NEW BLOOD /Curse Marathon tale for CURSEMAS!
Dec 14, 2018 18:42:21 GMT -5
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Post by phantomstar57 on Dec 14, 2018 18:42:21 GMT -5
Phantomstar's NEW BLOOD /Curse Marathon tale for CURSEMAS!
Read the entire NEW BLOOD/CURSE crossover LOST at
wcrpforums.com/thread/42693/phantomstars-curse-marathon-page-come
NEW BLOOD-
SOLSTICE HOMECOMING
KYESTORM
When Kyestorm woke the next morning, the storm left behind tattered clouds blowing on a stiff wind. The rising sun painted them in gold, scarlet and orange fire. The conifers sang their ancient song, dumping snow onto the forest floor. Shadowface sat watch, but Kyestorm saw weariness in the Mountain Clan cat’s body.
“Thank you, for everything,” Kyestorm purred.
“Happy to assist,” Shadowface replied, her body shedding the tired look. Around them, the cats stirred and Blackhawk took over.
“Wake! Time to move!” the black half Maine Coon tom yowled. “We’ll hunt on the way.”
Kyestorm sat up, then stretched, delighted that her joints creaked less. She felt ready to take on the journey, but worried for Lizzie and Yoohoo. Angelglow gathered her traveling bundle, and Blackhawk lay down while Sunflight helped Lizzie onto his broad back. Tiny Yoohoo gratefully settled on Angelglow’s warm furry back. Both carriers draped their bushy tails over their passengers. Lizzie sighed with delight. Cloudpatch stood beside Blackhawk, glancing up at Lizzie, ready to help steady her. Spiderleap assisted Angelglow with Yoohoo until the little tom disappeared under the medicine cat’s golden plume tail. Blackhawk stood before Shadowface.
“Thank you again,” Blackhawk said in a soft purr. “ThunderClan will know of your deeds and you will never be forgotten.”
“Welcome, but I did only what any cat would do.” Shadowface flicked her tail. “ Now take my leave. I’ve been gone too long already.”
“Of course,” Blackhawk mewed. “May StarClan light your path always.”
“Thank you,” Shadowface replied, dipped her head at Kyestorm. “My pleasure, Elder, to help you. May StarClan guide your journey home.” Shadowface then turned and vanished into the windy forest. Kyestorm watched a long moment.
“May StarClan guide you and bring an end to your curse,” Kyestorm purred, then turned to her clanmates. “Time to go home.”
As the successful search patrol headed down the hill, Kyestorm glanced back and saw Shadowface posed on the next hilltop. The sun illuminated her tortoiseshell pelt, and her green eyes shone. Kyestorm raised her tail in salute. The Mountain Clan cat returned the gesture, then disappeared over the ridge. She longed to rest in the Elder’s den and recount her story, where ThunderClan will forever know of Shadowface. Kyestorm resumed her trot through the light fluffy snow, keeping pace with her daughter, trusting in her giant grandson to get them all home safe and sound.
The journey grew long, but Blackhawk kept a brisk pace. Kyestorm worried about Lizzie and Yoohoo, but they fared well. Hunters brought prey at night’s rest and morning rise. Even a fierce snow squall deterred them not at all. Kyestorm scented the wind and caught familiar whiffs. Finally on a bright moonlit night, with Silverpelt glittering above, they climbed over a rise, and ahead, the familiar lake shimmered in the moonlight. Yowls of joy went up from the patrol, and Kyestorm joined them. They raced down the hill onto the frozen surface.
“Phantomstarrrrr!” Blackhawk’s yowled.
“Is she with you? Did you find her?” Phantomstar’s query echoed over the lake.
“Yes!” Blackhawk yowled back, and suddenly answering yowls and cries filled the night from all around the lake. A lone figure burst from the forest of ThunderClan’s territory and rocketed out onto the ice. Kyestorm recognized that rolling, rocking gait and joy shot adrenaline into her limbs.
Kyeeeeeeee!” the familiar cry jump-started Kyestorm’s heart. Her huge paws flew, claws gouging up the frozen surface, flinging ice shards and snow into the air as she surged ahead of Blackhawk.. They glittered and flashed in the bright moonlight, as Kyestorm raced across the lake, leaving her patrol behind. She ignored Angelglow’s yowl of warning, trusting her instincts on the ice.
“Demon Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” she cried.
Kyestorm’s heart swelled with joy she never before experienced, as he barreled into her. She reared up and they crashed chest to chest, wrapping their forelegs around each .They rolled together on the ice, rubbing faces in utter disbelief and delight, twining big bushy tails, and wrapping paws around each other’s necks. Snow and ice shards exploded around them, as if in celebration. Kyestorm glanced up at Silverpelt and the moon, and realized she arrived home on Solstice Eve, the most wonderful day of Leaf Bare.
PHANTOMSTAR
ThunderClan’s leader paced Highledge, ignoring the blizzard fury which encompassed his camp. Cats snuggled in their dens, but Phantomstar’s thoughts lay with his younger sister and his cousins, who left moons ago in search of his beloved Kyemama. He paused, head up, tail out behind him, his thick pelt fluffed against the wind, creating an intimidating silhouette against the driving snow. His sea-green eyes roved the land beyond the camp, looking for any signs of the search party. The huge silver tabby Maine Coon paced again, flicking his gigantic white paws, extending and retracting his dagger claws.
