Concept for Rootspring's Super Edition (Spoilers for River)
Nov 9, 2022 16:09:26 GMT -5
𝓣𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓵, Jaysnow, and 2 more like this
Post by Leonard on Nov 9, 2022 16:09:26 GMT -5
It's been a whole year since A Light in the Mist was released and hopefully Bristlefrost isn't coming back, because that would kill all the impact of the final The Broken Code book, but it was still fun to think of the ways it could be done (and the generally high fantasy levels of The Broken Code generally permit that). While yes, the concept is quite unnecessary for this particular story, I think I'd be happy to see a what-if AU Super Edition done by Erins and it was fun coming up with this.
Rootspring's Choice
The book is set after the events of River.
Rootspring is wandering alone through the forest, thinking about his life, Bristlefrost and how the Clans have changed since Ashfur was killed. He remembers how he tried to summon Bristlefrost's ghost to Ivypool and Fernsong and thinks about trying to do it again, even though he knows it's doomed to failure. He then immediately discards the idea. Despite that, Rootspring senses a ghostly presence completely different from what he is used to and asks it to explain itself. The ghost introduces himself as Rock.
Rock tells Rootspring that he was cursed to live forever, knowing what was, what will be and what could be. And that he can share his curse with Rootspring and make him live in the world where Bristlefrost survived. He tells Rootspring that he will have six moons in that world, but he'll have to pay a terrible price for it. Rootspring is in disbelief, not knowing whether he can trust the new spirit, whether is a good idea, but the temptation is too great. He agrees, but Rock insist on yet another warning. Rootspring was not the first cat to have been offered that deal, but so far everyone who accepted it has regretted taking it. Rootspring doesn't hestitate for a second and agrees to it, stifling his doubts about the horrible price that he'll have to pay for it.
Rootspring wakes up, Bristlefrost being the first cat he sees upon waking up. Rootspring is in disbelief that it has really happened, but he's still overjoyed. Bristlefrost calls Fidgetflake to check up on Rootspring. Soon, Violetshine, Tree and Needleclaw join in the den and together with Bristlefrost they surround Rootspring with love and care. They tell him that Dark Forest negatively affects everyone in it and all the time Rootspring has spent there left him very weakened. Rootspring also learns, that although Bristlefrost has survived, Mistystar, Graystripe and Crowfeather have died instead.
Only then he realizes that Bristlefrost is in SkyClan. She explains that even though she has always thought that her heart was in ThunderClan, when she thought Rootspring was dying, she knew she had to be with him and at that time Rootspring was more important than anything else. Rootspring regrets not telling Bristlefrost that he had decided to join ThunderClan when in Dark Forest, but she brushes his worries aside. She misses ThunderClan, especially Ivypool and Fernsong, but she'll do her best to be the best SkyClan warrior and the Clan was very welcoming to her. Frecklewish decides that Rootspring is in good enough condition now to return to Warriors' den, and Bristlefrost asks him to come and share her nest with him.
Days pass, as Rootspring spends days patrolling and hunting with Bristlefrost, and getting friendly teased by his family. Peace is back at the Clans. The leaders and deputies, including Reedstar, who replaced fallen Mistystar and Leaftail, the new WindClan deputy discuss changing the warrior code. It mostly goes as in River, but with Bristlefrost surviving there isn't a strong pressure to remove the forbidden romance rule, so it's decided that it's staying. Rootspring and Bristlefrost try to argue for it, but they are unsuccessful.
Rootspring voices his concerns to Bristlefrost, worried that it may be used against them, but Bristlefrost replies that Leafstar has accepted her, as has almost everyone in SkyClan, so he shouldn't worry, just accept that they are going to be fine. And maybe when the Clans sees the depth of their love, they will change their mind on the rule, so others can be happy too. Rootspring feels uneasy, knowing about all the Clan changes that happened in River, but Bristlefrost interrupts his train of thought, explaining that not even the most mouse-brained leader would turn away a queen and kits. This catches Rootspring by surprise, and she mrrows with amusement.
