It had been a whole moon since he brought his sister and her kits back to camp, it's been...interesting for the most part. Snowpaw has been doing well so far according to Mousefur and Bluestar and her kits were being taken care of by Brindleface and Cherrycloud in the mean time.
Icebelly barely moved as the snow fell onto his fur. It was oddly soothing for him. The smell of the river and reeds didn't bother him like it did when he first arrived. The sun was gone which definitely worked for him. "What's life in Thunderclan like?" Gullkit asked, she was laying in Icebelly's paws.
"Do you guys really eat twigs?" Black-kit added "Blackclaw says Thunderclan cats eat branches"
"Blackclaw likes to exaggerate" Mosspelt muttered, her head resting on Flameshell's shoulder. Her fluffy tail curled carefully around Dawnkit who gripped with her tiny paws, her littermates died not long after birth but Mosspelt had recovered thanks from the help of the queens.
"And has a fish bone very high up his rear" Condorwing added earning chuckles from Icebelly, Slivertide, and Sliverstream. Lakewillow cuffed him over the ears. There were many reasons why he came to Riverclan.
"We don't eat twigs, we eat squirrels and shrews" Cinderpaw mewed, they lightly batted at Shadepaw's ears. The two apprentices were locked in a play fight.
Icebelly wanted to go to Riverclan, the first time since leaf-bare started, while some of his clanmates didn't approve they didn't dictate Bluestar's decision and she let him go. Cinderpaw had wanted to go and followed him, Bluestar and Frostbite just said to bring them back safely, of course that wasn't request that was a threat at less on Bluestar's part.
He actually came in time for Vixenpaw and Grasspaw's warrior ceremony and Greenflower's kits apprentice ceremony:
-Flashback-
"Eelkit, Poolkit,Tidekit, and Heronkit step forward" Stormstar mewed
Greenflower and Sedgecreek gently nudged them forward. All kits looked proud and tall.
"Eelkit until you receive your warrior name you shall be known as Eelpaw, your mentor will be Whiteclaw. Poolkit until you receive your warrior name you shall be known as Poolpaw, your mentor will be Morningriver. Tidekit until you receive your warrior name you shall be known as Tidepaw, your mentor shall be Flameshell and Heronkit until you receive your warrior name you shall known as Heronpaw, your mentor will be Petalstream"
"Eelpaw Poolpaw Tidepaw Heronpaw"
Once the cheering settled down a bit Stormstar raised his bushy tail for silence. "I also have another ceremony to preform, Vixenpaw and Grasspaw step forward"
The two apprentinces looked anxious. Grasspaw looked a little scared but Vixenpaw tried to hold her head up high, Icebelly didn't miss the way Vixenpaw slightly flinched under Sunscar's gaze.
"Skyeyes Reedtail do you believe these two are ready for warriorship?"
"I do Stormstar" Skyeyes mewed
"As do I" Reedtail added
"Grasspaw from this moment forward you will be known as Grasswhisker, you clan thanks you for your hunting skill and balance and Vixen-"
"Umm Stormstar?"
Cats looked confused and shocked at Vixenpaw for interrupting but Stormstar didn't look annoyed "Yes Vixenpaw"
"I..I want a name change" Vixenpaw mewed "Vixen implies I'm a molly but I don't identify as such"
Stormstar nodded with complete understanding "Of course, what do you identify, pronouns? and what shall I call you or do you want me to pick?"
"I'm gender non-conforming, I'll use they/them though and I want to have the prefix Beetle-"
Stormstar glanced at Grasswhisker "Do you have anything to say Grasswhisker?"
"I still acknowledge myself as a tom but I use she/her pronouns, I'm fine with my name"
Stormstar nodded "From this day forward you shall be known as Beetleshade, your clan thanks you for your diving and fighting skill"
"Grasswhisker Beetleshade"
-Flashback ends-
"Shrews" Shadepaw mewed sticking her tongue out "Give me a fat carp"
"Riverclan" Cinderpaw replied, tail held high
"Apprentices" Sliverstream muttered in Icebelly's ear making the white tom chuckle.
"Where's Whiteclaw?"
"Trying to convince himself he didn't sleep with two Thunderclan cats or that he's into toms" Slivertide smirked
"Slivertide, Kits" Flameshell hissed
"Give him a day or two" Sliverstream mewed "He won't resist"
"You or me and Graystripe" Icebelly said, raising an eyebrow. Icebelly could be very persuasive.
"Hey" Sliverstream retorted "This body is flawless" he placed his paw on his chest then laid on his back.
"Damn right" Icebelly purred, enjoying the view.
