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Post by βΎΡΞ·ΟΟzΡβ½ on May 21, 2019 10:35:17 GMT -5
Ravenstar raced to the two on the Tall Ledge, looking to the newer cat he had never seen. He had no use for her up here. He ran at her and shouldered her off the ledge. He almost slipped with her but he dragged himself back to the top, though she did manage to land a nasty blow on his shoulder before she fell. He cursed to himself, shaking his fur out. He charged at Fogstar and brought him down, clawing at him with a blind rage. Fogstar struggled against the claws now digging against his sides, kicking furiously out at Ravenstar but he held on tight. Ravenstar hissed and kicked him back against the entrance of his den.
{Okay guys I'm posting the ending battle scene now which is long and setting up the next plot soon }
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Post by owlspots on May 21, 2019 10:52:13 GMT -5
(oH IM JUST IN TIME??)
Willowpatch's heart soared triumphantly as her claws scored across the black tom's shoulders. However, the feeling was short-lived, as suddenly the ground beneath her paws was no longer there and she was falling. She hit the ground with a thud, the air leaving her lungs upon impact. Her vision pulsed in and out of focus, shadows crawling into her peripheral vision as she dragged herself clear of the ledge. She wasn't in much pain, considering the fall hadn't been too far, but she was badly winded.
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Post by SmugGull on May 21, 2019 11:17:24 GMT -5
Lightningfinch couldn't hold back a shriek of horror as Willowpatch tumbled form the Tall Ledge. She rushed forward to the newly-minted warrior's side and dragged her away from the battling crowd. "Are you hurt?" she demanded. With all the blood in the air, she couldn't tell just by scent.
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Post by βΎΡΞ·ΟΟzΡβ½ on May 21, 2019 11:19:58 GMT -5
Ravenstar stood over the fallen Fogstar, laughing. βI shouldnβt have let you escape that camp that night. Do these cats even know why I was actually chosen as deputy? Or did you play the fool all along? We both know you knew my true nature," he whispered, crouching down to Fogstarβs level.
The FogClan leaderβs eyes grew wide when he mentioned that, his pelt prickling in fear. He canβt possible be doing this now!
"Your secret is about to come out, Fogstar.β Ravenstar stood back up and walked to the edge of the ledge, feasting his eyes on the battle below. He flicked his tail and called out to them. βCats! Stop this fighting!" he yowled, scraping his claws against the rock. He wanted the cats to know who they were fighting for before he finished his mission.
βIβm sure the ones who followed Fogstar wondered what he saw in me, the evil cat you think I am.β He chuckled. "Evil? Ridiculous. I was chosen because your leader is hiding a little secret from all of you.β
Fogstar felt frozen in place, his ears pressed flat against his head as he stared at Ravenstar.
βHe isnβt the kind, loving leader you always had.β Ravenstar turned to smirk at Fogstar, who turned his head away in shame. βWho here remembers our former leader, before Fogstar, Maplestar?β The question was rhetorical, he knew many would remember the kind leader who put others before herself, the one who died from her bought of greencough. Fogstar tried to claw at the rock, scrambling to get closer to Ravenstar. Ravenstar kicked him in the face, sending his head back as blood poured out where he was hit. Fogstar swayed from the impact, blood seeping down his face.
βWell, Fogstar and I were put on that patrol to find the catmint that would save our leader.β Fogstar gave a weak shout at him to stop, his fur bristling. Everything around him was spinning, he could see two of Ravenstar, which should he attack?
"Well," Ravenstar continued, "your precious leader and I didnβt even bother with the search, he and I just walked around the territory, knowing full well that if we didnβt find it our leader would pass before her time. I will admit I did take it a step further by destroying the catmint left in our territory, but Fogstar watched me do it when we came across it.β
Fogstar desperately wanted to defend himself, he knew what he did was wrong, he was young, Maplestar wouldnβt listen to him when he spoke out and the clan was falling apart back then in his eyes.
βSo, knowing full well what he did, he chose me to be your deputy. He chose me because he wanted to keep his dark secret to himself. I am the rightful leader of CedarClan.β
Fogstar hauled himself up on shaky legs, growling as he stared at the ground beneath him to gather his senses. He jerked his head to Ravenstar, yowling.