“Why do you keep looking for them.” Phantomstar looked down at his father, Demonstone. The Elder glared at him from the Elder’s den, gold eyes full of despair.. “They’re gone. Lost with my Kyestorm.”
“I can never give up hope,” Phantomstar snapped back, sea-green eyes blazing. “I wish you did not.”
“I’m only being realistic,” Demonstone muttered, and turned away.
Phantomstar stood on the rock, letting the wind batter his body, recalling how much Kyemama loved the snow.
The storm dropped a swift deep blanket over the territories, but as day turned to dusk, the storm let up, and a few rips in the clouds allowed stars to shine. Phantomstar sat on his perch, watching, but after over two moons, his hope faded. He watched now out of habit.
The storm remnants blew eastward, with a strong breeze blowing snow twisters across the frozen lake, under a full silver moon. Ragged clouds scuttled on the wind, revealing Silverpelt as they parted and sailed away. Below, his father, Demonstone, shuffled out of the warm Elder’s den, and gazed up at the skies. The moon glowed, and Silverpelt twinkled, filling Phantomstar’s heart with grief. In the silent camp, he gazed at Silverpelt, realizing the Solstice stars and moon shone down on them.
“Oh, StarClan, Silverpelt brightly shines, on this Solstice night,” the high pitched song from his father’s soul reverberated through camp. A few groggy cats peered out of dens, ears up in surprise as Demonstone’s voice rolled out into the night. “Why, why have you taken my beloved, so far far away.”
“Demonpoppa?” Phantomstar asked. “Why the caterwauling?”
Phantomstar’s mate, Berryfrost, stood with him, but she looked not down at him, but across the lake. Her jaw hung open. Nightheart and Sunbeam emerged from the Deputy’s den. Demonstreak and Sparkfire stumbled out of their den, blinking in the moonlight, and gazed at his father. Phantomstar returned his attention to Berryfrost. What under StarClan shocked her to silence, when she usually blathered and yakked almost as much a Gabbiflight.
“Phantomstarrrrr!” The cry echoed across the lake, and Phantomstar jerked alert, recognizing Blackhawk’s strong yowl. Below, his father whirled, ignoring his stiff aching legs and exploded from mouth of the Elder’s den. He plowed through the snow, and scrambled up Highledge to stand beside him. From that vantage point, the whole lake became visible. To Phantomstar’s delight, a familiar patrol of cats hurried across the ice at a swift pace. Phantomstar shook himself, and drew in a deep breath, bellowing his reply.
“Is she with you? Did you find her?”
“Yes!” Blackhawk yowled back, and suddenly answering yowls and cries filled the night from all around the lake.
“My beloved!” Demonstone leaped down from Highledge, and raced down to the shore, and onto the ice, his gait rolling and rocking, but his sure feet slipped not once. Phantomstar followed, surprised at his father’s sudden agility. The breezes brought him a beloved familiar scent, and astonished jubilation lifted every hair on his body. Ahead, Demonpoppa shot across the ice like a young warrior, adrenaline pumping strength into his old body.
“Kyeeeeeeee!” he shrieked in utter joy, reverting back to her original name, and ahead, a huge shaggy shape separated from the patrol, and surged ahead. Phantomstar uttered a yowl of joy, recognizing his beloved Kyemama. She rocketed across the ice, her huge paws flying, and her claws gouged up the frozen surface, flinging ice shards and snow into the air. They glittered and flashed in the bright moonlight, as Kyemama raced across the lake leaving her patrol behind.
“Demon Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” she cried.
Demonstone barreled into his beloved, as she crashed into him. They rolled together on the ice, rubbing faces in utter disbelief and delight, twining big bushy tails, and wrapping paws around each other’s necks. Snow and ice shards exploded around them, as if in celebration.
“I can’t believe it!” Demonstone wailed to the stars. “They found you!”
“Yes, after I escaped with Lizzie’s help.” Kyestorm purred. “I’m so happy we made it!”
“I’m beyond happy,” Demonstone purred, licking her face, wrapping all four legs around her. Silverpelt shimmered above them, in a kaleisescope of pastel colors. Phantomstar caught up to his father and mother, bouncing around them like a kit, his mind momentarily as blank as a kit’s until his sisters and brothers all crowded around him and the happy pair. He composed himself, and greeted Blackhawk and Sunflight.
“Well done,” he yowled “I’m so proud and grateful.”
“We had no intention of letting you down,” Blackhawk purred loudly. “If it took more moons, we’d have searched forever to find Kyemama.”
“I know,” Phantomstar mewed.
“But we had unexpected help and what a tale I have to relay,” Blackhawk meowed, his eyes wide with excitement. Cats congregated on the ice, coming from every part of the lake, interrupting the moment.. While they greeted their kin and Clan, Demonstone and Kyestorm never left each other’s sides, rising from the ice and moving as one entity. Happy reows and cries echoed over the lake as the other Clans learned of Kyestorm’s return. Indistar, Nightstar, Troutstar and Smokestar led their entire Clans to this impromptu Gathering in the middle of the lake. Ice creaked and thumped, echoing ominously over the lake, causing Phantomstar to raise his voice.
