A/N: Yes, I'm alive. Wow it has been a long time since I've written/posted anything. So, I'm glad to be writing more once again. So this is a new story, as you can tell. Originally, I was planning on making this a comic, however the time it takes to make on is challenging enough. Then on top of it, I prefer writing to drawing, so I'd probably grow board with the comic, which is why I'm doing this. So, enjoy the prologue.
ThunderClan
Leader: Foxstar- Ginger ticked tabby tom with hazel eyes
Deputy: Whitestream- White she-cat with black spots and blue eyes
Medicine Cat: Thistlefall- Spiky furred, brown classic tabby tom with hazel eyes
Warriors:
Rockflame- Ginger classic tabby tom with amber eyes
Paleberry-Lilac spotted tabby tom with amber eyes and small white patches
Ashleaf- Gray and white she-cat with yellow eyes
Boulderflight- Gray ticked tabby tom with hazel eyes
Briarshade- Chocolate and white she-cat with yellow eyes
Crowsong- Black and white she-cat with amber eyes
Softfang- Tortoiseshell spotted tabby and white she-cat with blue eyes
Fennelnose- Black tom with golden eyes
Dewcloud- Gray and white tom with amber eyes
Darkmouse- Black and white she-cat with blue eyes
Apprentice- Lizardpaw
Patchclaw- Ginger and white spotted tabby tom with amber eyes
Mothwhisker- Ginger spotted tabby tom with hazel eyes
Acornstep- Cinnamon and white she-cat with blue eyes
Quailstripe- Chocolate and white mackerel tabby she-cat with golden eyes
Apprentice- Featherpaw
Tigerfur- Brown ticked tabby tom with amber eyes
Fogstorm- Gray and white she-cat with hazel eyes
Apprentice- Tallpaw
Webclaw- Gray classic tabby tom with amber eyes
Aspenheart- Black and white tom with blue eyes
Apprentice- Icepaw
Twigstripe- Chocolate spotted tabby tom with golden eyes
Apprentice- Mousepaw
Mistlescar- White she-cat with gray spots and yellow eyes
Kestrelstrike- Brown and white ticked tabby tom with blue eyes
Dawnsplash- Gray ticked tabby she-cat with hazel eyes
Vinefur- Brown tom with orange eyes
Apprentices:
Featherpaw- Fluffy, pale tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes
Tallpaw- Cinnamon tortoiseshell mackerel tabby she-cat with amber eyes and tall ears
Lizardpaw- Fawn and white ticked tabby tom with blue eyes
Mousepaw- Black and white tom with golden eyes
Icepaw- Gray and white spotted tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Queens and Kits:
Goosecloud- Gray and white spotted tabby she-cat with hazel eyes Mate: Mothwhisker
Kits: Rosekit(Pale tortoiseshell she-cat) and Thrushkit(Gray and white tom)
Blackfern- Black she-cat with yellow eyes Mate: Patchclaw
Expecting
Elders:
Squirrelfoot- Chocolate classic tabby tom with golden eyes
Shadepool- Black tom with amber eyes
Brindleheart- Pale tortoiseshell and white mackerel tabby she-cat with hazel eyes
ShadowClan
Leader: Minkstar- Gray and white classic tabby she-cat with blue eyes
Deputy: Hollystripe- Tortoiseshell tabby she-cat with green eyes
Medicine Cat: Greenwing- Gray spotted tabby tom with green eyes
Warriors:
Barkfoot- Brown and white spotted tabby tom with golden eyes
Grassfur- Lilac spotted tabby she-cat with hazel eyes
Apprentice- Maplepaw
Brightclaw- Ginger ticked tom with green eyes
Nettlestorm- Gray classic tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Owlstep- Ginger spotted tabby tom with green eyes
Swiftfrost- Black tom with golden eyes
Wildtail- Ginger ticked tabby tom with green eyes
Apprentice- Toadpaw
Volewhisker- Pale tortoiseshell she-cat with hazel eyes
Mintstripe- Gray classic tabby tom with green eyes
Blossomspring- Lilac spotted tabby she-cat with green eyes
Jaysong- Pale tortoiseshell and white she-cat with hazel eyes
Beaverheart- Brown tom with golden eyes
Apprentice- Tinypaw
Finchtooth- Ginger classic tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Fernstream- Gray and white she-cat with amber eyes