βNo! You will never be the leader of our clan, if I can do one thing right in this life it will be taking you out.β He remembered the night he became leader, how Ravenstar had approached him with congratulations...how he told him to let him be deputy and they could rule over the whole forest together or let his secret come out in front of everyone.
βIf you had brought back the catmint and not let me destroy it , she would still be here!"
Fogstar bunched up his muscles and launched himself at Ravenstar, sending the both of them off the Tall Ledge and into the group of cats below. The two were locked into each other, claws unsheathed and drawing blood.
Fogstar felt fury rising in him, his claws digging deeper into the pelt of Ravenstar.
"Youβre nothing more than a cowardly version of me, Fogstar.β Ravenstar hissed, pinning the leader to the ground. Ravenstar dug his claws deep into the tomβs chest, fury still filling him. Ravenstar felt the leader still beneath him and he slowly released his claws. He shoved Fogstarβs body aside as he turned to the other cats. βIf this doesnβt prove who should lead your clan, then pay the price with your life.β
He heard something from behind him and he turned his head to see Fogstar rising up from his position on the ground, his legs weak and blood now drying over his pelt. Ravenstar laughed as he turned to the gray tom, meeting him halfway.
Fogstar watched the cats around him, staring at him with bloodstained pelts. This is my fault, no one here deserves to die from this tyrant...if anyone does, itβs me.
He held his high as he met the cold gaze of Ravenstar. The black tom was unmoved, standing defiantly in front of the cat he should have ended moons ago.
Fogstar charged, barrelling into Ravenstar with all his might and fury, forcing him to the ground. Wrath took over as he dug his claws into Ravenstarβs neck. Ravenstar just stared back, no shock in his face as he opened his mouth.
βYou're nothing without me.β Ravenstar croaked out, spitting blood in Fogstarβs face. "And you know it."
Fogstar hissed, fur bristling, and pressed down harder, willing the tom to stop.
Ravenstar lashed out with his hind paws, slamming them into Fogstar's belly. Fogstar was flung sideways and slammed into the ground with a painful thud and lay unmoving in the dirt.
Ravenstar stalked towards the fallen leader, ready to land a blow that will take away all of his lives.
A screech from the crowd of cats turned his head. From the throng, a cat barreled towards him, almost stumbling over their own paws.
βYou wonβt destroy this clan, Ravenstar!β he screeched as he jumped on top of Ravenstarβs back. The leader shook himself wildly, trying to free the claws from his pelt but he couldnβt. He reared back onto his hind legs and fell back, crushing the tom.
βNightwish, you really think you could fight me?β He scoffed, dragging himself up now and shaking his pelt as he turned to face the crippled warrior. Nightwish was panting as he forced himself to his paws.
βI donβt think I can, I know I can.β He brought his claws across Ravenstarβs throat, trying to dig them in deep enough to fatally wound him. Ravenstar coughed roughly. Red filled his vision as he stared at Nightwish. He wouldnβt be bested by a cat who wasnβt even worthy of clan life.
He clawed blindly at Nightwish, scoring his claws along his opponent's face, slicing cleanly through the left eye, and left deep furrows in Nightwish's chest.
Nightwishβs chest heaved. Searing pain to shot through him with each new breath. Ravenstar grinned at him, watching as he slowly grew weaker, knowing this was the end of the warrior. He took a step back as Nightwish collapsed in a heap in front of him.
βAnyone else want to play the cat who saves everyone?β he called, sweeping his tail along the ground invitingly. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Fogstar crouching pitifully, staring at his paws.
Snaketooth glanced at Robinsong from across the battle, his heart pounding in his chest. He had to stay alive for her, but his best friend in Cedarclan was laying on the ground now, dying. He had to do something didnβt he?
He weaved his way through the cats and stared at Ravenstar with wide eyes.
Ravenstar rolled his eyes, still bleeding and laughed. "These are your best? A cripple and a fool?β
Snaketooth felt the fur on his pelt prickle. This was the cat who mocked him and tortured his clan mates. He had to do this. Fogstar was obviously down for the count, he was still losing blood, a lot of it, and he looked to be slipping in and out of consciousness.
