|☾ ☼ ϟ ≈ Skyclan: The Resilient and Tough |☾ ☼ ϟ ≈ ☁| ☼

“Robinwing?” Basilpaw murmured, confused for a moment before his blood ran cold. That name was familiar, though he knew that she was more well known as Robinstar. Surely… surely it hadn’t been Robinstar speaking. How could she possibly have spoken through Spiritstar? Swallowing down his newfound fear, he focused on Lavendersky once more.

“You might not have cared what others said, but I know you cared about us. Spiderbite ran out of camp. Is he getting something for you?” He asked, before he asked. “Can I get you anything?”

"ThunderClan cats would be jealous of this view." Willownose admired, knowing they wouldn't have strayed this deep into SkyClan territory despite their alliance. At Redspring's remark, she sighed. Any cat coming up here would be oblivious to the chaos below. "Do you ever wonder why darkness comes to SkyClan? Or to the Clans at all?"

"It's okay." Firefang reassured softly. "We'll help our Clanmates together. Then, once we bring back peace, we'll have time some to relax and spend more time with each other. How's that?" he offered.

“We have the misfortune of having one of the most evil cats in Clans history as our leader for moons. Robinstar’s hatred was stronger than Starclan, at one point. But we turned the tides. I guess that kind of hatred doesn’t just die.” Redspring growled, tail lashing. She looked at Willownose for a long moment. “I love you and Ashfeather too much to see you in danger. And I love Skyclan too much to give it up to hopelessness. I refuse.”

“Sounds like a grand plan. Heroic, even.” Buzzardfall hummed, both with teasing yet also with open admiration for Firefang’a dedication to others. His selflessness always inspired her. “I’m in.”

Basilpaw bit his lip. Lavendersky wasn’t wrong. Who would take the word of a lone apprentice? But, as he looked at the old medicine cat, and he thought of the hollowness he always saw in his mother’s eyes, the realization that the Dark Forest had tainted his own Uncle, he refused to be helpless when cats before had suffered through so much more.

“I believe you, Lavendersky. Even if nobody else does, I do. I may not have been there for Adderclan, but I can be here now. I’ll find cats to listen, no matter what it takes.” He paused, before he asked lightly. “The Clan believes that Warblerwind killed Spiritstar. Pushed her off Jagged Drop. Do you… do you believe he would have done that?” He wanted to know if Lavendersky too was sure that Warblerwind had probably confronted someone else.

But if that was the case, then… how would Warblerwind have known it wasn’t Spiritstar?

Basilpaw startled a little bit, though he relaxed quickly as Sandspirit voiced her experience. Nightsky’s recent passing had been difficult on the Clan as well. Dreamlily’s grief had pierced Basilpaw’s heart when she had been the only victim of the poisoned prey besides Spiritstar. Basilpaw still felt guilty that he had survived while she had not. Even so, it was the she-cat’s words that really struck him.

“So you noticed it.” He mumbled, before he decided that there was no reason to fear hiding it anymore. “Sandspirit, when I was in the den a few days ago from the poisoned prey, I overheard Spiritstar threatening Lavendersky. She… she said some horrible things, and it was like she was someone else entirely. She threatened me when she saw I overheard. She… she said that because I had kin who followed the Dark Forest, that they would come for me and my siblings… my mother, next, if I spoke to anyone. I was afraid… but, I don’t think that was Spiritstar at all.”

He looked nervous. “Is that crazy? How can a cat become another cat? It sounds so crazy!” He swallowed.

Basilpaw wilted with nervousness at what he was hearing. While he had been told of the Dark Forest and Adderclan as a kit, he didn’t expect it to have been this crazy. Dreams were one thing, but affecting cats in the living world while being dead and in the Dark Forest? That sounded horrifying! He looked at Sandspirit, guilt in his eyes as he mewed.

“My uncle, Goldfire? It really was true that he was tempted by the Dark Forest. Mom doesn’t talk about it alot, but she too was really affected by it. But… one thing I asked her was if this thing ever happened before. She said that when Skyclan was grieving Silversting’s death, that when that Shadowclan Warrior killed her, he tried to say that it wasn’t actually him that did it. That… something made him. I know that sounds like an excuse for murder, and that we still don’t like seeing him at gatherings but…” He hesitated, not sure if he could say it without them thinking he was tarnishing Silversting’s murder.

“Do you think… that maybe, he wasn’t fully lying?”

Basilpaw’s eyes widened. If Lavendersky said it was true, the Clans’ most wise medicine cat, then surely it had to be. This had happened before, and yet nobody was believing it! He stood up quickly as Lavendersky stumbled up, watching Sandspirit support her.

“So that’s why Cliffheart was the one that came here when the fire happened…” Basilpaw realized, knowing now that the Shadowclan tom’s connection ran deeper than roots to Skyclan. Cliffheart and Cardinalblaze had selflessly helped Skyclan that day. Basilpaw would never forget that. He looked at Lavendersky with a sudden understanding. “That’s who Spiderbite ran off to get, isn’t it? Without Spiritstar… he’s the only one left. He’ll come. He has to come!” He exclaimed, heart aching at the thought of Spiderbite coming back too late.

“If there’s one thing I know, it’s that cats who love you will do all they can to stay for you.” Basilpaw mewed lightly, thinking of how powerful his bond with Wingpaw and Specklepaw. If Lavendersky had a bond like that with Cliffheart, then surely he’d want to see her too. He moved to help Sandspirit try and dissuade her from attempting to move.

The apprentice mewed with a sense of hope. “Spiderbite would never give up. One way or another, he’s got to get Cliffheart to you. All you’ve done for Skyclan, you deserve to go getting your last wish…” He mewed, saddened that there was no denying she was going to Starclan soon. What could they possibly tell the already shattered Clan?

“No.” Basilpaw shook his head, gentle yet stubborn as he looked at Lavendersky with round eyes. He tucked around her nest, making sure that her moss was soft and comfortable as she was laid back down. “You’ve done more than you could ever imagine. I know I haven’t been alive all that long… but you’ve been there my entire life. You’ll always be special to Skyclan. Thank you, for taking care of us all.” He murmured, respectful and heartbroken.

“Wingpaw says the medicine cats are too grumpy, but I just think it means they take their jobs very seriously. I don’t mind it at all.” Basilpaw sniffed his sadness away, content to just be there for Lavendersky’s comfort. He looked at Sandspirit with appreciation. “You’re super kind for helping out. I’d like to be as selfless as you.” He decided.

“You still moping?” Ledgepaw tipped his head as he padded past his sister, glancing up towards the elder’s den. He was clearly still sombered by Spiritstar’s death, but he seemed keen to stay close to his siblings for the time being. “You could have just not snuck out, you know?”

(Heyyy. aanyone you wanna rp?)

“I like the way you think. The more we can do, the better.” Poppyclaw nodded his approval, before his eyes grew steely and steady once more. “We need to keep things as normal as possible. The other Clans cannot know yet that Spiritstar has…” He trailed off with a heavy sigh, before he rasped. “We need to find Whitesun, or appoint a new deputy.”