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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 27, 2020 23:11:17 GMT -5
I LOVE THEM I ADORE THEM
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Post by *Faith* on Aug 27, 2020 23:13:07 GMT -5
*Starts laughing hysterically* It is literally a warrior cats roleplay. I know Smudge told Rileypool and Bellaleaf stories of the Clans which caused them to join SkyClan, but I wonder who told these cats about the Clans. Maybe it was also Smudge. You never know. I LOVE the name Monkeystar! And then there's just Chester, who I guess didn't want a Clan name in the roleplay.
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Post by ᏞᎪᎠᎽ Ꮎf fᎪᏁᎠᎾms ミ☆ on Aug 27, 2020 23:14:02 GMT -5
me, being a jerk to these new characters: aw it's SO CUTE how these kittypets and loners are playing pretend and appropriating clan culture <3
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Post by Hollyfall on Aug 27, 2020 23:16:32 GMT -5
Chester seems to understand why Graystripe is confused, and says that two names seems hard to keep track of, so he just stuck with the one. He adds that he may not have the name, but he's a dedicated warrior. Graystripe thinks the names are odd, but he remembers that some of the names in SkyClan are odd, and it happened with SkyClan's old daylight warriors. Graystripe asks if they're all kittypets, and Monkeystar confirms. During the day, they're "fierce warriors". Except for Fireface because his housefolk feed him at mid-day, so he goes home for that. Graystripe asks how they learned the warrior way of life, and I shit you not, Monkeystar explains that there's an old kittypet named Smudge who lives on the other side of the river, who told them that the forest used to be filled with warriors. He said they fought and hunted, and defended their lands. Fireface says it's sad, since Smudge says one day the forest was filled with them, and the next day, they were gone.
Graystripe says that he is one of those warriors. Fireface asks if he really is, and Graystripe confirms. Chester exclaims that he must be "Way old!".
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2020 23:18:38 GMT -5
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Post by Fernstep on Aug 27, 2020 23:19:19 GMT -5
I'll admit, for a few moments I thought the explanation for this was going to be an insane fourth-wall-breaking hint that the Warriors series exists in the Warriors universe and these Twolegs named their cats after their Warriors OCs.
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Post by *Faith* on Aug 27, 2020 23:19:20 GMT -5
I absolutely love how Smudge is just keeping the memory of the Clans alive with the kittypets. This was already revealed in RF, so nice to have another mention of it.
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Post by Fireleap on Aug 27, 2020 23:19:30 GMT -5
SMUDGE IS STILL ALIVE SMUDGE IS STILL ALIVE THIS IS THE BEST TIMELINE SMUDGE IS STILL ALIVE
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Post by highprince on Aug 27, 2020 23:20:44 GMT -5
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Post by Jaysnow on Aug 27, 2020 23:31:49 GMT -5
I wish we got a Smudge cameo.
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Post by ~Ƈαммι-`ღ´- on Aug 27, 2020 23:32:32 GMT -5
The tortoiseshell is named Monkeystar. According to her, it's the name her housefolk gave her.
...did
did they slip in the implied existence of a freakin Warrior Cats fan in-universe?
...holy crap
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Post by Hollyfall on Aug 27, 2020 23:36:29 GMT -5
Monkeystar asks why the Clans left, and Graystripe explains the twolegs coming and destroying the territory. Bigteeth asks why they couldn't have fought twolegs, and Graystripe says you can't do that. Bugeater asks if he's Firestar, because Smudge mentioned him heavily. Graystripe says he isn't, but he was Firestar's deputy once, and were best friends. WarriorClan just in awe at the fact of meeting the best friend of Firestar. Graystripe thinks it's like he's one of the legendary warriors from a nursery tale. Clawthistle asks if Firestar is with him, and Graystripe explains that Firestar is dead. The mention of this makes Graystripe feel sad. Chester says he must miss him, and Graystripe says he does. Graystripe feels a lump in his throat as he says it, but adds that he will never forget him, and many of his kin are noble warriors of ThunderClan.