As Ravenstar laughed Snaketooth noticed that the leader had left his throat exposed once more. He dove in and dug his teeth deep into his neck, biting as hard as he could.
Ravenstar choked in surprise, trying to tear himself free. When he did, it was obvious he wouldnβt survive much longer. Ravenstar knew this, but he wasnβt going down without a fight now. Ravenstar brought himself down on top of Snaketoothβs back and clawed furiously. Snaketooth shook him off, taking deep breaths now as he looked at the fallen leader. Ravenstarβs breathing was labored and he seemed to be slowly dying. He was screeching now, his vision no longer in this world.
βSnowclaw! Let me in!β He screamed, scraping at the ground below him. He swiped at air, screaming. βWhy canβt I move? What are you-β His words were cut off by more choking sounds and he finally stilled. Snaketooth looked to Fogstar, who was now laying still, no breathing. His own breath hitched for a moment until the leader finally opened his eyes to the clan.
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Post by owlspots on May 21, 2019 11:22:35 GMT -5
"I-I think so?" Willowpatch coughed as soon as the words left her mouth: a horrible hacking noise in the back of her throat that hurt her lungs. She staggered to her paws, her legs trembling with the aftershock of her fall. She looked up at Lightningfinch, her blue eyes wide with terror, and then up at Fogstar. Fogstar was fighting with the black tom who had thrown her from the ledge, but from down in the camp she could not tell who was winning.
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Post by SmugGull on May 21, 2019 11:26:23 GMT -5
Lightningfinch immediately offered Willowpatch her shoulder, staring at the fighting between the two leaders. "It'll be okay," she offered weakly, but her wide blue eyes betrayed her fears as she looked back at Willowpatch.
It'll be okay, she tried to tell herself. It will! It'll be fine - everything will be fine -
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Post by βΎΡΞ·ΟΟzΡβ½ on May 21, 2019 11:32:33 GMT -5
With Ravenstar no longer a threat, Snaketooth ran to Nightwish's body. He let out a high pitched cry when he saw he wasn't breathing anymore. "Owltuft! Someone! Please! He can still be saved!" He buried his face into his friend's neck, sobs racking his body now. He couldn't be dead, he just came to the clan, got his warrior name. They were going to have moons ahead of them! "What are you doing standing there!" He cried to a cat near him, not even able to see who it was through his tears. "Get help! We have to save him!"
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Post by owlspots on May 21, 2019 11:45:41 GMT -5
"He's gone, right?" Redtuft's voice broke Snowclaw from his thoughts, and the white tom turned to face the former CedarClan warrior, peeling his gaze away from the shadow of the black tom far below them. "Yes, Redtuft, he's gone," Snowclaw mewed, "he will no longer trouble our Clanmates, living or dead." The white tom sighed, his shoulders sagging as though a heavy burden had just been removed from them. "I wish I'd killed him a long time ago, but I suppose it matters little now," he murmured, his tail-tip twitching as he spoke. He cast his gaze over each of the cats stood with him: Dappleleaf, Redtuft and Badgerpaw. Badgerpaw's black-and-white fur shone with stars, and Dappleleaf carried the glow of silverpelt in her eyes. But Redtuft glowed with no such light.
Snowclaw frowned, and took a step towards the red-furred warrior. The look in Redtuft's eyes told Snowclaw that he knew this as well, but there was no anger or resentment there - only acceptance. As Snowclaw opened his mouth to speak, Redtuft shook his head, as though to assure him that nothing needed to be said. "With what I have done, there should be no place for me in StarClan," Redtuft murmured; although his expression was one of resignation, Snowclaw could hear the sorrow in his voice as he spoke. "I only wish things had ended differently." Redtuft took a step over the border, away from them.
The white-furred warrior exchanged a glance with Dappleleaf, and then with Badgerpaw. The young black-and-white tom's orange eyes brightened knowingly as soon as Snowclaw's gaze met his. Badgerpaw stepped forward, and reached up, touching his nose to Redtuft's as the ginger tom hung his head. A purr escaped Snowclaw's throat as Redtuft was enveloped in stardust, and when the former CedarClan warrior gasped, Snowclaw laughed. "With what you've done, you have long since earned your place in StarClan, old friend," he purred, reaching out to brush his tail along Redtuft's spine to soothe the bristling fur there.
