A/N: Hello everyone, hope you're having a wonderful day. Wolfcreations18 is back once more, and what do you know, I have yet another story idea here. I wanted to play around with it, so I took the time to make this happen. Here is the summary, prologue, and allegiances. Enjoy!
Summary
One leader... One deputy... One medicine cat...
All from different clans. All met the same fate in the same night.
Three murders... Three victims... Three warriors with blood on their paws...
The clans of the lake, forest, and mountain are sent into turmoil from these happenings. All refuse to accept it, all must take action. With the chill of Leaf-bare approaching, the clans agree to exile these murderers from their beloved lands.
Pantherclaw of Mountainclan, Stormbringer of Lakeclan, and Nightberry of Forestclan are forced out of their homes with the promise for revenge against the clans that have wronged them. They leave behind paranoid leaders and anxious warriors, but also, they leave behind their wide-eyed kits.
Lynxpaw, son of Pantherclaw, just wants to be accepted by the clan that sees him only as a carbon-copy of his father.
Ravenpaw, daughter of Nightberry, considers running away from the place she thought would always bring her nothing but comfort and safety.
Rainpaw, daughter of Stormbringer, begins to question whether her father's actions were valid or not.
Three unfortunate souls, all yearning to be accepted by the clans that banished their parents, brought together by pain and anger. All of them, even the clans, are blind to the darkness brewing in the canopy of misfortune, waiting for the day to strike once more.
The descendants of murderers are soon given a choice; to defend the clans that have wronged them, or follow the path of their predecessors. To become warriors, or become renegades. Lynxpaw is worried, Ravenpaw is confused, and Rainpaw is angry.
The choice is their's to make.
And all choices come with consequences.
…
A/N: This story will mainly be in the perspective of Lynxpaw, but it will jump to Ravenpaw and Rainpaw as well (as they are also MAJOR characters in the story).
Onto the prologue!
…
Prologue
Mountainclan Camp- Moonhigh
The biting winds of the approaching Leaf-bare season filtered through the open territory and camp of the clan from the mountains. Anybody caught outside of the cave-like dens of the clan suffered through chattering teeth and shivering pelts.
Unfortunately, everyone- from the oldest elder to the tiniest kit- was huddled outside of the comfort and warmth of their dens. All of them gathered inches away from the crevice, where the tall stature of the Mountainclan leader stood, his head tilted downwards as he surveyed his clan. There was no pride in his eyes at the sheer numbers of his clan, at the strength each of his warriors possessed and the skill each apprentice was striving to achieve.
No, what were in his dark green, nearly black colored eyes was the undeniable glimmer of held-in fear.
Because lying in a heap of bloody fur, disfigured limbs, and open wounds was the gruesome sight of the body of his beloved deputy, Cougarstrike.
And standing a mere tail-length from the corpse, with a puddle of blood forming around him, was none other than the deputy's brother, Pantherclaw.
Everyone was silent. None of the warriors dared to step forward, the apprentices could only cower in fear, all of them thinking that they would be next. The elders gaped at the sight in front of them, the queens tried to salvage their kits' innocence by shielding their eyes with their bodies.
Pantherclaw's yellow eyes gleamed in ominous passiveness. His claws were still unsheathed, small clumps of his brother's pelt sticking between the spaces like a stubborn burr. His posture was relaxed, his head tilting to the side with innocence to rival that of the kits. There was nothing on his face; no remorse for what he just did, no anger or fear of what his leader would do with him next, no sliver of sick satisfaction. All that was there was his lips forming a thin line.
The first to make a move was Cougarstrike's mate, Sandcloud. The pale brown and tan furred she-cat rushed forward, disbelief painting her features into a combination of widened eyes and opened mouth. She moved hesitantly, refusing to believe that the mutilated body in front of her was indeed her loving mate. Pantherclaw spared a glance in her direction, quietly sidestepping out of the way and bringing a paw up to his face, inspecting the blood smears on it with sudden interest.
"Why?"
Sandcloud's voice quivered as she spoke, gently touching her nose to where she believed was the shoulder of Cougarstrike. The deputy's brother placed his paw back down, blinking at her with rounded eyes and raised brows. His lips formed a miniscule frown as he casually cocked his head to the side.
"Whatever do you mean?"