Bugeater asks if Graystripe became the leader after Firestar, Graystripe begins to explain how he didn't, but Monkeystar interrupts him and says that if Graystripe is a true warrior, he'll prove it by fighting her. Graystripe doesn't want to, but Monkeystar instigates the fight. Graystripe pretends to go limp, but then easily subdues her and pins her down. Monkeystar (reluctantly) admits that Graystripe is a true warrior. The other members of WarriorClan are in awe and ask Graystripe to teach them how to fight like just did. Graystripe admits he kind of likes the hero worship, and tells them he has a special and important task. WarriorClan offers to help. Graystripe doesn't see the harm in teaching the cats on how to hunt and fight, seeing how enthusiastic they are about it. As he's training them, he's actually having fun. After a while, he says they've done well but he must continue his task. He says he's looking for the Moonstone, and surprisingly, WarriorClan knows what it is. Monkeystar says it's where the warrior cats talk to StarClan. Graystripe is impressed, and confirms. He asks what they know about it, and they explain that it's a big stone underground and StarClan makes it light up and that StarClan appear in the stone and tell Clan cats what to do. Monkeystar offers to help Graystripe find it, but he denies, not wanting to put them in danger or get them involved.
They part on good terms, and WarriorClan is still pretty excited over meeting a true warrior. He leaves them and skirts around twolegplace, eventually to the edge of a wide, circular path. It's made of some "hard, grayish stuff" and it surrounded the top of a hollow lined with smooth grass. A mass of broken stone lays on the bottom.
Graystripe's belly lurches as he realizes that he's standing in what was once Fourtrees.
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Post by Sundance on Aug 27, 2020 23:41:47 GMT -5
It's too heartbreaking for Graystripe to see the home he grew up in so utterly destroyed :c Usually the Clans "win" one way or another with their conflicts, but the forest territories is one thing they will have always lost ... gah
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Post by Jaysnow on Aug 27, 2020 23:45:17 GMT -5
I'm rereading The Sun Trail right now so seeing the old forest described this way is...really sad.
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Post by Hollyfall on Aug 28, 2020 0:15:08 GMT -5
Chapter 16: Then
Graystripe is chasing a rabbit near the ShadowClan border. He was hunting with Brackenfur, but he realizes his long chase for his rabbit made him lose sight of him. He begins to hear some rustling, and suspects it's BloodClan. He calls them out, and it's none other then Gremlin. She's still pregnant. Gremlin introduces herself and says that she thinks she and Graystripe could be helpful to each other. Graystripe remarks that Gremlin is an odd name, but she retorts that it's no odder than a name like Graystripe.
Graystripe is offended by her comment, but she keeps talking. She explains it was the name given to her by her housefolk, along with her brother. They liked their twolegs until they had a kit of their own, where it hurt and abused her and Scraps. So they left and eventually joined BloodClan. Graystripe remarks that he would have stayed with the twoleg kit. Gremlin says that BloodClan was there for her when she needed support, but admits she's worried for her unborn kits and explains how BloodClan separates parents from the kits as soon as kits are old enough. Gremlin says she isn't ready to say good bye to her kits. She loves them, possibly even more than she loves Scraps. She says BloodClan ensures families don't interact at all, and mothers and fathers just...aren't able to find their kits at all. Graystripe says knows how it feels being split from your kits (he's obviously thinking about Stormfur and Feathertail), and asks how they can even work together, since they're enemies. Gremlin says they may be enemies now, but she's seen how ThunderClan treats their queens and kits. Queens get to stay with their kits until they're old enough to fend for themselves and have a Clan to help them. Graystripe clues in that Gremlin wants to join ThunderClan, and he asks if she does. She nods, and she's desperate.
Gremlin tells him that she hopes he can consider letting her and Scraps in, and she can prove her usefulness to the Clan first. Graystripe is suspicious, asking how she, a heavily pregnant queen, can do that. Gremlin says she can help keep the Clan safe. She reveals she knows Graystripe is the acting leader, and leaders keep their cats safe. She reveals that while Scourge was fierce, Fury, their new leader, is more bloodthirsty than he ever was. Fury wants revenge on the Clans, and is targeting ThunderClan because of the absence of Firestar. She says she can find out all the details about BloodClan that he needs, if Graystripe promises to take her into the Clan when the battle is over so she can safely raise her kits. Graystripe isn't sure he can trust her, citing that she's part of BloodClan, and asks if she even cares about them. Gremlin says she can't prove it because nobody knows what she's planning. She admits Scraps loves her, but she hasn't even told him of her plan. Graystripe asks why she wants Scraps to join them then. Gremlin explains that BloodClan is changing Scraps, but deep down, she knows he's a good cat. Scraps lost a mentor/father in the battle with the Clans in TDH, and he's bitter over that.