Redtuft's eyes shone with gratitude, and he bowed deeply to his new Clanmates, his whiskers brushing the ground briefly before he raised his head. "I-I...Thank you, Snowclaw, thank you so much," he breathed. Snowclaw smiled. Silently, he beckoned with a tilt of his head for the others to follow him, and padded away into the trees.
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Post by Ziotsu on May 21, 2019 12:05:56 GMT -5
Emberpaw was ready to continue the fight despite what she heard Ravenstar say, though when Sparrowcloud moved his gaze up she did the same. She still felt like the battle wasn't done, despite the pair having exchanged a few more blows, but she couldn't bring herself to attack a distracted opponent when all had gone still around them. She listened carefully, not sure if she should take the words for truth. Even if it was true, she couldn't find any good argument for Ravenstar being the rightful leader. If what was said is true then both parties were equally guilty of the action. Emberpaw couldn't continue her thoughts past that, the flurry of movement pulled her away from them. She watched the fight even more closely, trying to make out what was going on, who was winning, if anyone lost a life. Her breath hitched, she didn't see any movement from Fogstar after the fight between the two on the ledge. She could barely breath watching Nightwish and Snaketooth try to fight off Ravenstar, she should be helping, not standing around like a shocked mouse. Just as quickly as it started, it ended. Finally Emberpaw could get some movement to her legs, padding forward carefully, her pace quickened to check on the cats who had actually done something to take down Ravenstar or just anyone who managed to actually drive a cat away from the fight.
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Post by owlspots on May 21, 2019 12:07:41 GMT -5
Kitepaw crouched beside his mother, his eyes wide with fear as he stared at the blood matting her tawny fur. "Brambleflower, can you- can you get up?" he asked softly. Brambleflower tried to push herself to her paws, but fell to the ground again with a grunt. She had been beaten up pretty badly by Reedclaw before Redtuft had interfered, but now Redtuft was dead and Reedclaw had dragged himself off somewhere to bleed. Or so Kitepaw had thought. A sharp hiss from somewhere behind him drew his attention, and the dark tabby tom snapped his head around; his eyes widened as he found himself face to face with his father, bleeding heavily from a bite wound on his hind leg and several deep scratches along his flanks. Kitepaw's eyes turned cold, and without hesitation he lunged for Reedclaw.
"You'll never hurt a fly if you keep fighting like that," Birchpelt jeered, dodging Kitepaw's claws with ease, "what are you, Fogstar?" The pale brown tabby swung a hefty paw at Kitepaw's head, claws unsheathed, and knocked him to the ground. "You can't be Reedclaw's son, you're pathetic." Anger surged beneath Kitepaw's pelt and he charged at Birchpelt, slamming into his mentor's flank with his shoulder. Birchpelt snarled, staggering to the side, unbalanced by Kitepaw's attack. Kitepaw used those precious seconds to slash at Birchpelt's muzzle, and the tabby warrior hissed as blood spurted from a gash below his eye. Kitepaw saw red, and tackled Birchpelt to the ground, holding on for dear life as his mentor thrashed around underneath him. When he finally kicked him off, Birchpelt scrambled to his paws and spat on the ground between them, his green eyes cold and hard. But Kitepaw saw pride there, and it made his chest swell.
It was as though he was fighting with Birchpelt all over again. Except this time, it was Kitepaw who swung the heavy blow. His claws collided with Reedclaw's head, and the ginger tom yowled as Kitepaw tore his ear. Reedclaw tried to turn on his son as Brambleflower screeched somewhere behind them, but Kitepaw's vision was crimson and all he could hear was the pounding of blood in his ears. The next thing he knew, Reedclaw was on the ground and Kitepaw's claws were buried in his chest. "Kitepaw, Kitepaw stop!" Brambleflower cried out. This time he heard her, and although he loosened his grip on Reedclaw to look over at his mother, Reedclaw made no attempt to get up. Brambleflower stopped at his shoulder, and Kitepaw glanced back down at his father who lay still beneath his claws. Reedclaw chuckled, but the sound was broken by a fit of gurgling coughs. Blood trickled out from the ginger tabby tom's mouth, and Kitepaw's heart seized with the sudden realisation that he had attacked his father. "Birchpelt lied to me," Reedclaw rasped out, his chest seizing with another coughing fit as more blood gurgled in his throat, "you're a better fighter than he ever let on." Kitepaw took a step back, away from his father, shaking his head in disbelief. "I might've been proud to call you my son." Whether it was in slow motion or all too fast - Kitepaw could not decide - Reedclaw's head lolled to one side, and did not speak again. His father was dead, and he had delivered the killing blow.
