfeather didn’t recognize it. The tom didn’t belong to WindClan, or to any of the other Clans. But he’s not a rogue or a loner. I ought to recognize that scent, but I don’t.
The unknown tom’s weight suddenly vanished; Jayfeather struggled to his paws, only to stagger as a massive paw swiped him toward the pool. Breezepelt blocked him and shoved him back; for a few heartbeats the two cats batted Jayfeather between them like a pair of kits playing with a ball of moss. Poppyfrost was still hovering close by. “Breezepelt, don’t!” she pleaded. “StarClan will be angry if you kill a medicine cat.”
“Like I care!” Breezepelt snarled. Yowling in fury, Jayfeather tried to lash out, but his blows were too wild and uncontrolled to do any damage. He felt blood start to trickle from one shoulder as Breezepelt scratched him. They’re getting tired of this. They’ll finish me off soon. He was close to keeling over with exhaustion when he felt another cat leap down beside him. His last hope died at the thought of yet another enemy attacking him. Then he heard a startled screech from Breezepelt, and he realized that the latest arrival had sprung at the WindClan cat, driving him back.
“Hi, Jayfeather,” the new cat hissed through clenched teeth. “Having trouble?”
“Honeyfern!” Jayfeather gasped.
The StarClan warrior’s scent wreathed around him as she jumped back to his side. The massive tom bore down on them again; this time Jayfeather slashed with rapid blows at his ears, while Honeyfern dealt the WindClan warrior a hard blow to the belly. Jayfeather heard a furious growl coming from the unknown cat as he backed off.
“Get away!” Honeyfern snarled. “You’re not wanted here! And as for you, Breezepelt—” She swung around to face the WindClan cat again. “You get out of here, too. Or do you want a couple of shredded ears?”
“You might have won this time,” Breezepelt spat. “But don’t think this is over, Jayfeather, because it’s not.” Jayfeather heard his paws retreating up the spiral path; his scent faded. Breathing hard, Jayfeather turned to Honeyfern and realized that he could see her. She was sitting at the edge of the pool, with starlight shimmering in her pale tabby fur. Rows and rows of starry cats had appeared behind her, clustering around the Moonpool and up the sides of the hollow. Jayfeather didn’t dare look at them too closely, in case he saw Hollyleaf among them. Or didn’t—which might mean she was somewhere much, much worse.
Breezepelt looked up from his wound, his eyes flashing. “I can already beat Harespring and Leaftail in training.”
Tigerstar’s eyes darkened. “Training is one thing. Warriors fight harder when they’re defending their lives.”
Breezepelt clawed the ground. “I can fight harder.” Tigerstar nodded.
“You have more reason than most.” A growl rose in Breezepelt’s throat. “You have been wronged,” Tigerstar meowed softly.
Breezepelt’s young face looked kitlike in the gloom. “You’re the only ones who seem to realize that.”
“I have told you that you must seek vengeance,” Tigerstar reminded him. “With our help, you can take revenge on every cat who has betrayed you.” Breezepelt’s gaze grew hungry as the dark warrior went on. “And on every cat who stood by and did nothing while others claimed what was yours as their own.”
“Starting with Crowfeather.” Breezepelt snarled his father’s name. Brokenstar swished his crooked tail through the air.
“What did your father do to defend you?” His words were laced with bitterness, as though soured by his own memories. Darkstripe slunk forward. “He never valued you.” Tigerstar shooed the striped warrior back with a flick of his tail. “He tried to crush you, make you weak.”
“He didn’t succeed,” Breezepelt spat.
“But he tried. Perhaps he valued his ThunderClan kits more. Those three kits should never have been born.” Tigerstar padded toward the young warrior, his eyes gleaming, holding Breezepelt’s gaze like a snake mesmerizing its prey. “You have been suckled on lies and the weakness of others. You have suffered while others have thrived. But you are strong. You will put things right. Your father betrayed his Clan and betrayed you.
Leafpool betrayed StarClan by taking a mate.”
Breezepelt’s tail was lashing. “I will make them all pay for what they have done.” No heat fired his gaze, only cold hatred. “I will have vengeance on each and every one of them.”
Brokenstar pushed forward. “You are a noble warrior, Breezepelt. You cannot live a life spawned on lies. Loyalty to the warrior code runs too strong in your blood.”
“Not like those weaklings,” Breezepelt agreed.
Tigerstar’s eyes darkened. “Training is one thing. Warriors fight harder when they’re defending their lives.”
