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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 31, 2023 18:44:02 GMT -5
Sunthroat pushed his way through the crowd towards Peachdapple, a concerned look on his face at the thought of the Dark Forest being active again. He had chosen to stay behind for this gathering with Laceheart being so close to kitting. “If this is true, then it very well could mean that the Dark Forest is becoming active again. Many of us still remember the scars of AdderClan, how can we stop this from happening all over again?” The former deputy said, flicking his ear in worry. “We’ll tell you about it later. Back to the nest now, little ones, it’s late and you should be sleeping.” Squirreltail murmured quietly to her kits, ushering them back to her nest. Lionkit pouted as he was nudged back into his nest, wanting to know what was going on, “Is Yarrowcloud really gone?” He mewed, having always enjoyed the elder’s stories. Peachdapple looked at the former deputy with conflict in her eyes, though she forced herself to remain calm. She couldn’t leg her internal fears show, not as Thunderclan’s medicine cat. She looked at the tom and mewed. “When Lightningstar and the rest of the Clan return tonight, we use what we learned from the past to prepare for the future.” She paused, before closing her eyes and opening them again. “I was able to get out because of my connection to Starclan. Which means that I am sure that our faith in our ancestors is stronger than them, even when in the Dark Forest…” She hesitated though, unsure if she should say that they were convinced that a cat who dies in the Dark Forest seems to be stuck there. She looked at Shadowblossom for a moment, her eyes drooping with a deep misery as she trailed off, clearly planning to continue. |
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Post by Willow on Aug 31, 2023 20:24:13 GMT -5
Tansykit sighed but let herself be led to their nest, settling at Squirreltail's belly.
Twilightkit huffed, his tiny tail swishing with annoyance. "We're big kits now Mama! I wanna know what's going on."
Blizzardstorm followed Squirreltail and the kits to the nest, curling around his mate's back. He missed sleeping beside her every night. "Yes, Yarrowcloud is gone little one. He went to Starclan in his sleep." he mewed lowly, voice soft.
Shadowblossom couldn't look at Peachdapple, though she heard every word the she-cat was saying and could tell she was in the process of planning something. Whatever the medicine cat was planning, she would help. She would do anything to avenge Yarrowcloud and get rid of her father and Wrenflight for good. Nervous energy was building up within the she-cat, unsure of what else to do, she set to the task of grooming Yarrowcloud's fur, something that had always soothed her. It pained her deeply that this would be the last time.
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Post by Frozen on Aug 31, 2023 21:00:27 GMT -5
Plumfur woke up to the commotion and poked her head out of the warrior's den. When she saw Peachdapple and the gathering of cats standing outside and inside the elder's den, she felt a chill go through her pelt. Did she just say Yarrowcloud? Unable to hear clearly, she turned to find Dapplenight.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 31, 2023 21:00:43 GMT -5
Peachdapple finally exhaled, knowing she needed to be firm and honest. It was going to bring alot of fear, but she was too hollow and angry to let it stop her from fighting back. She looked at the Clan as she lifted her voice again.
“The Dark Forest must not ever gain strength back amongst us. No matter what promises they offer, no matter how tempting, they do not care for you. They will use you, they will hurt you, and they do not care to see you improve.” She looked sharply at the apprentices in camp, before she shot the looks to the Warriors, and finally made her admission.
“I have reason to believe now, that if you die in the Dark Forest… then your spirit is trapped there. Yarrowcloud is… his spirit is still there. I refuse to believe though, that he must stay there. Starclan must have a way.” She growled.
“What?!” Vixenrose exclaimed, eyes wide with horror. “No, Yarrowcloud had a loving soul! He always did! How could he be stuck in the Dark Forest?”
Scarletpaw bristled, shooting a look at Hollowpaw with cold realization. That was… that had to be how she had been learning to battle so well when Silentflare hadn’t taken her out. Scarletpaw felt her claws dig harshly into the ground as she saw her friend cowering and shaking in pain and sadness. This was the doing of the Dark Forest then! She felt anger course through her.