Quick as a bolt of lightning, the brown furred she-cat's claws flashed in the moonlight from above. Pantherclaw stiffened as pain scoured across his face, but all he did was take a step back as Sandcloud continued moving forward. Her disbelief was replaced by unrivaled anger, all of it evident on her face with her narrowed amber eyes and revealed teeth. The she-cat spat at the feigned innocence of her mate's killer.
"You know what I mean you cold-blooded murderer! Why would you kill him?"
Her yowls seemed to shatter the shocked spell the clan was under. Most of the warriors began joining in on the yelling, all of them spitting harsh insults and cursing at the dark-furred warrior. Pantherclaw stood where he was, glancing around him before looking up to meet the leveled gaze of the leader.
"Pantherclaw… why? Why would you kill our beloved deputy, your own brother! Were you jealous of his fortune? Why, Pantherclaw!"
This elicited a laugh of pure joy and amusement from said tom, his head tossing back smoothly and his lips pulling into a mirthful grin. The warriors that had advanced towards him suddenly took a step back, mistaking his happiness for the emotion of an insane tom. Pantherclaw's eyes glittered with glee, his grin turning into a smirk.
"Me? Jealous? Hardly, Cliffstar. You are severely mistaken."
"Then… why?"
"Why?" Pantherclaw blinked, his expression of innocence returning before being replaced by a maniacal grin. "Oh, no reason. I just felt like it."
If the warriors had looked closely enough, one would've seen the the tell-tale flicker of his lie. But no, they were too blinded by their anger, too blinded by their sudden hatred and overwhelming horror to take notice. Cliffstar snarled, stepping closer to the edge of the crevice, sending pebbles rolling down the side of the mountain.
"Pantherclaw, for the murder of Cougarstrike, our deputy and your brother, I hereby sentence you into exile. Leave our lands and never return, or we will not hesitate to avenge him with your blood."
"Exile? You've gone soft, Cliffstar."
"Go!"
Pantherclaw narrowed his gleaming yellow eyes, his lips pulling back in a snarl, half of amusement and half of anger. His sleek fur bristled, his muscles rippling underneath his pelt and intimidating all of those around him. Even Cliffstar, flinched back, his ears flattening against his head before he puffed out his chest, straightening his posture.
"Alright, Cliffstar. If that's what you really want, then I'll leave." Pantherclaw raised his head, sincerity weighing his words down as he spoke in a clear tone to all. "But know this… this isn't the last you've seen of me. I'm just letting you know… you are going to wish that you had killed me while you had the chance."
With those word, the black furred tom turned around, staining the ground with his bloody paw prints. The Mountainclan warriors watched with belated breaths as they nervously glanced at each other, questioning the judgement of their leader for letting this murderer live. Pantherclaw stopped at the very entrance of the open camp, sending a glance behind his shoulder and a frown on his face as he looked through the crowd.
There…
Standing closest to the nursery was his teary-eyed mate, a she-cat with silver and white fur that was more endearing to look at than the moon itself. Her icy blue eyes bored into his yellow ones, the color of them paling with the held-in tears. Silverfrost… His eyes wandered away from hers until they met a smaller pair directly beside the she-cat.
Lynxkit…
His only kit was watching with wide eyes, eyes that were yellow like his and speckled with small, barely noticeable icy blue flecks. Pantherclaw could look into his kit's eyes all day, lost in it's beautiful blend of himself and his mate. Lynxkit's predominantly silver pelt fluffed against the cold breeze, a row of white speckles beginning at his shoulders and running down his back. His paws, ear tips, chest, and the tip of his slightly shorter-than-normal tail were black.
The small kit was about to run after him, but stopped short when Silverfrost placed her tail in front of him. Shaking her head when he raised his in question, the tears slowly began to fall from her eyes. Lynxkit frowned in confusion as to why his mother was crying before snuggling against her side, trying to comfort her in any way he could. Pantherclaw felt his heart and body ache, pulling him desperately in the direction of his family.
I'm sorry you two… I never wanted to hurt you…
Please… believe me.
With a hefty sigh, the tom turned his head once more, turning his back to his family as he looked out into the open territory. The cold winds blew more harshly, as if begging him to stay.
Gritting his teeth, Pantherclaw pushed against the wind, his tail lashing as he tried hard not to turn back when he heard his kit yowling his name, begging him to come back.
I'm sorry…
I'm so sorry...