Breezepelt clawed the ground. “I can fight harder.” Tigerstar nodded.
“You have more reason than most.” A growl rose in Breezepelt’s throat. “You have been wronged,” Tigerstar meowed softly.
Breezepelt’s young face looked kitlike in the gloom. “You’re the only ones who seem to realize that.”
“I have told you that you must seek vengeance,” Tigerstar reminded him. “With our help, you can take revenge on every cat who has betrayed you.” Breezepelt’s gaze grew hungry as the dark warrior went on. “And on every cat who stood by and did nothing while others claimed what was yours as their own.”
“Starting with Crowfeather.” Breezepelt snarled his father’s name. Brokenstar swished his crooked tail through the air.
“What did your father do to defend you?” His words were laced with bitterness, as though soured by his own memories. Darkstripe slunk forward. “He never valued you.” Tigerstar shooed the striped warrior back with a flick of his tail. “He tried to crush you, make you weak.”
“He didn’t succeed,” Breezepelt spat.
“But he tried. Perhaps he valued his ThunderClan kits more. Those three kits should never have been born.” Tigerstar padded toward the young warrior, his eyes gleaming, holding Breezepelt’s gaze like a snake mesmerizing its prey. “You have been suckled on lies and the weakness of others. You have suffered while others have thrived. But you are strong. You will put things right. Your father betrayed his Clan and betrayed you.
Leafpool betrayed StarClan by taking a mate.”
Breezepelt’s tail was lashing. “I will make them all pay for what they have done.” No heat fired his gaze, only cold hatred. “I will have vengeance on each and every one of them.”
Brokenstar pushed forward. “You are a noble warrior, Breezepelt. You cannot live a life spawned on lies. Loyalty to the warrior code runs too strong in your blood.”
“Not like those weaklings,” Breezepelt agreed.
Flametail screwed up his face, reminding himself that he was lucky to have such affectionate kin. Sometimes at Gatherings he glimpsed Breezepelt eyeing Crowfeather and Nightcloud with undisguised rage. Crowfeather and Nightcloud never noticed; they were usually too busy exchanging harsh words between themselves.
“Hey!” Breezepelt’s outraged mew shrieked across the ditch. “That was mine!”
“It’s on my territory.” Lionblaze crouched over his catch, his mouth watering. One less piece of fresh-kill for WindClan, one more for ThunderClan. He looked at Crowfeather, the cat who’d made Leafpool betray her Clan. Lionblaze would never admit that this cat was his father. Your WindClan son couldn’t even keep hold of his catch.
“I killed it.” Breezepelt’s growl sounded like a challenge.
“Are you sure?” Lionblaze lifted his chin and stared at the WindClan warrior. “Why don’t you come and fetch it, then?”
Breezepelt flicked his tail. In one jump, he had crossed the ditch and slammed into Lionblaze. Lionblaze suddenly felt alive. His fur bushed up as he fell under the WindClan warrior’s weight. When Breezepelt’s claws tried to hook into his flesh, Lionblaze reared and shook him off like a fly. Then he turned and leaped on top of him, trapping him between his front paws. “ThunderClan slime!” Breezepelt slithered out of his grip, swiping wildly with all four feet. Lionblaze’s whiskers twitched. This was too easy. Swinging a paw, he thumped Breezepelt heavily across the cheek. The WindClan warrior staggered and fell, then heaved himself up.
“That was my thrush,” he spat. With a lightning-fast swipe, he knocked Lionblaze’s hind paws from under him. Lionblaze gasped, taken by surprise, and collapsed into the snow. He felt Breezepelt’s teeth land in his shoulder. Raging, Lionblaze thrashed like a fish on the slippery snow. Finding a paw hold, he heaved himself to his paws and thrust Breezepelt clear with another hefty blow. Blood spattered onto the snow like crimson rain.
“Stop it!” Leafpool’s high-pitched shriek shattered the freezing air as she plunged through the bracken with Cinderheart and Dovepaw behind her. “How can you watch your sons fight?” she screeched at Crowfeather.
Before Crowfeather could reply, his mate, Nightcloud, stalked from the shadows beyond the border. Her black pelt matched Breezepelt’s, and her amber eyes glittered with the same venom. “He only has one son.” Hatred laced her hiss. “Crowfeather is Breezepelt’s father. No one else’s!” Breezepelt crouched down. Lionblaze could see his muscles bunching beneath his pelt, ready for another attack.
