Post by Sundance on Mar 20, 2020 19:16:52 GMT -5
Pretend it's mid-2009.
Sunrise was the last book released, and you're anxiously awaiting the start of OOTS.
How would YOU handle Ashfur's character arc after Power of Three, if it were to be continued in OOTS? Would you redeem him, or vilify him more in the coming series? And how?
You can draw inspiration from - if not outright use - plot ideas from AVOS or TBC but without directly spoiling those series, if that makes sense. :-P
_______________________________
-prepare yourself for one of my crackpot AUs-
Ashfur is Dovewing and Ivypool's father. It's either a bombshell revelation mid-series, or clear from Page 1 that he had a brief, one-sided affair with Whitewing before his dead. Regardless, after his death, he's in the Dark Forest. Below Tigerstar and Brokenstar in rank, but above the new recruits. Mid-ranking member.
When Ivypool joins, she is still mentored by Hawkfrost, but has a close relationship with Ashfur, who also assists in her training. He's cold and standoffish to her at first before softening considerably to the point where he seems to legitimately care for her, and look out for her safety. Sometimes he seems truly loyal to the Dark Forest - and resentful of the fact that StarClan refused him - and other times, less so. Eventually, Ivypool grows convinced that he is on her side, as he genuinely seems to be, and lets slip about the prophecy involving Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Dovewing.
Ashfur, in turn, betrays her by telling the rest of the Dark Forest about Jayfeather and Lionblaze - but not Dovewing. His intent is not so much to aid the Dark Forest in destroying the Clans, but to flame his ongoing vendetta against Squirrelflight. (Really - Ashfur hates the Dark Forests agenda and feels like he's is in hell there.)
This no doubt causes the Dark Forest to target Jayfeather and Lionblaze in a variety of interesting and exciting ways.
Ivypool and Ashfur have an explosive confrontation in private while Ivypool simultaneously gets promoted by the Dark Forest for providing this information. She cuts personal ties with her father, but must continue to play at being cordial with him in public. Ashfur is hurt by this but refuses to give up his vendetta for her sake. Though his resolve seems to ... waver.
Flash forward to the Great Battle - I'm so conflicted. :-P But I've settled on: Ashfur goes ahead with trying to enact his vengeance on Squirrelflight & her kin during the battle in some dramatic way, but fails. (With Ivypool having a part in his failure.) Squirrelflight almost kills him, but spares his life at the last second. By the end of their confrontation, something seems to change in Ashfur, but it's unclear whether he's completely come around.
Ashfur flees the scene only to show up, out of the blue, later to help defeat the Dark Forest in some game-changing way. (He was never fighting with them to begin with, but this is his first time actively challenging them.) He doesn't "save the day" (leave that to the Three - er, Four), but he drastically paves the way for the Clans success. It also costs him his life. I think I'd have him be one of those characters who dies while in the middle of a sentence. Those deaths are always infuriating in the best way.
He dies, for a second time, remaining a very morally grey character. Though I would aim for him to be likable, if not downright cool and charismatic, in my AU OOTS. :-P
Sunrise was the last book released, and you're anxiously awaiting the start of OOTS.
How would YOU handle Ashfur's character arc after Power of Three, if it were to be continued in OOTS? Would you redeem him, or vilify him more in the coming series? And how?
You can draw inspiration from - if not outright use - plot ideas from AVOS or TBC but without directly spoiling those series, if that makes sense. :-P
_______________________________
-prepare yourself for one of my crackpot AUs-
Ashfur is Dovewing and Ivypool's father. It's either a bombshell revelation mid-series, or clear from Page 1 that he had a brief, one-sided affair with Whitewing before his dead. Regardless, after his death, he's in the Dark Forest. Below Tigerstar and Brokenstar in rank, but above the new recruits. Mid-ranking member.
When Ivypool joins, she is still mentored by Hawkfrost, but has a close relationship with Ashfur, who also assists in her training. He's cold and standoffish to her at first before softening considerably to the point where he seems to legitimately care for her, and look out for her safety. Sometimes he seems truly loyal to the Dark Forest - and resentful of the fact that StarClan refused him - and other times, less so. Eventually, Ivypool grows convinced that he is on her side, as he genuinely seems to be, and lets slip about the prophecy involving Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Dovewing.
Ashfur, in turn, betrays her by telling the rest of the Dark Forest about Jayfeather and Lionblaze - but not Dovewing. His intent is not so much to aid the Dark Forest in destroying the Clans, but to flame his ongoing vendetta against Squirrelflight. (Really - Ashfur hates the Dark Forests agenda and feels like he's is in hell there.)
This no doubt causes the Dark Forest to target Jayfeather and Lionblaze in a variety of interesting and exciting ways.
Ivypool and Ashfur have an explosive confrontation in private while Ivypool simultaneously gets promoted by the Dark Forest for providing this information. She cuts personal ties with her father, but must continue to play at being cordial with him in public. Ashfur is hurt by this but refuses to give up his vendetta for her sake. Though his resolve seems to ... waver.
Flash forward to the Great Battle - I'm so conflicted. :-P But I've settled on: Ashfur goes ahead with trying to enact his vengeance on Squirrelflight & her kin during the battle in some dramatic way, but fails. (With Ivypool having a part in his failure.) Squirrelflight almost kills him, but spares his life at the last second. By the end of their confrontation, something seems to change in Ashfur, but it's unclear whether he's completely come around.
Ashfur flees the scene only to show up, out of the blue, later to help defeat the Dark Forest in some game-changing way. (He was never fighting with them to begin with, but this is his first time actively challenging them.) He doesn't "save the day" (leave that to the Three - er, Four), but he drastically paves the way for the Clans success. It also costs him his life. I think I'd have him be one of those characters who dies while in the middle of a sentence. Those deaths are always infuriating in the best way.
He dies, for a second time, remaining a very morally grey character. Though I would aim for him to be likable, if not downright cool and charismatic, in my AU OOTS. :-P