Olivespring- Tortoiseshell and white classic tabby she-cat with blue eyes
Brownthorn- Chocolate tom with amber eyes
Duskfang- Ginger ticked tabby and white tom with hazel eyes
Scorchdust- Tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes
Thymesong- Gray and white she-cat with blue eyes
Marshfoot- Chocolate and white tom with hazel eyes
Dustwhisker- Brown tom with amber eyes
Russetblaze- Ginger spotted tabby tom with hazel eyes
Apprentice- Tanglepaw
Shadebird- Black she-cat with golden eyes
Mosstooth- Gray and white classic tabby tom with hazel eyes
Willowshade- Gray classic tabby she-cat with golden eyes
Apprentices:
Tanglepaw- Gray ticked tabby tom with hazel eyes
Toadpaw- Black tom with hazel eyes
Tinypaw- Pale tortoiseshell and white she-cat with golden eyes
Maplepaw- Tortoiseshell and white classic tabby she-cat with green eyes
Queens and Kits:
Sandeyes- Lilac spotted tabby she-cat with hazel eyes Mate: Marshfoot
Kits: Swallowkit(Fawn spotted tabby she-cat), Antkit(Gray and white she-cat), Smallkit(Fawn and white spotted tabby tom), Harekit(Chocolate and white tom) and Flowerkit(Lilac spotted tabby she-cat)
Elders:
Falcontail- Black tom with hazel eyes
Rootfur- Brown and white tom with amber eyes
Sleetwhisker- Pale tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes
Petalsplash- Tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes
SkyClan
Leader: Eaglestar- Chocolate and white tom with blue eyes
Deputy: Larktooth- Tortoiseshell classic tabby and white she-cat with blue eyes
Medicine Cat: Slatemist- Pale spotted tabby tortoiseshell and white she-cat with green eyes
Apprentice- Dapplestone
Warriors:
Snakefur- Ginger classic tabby tom with amber eyes
Addersong- Brown she-cat with hazel eyes
Pinefire- Cream mackerel tabby tom with hazel eyes
Birdcloud- Black and white she-cat with blue eyes
Nettlewhisker- Gray tom with orange eyes
Pebbleblaze- Black tom with orange eyes
Apprentice- Spiderpaw
Juniperstream- Tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes
Morningbriar- Pale tortoiseshell and white spotted tabby she-cat with green eyes
Apprentice- Duskpaw
Waspfoot- Cream spotted tabby tom with hazel eyes
Cedarspots- Chocolate and white spotted tabby tom with amber eyes
Perchcloud- Brown and white spotted tabby she-cat with hazel eyes
Brackenspots- Gray spotted tabby tom with hazel eyes
Shrewflight- Cinnamon spotted tabby tom with yellow eyes
Molestrike- Gray mackerel tabby tom with amber eyes
Apprentice- Crookedpaw
Vixentail- Ginger and white mackerel tabby she-cat with hazel eyes
Thornlight- Brown and white mackerel tabby she-cat with blue eyes
Applefall- Pale tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes
Buzzardflight- Cream spotted tabby tom with green eyes
Elmwhisker- Gray classic tabby tom with orange eyes
Berryflower- Cream mackerel tabby she-cat with hazel eyes
Starlingpelt- Black and white tom with yellow eyes
Stonepool- Gray and white ticked tabby she-cay with golden eyes
Apprentices:
Dapplestone- Pale tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes
Duskpaw- Dark brown mackerel tabby tom with hazel eyes
Spiderpaw- Brown mackerel tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Crookedpaw- Lilac classic tabby tom with orange eyes and crooked whiskers
Queens and Kits:
Hazelbreeze- Brown spotted tabby and white she-cat with yellow eyes Mate: Brackenspots
Kits: Hickorykit(Brown spotted tabby she-cat), Lionkit(Lilac spotted tabby she-cat) and Duckkit(Black and white tom)
Creekpelt- Tortoiseshell mackerel tabby and white she-cat with hazel eyes Mate: Shrewflight
Kits: Oakkit(Cinnamon mackerel tabby tom), Sprucekit(Gray spotted tabby she-cat), Alderkit(Black and white tom) and Yewkit(Cream spotted tabby tom)
Weedsplash- Tortoiseshell and white classic tabby she-cat with hazel eyes Mate: Cedarspots