…
Allegiances
…
Mountainclan
Leader: Cliffstar- black furred tom with dark brown tabby stripes and small speckles on sides, very dark green eyes
Deputy: Larkflight- pale brown furred tom with faint white stripes on flanks, bright amber eyes
Medicine Cat: Peakheart- pale brown furred tom with black paws and tail tip, pale green eyes
…
Warriors
Smokestorm- sleek, silver and grey furred tom with dark grey on chest and legs, white stripes on legs and white tail tip, stormy blue eyes
Sparrowsand- pale brown and dark brown furred tom with black speckles on chest and back, light green eyes
Heatherfoot- tan furred she-cat with darker tabby stripes, one dark brown paw and three black paws, yellow-green eyes
Wolfslash- large, dark grey furred tom with black stripes on legs and chest, white ear tips and tail tip, yellow eyes
Windstripe- silver and white striped she-cat, light grey paws, light blue eyes
Echostorm- white furred she-cat with silver stripes on back, black chest and muzzle, stormy blue eyes
Silverfrost- silver and white furred she-cat, white paws, chest, and ear tips, icy blue eyes
Greywhisker- light grey tom with darker muzzle and ear tips, amber eyes
Acornmask- light brown furred tom with lighter brown cheeks, muzzle, and ear tips, light hazel eyes
Sandcloud- pale brown and tan furred she-cat with black stripes down back, amber eyes
Littlefang- small, grey and brown furred tom with a black muzzle, pale green eyes
Tallfire- ginger furred, long-legged tom with golden-brown underbelly and paws, light amber-yellow eyes
…
Apprentices
Lynxpaw- silver furred tom with white speckles running down back, beginning at shoulders, black paws, ear tips, chest, and tail tip, yellow eyes flecked with icy blue spots (Mentor: Smokestorm)
Dustpaw- dusty grey furred tom with a white furred face, small, light brown stripes on throat, green eyes (Mentor: Tallfire)
Petalpaw- light grey she-cat with white dappled spots, light green eyes (Mentor: Echostorm)
Kestrelpaw- russet brown furred tom with grey on flanks, head, and face, white stripes down side of muzzle and tail tip, amber eyes (Mentor: Sparrowsand)
Mallowpaw- white furred she-cat with light grey stripes, one light grey paw, light green eyes (Mentor: Greywhisker)
Brindlepaw- black furred she-cat with light brown brindle stripes, light grey on toes, yellow eyes (Mentor: Sandcloud)
Lionpaw- large, golden furred tom with darker ear tips and tail tip, piercing amber eyes (Mentor: Cliffstar)
…
Queens
Whitesky- white furred she-cat with light grey stripes on face, sky blue eyes (expecting kits with Wolfslash)
Fawnstep- light brown furred she-cat with white underbelly and flanks, light green eyes (expecting kits with Acornmask)
…
Elders
Alderclaw- brown and grey furred tom with a greying muzzle, yellow eyes
Buzzardflight- black furred tom with white flanks and brown paws, yellow-amber eyes
…
…
Lakeclan
Leader: Creekstar- small, light grey furred she-cat with blue-grey tabby stripes, dark grey underbelly and flanks, dark green eyes
Deputy: Icefang- white furred tom with grey paws and on shoulders, icy blue eyes
Medicine Cat: Mosspaw- light grey furred tom with white speckles on back and paws, green eyes
…
Warriors
Mottlestream- mottled brown and blue-grey furred she-cat with light grey underbelly, dark blue eyes
Specklefish- light grey tom with black and white speckles on sides, blue eyes
Swansong- fluffy white furred she-cat, blue eyes
Duckfeather- dark brown furred tom with white and black spots on lower back, yellow eyes
Frogsplash- brown furred tom with white patches on back and chest, misty blue eyes
Lakeshadow- black furred tom with blue-grey patches on upper back, green eyes
Greypool- dark grey furred tom with black and white speckles on chest and face, dark blue eyes
Otterflash- slick, brown furred tom with dark grey splash on chest, yellow eyes
Stormfrost- dark grey furred tom with lighter paws and ear tips, white tail tip and toes, frosty blue eyes
Whiteleaf- white furred she-cat with dark brown speckles on neck and chest, green eyes
…
Apprentices
Rainpaw- small, blue-grey furred she-cat with black stripes below eyes and running down muzzle, black ear tips, tail tip, and toes, amber-green eyes (Mentor: Icefang)