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Post by owlspots on May 21, 2019 12:11:12 GMT -5
Willowpatch accepted Lightningfinch's offer of support, and leaned her weight into the older she-cat as she tried to fully regain her balance. Her legs still shook with the effort of keeping her body upright, and she really wanted to sit down and rest, but even with Ravenstar dead the battle was not entirely over.
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Post by owlspots on May 21, 2019 12:14:52 GMT -5
Waspwing staggered to Snaketooth's side, all but collapsing by Nightwish's body. "Snaketooth- Snaketooth c'mon, you have to get up," she murmured frantically, tugging at the silver tabby tom's fur as he hunched over his fallen friend, "he's gone, Snaketooth, he's gone." When Snaketooth showed no signs of moving, Waspwing relented with a sorrowful sigh and bowed her head, pushing her nose into Nightwish's fur. "I didn't know him for long, but I don't think I've ever seen a braver cat in my whole life," she whispered, half to herself.
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Post by owlspots on May 21, 2019 12:19:53 GMT -5
Brambleflower forced herself to her paws. As she stared down at her son, who stood over Reedclaw's lifeless body with his head bowed, she couldn't bring herself to feel anything. Was she angry, that he had been the one to kill him? Was she angry that fate had made him be the one? Neither were questions that she could answer; her primary need at that moment was to get Kitepaw as far away from his father as she possibly could. She curled her tail around him and drew him into her flank, and her heart broke when he let out a soft cry, burrowing his muzzle into her blood-stained fur. "Come along, little one," she soothed, reaching around to lick between his ears, "it's over, now." She looked around for Tigerstripe, needing the support of her brother more than anything, but she could not see him, even among the fallen.
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Post by βΎΡΞ·ΟΟzΡβ½ on May 21, 2019 12:23:27 GMT -5
{He has kits already, so I'm sorry no. They are a major part of the plot right now and they've been chosen }
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Post by β¨ nissabug β¨ on May 21, 2019 12:26:52 GMT -5
Shadefang rose from where she had the tortoiseshell she-cat pinned down, who was too scared to even struggle. She stared at Fawnstep a moment, then moved to let the cat scramble to her paws. βI donβt wanna fight with CedarClan anymore!β she whispered, as if Ravenstar were listening at any moment. Shadefang eyed her cautiously, then looked at Fawnstep. βWell, do we let her?β she breathed. More paws were always useful, but it was hard to tell who was lying and telling the truth in this battle.
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Post by owlspots on May 21, 2019 12:27:09 GMT -5
"Please wake up, Nettle! Please!" Rabbit cried. The little tom's voice was laden with complete and utter despair, muffled by the fur of his sister, lifeless by his paws. "Please- I need you, I need you! I can't do it alone!" He flung himself over her, burying his face in her neck fur as he cradled her cold body close to him. Horrible, violent sobs wracked his body as he cried, tears blurring his vision. But Nettle was gone, and Rabbit knew deep down that there was no way he could bring her back. He had tried to attack Wasp, knowing that it had been her who had killed his sister, but he couldn't bring himself to land a single blow. Wasp had been his best friend in the whole world, and had been the only one to stand by him through everything. When she'd run away, he'd been heartbroken, and seeing her again during the battle had made him so unbelievably happy. But then he'd found her with Nettle's blood staining her paws and his whole world had come crashing down around him. He was alone again. But where would he go? With Nettle gone...he couldn't return to Ravenstar's Clan even if Ravenstar was dead. Why did it have to be her? Why not me? I'm useless, I can't do anything! You should have taken me...
