Post by Sundance on May 29, 2020 17:27:47 GMT -5
I've been theorizing what could happen in Arc 8 that's fresh since it feels like the series is quickly exhausting its options as far as new content is concerned-and ended up concocting a hodge-podge of ideas. :-P
Would absolutely LOVE to hear where you want the series to go, moving forward. Whether it's just a single character design or plot line you're dying to see used, or a long-arse AU like mine. Throw them at me!! :-D
--
I'd have Arc 8 be the last arc with two POV's.
POV #1: a hairless or bengal kittypet who dreams of joining the Clans.
• Their coat color (or lack of it) would physically set them apart from the Clan cats-especially if they're hairless, can you imagine the ridicule they'd face for it?
• Having a former-kittypet protagonist would not only add a "fresh" perspective, but would be a nice throwback to
Rusty for the final arc
• Unlike Firestar, they would be reluctant to join the Clans fully at first and keep "a paw in two worlds." Their collar would also remain on - in part because they can't get the damn thing off. It's tough material.
POV #2: a tortoiseshell or calico BloodClan-born cat who dreams of destroying the Clans
• They would provide our first true anti-hero protagonist in the main arcs.
Antagonist: a small white cat, the new BloodClan leader, who has one hell of a secret weapon: a ferocious dog at their beck and call that they have the uncanny -and sole- ability to speak to
• They single-handedly brought BloodClan back together after Scourge's death and Snake & Ice's failure at ruling BloodClan in Ravenpaw's Path.
• Unlike most villains in the series, they have a family they clearly love. And they hate getting their paws dirty-showing an aversion to blood (touching it-not ordering it shed).
• Though when they do fight, they use crude weapons - like sharpened sticks - to impale their enemies
• Far too often in the series, we see villains come to power with talks of grander, only to fail miserably at leading successfully and result to torturing or slowly starving the cats under their control. Not so here. They are genuinely good at ruling.
• Most of BloodClan loves them for uniting the alley cats and bringing stability to the city. They are truly generous & kind to cats under their control.... that follow the rules. Like Darktail with the Kin, leaving BloodClan is forbidden and will result in immediate death. Rule breakers face the same, or a similar, fate. But, hey, if you don't step a paw out of line - peace, safety!
Overlying conflict-Antagonist either seeks to extend BloodClan's rule to the lake territories, or wants vengeance against the Clans
Underlying conflict-The Clan's ways, including the warrior code, are inherently flawed and NEED to change
POV #1 (hairless former kittypet)'s role in everything:
• They have a prophecy about them, but rather than it implying that they'll save the clans - it's interpreted as they'll destroy the Clans.
• They receive visions from StarClan, if not from Firestar himself
• Because of their past as a kittypet, they harness the unique-and sole-ability to talk to the Antagonist's dog (save for the Antagonist himself). Their collar also allows them to masquerade as a BloodClan cat, and deflect killing blows. Three crucial powers.
• Their story arc not only involves learning to fit in with the Clans and defeating BloodClan, but changing the warrior code for GOOD. Being at the forefront of this movement to upend the status quo gets them in all sorts of trouble, and gives them no shortage of enemies within the Clans.
• They ultimately end up accomplishing their goal of uniting the Clans (more on that below) and settle down in ThunderClan, with the intention of traveling to and from the other Clans often.
• (I chose ThunderClan as their homebase because, with this being the last arc, it's only fitting to start & finish the series with the POV in ThunderClan.)
POV #2 (tortoiseshell BloodClan born cat)'s role in everything:
• They are a loyal BloodClan member -kind to their peers, but cruel to outsiders. They possess a deep-seated hate for the Clans, and toe the fine line between good and evil.
• They join the Clans as a spy for BloodClan. The experience seems to really change them for the better, but when the Antagonist dies in book 4-5 it restores their fury towards the Clans and the take over as BloodClan's leader. Aka Public Enemy #1.
• In the end, they see the error of their ways and help to disband BloodClan, which disperses among the five Clans. They themselves join ShadowClan ... in part, because ShadowClan has lost some of their territory to encroaching twolegs and they're able to teach ShadowClan how to expertly maneuver streets and scavenge for food in dumpsters when prey is scarce in the forest.
• (I think of them as a more likable Breezepelt-type character with an actual, realistic, satisfying redemption arc)
• Alt ending: they die :-P
Resolution:
The arc would end with the five Clans deciding to unite - to have open borders, and to be more welcoming of outsiders. So while the forest-dwelling cats may still call themselves "ThunderClan." and the cats who enjoy the open moors "WindClan," they are ultimately one united force for good. Forbidden relationships, petty border disputes, and toxic patriotism are a thing of the past. Cats can love who they choose, live where they choose, and outsiders are welcomed. (Hence this would need to be the final arc. :-P )
The reintroduction of BloodClan would not only be a throwback to the first arc, but it would help show the Clans the glaring error in their own ways. (Example scene- some Clan cat raves about BloodClan being so hostile and cruel towards outsiders, and POV #1 is like "yeah, but are we really all that different? Pretty sure I've been bullied & threatened for being a former kittypet like 19347595 in the last three books.")