The father of Gremlin's kits is some unknown kittypet. He offered Gremlin a life with him, but Gremlin loved freedom too much and chose BloodClan instead. Graystripe thinks that even if he granted her a place in ThunderClan, the other cats may not be too keen on the idea since the battle with BloodClan had affected them and they obviously wouldn't be too accepting of a cat who, at the moment, is their enemy and suddenly joining their Clan. Graystripe begins to say he'll think about it, but Brackenfur emerges from the undergrowth, demanding to know what there even is to think about. Graystripe asks if he's been eavesdropping, and how much he heard. Brackenfur replies he heard enough, and accuses Gremlin of lying for a future BloodClan attack. Gremlin says that BloodClan has enough force to take ThunderClan territory, and Brackenfur belives she's bluffing. Gremlin tells Graystripe that he can find her in a den in twolegplace, next to where Fury and the others tried to feed him to the dog, and she is friends with Smudge. Gremlin goes away, and Brackenfur asks Graystripe why he even bothered to say that he'd think about it. Graystripe says he's made no decision yet, and nothing has happened. He reminds Brackenfur that he wasn't there when BloodClan attacked him, Dustpelt, and Brambleclaw, and Gremlin's information might give them the edge needed to defeat BloodClan.
Brackenfur asks how Graystripe can even consider trusting her since she's a BloodClan cat. Brackenfur says that Graystripe was his mentor and he trusts him, but he's beginning to question whether Firestar made the right choice with Graystripe as deputy. Graystripe promises to think it over, and asks him to not tell anyone. Brackenfur isn't pleased, but agrees. The two head back to camp, and Graystripe wonders when Firestar is coming home, but is glad he has Cinderpelt to rely on. He explains what just happened to her, and Cinderpelt murmurs to him that it's a big decision, and she feels uncomfortable making it. So, she's going to the Moonstone to seek advice from StarClan.
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#a3c5e6
Name Colour
𝓣𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓵
Warrior Fanatic
All hail me, the flower-flushing queen of Prague
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Post by 𝓣𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓵 on Aug 28, 2020 0:23:13 GMT -5
Brackenfur, Graystripe wasn't a mentor to you at all! I really wish the series would acknowledge this. Fireheart did all the work for him. Anyway, other than that, I'm intrigued.
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Post by Hollyfall on Aug 28, 2020 0:35:00 GMT -5
Chapter 17: Now
Graystripe's skirting around twolegplace. He scents something, and hollers that he's a ThunderClan warrior and for them to show themselves. Turns out, it's WarriorClan, who decided to follow him anyways. Monkeystar apologizes and says they really want to know where the Moonstone is. Bugeater adds that staying away for a night or two is a way to get extra treats from the housefolk. Graystripe's annoyance finally gives in and he snaps at them, saying they have no reason to follow him because they can't go inside Mothermouth to see the Moonstone. In fact, he acknowledges that even he shouldn't be, as it's for leaders and medicine cats only, but he says it's an emergency.
Clawwhistle asks: "What emergency?" Graystripe retorts with: "Nevermind what emergency!". Graystripe's essentially being a cranky old man and I love it.
Graystripe can't be asked to explain the whole ordeal with an evil spirit possessing a Clan leader's body, partially out of annoyance, but also partially because he isn't sure if he truly understands it himself. Monkeystar begs some more, and Graystripe figures the most practical way to go is to let them come with him. He says they can join him, but they must do exactly as he says and they must not go inside. They readily agree and begin following him. They travel across the outskirts of WindClan territory and across the Thunderpath, where he teaches them how to cross Thunderpaths "the warrior way". As they continue on their journey, a figure cat out from behind a boulder. WarriorClan is taking what they believe are defensive stances, but are excited to see a fight. Graystripe tells the newcomer that they're just passing through. The stranger (a cat) admits he doesn't want trouble either, but says he thinks he's been looking for him. He asks if he's Graystripe, as he's the exact way he was described to him. Graystripe is stunned and wonders who could have been searching for him for so many moons.