Rootspring is overjoyed and yowls in happiness into the camp yelling that he's going to be a father. A few warriors run in, worried that something has happened, and Rootspring is embarassed that he caused a commotion. The whole Clan congratulates him, but he notices coldness from some of his Clanmates, like Fringewhisker, and more worryingly, his sister Needleclaw.
Fast forward to Bristlefrost giving birth to three kits: two gray one and one golden one, just like in their visions in A Light in The Mist. Rootspring vows to be the best father he can be. He's worried about the rift widening between him and his sister, but she refuses to explain what's going on and starts avoiding him. Between that and Rootspring spending most of his time with the kits and Bristlefrost, Needleclaw continues growing more distant.
The news come to the Clan soon, there was a border skirmish with ThunderClan about some prey jumping the borders. No one was seriously hurt, but Rootspring still finds Bristlefrost shaken. She explains that though she feels valued as a SkyClan warrior, she still feels loyal to ThunderClan and was angry at herself for being unable to help her birth Clan. She feels she promised to protect that Clan even at the cost of her life, and now she feels like a traitor both to ThunderClan for leaving them and to SkyClan for wanting to protect ThunderClan. Rootspring feels guilty about accepting Bristlefrost moving into SkyClan without a second thought, thinking himself inconsiderate. He tells Bristlefrost that he understands her pain and was always willing to move to ThunderClan for her, but she tries to reassure Rootspring that she will be okay.
Rootspring talks about moving to ThunderClan with Tree and Violetshine, and they say they'll miss him, but are very supportive of his choice regardless and are aware that it's been tough for Bristlefrost. Violetshine talks about her relationship with Twigbranch and suggests that Rootspring should talk to her at the next gathering, since she knows how hard it is to switch Clans and would be able to offer help her kin.
The gathering comes soon. Ivypool and Fernsong see Bristlefrost for the first time since she gave birth and cover her with loving licks, wishing the best for her, Rootspring and their kits. Rootspring talks with Twigbranch and explains how he would want to move into ThunderClan with Bristlefrost. Twigbranch is happy about the idea, but she warns Rootspring that it may not be as clean of a reunion as Bristlefrost would probably hope for, telling him about how long it took for her Clanmates to believe in her dedication to ThunderClan after she moved to SkyClan and back, and even now she's sadly aware that not everyone fully trusts her. Leaders announce their news. Bramblestar steps down as a leader, making Squirrelstar the new leader and she announces Ivypool as the next deputy. Bristlefrost congratulates her mother, who says that she always thought that Bristlefrost would be ThunderClan's deputy, but as long as Bristlefrost is happy, she will always support her. Bristlefrost mentions wistfully that she always imagined herself being ThunderClan deputy one day as well, but Rootspring and their kits matter more to her than anything else and she doesn't regret her choice.
After the gathering ends, Needleclaw confronts Rootspring. She has heard him talking about moving to ThunderClan and is furious. She has been talking with Fringewhisker and she knows that there are many cats who also have their loved ones in different Clans. But since they aren't heroes of the Clans like Rootspring and Bristlefrost, it's not as easy for them to resolve this or change the Clans. Rootspring tries defending himself, by saying that he tried changing the code, but Needleclaw doesn't believe that he tried hard enough and he doesn't care now that he's with Bristlefrost and has what he always wanted.
Rootspring realizes that he has less than a moon left from his original deal with Rock, and decides to summon his ghost. He meets with Rock and tells him that he figured out what Rock meant by punishment. Rock was never going to hurt Rootspring, the real punishment is having to return to his old world, knowing what he will never have. Rock is surprised, but shakes his head. He confirms that Rootspring is right that there is no additional punishment but also that Rootspring is allowed to stay in this world for the rest of his life if he so desires. But the decision is permanent and he has to make up his mind before the end of the original time Rock gave him.