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Post by Icefire15 on Aug 31, 2023 22:19:02 GMT -5
Sunthroat’s ears flattened at Peachdapple’s next statement, shaking his head. “I had hoped with the defeat of AdderClan that we would be free of the Dark Forest. But it seems that they have only grown stronger.” He murmured, glancing back at the nursery where Laceheart stood at the entrance, her belly swollen with kits. Sunthroat didn’t want his unborn kits to grow up in the same fear that they had dealt with when AdderClan had come into power. He looked back at Peachdapple, “What can be done to help Yarrowcloud then?” He asked.
“Later, Twilightkit. The warriors need to deal with things without a bunch of kits under paw.” Squirreltail said, glad to have Blizzardstorm’s comforting presence with her. She pulled Twilightkit closer to her and started to groom him, purring to help lull him back to sleep.
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Post by Moonblazer on Sept 1, 2023 6:51:26 GMT -5
Sunthroat’s ears flattened at Peachdapple’s next statement, shaking his head. “I had hoped with the defeat of AdderClan that we would be free of the Dark Forest. But it seems that they have only grown stronger.” He murmured, glancing back at the nursery where Laceheart stood at the entrance, her belly swollen with kits. Sunthroat didn’t want his unborn kits to grow up in the same fear that they had dealt with when AdderClan had come into power. He looked back at Peachdapple, “What can be done to help Yarrowcloud then?” He asked. “Later, Twilightkit. The warriors need to deal with things without a bunch of kits under paw.” Squirreltail said, glad to have Blizzardstorm’s comforting presence with her. She pulled Twilightkit closer to her and started to groom him, purring to help lull him back to sleep. Peachdapple shook her head softly. “I can’t say for sure as of right now. I’m going to do my best to hear any kind of contact from Starclan. My best guess, would be for us to somehow return there… but I can’t in good conscience allow anyone else to do so, at least not until Starclan can provide guidance. But, I can tell that they wish to keep Yarrowcloud’s spirit alive amongst them. So, it may buy us time.” She felt her tail flick as she sighed softly, heart aching. “For now… we must treat this with the same respect we treat all deaths in the Clan. I want you all to know that there should be no fear, and that Yarrowcloud’s love for all of you was never exaggerated.” She turned to look at her brother. “He knew what he wanted, and you must trust me when I say nobody could have stopped him from going tonight. Not even me… I tried. But at that point, I couldn’t let him go alone. I couldn’t.” She swallowed, before continuing. “We’ll prepare him for vigil, and prepare him for when the rest of the Clan returns. Then, we can hold the vigil properly. I will explain everything to Lightningstar, and we will proceed from there. I will need someone to bring me moss with water, and I’ll get the burial herbs…” She looked sadly at Shadowblossom, Silentflare, and Hollowpaw for a long moment, before she slipped towards the medicine den. |
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Post by Moonblazer on Sept 1, 2023 6:53:37 GMT -5
Plumfur woke up to the commotion and poked her head out of the warrior's den. When she saw Peachdapple and the gathering of cats standing outside and inside the elder's den, she felt a chill go through her pelt. Did she just say Yarrowcloud? Unable to hear clearly, she turned to find Dapplenight. Dapplenight was quietly breathing with near sobs coming from him as he fled from the crowd. As soon as he had caught a glimpse of Yarrowcloud’s body, and heard Peachdapple’s words, he couldn’t bear to stay close. Yarrowcloud had been so kind and gentle, a bright light amongst even the darkest times. How could he be given such a brutal paw? He looked up to see Plumfur approaching, his eyes flickering with sadness. |
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Post by Frozen on Sept 1, 2023 21:13:59 GMT -5
Plumfur pressed her head into Dapplenight's fur the moment she approached. "I don't understand..." she muffled. "How did this happen to him? He was just asleep in the elder's den... I saw the blood." she said, choking back a sob.
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Post by Moonblazer on Sept 1, 2023 21:44:11 GMT -5
Plumfur pressed her head into Dapplenight's fur the moment she approached. "I don't understand..." she muffled. "How did this happen to him? He was just asleep in the elder's den... I saw the blood." she said, choking back a sob. “It must be true then.” Dapplenight rasped fearfully. “You can be killed in the Dark Forest. We’re not even safe in our own dreams!” He fretted anxiously, fur bristling. |
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Post by Frozen on Sept 1, 2023 22:14:19 GMT -5
Plumfur took a deep breath to calm herself. "I don't think they can hurt us if we stay out of trouble. We don't want to hurt anyone..." she murmured, trying to convince herself that they were safe.