Don't kill me for wanting to reintroduce BloodClan I promise my angsty Scrouge loving days are over I just like alley cats
--
Miscellaneous things I'd consider adding:
• A rabies subplot
• A talking mountain lion minor antagonist
• Reintroducing Sol or Sleekwhisker as a secondary antagonist and killing them off for good
• Having a third protagonist that's a Clan-born cat, probably a descendant of one of the main characters from a previous arc
Would absolutely LOVE to hear where you want the series to go, moving forward. Whether it's just a single character design or plot line you're dying to see used, or a long-arse AU like mine. Throw them at me!! :-D
--
I'd have Arc 8 be the last arc with two POV's.
POV #1: a hairless or bengal kittypet who dreams of joining the Clans.
• Their coat color (or lack of it) would physically set them apart from the Clan cats-especially if they're hairless, can you imagine the ridicule they'd face for it?
• Having a former-kittypet protagonist would not only add a "fresh" perspective, but would be a nice throwback to
Rusty for the final arc
• Unlike Firestar, they would be reluctant to join the Clans fully at first and keep "a paw in two worlds." Their collar would also remain on - in part because they can't get the damn thing off. It's tough material.
POV #2: a tortoiseshell or calico BloodClan-born cat who dreams of destroying the Clans
• They would provide our first true anti-hero protagonist in the main arcs.
Antagonist: a small white cat, the new BloodClan leader, who has one hell of a secret weapon: a ferocious dog at their beck and call that they have the uncanny -and sole- ability to speak to
• They single-handedly brought BloodClan back together after Scourge's death and Snake & Ice's failure at ruling BloodClan in Ravenpaw's Path.
• Unlike most villains in the series, they have a family they clearly love. And they hate getting their paws dirty-showing an aversion to blood (touching it-not ordering it shed).
• Though when they do fight, they use crude weapons - like sharpened sticks - to impale their enemies
• Far too often in the series, we see villains come to power with talks of grander, only to fail miserably at leading successfully and result to torturing or slowly starving the cats under their control. Not so here. They are genuinely good at ruling.
• Most of BloodClan loves them for uniting the alley cats and bringing stability to the city. They are truly generous & kind to cats under their control.... that follow the rules. Like Darktail with the Kin, leaving BloodClan is forbidden and will result in immediate death. Rule breakers face the same, or a similar, fate. But, hey, if you don't step a paw out of line - peace, safety!
Overlying conflict-Antagonist either seeks to extend BloodClan's rule to the lake territories, or wants vengeance against the Clans
Underlying conflict-The Clan's ways, including the warrior code, are inherently flawed and NEED to change
POV #1 (hairless former kittypet)'s role in everything:
• They have a prophecy about them, but rather than it implying that they'll save the clans - it's interpreted as they'll destroy the Clans.
• They receive visions from StarClan, if not from Firestar himself
• Because of their past as a kittypet, they harness the unique-and sole-ability to talk to the Antagonist's dog (save for the Antagonist himself). Their collar also allows them to masquerade as a BloodClan cat, and deflect killing blows. Three crucial powers.
• Their story arc not only involves learning to fit in with the Clans and defeating BloodClan, but changing the warrior code for GOOD. Being at the forefront of this movement to upend the status quo gets them in all sorts of trouble, and gives them no shortage of enemies within the Clans.
• They ultimately end up accomplishing their goal of uniting the Clans (more on that below) and settle down in ThunderClan, with the intention of traveling to and from the other Clans often.
• (I chose ThunderClan as their homebase because, with this being the last arc, it's only fitting to start & finish the series with the POV in ThunderClan.)
POV #2 (tortoiseshell BloodClan born cat)'s role in everything:
• They are a loyal BloodClan member -kind to their peers, but cruel to outsiders. They possess a deep-seated hate for the Clans, and toe the fine line between good and evil.
• They join the Clans as a spy for BloodClan. The experience seems to really change them for the better, but when the Antagonist dies in book 4-5 it restores their fury towards the Clans and the take over as BloodClan's leader. Aka Public Enemy #1.
• In the end, they see the error of their ways and help to disband BloodClan, which disperses among the five Clans. They themselves join ShadowClan ... in part, because ShadowClan has lost some of their territory to encroaching twolegs and they're able to teach ShadowClan how to expertly maneuver streets and scavenge for food in dumpsters when prey is scarce in the forest.
• (I think of them as a more likable Breezepelt-type character with an actual, realistic, satisfying redemption arc)
• Alt ending: they die :-P
Resolution:
The arc would end with the five Clans deciding to unite - to have open borders, and to be more welcoming of outsiders. So while the forest-dwelling cats may still call themselves "ThunderClan." and the cats who enjoy the open moors "WindClan," they are ultimately one united force for good. Forbidden relationships, petty border disputes, and toxic patriotism are a thing of the past. Cats can love who they choose, live where they choose, and outsiders are welcomed. (Hence this would need to be the final arc. :-P )
The reintroduction of BloodClan would not only be a throwback to the first arc, but it would help show the Clans the glaring error in their own ways. (Example scene- some Clan cat raves about BloodClan being so hostile and cruel towards outsiders, and POV #1 is like "yeah, but are we really all that different? Pretty sure I've been bullied & threatened for being a former kittypet like 19347595 in the last three books.")
--
Miscellaneous things I'd consider adding:
• A rabies subplot
• A talking mountain lion minor antagonist
• Reintroducing Sol or Sleekwhisker as a secondary antagonist and killing them off for good
• Having a third protagonist that's a Clan-born cat, probably a descendant of one of the main characters from a previous arc