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Post by βΎΡΞ·ΟΟzΡβ½ on May 21, 2019 12:28:23 GMT -5
Snaketooth slowly moved his head to look at Waspwing, trying to not choke out words. "He's really gone isn't he?" He asked, trying to stop his voice from cracking but it already was. A lot. "He can't...He survived so much just to be taken out...by him!" He screamed the last words, his eyes flashing to Ravenstar's body now. He could feel his body shaking still, he collapsed into Waspwing's side, unmoving.
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Post by βΎΡΞ·ΟΟzΡβ½ on May 21, 2019 12:31:12 GMT -5
"We should let her join us, Shadefang. She's harmless...I think." Fawnstep seemed unsure of her own words, but she knew that Shadefang would be able to protect her if it truly came down to it. She pressed her muzzle into Shadefang's neck fur, lightly pushing her off Poisonface. She felt safe while doing this, as though nothing could harm her. She tried to ignore the feeling, like she had all these moons before but she couldn't any longer.
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Post by β¨ nissabug β¨ on May 21, 2019 12:31:51 GMT -5
Snailpaw had been sitting in front of the apprenticeβs den, her fur bushed up and claws out. She had no idea what she should do, as she wasnβt nearly as good at combat as she bragged. She lunges out at other cats occasionally, but otherwise stayed out of it so they had one less cat to worry about getting hurt. Her eyes widened as she watched Kitepaw round on a CedarClan warrior, and she could see the red in his eyes from a distance. Her paws felt stuck to the cave floor. Kitepaw held the cat down with unsheathes claws, and as blood poured out of the warrior, Snailpaw let out a small gasp. She couldnβt hear what they were saying, but she didnβt want to find out. As Kitepaw moved away from his body, she crouched down and flattened her ears. βKitepaw...?β
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Post by owlspots on May 21, 2019 12:32:17 GMT -5
Hound staggered where he stood. Darkness had swallowed him the moment Jayleap's claws had nicked his eye, and now he felt lost. He had lost his first eye when he was young and foolish, an idiot on a quest to prove himself to the whole world; it had been a symbol of his own idiocy, yes, but also of his courage. Now he had no eyes, and was helpless. "Hello? Is anybody there? Nettle? Ravenstar?" he called out, and for the first time in fifty moons he heard fear in his own voice.
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Post by βΎΡΞ·ΟΟzΡβ½ on May 21, 2019 12:33:13 GMT -5
Scorchfeather was still shaking as he brought himself to his paws and leaned onto Snowfrost. "He's-Is that him?" He asked, looking to the fallen body among the mourning warriors. Was he free? Could he...could he join the group? His eyes widened as he looked around the group of cats, wondering who he could ask. "Snowfrost, we could ask them if we can join them! We'd be able to live the life of actual warriors now!"
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Post by βΎΡΞ·ΟΟzΡβ½ on May 21, 2019 12:34:57 GMT -5
{He has kits already, so I'm sorry no. They are a major part of the plot right now and they've been chosen } (please!! Can I be a kit that was separated at birth and has now found her father and all and gets told the truth ;-;) {Silver, you chose her backstory. She was born to rogues, then I allowed you to change it to she was born Cloudsplash. His cats are way older than Silverpaw. I cannot, I'm sorry. }
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Post by owlspots on May 21, 2019 12:36:08 GMT -5
"He's in StarClan now," Waspwing murmured gently, pressing her muzzle briefly to Snaketooth's neck, "with Snowclaw and Dappleleaf." She had no idea how many of their other Clanmates were dead, and that was what broke her heart. Nightwish had been so brave, and yet StarClan had seen fit to end his life at the paws of Ravenstar. That monster, he was lucky he'd died before she'd got her claws on him. "He'll never have to worry about his leg or anything else ever again."
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Post by β¨ nissabug β¨ on May 21, 2019 12:37:10 GMT -5
βMy name is Poisonface,β started the tortoiseshell. She wanted to continue, but the battle was relentless and there was no time for this. She shook her head, then pounced on a nearby cat, either a rogue or a CedarClan warrior. She didnβt care which.
Shadefang felt her fur heat up, and the idea of Poisonface left her mind immediately. She blinked down at Fawnstep before slowly laying her muzzle on top of the she-catβs head. βAre you alright?β she murmured, her voice turning soft despite the ongoing battle around them.
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