Rootspring can't sleep that night. He thinks about how everything has gone wrong. The other lights in the mist are dead, the other cats in forbidden romances can't be happy. Bristlefrost is horribly homesick and Rootspring has the feeling that she will never become the Clan deputy, even if she returned to ThunderClan with him. And after all the time in SkyClan he spent with Bristlefrost, he finds it hard to abandon his Clan now, especially when the kits have roots here. But he has all that he has ever wanted, he loves Bristlefrost, they are happy together, and their kits are happy with them. Doesn't he deserve to be happy? He leaves the warrior den and goes to nursery to curl up beside Bristlefrost and their kits. It comforts him, but he still has a restless night. Bristlefrost wakes up, asking him what's wrong. He asks her if it's ever fair if something makes him happy but hurts many other cats. She tells him that she knows that he has already made up his mind, because Rootspring would never hurt anyone willingly but she wants to know what he means by that. Rootspring explains the deal with Rock, and what happened in his world, including the death and erasure of Bristlefrost's spirit.
Time passes.
The time Rootspring got from Rock comes close, and Rootspring decides to have his farewells with Bristlefrost. Bristlefrost asks him how he felt when she died and he explains the crushing the grip of grief on his heart. Bristlefrost nods sadly, saying that's how she has been feeling ever since he told her what happened in the Rootspring's world. He gives the final lick on the head to each of their kits, recalls the favourite moment he shared with each one of them and tells them he loves them and always will. Rootspring shares the rest of the night with Bristlefrost, saying he's sorry he is for leaving her, but she interrupts him. She says she has also left him to be alone in his world. Though they may not be happy together, the true warrior would always place the well-being of all above their own happiness and she knows she would have made that choice again and so would Rootspring. He wishes it could be the other way, but knows that she is true. They agree to have each others' love carry them through the lives in their respective worlds and Rootspring finally tells Rock that he is grateful for the opportunity to taste happiness with Bristlefrost, but he has to turn it down and wants to return back to his world.
Rootspring returns to SkyClan camp with his heart heavy. He's surprised by his sister Needleclaw sitting in the middle of the camp and looking at the stars. She runs up to him, worried, and tells him that she wanted to talk with him for a while, but she's always ended up too scared at the last second. Rootspring expresses that he'll always have time and heart for his sister and she finally breaks down, saying that she's leaving for WindClan. She has loved Leaftail for moons, but she never thought that the interClan romances could work. And now that the rules changed, thanks to Rootspring and Bristlefrost, she wanted to leave at the same time as Fringewhisker but she stayed in SkyClan because she was worried sick about Rootspring ever since he returned from the battle with Ashfur. Rootspring presses his flank against hers, and encourages her to go to WindClan. He will miss her, but he wants her happy and everyone deserves the choice to be with who they love.
The book is set after the events of River.
Rootspring is wandering alone through the forest, thinking about his life, Bristlefrost and how the Clans have changed since Ashfur was killed. He remembers how he tried to summon Bristlefrost's ghost to Ivypool and Fernsong and thinks about trying to do it again, even though he knows it's doomed to failure. He then immediately discards the idea. Despite that, Rootspring senses a ghostly presence completely different from what he is used to and asks it to explain itself. The ghost introduces himself as Rock.
Rock tells Rootspring that he was cursed to live forever, knowing what was, what will be and what could be. And that he can share his curse with Rootspring and make him live in the world where Bristlefrost survived. He tells Rootspring that he will have six moons in that world, but he'll have to pay a terrible price for it. Rootspring is in disbelief, not knowing whether he can trust the new spirit, whether is a good idea, but the temptation is too great. He agrees, but Rock insist on yet another warning. Rootspring was not the first cat to have been offered that deal, but so far everyone who accepted it has regretted taking it. Rootspring doesn't hestitate for a second and agrees to it, stifling his doubts about the horrible price that he'll have to pay for it.
Rootspring wakes up, Bristlefrost being the first cat he sees upon waking up. Rootspring is in disbelief that it has really happened, but he's still overjoyed. Bristlefrost calls Fidgetflake to check up on Rootspring. Soon, Violetshine, Tree and Needleclaw join in the den and together with Bristlefrost they surround Rootspring with love and care. They tell him that Dark Forest negatively affects everyone in it and all the time Rootspring has spent there left him very weakened. Rootspring also learns, that although Bristlefrost has survived, Mistystar, Graystripe and Crowfeather have died instead.