Kits: Doekit(Fawn and white she-cat) and Leopardkit(Lilac spotted tabby tom)
Elders:
Spottedpool- Cream spotted tabby she-cat with hazel eyes
Hawkfang- Gray and white tom with blue eyes
Irisbreeze- Pale tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes
WindClan
Leader: Larchstar- Chocolate tom with golden eyes
Deputy: Birchstorm- Lilac spotted tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Medicine Cat: Smokewhisker- Dark gray she-cat with hazel eyes
Apprentice- Lichenpaw
Warriors:
Heatherfoot- Fawn ticked tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Warblernose- Gray ticked tabby tom with golden eyes
Blizzardtail- Gray and white tom with amber eyes
Redfeather- Ginger classic tabby tom with green eyes
Apprentice- Rowanpaw
Pondtalon- Pale tortoiseshell she-cat with orange eyes
Honeyfang- Brown spotted tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Quietfern- Gray and white spotted tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Palemouse- Gray mackerel tabby tom with hazel eyes
Beetlespots- Chocolate spotted tabby tom with green eyes
Apprentice- Batpaw
Shellbreeze- Gray and white classic tabby she-cay with amber eyes
Kinkfeather- Pale tortoiseshell she-cat with orange eyes
Brokencloud- Ginger and white ticked tabby tom with golden eyes
Wrenclaw- Brown classic tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Apprentice- Stagpaw
Ibistail- Dark ginger tom with amber eyes
Orchidshine- Cream and white ticked tabby she-cat with blue eyes
Sootheart- Black tom with green eyes
Graydusk- Gray spotted tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Flintrunner- Gray and white tom with amber eyes
Poppystrike- Tortoiseshell and white she-cat with golden eyes
Sunwhisper- Tortoiseshell mackerel tabby and white she-cat with yellow eyes
Apprentice- Rainpaw
Turtlespring- Tortoiseshell she-cat with hazel eyes
Streamflower- Gray tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Littlefeather- Gray mackerel tabby tom with amber eyes
Sorrelheart- Ginger classic tabby tom with amber eyes
Emberthorn- Gray mackerel tabby tom with orange eyes
Ivyspring- Brown and white classic tabby she-cat with orange eyes
Apprentices:
Lichenpaw- Gray classic tabby tom with orange eyes
Batpaw- Black and white she-cat with blue eyes
Cottonpaw- Fluffy, white tom with hazel eyes
Roawnpaw- Tortoiseshell ticked tabby she-cat with green eyes
Stagpaw- Black and white tom with hazel eyes
Rainpaw- Gray ticked tabby she-cat with yellow eyes
Queens and Kits:
Hailflower- Gray she-cat with amber eyes Mate: Beetlespots
Kits: Ferretkit(Black tom) and Gorsekit(Cinnamon spotted tabby tom)
Firemist- Pale tortoiseshell and white she-cat with amber eyes Mate: Deertooth(Deceased)
Kits: Meadowkit(Gray ticked tabby she-cat), Elmkit(Black tom) and Fawnkit(Lilac she-cat)
Elders:
Bumbletail- Gray classic tabby tom with hazel eyes
Logfeather- Chocolate
Boulderclaw- Gray and white tom with amber eyes
Breezefern- Tortoiseshell and white classic tabby she-cat with golden eyes
Goldentail- Cream tom with amber eyes
RiverClan
Leader: Rabbitstar- Black and white she-cat with hazel eyes
Deputy: Snailfang- Gray classic tabby tom with amber eyes
Medicine Cat: Splashfeather- Pale tortoiseshell and white she-cat with green eyes
Warriors:
Leafberry- Tortoiseshell and white classic tabby she-cat with blue eyes
Dovefoot- Black she-cat with green eyes
Cherryheart- Tortoiseshell and white mackerel tabby she-cat with hazel eyes
Runningstream- Long furred gray classic tabby tom with yellow eyes
Mistfern- Gray mackerel tabby she-cat with hazel eyes
Timbershade- Brown and white spotted tabby tom with amber eyes
Cranefur- Chocolate and white classic tabby she-cat with golden eyes
Hollowfang- Black and white tom with yellow eyes
Frognose- Gray and white tom with orange eyes
Apprentice- Talonpaw