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Post by Moonblazer on Sept 2, 2023 11:08:49 GMT -5
Plumfur took a deep breath to calm herself. "I don't think they can hurt us if we stay out of trouble. We don't want to hurt anyone..." she murmured, trying to convince herself that they were safe. “If they went after Shadeclaw, what’s to stop them from coming after any of us?” Dapplenight mewed fearfully, before he pressed close to his mate. “Oh, I wish I wasn’t so… so afraid of everything! I never know what to do…” |
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Post by Willow on Sept 4, 2023 9:58:30 GMT -5
Shadowblossom hauled herself to her paws once more, looking solemnly at Silentflare, "Will you help me carry him?" she murmured voice wavering with every word. "Darktail and Featherfoot aren't even here."
Twilightkit grumbled some more, but relented to Squirreltail's grooming, knowing once she started it was hard to get away.
Tansykit scrambled over Squirreltail's back, settling in the small space between Blizzardstorm and Squirreltail. She purred deeply, happy that both her parents were here with her.
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Post by Foxstar26 on Sept 5, 2023 11:57:23 GMT -5
Silentflare hasn’t spoken since he had found the body. He was just staring at it in utter shock. Shadowblossom’s words roused him. He robotically moved to pick up his brothers scruff to carry him out to the center of camp.
—
Lightningstar sighed in relief as he spotted the entrance to camp. He was tired and couldn’t wait for sleep. The gathering had been an eventful one. He pushed his way into camp. He paused when he saw the cats gathering outside the elders den.
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Post by Moonblazer on Sept 5, 2023 12:03:49 GMT -5
Peachdapple slipped quietly from the medicine den with the ceremonial herbs in her jaws. She watched as Shadowblossom and Silentflare pulled Yarrowcloud out to the center of camp. With a delicate gentleness, she worked to first plug the wounds with cobwebs, before she cleared the blood away with watered moss. She pressed the soft scented herbs to her brother’s pelt and skin, before she slowly rose to her paws as she heard the tell-tale noise of Lightningstar and Thunderclan’s return from the gathering.
She turned to look at Lightningstar from afar, her eyes heavy and knowing as she silently looked down at Yarrowcloud’s body, before looking back up at her leader.
“W-…what happened?!” Featherfoot breathed in shock, eyes wide as he caught a flash of his father’s fur through the crowds. He pushed his way to the center of camp, before he gasped raggedly. “No! No, no! What happened?!”
Flurrypaw flinched at his father’s shout, trying to pad after him, only to cry out in shock as he saw his grandfather laying there. Drizzlepaw wailed next to him, her eyes filling with frantic tears.
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Post by thistle on Sept 5, 2023 14:25:53 GMT -5
Bluewhisker stopped short, her eyes widening a fraction with shock at the scent of blood and the sight of Yarrowcloud's body.
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Post by Icefire15 on Sept 5, 2023 16:16:09 GMT -5
Ghostscreech came to an abrupt stop at the sight of the rest of the Clan surrounding the body of Yarrowcloud, his eyes wide in shock and his body stiffening at the scent of blood. Would this night ever end? "What... what happened? Who is responsible for this?" He mewed, looking at Lightningstar.
Sunthroat lifted his head, relieved to see the Gathering patrol had returned. He stood and started towards Lightningstar, knowing how close his old friend had been to his first apprentice.
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Post by Willow on Sept 5, 2023 16:50:58 GMT -5
Darktail tensed at Featherfoot's cries, dashing forward to see what was going on. "No. No no no no Father!" He looked helplessly around at the cats gathered around the elder's body before he moved forward to Shadowblossom's side. "Mother what happened."
Shadowblossom looked at her sons, her eyes full of sorrow. "Peachdapple will explain, come help us prepare him for the vigil."
Stumppaw looked at Yarrowcloud's body with wide-eyes, she hurried to Brackenheart's side, burying her face into her father's fur. Brackenheart wrapped his tail around his daughter, whispering soothing words to her.