Only then he realizes that Bristlefrost is in SkyClan. She explains that even though she has always thought that her heart was in ThunderClan, when she thought Rootspring was dying, she knew she had to be with him and at that time Rootspring was more important than anything else. Rootspring regrets not telling Bristlefrost that he had decided to join ThunderClan when in Dark Forest, but she brushes his worries aside. She misses ThunderClan, especially Ivypool and Fernsong, but she'll do her best to be the best SkyClan warrior and the Clan was very welcoming to her. Frecklewish decides that Rootspring is in good enough condition now to return to Warriors' den, and Bristlefrost asks him to come and share her nest with him.
Days pass, as Rootspring spends days patrolling and hunting with Bristlefrost, and getting friendly teased by his family. Peace is back at the Clans. The leaders and deputies, including Reedstar, who replaced fallen Mistystar and Leaftail, the new WindClan deputy discuss changing the warrior code. It mostly goes as in River, but with Bristlefrost surviving there isn't a strong pressure to remove the forbidden romance rule, so it's decided that it's staying. Rootspring and Bristlefrost try to argue for it, but they are unsuccessful.
Rootspring voices his concerns to Bristlefrost, worried that it may be used against them, but Bristlefrost replies that Leafstar has accepted her, as has almost everyone in SkyClan, so he shouldn't worry, just accept that they are going to be fine. And maybe when the Clans sees the depth of their love, they will change their mind on the rule, so others can be happy too. Rootspring feels uneasy, knowing about all the Clan changes that happened in River, but Bristlefrost interrupts his train of thought, explaining that not even the most mouse-brained leader would turn away a queen and kits. This catches Rootspring by surprise, and she mrrows with amusement.
Rootspring is overjoyed and yowls in happiness into the camp yelling that he's going to be a father. A few warriors run in, worried that something has happened, and Rootspring is embarassed that he caused a commotion. The whole Clan congratulates him, but he notices coldness from some of his Clanmates, like Fringewhisker, and more worryingly, his sister Needleclaw.
Fast forward to Bristlefrost giving birth to three kits: two gray one and one golden one, just like in their visions in A Light in The Mist. Rootspring vows to be the best father he can be. He's worried about the rift widening between him and his sister, but she refuses to explain what's going on and starts avoiding him. Between that and Rootspring spending most of his time with the kits and Bristlefrost, Needleclaw continues growing more distant.
The news come to the Clan soon, there was a border skirmish with ThunderClan about some prey jumping the borders. No one was seriously hurt, but Rootspring still finds Bristlefrost shaken. She explains that though she feels valued as a SkyClan warrior, she still feels loyal to ThunderClan and was angry at herself for being unable to help her birth Clan. She feels she promised to protect that Clan even at the cost of her life, and now she feels like a traitor both to ThunderClan for leaving them and to SkyClan for wanting to protect ThunderClan. Rootspring feels guilty about accepting Bristlefrost moving into SkyClan without a second thought, thinking himself inconsiderate. He tells Bristlefrost that he understands her pain and was always willing to move to ThunderClan for her, but she tries to reassure Rootspring that she will be okay.
Rootspring talks about moving to ThunderClan with Tree and Violetshine, and they say they'll miss him, but are very supportive of his choice regardless and are aware that it's been tough for Bristlefrost. Violetshine talks about her relationship with Twigbranch and suggests that Rootspring should talk to her at the next gathering, since she knows how hard it is to switch Clans and would be able to offer help her kin.
The gathering comes soon. Ivypool and Fernsong see Bristlefrost for the first time since she gave birth and cover her with loving licks, wishing the best for her, Rootspring and their kits. Rootspring talks with Twigbranch and explains how he would want to move into ThunderClan with Bristlefrost. Twigbranch is happy about the idea, but she warns Rootspring that it may not be as clean of a reunion as Bristlefrost would probably hope for, telling him about how long it took for her Clanmates to believe in her dedication to ThunderClan after she moved to SkyClan and back, and even now she's sadly aware that not everyone fully trusts her. Leaders announce their news. Bramblestar steps down as a leader, making Squirrelstar the new leader and she announces Ivypool as the next deputy. Bristlefrost congratulates her mother, who says that she always thought that Bristlefrost would be ThunderClan's deputy, but as long as Bristlefrost is happy, she will always support her. Bristlefrost mentions wistfully that she always imagined herself being ThunderClan deputy one day as well, but Rootspring and their kits matter more to her than anything else and she doesn't regret her choice.