The cat steps into the light. It's a skinny gray tom with darker patches of fur and vivid green eyes. He's missing a patch of fur on his foreleg, close to his paw. Graystripe can't help but feel he looks familiar. Graystripe asks if he knows him. The stranger says he doesn't, but Graystripe knew his mother, Gremlin. Graystripe recalls his memories with Gremlin.
The tom says that Gremlin told him that Graystripe once made a vow to her. That he would do anything to help her, no matter what. Graystripe feels a stirring in his heart as he remembers the vow, and remembers what Gremlin had done for him, and all of ThunderClan. The tom asks if the vow extends to Gremlin's kits, because he could do with a warrior's help right now.
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Post by Hollyfall on Aug 28, 2020 1:07:38 GMT -5
Chapter 18: Then
Graystripe and Cinderpelt are going along the WindClan border. Graystripe's worried BloodClan might be stalking them, but begins arguing with himself that BloodClan wouldn't follow him to WindClan territory if their issues are with ThunderClan specifically at the moment. He wonders what kind of message StarClan will send Cinderpelt. As they reach Mothermouth, Cinderpelt reminds Graystripe that he's not allowed to go in. Graystripe says he knows, and Cinderpelt goes inside to the Moonstone. Graystripe sits down and begins to wonder how he's going to explain all of the events that are happening to Firestar. He still hasn't decided on Gremlin's offer. Soon, he drifts off and begins dreaming. He's on Sunningrocks, Firestar beside him. Firestar compliments Graystripe and says he's proud of him, and he's handled everything so well. Graystripe awkwardly says he doesn't know how true that is. Firestar affectionately calls him a daft furball, and tells him how pleased he is. Firestar says he knows Graystripe will make an excellent leader when he's gone, and Graystripe feels terror at the thought. Graystripe doubts he'd be a good leader, and when he turns to answer Firestar, he's been replaced with Fury. Fury hurtles towards Graystripe, screaming at him to wake up.
Cinderpelt wakes up Graystripe, and he asks what she saw from StarClan. Cinderpelt seems to be struggling to keep calm, as if something has disturbed her. She says that there are far more cats in StarClan these days, and she doesn't think she'll ever get used to seeing Yellowfang in StarClan. Graystripe asks if StarClan provided some sort of guidance. She says they didn't. She sent the question to StarClan, but she didn't get back a direct answer. Graystripe remarks that he's not surprised, and asks what the answer was. Cinderpelt says "They told me...Like a three-headed snake, many paths split off into the forest. Graystripe must walk his own path...but he must beware the snake's bite." . Graystripe gets frustrated and asks what it means. Cinderpelt says that StarClan wants him to make his own desicion, and she adds that whatever he chooses, she'll support him. Graystripe thanks her, but can't help but feel disappointed that he couldn't receive a clear answer, and wishes Firestar were there.
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Post by Jaysnow on Aug 28, 2020 1:19:26 GMT -5
Thanks for all the spoilers today. Looking forward to the completion of the book tomorrow.
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Post by ✲ριкαƒυєу✲ on Aug 28, 2020 1:54:13 GMT -5
Thank you very much for the detailed spoiler summaries! This book seems great so far
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Post by Cloverƒall on Aug 28, 2020 6:34:06 GMT -5
Smudge is too pure for the world.
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Post by FlameTail on Aug 28, 2020 12:37:36 GMT -5
How did you get the book so early?
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Post by Spinel on Aug 28, 2020 13:26:02 GMT -5
im crying over WarriorClan
I HOPE NOTHING BAD HAPPENS TO ANY OF THEM PLEASE
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Post by *Faith* on Aug 28, 2020 14:07:02 GMT -5
Oh, yeah. Gremlin was named after the movie. There's no doubt in my mind. Gremlin's mention of kits being separated from their mothers in BC is actually what happened to Barley. Not surprised that Gremlin doesn't like this. Though at least one of the kits knows his mother well enough. I wonder what happened to the others.
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Post by Hollyfall on Aug 28, 2020 14:50:52 GMT -5
Chapter 19: Now
Monkeystar declares that she doesn't believe the newcomer, and Clawwhistle agrees with her. Bugeater offers to drive him away for Graystripe. Graystripe says that they can sort the issue out without claws. Graystripe thinks that the tom doesn't look like any cat he knows, but he claims to he Gremlin's kit. Graystripe thanks WarriorClan for their protection, but says he promised Gremlin to help in any way he could. Graystripe asks what he can do for the tom.