“Stop!” Leafpool shot between them. Breezepelt’s lunge hit her square in the side. His claws tore her pelt as he dragged her to the ground. Another jet of blood sprayed the snow. Lionblaze stared in shock. Before he could reach for Breezepelt, Crowfeather had crossed the ditch and hauled his son off Leafpool. He tossed him aside like prey and leaned over Leafpool.
“You chose your Clan, remember?” he hissed. She stared up at him.
“That doesn’t mean I didn’t love you.” Crowfeather’s eyes flashed with pain.
“Maybe you did,” he growled. “But it wasn’t enough, was it?”
“Get away from her!” Nightcloud had crossed the ditch. She sank her claws into Crowfeather’s pelt and dragged him away from Leafpool. Crowfeather turned on his mate, hissing. Breezepelt darted between them with a wail of protest. Lionblaze felt sick. He’s my brother. How can I fight my brother? Breezepelt faced his father, tail bushed, lips drawn back.
“Leave my mother alone.” The thrush had been forgotten. This was about a different kind of blood now, the sort that flowed in a cat’s veins, binding him to another. Lionblaze shook his head, making his ears flap. These cats aren’t my kin. A few paces away, Leafpool heaved herself to her paws. Lionblaze glared at her. It’s her fault. She made this mess. Yet her eyes were shot with grief, and he suddenly felt her pain as though it were his own. She has suffered more than any of us.
Crowfeather, growling, turned away from Breezepelt and jumped the ditch back onto WindClan territory. “Come on,” he snarled. “If ThunderClan is going to starve without that puny bird, let them have it.” Breezepelt slunk after him, leaving a thin trail of blood in the snow.
Lionblaze fluffed out his fur. He hadn’t felt a scratch. Should he stop fighting Clan cats? It’s cheating. Dovepaw’s words echoed in his mind. Perhaps he should save his powers for the Dark Forest warriors.
Nightcloud leaped the ditch, then paused and turned back. “Next time we’ll shred you!” she spat.
Dovepaw darted forward. “Breezepelt started it!”
“Hush.” Cinderheart guided her away from the border, murmuring to Lionblaze as she passed, “Perhaps you shouldn’t have fought him.”
“It’s on my territory.” Lionblaze crouched over his catch, his mouth watering. One less piece of fresh-kill for WindClan, one more for ThunderClan. He looked at Crowfeather, the cat who’d made Leafpool betray her Clan. Lionblaze would never admit that this cat was his father. Your WindClan son couldn’t even keep hold of his catch.
“I killed it.” Breezepelt’s growl sounded like a challenge.
“Are you sure?” Lionblaze lifted his chin and stared at the WindClan warrior. “Why don’t you come and fetch it, then?”
Breezepelt flicked his tail. In one jump, he had crossed the ditch and slammed into Lionblaze. Lionblaze suddenly felt alive. His fur bushed up as he fell under the WindClan warrior’s weight. When Breezepelt’s claws tried to hook into his flesh, Lionblaze reared and shook him off like a fly. Then he turned and leaped on top of him, trapping him between his front paws. “ThunderClan slime!” Breezepelt slithered out of his grip, swiping wildly with all four feet. Lionblaze’s whiskers twitched. This was too easy. Swinging a paw, he thumped Breezepelt heavily across the cheek. The WindClan warrior staggered and fell, then heaved himself up.
“That was my thrush,” he spat. With a lightning-fast swipe, he knocked Lionblaze’s hind paws from under him. Lionblaze gasped, taken by surprise, and collapsed into the snow. He felt Breezepelt’s teeth land in his shoulder. Raging, Lionblaze thrashed like a fish on the slippery snow. Finding a paw hold, he heaved himself to his paws and thrust Breezepelt clear with another hefty blow. Blood spattered onto the snow like crimson rain.
“Stop it!” Leafpool’s high-pitched shriek shattered the freezing air as she plunged through the bracken with Cinderheart and Dovepaw behind her. “How can you watch your sons fight?” she screeched at Crowfeather.
Before Crowfeather could reply, his mate, Nightcloud, stalked from the shadows beyond the border. Her black pelt matched Breezepelt’s, and her amber eyes glittered with the same venom. “He only has one son.” Hatred laced her hiss. “Crowfeather is Breezepelt’s father. No one else’s!” Breezepelt crouched down. Lionblaze could see his muscles bunching beneath his pelt, ready for another attack.