“To the Island! We gather under this special moon!”
“Come Beloved,” Demonspoppa meowed. “Let’s lead this parade!”
KYESTORM
The Five Clans gathered in the ancient spot, crossing the tree bridge onto the island. All cats surrounded Demonstone and Kyestorm, welcoming back CloudPatch, and ThunderClan’s patrol led by Blackhawk and Sunflight. They welcomed strangers Lizzie and Yoohoo, eager to hear their part in the rescue. Daisy accepted Lizzie immediately, and both chattered and mewed, tails up. Yoohoo stood with uncertainty, until Daisy trotted over with Lizzie. Both twined tails with him, and, sandwiching him between them, they moved off, with Daisy explaining her nursery duties. Lizzie and Yoohoo listened, enthralled, their whole demeanor relaxing. Kyestoom stood up, and pressed against her lifemate, feeling his warmth through her pelt.
Gabbiflight pushed her way through the crowd to stand in front of Demonstone, and then keened before rubbing her body on Kyestorm. Kyestorm uttered a moan and licked her daughter’s head vigorously. Her kits mewed is delight, joyful to finally meet their famous grandam Kyemama. Kyestorm dropped to her cheat to welcome her grandkits. They asked endless questions, burrowing into her thick pelt to ambush each other.
“You and Firestrike had beautiful healthy kits,” Kyestorm murmured. “I was worried, with you being cousins.”
“We didn’t worry,” Gabbiflight prattled away. “We’re not first cousins and Firestrike’s mother is the great Firestar’s granddaughter! Our blood mixed well, two wonderful lines! Our kits are strong, smart and healthy, not sick or defective. We couldn’t ignore our love.”
“I know,” Kyestorm chuckled deep in her chest. “I am ju happy the kits are perfect.”
Phantomstar finally reappeared, dragging a roe deer from the fresh kill pile across the fallen log bridge. He dragged it to the center of the clearing to offer to all in this Gathering place. Happy meowing, banter and laughter filled the snowy clearing. Moonlight glittered across the snow, which sparkled in illusive pale colors in every gust of wind. Shimmering snowtwisters sailed across the lake, as if StarClan itself danced in joy. Old memories flooded Kyestorm’s mind. She leaned into Demonstone, delighted apprentices brought them chunks of food.
“Do you know what day it is?” he asked.
“Should I?” Kyestorm queried, licking his ear, knowing full well the answer.
“Solstice,” Demonstone murmured. “Like you used to love, and Silverpelt glitters like Solstice lights. Star Clan brought you back to me, and look how the Clans celebrate.”
“Yes!” Kyestorm purred. “You’re right. Its a special night.”
“Oh, mighty StarClan, Silverpelt brightly shines on this Solstice night,” Demonstone keened, a high-pitched booming song lifted in joy. “Oh starry night, these stars shine so brightly, lighting the way, bringing my beloved back to me. Oh starry starry night, forever, we bow before StarClan every Solstice, in reverence and thanks.”
He closed his mouth and looked down, at a silent Gathering. Every cat faced them, eyes wide with emotion. Their grandkits sat with mouths ajar, then repeated the song. Kyestorm’s heart swelled and with her tail beckoned the kits to her. They raced to her, and jumped on her body, repeating Demonstone’s Solstice song.
Phantomstar flicked his bushy tail at his fellow Leaders and they took their places on the boughs of the Great Tree.
“Attention!” he cried out, his strident voice carrying across the lake. “In light of this joyous occasion, I make this pronouncement. I, Phantomstar, Leader of ThunderClan, under the light of StarCan on this special night, decry that this night, every Leaf Bare, be a Great Gathering, called the Solstice Gathering, a day and night to celebrate everything we’re thankful to StarClan for, and to always remember the night our Kyemama returned to us.”
He deferred to his fellow Leaders.
“I, Indistar, Leader of ShadowClan. . .” Indistar nodded at her sister.
“I, Smokestar, Leader of WindClan. . .” Smokestar dipped her head to her nephew.
“I, Nightstar, Leader of SkyClan. . .” He defered to his aunt’s mate.
“I, Troutstar, Leader of RiverClan. . .” Troutstar waved his tail.
“Agree, under StarClan, that this be so.” the four remaining Leaders answered in unison. Cheers reverberated in the clearing, and the Gathering continued, filling the island with sounds of joy. Demonstone gnawed a cracked bone, leaning into Kyestorm, who cheerfully told all the kits, and anyone else who desired to listen, the stories of her adventure. Kyestorm explained Lizzie’s part in her escape, and about an extraordinary MountainClan cat named Shadowface, who saved their lives. She finished her tale, and as everyone ate, Kyestorm glanced up at Silverpelt, silently thanking StarClan, Lizzie, Blackhawk’s determination, and the mysterious blessed Shadowface, for her Solstice Homecoming.
Thanks to Sapphire for the coding!