The tom introduces himself as Fang. He explains that a moon or two ago, he escaped from a twoleg den, and Graystripe immediately suspects he's asking to join ThunderClan. He says he'd have to consult with the Clan if he wants to join, but Fang says he doesn't want to be a Clan cat, he wants to go back to his twoleg den. Graystripe's glad Fang doesn't want to join them, but is also confused as to why a cat would ever want to go back to a twoleg nest after escaping it. Fang explains that the nest was "really bad" and he only escaped through a hole in the door that one of his twolegs made. His mate, Daffodil, is there, but she smells strange and is having trouble breathing. He begs Graystripe to help him. Graystripe tells him that he isn't sure what he, a Clan cat and an elder, could do to help him. Fang replies that Graystripe is a warrior, that means he's honourable and clever. Fang asks Graystripe to at least see what he's talking about. Graystripe thinks that crossing RiverClan territory wouldn't be so bad. Fang continues and reveals that he actually checks on the "other prisoners" and it keeps getting worse there.
Graystripe admits it sounds dangerous, but he tells Fang that he has somewhere else to be. He does note, however, that Fang's resemblance to his mother is incredibly strong, and he recalls how Gremlin put her life at risk for ThunderClan once. Graystripe tells Fang he'll help him, but he needs to visit the Moonstone first. Fang doesn't know what it is, so Graystripe explains why he's going there. Fang is a bit irked that Graystripe has other priorities, but says he'll help Graystripe with his quest if Graystripe can help him. He apologizes in advance for the WarriorClan cats. They travel some more and do a bit of hunting. When it reaches the night, Monkeystar and Clawwhistle decide to stay with Graystripe, while Fireface, Chester, Bugeater, and Bigtooth decide to head back home.
Some more travelling, and Graystripe finally arrives at Mothermouth. Monkeystar is excited to see it, and tries to go in. Graystripe stops her and says she can't. Fang is in disbelief, citing that it's raining, and asks if they can't even just step inside for some shelter. Graystripe denies. They protest, but Graystripe shuts them down again. As he looks at the entrance of Mothermouth, his mind floods with memories of his deceased loved ones, "Silverstream, Feathertail, Millie, Briarlight...and Firestar. Always Firestar." Graystripe thinks that so many cats had died recently, in the troubles the impostor brought to the Clans, but he feels grief for his long lost friends and kin that it threatens to overwhelm him. He tells Fang what StarClan is, and his three companions agree to stay outside, but to yowl if he needs anything. Graystripe heads inside.
As he goes down, he enters a large cavern, where the Moonstone is still in tact. Graystripe is in awe upon seeing it. As he nears the Moonstone, he dips his head in respect and thinks of Firestar. Aloud, he says "Firestar, my fearless friend. I miss you. Every cat in ThunderClan misses you. And even though you're not with us in life anymore, we need you more than ever. I hope that you can help us, help me, now." He doesn't get an answer, only hearing thunder rumbling in the distance. He wonders if he's angered StarClan by coming here. He speaks again, saying that he hopes he hasn't offended them by being there, but he isn't sure how much longer the five Clans can continue without them, and if they have any wisdom, to share it now. Still silence.
Graystripe thinks that maybe he's foolish to think that StarClan would speak to him, even at the Moonstone. He wonders if there truly is something the Clans have done to offend StarClan just like the impostor claims they have. He also wonders if the impostor has done something to cut them off. Graystripe begins to leave, angry at himself for believing StarClan would answer him. However, a loud crash stops him. He lets out a yowl of pain and noise fills his ears. He thinks he's blinded, as the whole world seems to be a flash of dazzling white light. As the light fades away, he's still seeing spots of it. He stumbles backwards and falls to the floor, wrapping his forepaws around his head. He thinks he's made StarClan angry, wonders if it's the end, and asks where Firestar is.
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Post by *Faith* on Aug 28, 2020 15:00:43 GMT -5
I hope Fang's mate is alright. This reminds me of in FQ when Rainfur needed help to rescue his mate.
Also, what in the world just happened?! Hopefully Graystripe is alright. I don't think he's gonna die just yet.