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Post by Moonblazer on Sept 5, 2023 17:07:57 GMT -5
Peachdapple looked at Lightningstar and Ghostscreech with a somber gaze, yet one of an honest admission as well. Her bloody pelt bore tribute to her inclusion in the horrible fight in the Dark Forest.
“I already told the cats here, but I will explain it again. The Dark Forest… Wrenflight is responsible for Yarrowcloud’s death. Yarrowcloud came to me with suspicions that Wrenflight was interfering with Thunderclan, targeting you… and all of us. I tried to advise against it at first, but Yarrowcloud was determined… and so I was resolved to go with him. But when we arrived to confront our father… it was an ambush.” She swallowed, still not mentioning Silentflare or Hollowpaw’s presence there.
Peachdapple swallowed. “I managed to escape, Starclan came to my aid… but Yarrowcloud fought until the last moment. His…” She trailed off, before she swallowed. “His soul is still stuck there, in the Dark Forest. I now believe the living cats who die in the Dark Forest, their souls are stuck there. That was Wrenflight’s plan all along.” She swallowed. “Darkeyes assisted him. The two plotted to cause harm to you, and to Yarrowcloud, and all of us related to them.”
“No!” Featherfoot exclaimed, horror in his eyes. “He can’t be stuck there! He can’t!”
Dawnpaw gave a horrified look at the medicine cat.
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Post by Willow on Sept 5, 2023 17:33:23 GMT -5
Darktail listened to Peachdapple, a sinking feeling in his stomach. His mind flashed as the name Darkeyes was mentioned. His body tensed as visions took over, the camp fading out.
A dark tom stalked in front of him, an angry sneer marring his face. "Come on Darkpaw, we don't train with sheathed claws here like those little kittypets in your clan. AGAIN. Come at me again and don't hold back, I won't be holding back either." he finished with a cruel smile.
Darktail felt his body, smaller than it normally was heaving, out of breath and tired. Blood already dripped down his shoulder. He turned to glance around the strange dark trees, before he had a chance to even realize what was happening he was pinned to the ground. The dark tom digging his claws painfully into his shoulders. An unknown voice called out in panic "Stop! Father! Stop please! It hurts. Darkeyes... please." It was only after the vision's head turned to look at the claws digging into his shoulders that he realized it had been his own voice calling out.
Darktail's vision came back to him as he stood and stared at his real father's lifeless body in front of him. He shook out his fur, trying to forget what he had just seen. What was that?
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Post by Moonblazer on Sept 5, 2023 17:46:12 GMT -5
Midnightstream had rushed over to Darktail as soon as the tom had run into camp and to Yarrowcloud's side. Her eyes were wet from when she had first cried over Yarrowcloud's death earlier when Peachdapple had first explained what happened. She brushed her nose to Darktail's shoulder, whispering. "I'm so sorry, Darktail... I'm so sorry." She noticed his sudden staring then, and she swallowed.
"What are you staring at?" She asked.
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Post by Willow on Sept 5, 2023 18:33:03 GMT -5
Darktail blinked, looking at Midnightstream with surprise. "Oh.. Midnightstream, where did you come from?" he asked, looking disoriented.
Shadowblossom frowned as she overheard Midnightstream and Darktail. She shook her head, wondering if her son was in shock.
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Post by Moonblazer on Sept 5, 2023 18:43:43 GMT -5
Darktail blinked, looking at Midnightstream with surprise. "Oh.. Midnightstream, where did you come from?" he asked, looking disoriented. Shadowblossom frowned as she overheard Midnightstream and Darktail. She shook her head, wondering if her son was in shock. "I was here when Peachdapple and Silentflare found him... like this." Midnightstream murmured, though she was a bit worried at the dazed look in her mate's eyes. She mewed sadly. "But I'm here for you. I waited until you got here, because I... I knew that this would hurt. I wish... I wish we could have prevented this, why... why did he not tell anyone?" She whispered outloud. |
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Post by Moonblazer on Sept 5, 2023 18:46:16 GMT -5
Mothsong cringed away from the sight, the image of Yarrowcloud's once peaceful and warm face now soft with death and calmness, it shook her more than she expected. She had once supported his banishment, hadn't fought when Shadeclaw had tossed him and the elders away. She felt sickened at herself again. Now, the old tom was dead, murdered in his sleep. She wished she could have apologized properly to him, admitted that moons ago, his stories and warmth had gotten her through the times she just secretly wanted someone to tell her she would be alright, as a young apprentice.