Storktalon- Gray and white ticked tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Pikewing- Brown and white spotted tabby tom with green eyes
Newtleg- Ginger and white ticked tabby tom with gray eyes
Apprentice- Lakepaw
Rookheart- Tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes
Daisyfall- Cinnamon classic tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Troutflight- Fawn spotted tabby tom with amber eyes
Apprentice- Lilypaw
Fallowdust- Brown mackerel tabby she-cat with hazel eyes
Apprentice- Snowpaw
Lightningfall- Gray and white she-cat with blue eyes
Apprentice- Reedpaw
Rippletooth- Gray classic tabby tom with orange eyes
Apprentice- Nutpaw
Stormdawn- Pale tortoiseshell and white she-cat with amber eyes
Beechtalon- Lilac ticked tabby tom with green eyes
Apprentices:
Talonpaw- Ginger spotted tabby tom with green eyes
Lilypaw- Pale tortoiseshell and mackerel tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Snowpaw- Black and white tom with amber eyes
Lakepaw- Gray and white she-cat with blue eyes
Reedpaw- Gray mackerel tabby tom with orange eyes
Nutpaw- Brown ticked tabby she-cat with hazel eyes
Queens and Kits:
Cinderear- Black and gray classic tabby she-cat with amber eyes Mate: Hollowfang
Kit: Ravenkit(Black and white she-cat) and Carpkit(Lilac classic tabby tom)
Tansyheart- Tortoiseshell and white she-cat with blue eyes Mate: Fuzzytail(Deceased)
Expecting
Elders:
Longcloud- Fawn and white tom with amber eyes
Breamclaw- Brown and white mackerel tabby tom with green eyes
Loudheart- Cream spotted tabby tom with amber eyes
Galeleaf- Tortoiseshell spotted tabby and white she-cat with amber eyes
War is in our hearts. Kits are born, they train and become warriors to fight in this conflict that's lasted too long. The youngest of us don't know what peace is like while some of them never will. If you're lucky, you fight for your Clan in any way possible, and if not, then you die and become lost and forgotten to history. And all for what? One careless leader? One appalling choice? Because of mistakes from the past, everyone is now suffering from it. All that we know will vanish and life as we know it will stop. Now that the Clans are falling, it leaves us wondering…Was it all worth it? In the end, we all fall down.
Cool, crisp air chilled the clear night. Everything was silent. No breeze, not one creature stirring under the moonlight, not even a howling leaf-bare wind. In the camp, every warrior was soundly asleep, their breaths soft and even. Stepping in silence, one warrior slipped from the den. He attempted to pad lightly against the snow, not wanting his steps to alert any of his Clanmates.
Despite the confusing paths of all the tracks in the white blanket, there was one he followed. Freshly made, they led out from the camp and into the leafless territory. Slipping from a separate path, the tom tasted the frosty air, hopping to find the cat who made the newest prints in the snow. He caught the scent and began to follow it. It lead to a hill where a lone warrior sat, She was facing towards the cloudless sky, gazing up at the countless twinkling stars.
"StarClan, I come here often, begging for your forgiveness. And I come here for that once more. Please, forgive me for my mistake. So long ago it was, yet, it still haunts me. The code is a powerful thing, more powerful than myself. But so is love. StarClan-"
Crunch! A frozen branch broke as the tom tried to get closer. The dark tortoiseshell leader whipped around, staring directly at the tom.
"You?!" She gasped in fear.
"Are you really surprised? You though that your secret would stay safe? You thought that one of us would never find out? You were wrong, Cardinalstar. Why did you lie to us? Why did you lie to the Clan? I trusted you, Cardinalstar. We all did," the tom hissed. Cardinalstar stepped forward, getting closer towards the warrior.