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Post by Fireleap on Aug 28, 2020 15:06:10 GMT -5
Maybe the Moonstone got struck by lightning? Idk what else it could be.
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Post by *Faith* on Aug 28, 2020 15:18:41 GMT -5
Maybe the Moonstone got struck by lightning? Idk what else it could be. That actually makes sense. There's lightning on the full art cover for the book.
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Post by sylveon on Aug 28, 2020 15:34:28 GMT -5
Maybe the Moonstone got struck by lightning? Idk what else it could be. That actually makes sense. There's lightning on the full art cover for the book. it looks like he's in some sort of cavern too if you look closely.
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Post by Hollyfall on Aug 28, 2020 15:51:10 GMT -5
Chapter 20: Then
Graystripe and Cinderpelt are on their way to see Smudge, to ask him about Gremlin. As they go into Smudge's garden, Smudge is startled, but knows who Graystripe is. Graystripe introduces him to Cinderpelt, and offers both of them to comes inside his den for some food. Graystripe politely declines, and begins to ask about Gremlin, but Gremlin says she's here, hopping down the fence to go to the. Cinderpelt is quietly observing her. Gremlin still hasn't given birth. Gremlin asks what Graystripe has decided, and he responds that he is still thinking about it. He says he needs to know what exactly she can offer us. Gremlin says she can't fight for them. Cinderpelt remarks that no cat would expect her to, seeing how she's pregnant. Gremlin says that Fury expects her to. She says that she'll have to be there at the upcoming battle but she won't be fighting for BloodClan. Cinderpelt promises Gremlin that she can get her to a safe place. Cinderpelt's tone darkens and says that she doesn't mean to scare her, but she isn't liking the look of how Gremlin is carrying her kits. Cinderpelt says that from her guess, one of her kits is going to come out paws first, and instructs her to sleep on her back and chew on chervil root. Gremlin nods agreement, and Cinderpelt adds that if she comes to ThunderClan, she can help with the kitting, but she cannot, under any circumstance, get involved in any battles if she wants a healthy litter. This makes Graystripe think of Silverstream's death while giving birth to Stormfur and Feathertail.
Graystripe says that it's enough talking about what Gremlin can't do, and asks Gremlin if she knows what BloodClan is plotting. Gremlin says she can, but she doesn't know all the details yet and will find them out. BloodClan still thinks she's loyal, but she refuses to do anything for ThunderClan unless she and Scraps are promised to be safe after the battle. Graystripe agrees that it's reasonable, but he is cut off by Cinderpelt who hisses that she scents BloodClan. Graystripe scents the air, and realizes she's right, and the scent belongs to Fury. He orders her to hide, and they both scatter to ends of Smudge's garden. Gremlin doesn't move, and when Fury shows up, Gremlin starts talking to Smudge, asking if he's considered joining BloodClan. Fury demands to know what Gremlin is doing, and Gremlin explains she's trying to convince Smudge to join them. Fury asks if he will be, and Smudge replies that he hasn't decided. Graystripe can see Smudge is uneasy, but he hasn't fled to his den, and thinks that maybe Smudge isn't the coward he thought he was. Fury remarks that she scents ThunderClan, but Smudge tells her that ThunderClan cats visit him all the time, and he's friends with Firestar. Fury isn't convinced, but surveys the garden before leaving, telling Gremlin that there is a Clan meeting at sunset. Graystripe wants to come out, but he knows Fury suspects something.
Turns out, he's right, and Fury pokes her head through a gap in the fence a few moments later, but she sees nothing, and this time leaves for good. Smudge remarks that she's terrifying, and Graystripe says she's not his favourite cat. Cinderpelt says that Smudge handled her well. Smudge thanks her, but says he's going inside for some milk and to see his housefolk. When Smudge leaves, Gremlin says that the Clan meeting Fury just called for will be about how to destroy ThunderClan, and asks for Graystripe's desicion. Graystripe says he needs to put it by his Clanmates first, and if she's willing to meet the next day at sunhigh, he'll have an answer for her. Gremlin agrees, but says that if he and his Clan don't trust her, ThunderClan will be shredded.