She turned her head away, speaking tersely to Owlfrost. "I can't... I can't look..."
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Post by Willow on Sept 5, 2023 19:07:18 GMT -5
Darktail's dazed look slowly faded as he took in Midnightstream's words, he nodded slowly glancing back at his mother and brother. "Yarrowcloud has always been stubborn. He probably didn't want anyone else to get hurt." He pressed against her, placing his muzzle on the top of her head.
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Post by Moonblazer on Sept 5, 2023 19:12:27 GMT -5
Darktail's dazed look slowly faded as he took in Midnightstream's words, he nodded slowly glancing back at his mother and brother. "Yarrowcloud has always been stubborn. He probably didn't want anyone else to get hurt." He pressed against her, placing his muzzle on the top of her head. "He was brave, and kind." Midnightstream murmured softly, lifting her head up to press her muzzle comfortingly to her mate's. "He always made time for all of us, when we were sad or feeling alone. Even after all he'd been through, he always made everything seem like it would be okay." She looked down at the dead elder, eyes watering as she tried to imagine his loud but happy voice, and the enchanting ways he told stories when she had been a little kit. "He loved you so much. I could tell, just how much he loved all of you. That had to feel so wonderful." |
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Post by Icefire15 on Sept 5, 2023 19:35:32 GMT -5
Owlfrost rested the tip of his tail gently on Mothsong's shoulder, keeping the stoic look on his face even though he was just as shocked to see the elder's body laying in the middle of the camp clearing. "I know you don't want to. But you shouldn't turn away from this. I know you want to make amends, and you didn't get that chance with Yarrowcloud. You can make a start by paying your respects to him tonight at the vigil for him." He said quietly to her, a sad look in his eyes.
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Post by Moonblazer on Sept 5, 2023 19:46:20 GMT -5
Owlfrost rested the tip of his tail gently on Mothsong's shoulder, keeping the stoic look on his face even though he was just as shocked to see the elder's body laying in the middle of the camp clearing. "I know you don't want to. But you shouldn't turn away from this. I know you want to make amends, and you didn't get that chance with Yarrowcloud. You can make a start by paying your respects to him tonight at the vigil for him." He said quietly to her, a sad look in his eyes. “What could I possibly say to take back what I supported?” Mothsong mewed quietly, her ears falling as she looked at Owlfrost. “He was only ever kind to me, and I repaid it by supporting Shadeclaw. If he’s in the Dark Forest, how-… how could he possibly hear me?” She fretted, finally mustering up the courage to look at the dead tom. She felt pain and envy, at just how much kin he had to press close to him, who loved him as deeply as he had loved them. |
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Post by Willow on Sept 5, 2023 19:47:29 GMT -5
Darktail nodded, not realizing tears were streaming down his face as well. "Yes, he wasn't quiet about his love. He loved you too Midnightstream. He was ecstatic when I told him we were mates now. I know every cat goes to Starclan eventually but you never really think about it until it happens."
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Post by Moonblazer on Sept 5, 2023 20:00:00 GMT -5
Darktail nodded, not realizing tears were streaming down his face as well. "Yes, he wasn't quiet about his love. He loved you too Midnightstream. He was ecstatic when I told him we were mates now. I know every cat goes to Starclan eventually but you never really think about it until it happens." “Peachdapple said there has to be a way to get him to Starclan.” Midnightstream whispered, her eyes burning with determination as she admitted. “Because faith is stronger than darkness. When he gets to Starclan, I just know he’ll be the biggest, brightest star in the sky.” She looked up at the black sky above them, dotted with icy stars. |
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Post by Foxstar26 on Sept 5, 2023 20:44:27 GMT -5
Lightningstar looked at Peachdapple in shock. Everything she said felt so unbelievable. He shook his head, trying to process everything. “Starclan..” he huffed lightly, looking past her to Yarrowcloud’s body. “Oh Yarrowcloud…” he sighed sadly. He looked back at Peachdapple. “We will talk more later.” He moved past her to head for high rock.
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