“Stop!” Leafpool shot between them. Breezepelt’s lunge hit her square in the side. His claws tore her pelt as he dragged her to the ground. Another jet of blood sprayed the snow. Lionblaze stared in shock. Before he could reach for Breezepelt, Crowfeather had crossed the ditch and hauled his son off Leafpool. He tossed him aside like prey and leaned over Leafpool.
“You chose your Clan, remember?” he hissed. She stared up at him.
“That doesn’t mean I didn’t love you.” Crowfeather’s eyes flashed with pain.
“Maybe you did,” he growled. “But it wasn’t enough, was it?”
“Get away from her!” Nightcloud had crossed the ditch. She sank her claws into Crowfeather’s pelt and dragged him away from Leafpool. Crowfeather turned on his mate, hissing. Breezepelt darted between them with a wail of protest. Lionblaze felt sick. He’s my brother. How can I fight my brother? Breezepelt faced his father, tail bushed, lips drawn back.
“Leave my mother alone.” The thrush had been forgotten. This was about a different kind of blood now, the sort that flowed in a cat’s veins, binding him to another. Lionblaze shook his head, making his ears flap. These cats aren’t my kin. A few paces away, Leafpool heaved herself to her paws. Lionblaze glared at her. It’s her fault. She made this mess. Yet her eyes were shot with grief, and he suddenly felt her pain as though it were his own. She has suffered more than any of us.
Crowfeather, growling, turned away from Breezepelt and jumped the ditch back onto WindClan territory. “Come on,” he snarled. “If ThunderClan is going to starve without that puny bird, let them have it.” Breezepelt slunk after him, leaving a thin trail of blood in the snow.
Lionblaze fluffed out his fur. He hadn’t felt a scratch. Should he stop fighting Clan cats? It’s cheating. Dovepaw’s words echoed in his mind. Perhaps he should save his powers for the Dark Forest warriors.
Nightcloud leaped the ditch, then paused and turned back. “Next time we’ll shred you!” she spat.
Dovepaw darted forward. “Breezepelt started it!”
“Hush.” Cinderheart guided her away from the border, murmuring to Lionblaze as she passed, “Perhaps you shouldn’t have fought him.”
“Look out!” Dovewing shrieked a warning as Breezepelt flew from the edge of the clearing. Lionblaze turned, caught off balance, and fell beneath the WindClan tom. Breezepelt ripped his claws along Lionblaze’s cheek.
“You’re not as strong as I expected,” he gloated.
“Breezepelt, no!” Ivypool snaked through the throng. “Don’t do it! Please! Do you really want to destroy the Clans for Brokenstar’s sake?”
Breezepelt pulled back Lionblaze’s head and smacked it hard against the ground. Growling, Lionblaze tried to shake him off, but Breezepelt held on tighter. “This has nothing to do with Brokenstar.” His gaze flashed at Ivypool. “Lionblaze should never have been born. None of them should.” He flicked his tail triumphantly toward Hollyleaf’s body. “She’s dead; now it’s your turn, Lionblaze.” He bit into Lionblaze’s neck.
“We’re kin!” Lionblaze gasped.
“Never!” Fury blazed in Breezepelt’s eyes.
A black pelt barged past Dovewing. Crowfeather! The WindClan warrior sank his claws deep into Breezepelt’s shoulders and hauled him back. Lionblaze scrambled to his paws.
“This has to stop!” Crowfeather pinned Breezepelt to the ground. “I will not watch you harm a whisker on that cat!” Breezepelt writhed, snarling.
“I always knew you hated me!”
“I never hated you!” Crowfeather growled. “That’s just what you were determined to believe. And Nightcloud encouraged you.”
“It’s not her fault!” Breezepelt spat.
“No,” Crowfeather hissed. “I should have done something much earlier. But now it’s too late. You chose the Dark Forest.” He hauled Breezepelt to his paws and flung him away. “Get out of here!” Breezepelt stared at his father, eyes wide, then turned and raced from the camp.
“I’m so sorry!” Leafpool burst from the battle, her eyes clouded with grief. “I never meant for this to happen!”
“He’s a warrior,” Crowfeather hissed. “He’s been making his own choices for a long time now.” Leafpool looked down at his paws.
“Perhaps if we’d stayed together, things would be different.” Crowfeather’s gaze sparked for a moment, then he sighed.