"Please, you must understand why I did what I did. If they found out or if you weren't given away, what would the Clan think? What would the other Clans think? I'm ThunderClan's leader; I'm supposed to set the example. My reputation, my rank and everything I worked for would've been ruined."
"That's what you're worried about," the tom growled as he got closer to the leader. "After what you did to us you don't deserve what you have." The tom stalked closer to Cardinalstar, causing the tortoiseshell to step backwards. "I trusted you, cared about you and was always there for you! And this is how you care for me?!"
"I-I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I should've told you the truth. All of you the truth."
"Well it's too late for that. Many moons too late." Both warriors were near the edge of the hill, standing in an enraged silence. In one, quick move, the tom swiped forward, slicing his claws across Cardinalstar's neck. Wincing from the strike, the tortoiseshell she-cat lost her footing and tumbled backwards. Her body rolled down the hill quickly. She didn't have time to stop her fall. Finally, there was a crack as her head slammed into a rock. The tom's eyes grew wide with fear. Bounding down the hill he landed beside the she-cat. Her fur was at all angles with some of it missing. Her head was in an awkward angle, broken while blood dripped out of her nose. Cardinalstar was dead.
"N-No, I never meant for this to happen…Cardinalstar…I'm so sorry," the warrior whispered softly. Guilt prickled at his heart as he realized what he had to do. Grapping the deceased leader's scruff, he dragged her to the partially frozen lake. Carefully moving across the ice, he made it towards the center of the water. Finally, he dropped her body into the icy depths and watched with empty eyes as she drifted into darkness.
Across the icy lake, kits were curled up, sleeping soundly against their mother's belly. Their eyes were tightly closed after their long and difficult birth. Three snored softly while two lay lifeless in the camp's clearing. Their small bodies frosted from the cold. A gray tom gazed at the dead kits. They had barely taken a breath before StarClan took them. The gray warrior turned towards the nursery where his mate and remaining kits were now sleeping. With a small sigh, the gray warrior sat down so he could begin vigil for his two, dead kits. With his head bowed in the silent night, he was left to his own thoughts. StarClan, are you getting your revenge for what I've done? You killed two kits so you could get back at me? The RiverClan tom thought in anger. He sighed, knowing he'd never get the answer. Even if he didn't, he knew why StarClan would be so cruel to him and his mate.
"Cloudfang, are you alright?" A she-cat asked as she approached him.
"Yes, Splashfeather, I'm alright. Just, cold, that's all," Cloudfang replied.
"Really? I don't believe you. Loosing two kits is hard and with Cranefur nearly being taken to StarClan, I can only imagine it's worse for you," the medicine cat noted.
"As I said, I'm fine Splashfeather. Please leave me alone."
"What? Leave my brother alone to his own thoughts? What kind of sister would I be if I did that?"
"A good one." The tom replied sternly. By that time, Splashfeather had sat closely beside Cloudfang.
"Cloudfang, you can talk to me, you know that. I know what it's like to lose kits too." The gray and white medicine cat paused for a moment, as she reminisced on the past. The gray warrior nodded in understanding. Except for his sister's daughter, Rookpaw, Splashfeather had no other living kits. They died soon after their birthing which caused a rift between her and her former mate, Runningstream. She found her love for medicine soon after. A few moments before the she-cat got up.
"Well, there are herbs I need to collect for Cranefur when she wakes. I'll check on you later, Cloudfang. Remember, you can come to me for anything." The gray and white she-cat padded away, towards the medicine den leaving Cloudfang alone once more.
The tortoiseshell tabby she-cat tasted the icy air, hoping to catch even the faint scent of prey. Despite the snow crunching beneath her paws, the she-cat treaded lightly, hoping not to scare away any prey. Tasting the air once more, the mackerel tabby could scent mouse. Of course, during that time it wasn't much to eat, however every bit of prey counted for the Clan. The young apprentice followed the trail to some long, snow-covered grass. The scent was stronger there. So strong in fact, that there might've been more mice as opposed to one. Pressing herself towards the ground, the tortoiseshell and white she-cat stalked forward, careful not to alert the blissfully unaware mice. After another few, careful steps, the she-cat pounced into the tall grass, landing on a nest full of mice. Although most scurried away from her unbalanced grasp, she managed to catch four. In a swift strike, she managed to kill them all before merrily carrying them back to her mentor.