Bluepaw- blue-grey furred tom with dark grey stripes down chest and back, white ear tips and tail tip, dark green eyes (Mentor: Stormfrost)
Bubblepaw- white furred she-cat with light grey patches on back, light blue eyes (Mentor: Otterflash)
Mistpaw- white furred she-cat with pale grey tabby stripes, pale blue eyes (Mentor: Whiteleaf)
Snowpaw- white and light grey furred she-cat with grey stripes down her cheeks and neck, icy blue eyes (Mentor: Mottlestream)
Hailpaw- white furred tom with large, dark grey paws and short grey-tipped tail, yellow eyes (Mentor: Lakeshadow)
Leopardpaw- light golden brown furred tom with black rosettes, darker paws, ear tips, and tail tip, white tuft on chest, deep blue eyes (Mentor: Specklefish)
…
Queens
Leafsplash- dark brown furred she-cat with a white splash on chest and one on her back, green eyes (expecting kits with Lakeshadow)
…
Elders
Pondtail- dark grey furred tom with a black tail, white on paws and cheeks, dark blue eyes
Creekshade- light grey furred she-cat with a black underbelly, legs, and paws, green eyes
…
…
Forestclan
Leader: Applestar- light brown and white dappled she-cat, red-brown underbelly, green eyes
Deputy: Badgerthorn- silver and black furred tom with a white stripe down his back, dark green eyes
Medicine Cat: Poppycloud- fluffy, grey furred tom with white patches, light blue eyes
…
Warriors
Wolftail- dark grey furred tom with light grey underbelly and tail, yellow-amber eyes
Voletooth- dark brown furred tom with light brown underbelly and muzzle, amber eyes
Softbark- brown furred she-cat with grey patch between ears, bright green eyes
Fernstrike- ginger furred she-cat with a black patch on back, green eyes
Aspenfur- white furred she-cat with black patch on left side and lower back, light blue eyes
Goldenbird- golden brown furred she-cat with brown paws and flanks, light green eyes
Dappleleaf- cream colored she-cat with a black tortoiseshell pattern, leafy green eyes
Oakleap- dark brown furred tom with light brown legs, yellow eyes
Thistlestorm- dark brown furred tom with spiky fur, black stripes from muzzle to lower back, white muzzle and paws, stormy blue eyes
Cherrynose- black and grey furred she-cat with a white muzzle, amber eyes
Barkshade- light brown furred tom with small black speckles, darker underbelly, legs, and paws, dark amber eyes
…
Apprentices
Ravenpaw- sleek, black furred she-cat with lighter tail tip and ear tips, faint white speckles on chest and lower back, very dark blue eyes (Mentor: Barkshade)
Berrypaw- light grey and blue-grey furred she-cat with dark brown paws and ear tips, dark green eyes (Mentor: Applestar)
Owlpaw- dark brown furred tom with black speckles on back and sides, yellow eyes (Mentor: Badgerthorn)
Badgerpaw- dark grey furred tom with a white stripe running from nose to tail tip, dark amber eyes (Mentor: Voletooth)
Foxpaw- russet and white furred tom with a black stripe along spine, light amber eyes (Mentor: Thistlestorm)
Tigerpaw- light amber and dark brown furred she-cat, black tabby markings and white ear tips, light green eyes (Mentor: Wolftail)
…
Queens
Swallowheart- small, light brown furred she-cat with black stripes around her eyes and paws, amber eyes (expecting kits with Badgerthorn)
Birdspirit- dark brown furred she-cat with white paws and muzzle, blue eyes (kits with Oakleap;
Falconkit- light brown furred tom with white chest and black paws, dark green eyes
Willowkit- light brown furred she-kit with dark grey paws and legs, dark green eyes)
Kestrelstreak- light brown furred she-cat with black streaks on sides and one on back, light green eyes (expecting kits with Barkshade)
…
Elders
Leopardtail- light brown furred tom with black spots on body and tail, yellow eyes
Smokewing- dark grey furred tom with white flanks, light blue eyes
Goldenfire- golden furred she-cat with ginger brown tabby stripes, amber eyes
…
A/N: Woo, that took forever. Anyways, like I said before, this story will mainly revolve around Lynxpaw, but Ravenpaw and Rainpaw are also very important. Hope you enjoyed!
If you have time: please consider reading my other story alongside this one. It is called Embers and Ashes.
Please review, favorite, and/or follow!
Let me know what you think of this story and please give constructive criticism to where you see fit.
Thank you and peace out!
~Wolfcreations18