“It was never meant to be.” Leafpool flinched, but Crowfeather touched his tail to her flank. “I don’t regret anything,” he murmured. His gaze flicked toward Lionblaze. “Nothing at all.” Ears twitching, he shouldered his way through the battle to the brambles sheltering Hollyleaf’s body. He slid beneath them and touched his muzzle to her lifeless pelt.
“You’re not as strong as I expected,” he gloated.
“Breezepelt, no!” Ivypool snaked through the throng. “Don’t do it! Please! Do you really want to destroy the Clans for Brokenstar’s sake?”
Breezepelt pulled back Lionblaze’s head and smacked it hard against the ground. Growling, Lionblaze tried to shake him off, but Breezepelt held on tighter. “This has nothing to do with Brokenstar.” His gaze flashed at Ivypool. “Lionblaze should never have been born. None of them should.” He flicked his tail triumphantly toward Hollyleaf’s body. “She’s dead; now it’s your turn, Lionblaze.” He bit into Lionblaze’s neck.
“We’re kin!” Lionblaze gasped.
“Never!” Fury blazed in Breezepelt’s eyes.
A black pelt barged past Dovewing. Crowfeather! The WindClan warrior sank his claws deep into Breezepelt’s shoulders and hauled him back. Lionblaze scrambled to his paws.
“This has to stop!” Crowfeather pinned Breezepelt to the ground. “I will not watch you harm a whisker on that cat!” Breezepelt writhed, snarling.
“I always knew you hated me!”
“I never hated you!” Crowfeather growled. “That’s just what you were determined to believe. And Nightcloud encouraged you.”
“It’s not her fault!” Breezepelt spat.
“No,” Crowfeather hissed. “I should have done something much earlier. But now it’s too late. You chose the Dark Forest.” He hauled Breezepelt to his paws and flung him away. “Get out of here!” Breezepelt stared at his father, eyes wide, then turned and raced from the camp.
“I’m so sorry!” Leafpool burst from the battle, her eyes clouded with grief. “I never meant for this to happen!”
“He’s a warrior,” Crowfeather hissed. “He’s been making his own choices for a long time now.” Leafpool looked down at his paws.
“Perhaps if we’d stayed together, things would be different.” Crowfeather’s gaze sparked for a moment, then he sighed.
“It was never meant to be.” Leafpool flinched, but Crowfeather touched his tail to her flank. “I don’t regret anything,” he murmured. His gaze flicked toward Lionblaze. “Nothing at all.” Ears twitching, he shouldered his way through the battle to the brambles sheltering Hollyleaf’s body. He slid beneath them and touched his muzzle to her lifeless pelt.
Bonus:
[Source]
"breezepelt is a villain and people need to stop defending him just because he had daddy issues"
"My short answer: why do you hate violent abuse victims so much lol
My My long answer: Breezepelt was abused since birth by his own father and struggled to understand why. Over the years he desperately tried to appeal to his father but only faced his cold stares or just him ignoring breezepelt entirely. The emotional and mental abuse affected him so badly that he was willing to side with anyone who gave him any hint of kindness or attention. His father also made comments about half-clan cats being disgusting, which affected breezepelt in the future.
His mother was not abusive, but was an enabler to him. Not scolding him when he made poor choices and any bad situation that he caused she found a way to see him as blameless.
Unlike many other abuse victims in the series, breezepelt lacked ethical morals. He didn’t see issues in being rude or obnoxious because he refused to listen to anyone who failed at giving him kindness and attention, like nightcloud and the DF cats.
Because of this breezepelt experienced a terrible amount of self-hate and paranoia. Believing all his clanmates despise him and is often talked about behind his back. He’s given glares and nasty comments by clanmates because his father disobeyed one of the clan’s codes. It didn’t help breezepelt knowing that his father had given more love and attention to his other children.
Because of all this hurt and abuse, the DF cats found breezepelt an easy target. Making comments about breezepelt getting revenge on crowfeather when actuality it was them using his hatred for his abusive father as their way to control him. Like how ivypool was so easily persuaded into joining the DF because she thought she was helping her clan.
Like antpelt, he was abused and brainwashed and lead to believe that the DF were his family. Added to the fact that again, was not properly raised as a kit and lacked good morals, explains why he was so willing to kill a pregnant she cat and a medicine cat.
So where am I going with this? Well, reread the names I used in the examples. Though there is not many, I’d like to show everyone that hardly anyone complains about these characters for these reasons.
Everyone pities Antpelt for siding with the Dark Forest, but hates Breezepelt for the same reason.