"Birchstorm, Birchstrom! Look what I caught!" The apprentice yelled a few lengths away. The mice were at her paws as the warrior trotted towards her.
"Great job, Sunpaw. This should feed a few of the warriors. Come on, let's go find your brother so we can head back to camp." As the she-cat padded ahead, Sunpaw scooped up her mice and followed the warrior in silence. After a few moments, Birchstorm paused.
"Littlepaw!" She called. At the sound of her voice, a small tom peeked up from behind a frozen bush.
"Yes, Birchstorm?" The tom answered.
"Grab your kills and let's head back to camp." With a quick nod, the tom hid back behind the bush, grabbing any prey he caught. Birchstorm and Sunpaw joined him soon after. Once more by the bush, Sunpaw placed her mice down.
"So, do you think I did well? Did I help the Clan?" The tortoiseshell tabby asked eagerly.
"Yes, you have, Sunpaw. You did a great job." A few moments after that, Littlepaw appeared with a mole and two birds. One bird was a small, scrawny and nearly starved sparrow and the other was a plumper blackbird.
"Wow, Littlepaw, you've made some great catches! The birds and mole will feed many of the warriors," Birchstorm purred loudly. "Now, let's bring the food back to camp. I know the Clan will appreciate what we've caught tonight."
"Er, yeah, good job, Littlepaw. You did great," Sunpaw sighed. Picking up her mice, the she-cat followed her brother and his mentor back to WindClan's camp. When they got back, the Clan was impressed with the catches, especially Littlepaw's.
"Wow, that's amazing, Littlepaw," Strempaw purred to her brother.
"Yes, she's right," Turtlepaw agreed. As Sunpaw's siblings padded off together, the she-cat stayed behind, her tail drooping.
"Hey, what are you doing alone, Sunpaw?" A tom asked. The tortoiseshell and white she-cat grinned, knowing who the voice belonged to.
"Hello, Flintpaw. How are you?"
"I'm good," the gray and white tom replied. "But what about you? Why are you alone and not with your littermates?"
"Well, they're off with Littlepaw, gushing about his catches. Meanwhile, I'm left in the dust," Sunpaw sighed bitterly.
"Hey, your catches were great too. Just because your littermates left together, doesn't mean they don't care about what you did. Those four mice will help feed the Clan. After all, every piece of prey matters during this season," Flintpaw replied, attempting to cheer up his friend.
"What are you, an elder?" The she-cat lightly joked.
"No, but I thought you needed some wise words from a warrior," the gray apprentice replied with a fake, raspy voice.
"Actually, you're no warrior yet…But, you're right. I guess even if they don't notice, I did help the Clan," the younger she-cat replied with a happier squeak.
"So, you okay now?" The tom asked. Sunpaw nodded.
"Good then. Well, see you in the apprentice's den, Sunpaw. Goodnight," Flintpaw purred as he headed towards the den.
"Goodnight," Sunpaw whispered after him. The she-cat flicked her tail as she sat under the twinkling stars. Despite her earlier bitterness, she knew Flintpaw was right. She couldn't let the little things get to her because if they did, she'd never be happy. However, she'd help her Clan in anyway possible, no matter how small or insignificant. With a faint grin, the she-cat padded into the apprentice's den to get some sleep.
Now that's you've reached the end of it, congratulations on scrolling all the way down. Hope you enjoyed it. Going off topic here for a moment, the allegiances were a pain to do. Why? Because I was attempting to make the characters genetically accurate because if I didn't it'd annoy me. Anyway, feel free to ask any questions. I'll try my best to answer all of them. (This also includes any genetic questions)
QOTD:
Any thoughts or ideas based of the prologue or summary so far?
And because I can't think of anything, what is your favorite and least favorite name you've seen?
Amber's Answer: Well, I'm biased so of course I'd say I like all the names. However, I'm going to choose. My personal favorites are Morningbriar, because I like the suffix, Wrenclaw, because I love the prefix wren and Tigerfur, due to the simplicity of the name. And my least favorite is Olivespring because I don't like the prefix olive.