"What does damn mean?" Dark-kit asked
"Sliverstream Icebelly hush" Flameshell growled, pulling Dark-kit close. "You'll learn when you're older Dark-kit"
"Yes, I'd prefer they don't learn those words yet" Swanlight mewed, carrying one of her kits in her mouth "I'd also prefer if Mistyfoot would rest instead of pushing themself" She went over to her nest where her two other kits rested. Swanlight and Reedtail named them: Redkit, Snapperkit,and Splashkit.
"She takes after their mother" Icebelly commented
"That she does" Icebelly snapped his head to see Rainclaw. The Riverclan deputy looked proud and tall but didn't hold any hostility.
Icebelly bowed his head to the deputy.
"Icebelly it's getting late, you should return to your camp" Rainclaw mewed
"Alright"
"We'll take him" Sliverstream mewed stretching, Slivertide standing up as well.
Rainclaw smirked "Don't take too long, patrols might be around"
Icebelly could tell what the deputy meant by that. He pulled Cinderpaw off Shadepaw when they had pinned the Riverclan molly. Icebelly did his best to ignore the stench of oil that was stuck to some of the cats pelts as they walked into camp. Stormstar had padded forward to meet them.
Sedgecreek stepped forward "Stormstar, the black liquid keeps spreading"
"We've dumped some rocks and some large branches to stop it for now" Frogleap added
Mudbelly finished "Mistyfoot broke a claw"
Stormstar sighed, his shoulders sagging "It will have to do for now, Mistyfoot go see Mudfur"
Icebelly could see Mistyfoot fighting pain but the blood dripping from their paw didn't help "I'm fine" the blue-gray cat replied
"No you're not, go to Mudfur and go to the nursery for now" Stormstar said firmly
"He's right Misty" Sliverstream added
Mistyfoot grumbled but obeyed their leader.
"Um..Stormstar what about them?" Grasswhisker pointed her tail at Icebelly and Cinderpaw.
"I'll deal with it Grasswhisker, all of you get some rest" the patrol walked past and headed to their dens.
Stormstar turned his amber and blue gaze on them, he sighed once again seeming to feel his age "I can't stop you two from telling but I beg with you not too"
"But don't you guys need help, I'm sure Bluestar could spare-"
Icebelly shoved his tail in Cinderpaw mouth "We'll keep silent Stormstar"
They said goodbye to Sliverstream and Slivertide and made their way back to camp. Rain started to fall as they walked.
"Why did you stop me?" Cinderpaw asked, fur fluffy up in annoyance
Icebelly replied without missing a beat "1. clans doesn't want to show weakness to other clan and with our situation with Riverclan we don't need that and 2. Bluestar is not going to help Riverclan when we're dealing with greencough and have Shadowclan clawing at our backs, if you have a problem take it up with her"
Cinderpaw quickly shut up after that.
Smart choice
/
The rain continued through the night and into the next morning. But by sunhigh, the clouds began to clear. A somber air hung over the clearing as the clan waited for news of their leader.
Yellowfang had told him last night that Bluestar had gotten whitecough, her kits were taken to the nursery but one of her kits, Rosekit had died.
Though their were other things for him to worry about: Shadowclan had a attack little while ago, not near the camp thankfully, during the attack he remembered all the things Whitethroat and Dawncloud told and him and he wanted to free them. He knew Whitethroat needed to speak so he knocked Whitethroat out (which was dumb on his part but he didn't have any other ideas) and the black tom was currently in the medicine den. Some called Brokenstar mad for making a pregnant cat battle.
Fuzzykit had gotten greencough and since Robinwing's kits: Shrewkit and Strikekit died he's worried for Fuzzykit's fate. He had been staying the nursery with Sunnykit and Flurrykit while Cherrycloud trained Brackenpaw and Cinderpaw in turn, they had discussed everything and hoped they were doing everything right as parents. It didn't help that Thunderclan honestly become a depressing place to be in at the moment but he couldn't blame anyone for that. Everyone was just trying to survive and not snap at each other.
Cypressflower's kit, Rosekit died to greencough yesterday. The blue-gray queen shut herself off from most cats, Icebelly, Bluestar, Rookslash, and Duststorm have been doing their best to help her but they even with all of them combined they can only do so much. Even Robinwing with her bitchyness backed off on this though her losing Shrewkit and Strikekit probably added to her being sympathetic. Cypressflower was already damaged from Adderkit's death, this definitely wouldn't help. Raveneye had also been a little distant since Shrewkit and Strikekit died, he had been with the kittens when it happened. What made it worse was that Chestnutclaw tried to frame him for killing them but Robinwing of all cats shut that down quick.
No one's having a good time. Tensions are starting to rise.