Everyone blames Lionblaze’s attempt at murdering heathertail (for petty an unjustified reasons mind you) on the Dark Forest, but Breezepelt gets none of that.
Everyone pretends that Ivypool didn’t blindly listen to the DF cats and start an unecessary battle, but NO ONE wants to forget that Breezepelt tried to kill Lionblaze in the Last Hope.
And the reasons for this is because these characters were abused, but they weren’t bitter over it. They didn’t stay hostile and isolated and angry. They didn’t struggle with morals and they were actually surrounded by clanmates that love them.
Because Breezepelt had traits that no one can relate to, people would undermine the struggles and the reasons he was like that in the first place.
Saying things like “He had daddy issues”, “He’s a generic villain” or “He’s mentally unstable” because they refuse to accept that abuse victims will not all turn out to be these timid and mild-mannered characters that the readers will want to coddle (coughravenpaw) or these ‘powerful’ role models that everyone wants to look up to (coughcrookedstar).
In fact, this also applies to abused and violent mentally ill people who also have to suffer through having their past simplified and their person demonized over impulse issues they lack control over or little to no morals due to not being taught one.
If Breezepelt had been a little more 'jolly’ and less bitter about the past, believe me, no one would be giving him as much **** as they do now."
"breezepelt is a villain and people need to stop defending him just because he had daddy issues"
"My short answer: why do you hate violent abuse victims so much lol
My My long answer: Breezepelt was abused since birth by his own father and struggled to understand why. Over the years he desperately tried to appeal to his father but only faced his cold stares or just him ignoring breezepelt entirely. The emotional and mental abuse affected him so badly that he was willing to side with anyone who gave him any hint of kindness or attention. His father also made comments about half-clan cats being disgusting, which affected breezepelt in the future.
His mother was not abusive, but was an enabler to him. Not scolding him when he made poor choices and any bad situation that he caused she found a way to see him as blameless.
Unlike many other abuse victims in the series, breezepelt lacked ethical morals. He didn’t see issues in being rude or obnoxious because he refused to listen to anyone who failed at giving him kindness and attention, like nightcloud and the DF cats.
Because of this breezepelt experienced a terrible amount of self-hate and paranoia. Believing all his clanmates despise him and is often talked about behind his back. He’s given glares and nasty comments by clanmates because his father disobeyed one of the clan’s codes. It didn’t help breezepelt knowing that his father had given more love and attention to his other children.
Because of all this hurt and abuse, the DF cats found breezepelt an easy target. Making comments about breezepelt getting revenge on crowfeather when actuality it was them using his hatred for his abusive father as their way to control him. Like how ivypool was so easily persuaded into joining the DF because she thought she was helping her clan.
Like antpelt, he was abused and brainwashed and lead to believe that the DF were his family. Added to the fact that again, was not properly raised as a kit and lacked good morals, explains why he was so willing to kill a pregnant she cat and a medicine cat.
So where am I going with this? Well, reread the names I used in the examples. Though there is not many, I’d like to show everyone that hardly anyone complains about these characters for these reasons.
Everyone pities Antpelt for siding with the Dark Forest, but hates Breezepelt for the same reason.
Everyone blames Lionblaze’s attempt at murdering heathertail (for petty an unjustified reasons mind you) on the Dark Forest, but Breezepelt gets none of that.
Everyone pretends that Ivypool didn’t blindly listen to the DF cats and start an unecessary battle, but NO ONE wants to forget that Breezepelt tried to kill Lionblaze in the Last Hope.
And the reasons for this is because these characters were abused, but they weren’t bitter over it. They didn’t stay hostile and isolated and angry. They didn’t struggle with morals and they were actually surrounded by clanmates that love them.
Because Breezepelt had traits that no one can relate to, people would undermine the struggles and the reasons he was like that in the first place.
Saying things like “He had daddy issues”, “He’s a generic villain” or “He’s mentally unstable” because they refuse to accept that abuse victims will not all turn out to be these timid and mild-mannered characters that the readers will want to coddle (coughravenpaw) or these ‘powerful’ role models that everyone wants to look up to (coughcrookedstar).
In fact, this also applies to abused and violent mentally ill people who also have to suffer through having their past simplified and their person demonized over impulse issues they lack control over or little to no morals due to not being taught one.
If Breezepelt had been a little more 'jolly’ and less bitter about the past, believe me, no one would be giving him as much **** as they do now."