The next day, Graystripe is on the highrock, having finished explaining the situation to ThunderClan. He says he's going to accept Gremlin's offer, and Thornclaw yowls that he can't be serious about accepting a BloodClan cat into ThunderClan. Graystripe begins to say that it will only be after she's proven herself, but One-eye pipes in and asks how much they even know about her, much less her brother. Graystripe says he believes Gremlin can be trusted, but he's again cut off, this time by Ashfur, who has an expression of mockery and says that Graystripe has bees in his brain if he believes Gremlin is being truthful. Thornclaw asks if Graystripe is going to risk the safety of the entire Clan for one BloodClan cat. Cloudtail and Brambleclaw seem to agree with Thornclaw. Graystripe says the Clan is at risk whether they like it or not. He's again cut off, but this time it's by Brackenfur. Brackenfur's eyes are blazing with rage, he says that he always trusted Graystripe as a mentor, but he cannot believe that Graystripe thinks that trusting Gremlin is the best course of action. He says Graystripe just wants to take another stray into the Clan, and he'll destroy them all by doing so.
Brightheart asks why they should care what happens to her or Scraps, asking Graystripe if they need to risk their safety everytime he falls in love. Graystripe gets frustrated and clarifies that he has no intention of being mates with Gremlin. He says that she just genuinely cares about her kits and brother, and if any of their own kin was at risk, they would do anything do help them. He adds that Gremlin has more to lose, since she's expecting kits. ThunderClan doesn't respond to this. After a few moments, Thornclaw speaks up with a suggestion, that being to ask the other Clans for help. Graystripe asks how that could even work, as they don't know exactly when BloodClan will attack. Ashfur calls Graystripe a mouse-brain, saying they'll put watches up around the border, and send the fastest runners to the other Clans when BloodClan does attack. Graystripe takes a deep breath, fighting the urge to climb down from the highrock and claw Ashfur across the ears, knowing it wouldn't be good to antagonize him further. Graystripe simply says that if they do that, they're robbed of three useful warriors during the battle, which may make them lose. Ashfur says nothing.
Thornclaw responds instead, he says there must be a way to send a signal of sorts. Graystripe says he thinks they can work something out, but if they do that, the other Clans will think ThunderClan is weak, and asks how they could even pull it off without the other Clans discovering Firestar's absence. Cloudtail pipes in and asks if that would be so bad. Ashfur asks that if he's gone back to being a kittypet, how much longer can they go on keeping it a secret. Graystripe retorts that Firestar has not gone back to being a kittypet, and tells them to get that idea out of their heads. Dustpelt asks how they possibly can, since no cat has told them where Firestar has even gone. Thornclaw asks if Graystripe will consider his plan. Graystripe says he wishes he could, but it would mean telling the other Clans they've been lying to them. Mousefur says that perhaps Graystripe shouldn't have lied in the first place. Graystripe admits that maybe he shouldn't have, but what's done is done, and they need to show the other Clans that ThunderClan is strong. He says that the way he sees it, they have two choices. Those being to either wait for BloodClan to attack, or to use Gremlin's information. ThunderClan divides into smaller groups, discussing among themselves. Dustpelt asks Graystripe what his plan even is. Graystripe explains what happened in Smudge's den, and Gremlin is to report back to them with information should he accept her into the Clan. Cinderpelt explains the issue with Gremlin's pregnancy, and ThunderClan becomes more sympathetic towards Gremlin. Cinderpelt says that if Gremlin can't become a member of ThunderClan, then she'll suggest she becomes a kittypet to raise her kits, adding how BloodClan separates parents and kits.
ThunderClan begins to discuss in groups again, and Dustpelt soon speaks up, suggesting a compromise. Graystripe asks what it is, and Dustpelt says that when the battle with BloodClan is over, Gremlin and Scraps can live with them, but it will be Firestar who gets the final say in whether they stay or not. ThunderClan seems to like the idea, except for Ashfur, who is against it. Cinderpelt points out that she'll likely have her kits while Firestar is away. Ashfur says they better keep a sharp eye on Scraps, and if he steps out of line, he'll chase him off the territory. Graystripe explains that Scraps will be an apprentice, and jokingly asks if Ashfur would like to mentor him to keep him out of trouble. Ashfur doesn't like the suggestion. Graystripe reiterates Dustpelt's plan, and no ThunderClan cat objects to it. Seeing how it's nearly sunhigh, Graystripe and Cinderpelt go to see Gremlin about their plan.
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