After the gathering ends, Needleclaw confronts Rootspring. She has heard him talking about moving to ThunderClan and is furious. She has been talking with Fringewhisker and she knows that there are many cats who also have their loved ones in different Clans. But since they aren't heroes of the Clans like Rootspring and Bristlefrost, it's not as easy for them to resolve this or change the Clans. Rootspring tries defending himself, by saying that he tried changing the code, but Needleclaw doesn't believe that he tried hard enough and he doesn't care now that he's with Bristlefrost and has what he always wanted.
Rootspring realizes that he has less than a moon left from his original deal with Rock, and decides to summon his ghost. He meets with Rock and tells him that he figured out what Rock meant by punishment. Rock was never going to hurt Rootspring, the real punishment is having to return to his old world, knowing what he will never have. Rock is surprised, but shakes his head. He confirms that Rootspring is right that there is no additional punishment but also that Rootspring is allowed to stay in this world for the rest of his life if he so desires. But the decision is permanent and he has to make up his mind before the end of the original time Rock gave him.
Rootspring can't sleep that night. He thinks about how everything has gone wrong. The other lights in the mist are dead, the other cats in forbidden romances can't be happy. Bristlefrost is horribly homesick and Rootspring has the feeling that she will never become the Clan deputy, even if she returned to ThunderClan with him. And after all the time in SkyClan he spent with Bristlefrost, he finds it hard to abandon his Clan now, especially when the kits have roots here. But he has all that he has ever wanted, he loves Bristlefrost, they are happy together, and their kits are happy with them. Doesn't he deserve to be happy? He leaves the warrior den and goes to nursery to curl up beside Bristlefrost and their kits. It comforts him, but he still has a restless night. Bristlefrost wakes up, asking him what's wrong. He asks her if it's ever fair if something makes him happy but hurts many other cats. She tells him that she knows that he has already made up his mind, because Rootspring would never hurt anyone willingly but she wants to know what he means by that. Rootspring explains the deal with Rock, and what happened in his world, including the death and erasure of Bristlefrost's spirit.
Time passes.
The time Rootspring got from Rock comes close, and Rootspring decides to have his farewells with Bristlefrost. Bristlefrost asks him how he felt when she died and he explains the crushing the grip of grief on his heart. Bristlefrost nods sadly, saying that's how she has been feeling ever since he told her what happened in the Rootspring's world. He gives the final lick on the head to each of their kits, recalls the favourite moment he shared with each one of them and tells them he loves them and always will. Rootspring shares the rest of the night with Bristlefrost, saying he's sorry he is for leaving her, but she interrupts him. She says she has also left him to be alone in his world. Though they may not be happy together, the true warrior would always place the well-being of all above their own happiness and she knows she would have made that choice again and so would Rootspring. He wishes it could be the other way, but knows that she is true. They agree to have each others' love carry them through the lives in their respective worlds and Rootspring finally tells Rock that he is grateful for the opportunity to taste happiness with Bristlefrost, but he has to turn it down and wants to return back to his world.
Rootspring returns to SkyClan camp with his heart heavy. He's surprised by his sister Needleclaw sitting in the middle of the camp and looking at the stars. She runs up to him, worried, and tells him that she wanted to talk with him for a while, but she's always ended up too scared at the last second. Rootspring expresses that he'll always have time and heart for his sister and she finally breaks down, saying that she's leaving for WindClan. She has loved Leaftail for moons, but she never thought that the interClan romances could work. And now that the rules changed, thanks to Rootspring and Bristlefrost, she wanted to leave at the same time as Fringewhisker but she stayed in SkyClan because she was worried sick about Rootspring ever since he returned from the battle with Ashfur. Rootspring presses his flank against hers, and encourages her to go to WindClan. He will miss her, but he wants her happy and everyone deserves the choice to be with who they love.
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