Icebelly crept out from the patch of brambles by the boundary well, where he'd sheltered since dawn, He padded over to Bluestar's den in the side of the highrock. He noticed the slight outline of a pointed white molly that reminded him of Whitestorm. No sound from Bluestar came from inside. As he turned away, he ran into Willowpelt carrying some food to the nursery. She tipped her head questioningly to one side.
Icebelly knew the pale gray molly was hoping for news on her adoptive mother. "Nothing to report, I'm afraid" he shrugged. He saw Willowpelt lower her head in sadness, he laid his tail on her back "It's Bluestar it'll take more than this to take her down"
Willowpelt laughed sadly "She's the toughest cat I know, I'll always be glad to have her in my life"
Icebelly had given Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw a day's rest from training. They both had been working hard to bring prey and help defend the clan and he didn't want them to overdue it. Swiftpaw and Lynxpaw had been given a day off as well since they had been some recent fights with Shadowclan and had brought ten scrawny but good pieces of prey. Seedpaw, Volepaw, Ebonypaw, Owlpaw, and Petalpaw were on a hunting assessment, Chivepaw, Stagpaw, Lightpaw, and Patchpaw were battle training.
Suddenly the lichen at Bluestar's den twitched and Frostbite and Spottedleaf burst through. The mollies raced across the clearing to the medicine den and reappeared within a few moments with Yellowfang behind her. Spottedleaf stopped half-way, she looked terrified and was breathing heavily.
Icebelly saw his clanmates stare after them, concern was stuck on their faces, concern for their leader. Lionheart and Tiger-roar were on patrols and the medicine cats were busy, someone needed to reassure the clan.
"Everyone continue your duties, have faith in your medicine cats" He mewed simply, he padded over and covered Spottedleaf neck with his tail, Duststorm had begrudgingly told him it's calming, he then pulled Spottedleaf into a hug. Spottedleaf seemed to relax after a few moments. She touched his nose with her muzzle "Thanks I needed that" she mewed as she padded to Bluestar's den.
His clanmates seemed to work with his attempt at making them feel better and continued what they were doing.
Icebelly bounded over to Bluestar's den just as Frostbite and Yellowfang pushed through the hanging lichen. He stopped and sat down, his heart racing. Frostbite peered out.
He signed What was wrong
Frostbite signed back Greencough, stand back, let no one in. The white molly ducked back inside.
Icebelly sat somewhat motionless as shock flooded through him. Greencough! great just what we needed, Bluestar would most likely lose another life.
Icebelly watched the medicine cats pool out. "There's nothing we can do now, Starclan decides her fate now" Yellowfang mewed
"Go sit with her she was asking for you" Spottedleaf added, laying her tail on his shoulder before following Yellowfang.
He padded inside, pushing his worry down. Goldenflower was inside, her plump belly visible. Icebelly could make out her amber eyes shining in the gloom, and the blue-gray fur of Bluestar lying curled in her nest. Goldenflower leaned forward and gently licked Bluestar's head to cool it.
"Yellowfang had given her catnip and feverfew" Goldenflower murmured to Icebelly "We can only watch and wait now" She got to her paws and touched Icebelly's nose to her muzzle "Will you be okay to sit with her?" she asked gently. Icebelly nodded and Goldenflower padded softly out of the den.
Icebelly lowered himself onto his belly, stretching his forepaws in front of him so that they just touched his leader's face. He lay very still, his eyes fixed on Bluestar's limp body. He never saw her look so weak and helpless since the rat attack, she didn't even have the strength to cough. Icebelly could her her breathing in the darkness, shallow and rasping, and listened to the faltering rhythm as the night slowly passed.
Her breathing stopped just before dawn. Icebelly had almost dozed off when he realized the cave was silent. There was no noise from the camp outside either, just a deathly hush, as if the whole clan were holding its breath.
Bluestar was completely still. Icebelly knew she was with Starclan, preparing her for her next life. He had watched Bluestar lose a life before. He felt his fur prickle at the eerie peace that seemed to enfold her body, but there was nothing e could do, so he waited.
Suddenly Bluestar gasped "Icebelly, is that you?" she mewed in a croaky voice
"Yes, Bluestar" Icebelly murmured "I'm here"
"I may have lost a life but I have gained something else, knowledge and strength" Bluestar started to stand "That Shadowclan tom will be very helpful"
/
It was hard for Whitethroat to spill everything about what was going on in Shadowclan, Icebelly had to hold him and tell him it was okay and the black tom spilled. He was glad only Bluestar and Yellowfang were there to see this exchange. Yellowfang confirmed everything they could to the clan. It made many cats gag and hiss in disgust. Yellowfang had disappeared a little while ago to get help.
Bluestar had sent Graystripe and Sandstorm to Windclan and Icebelly and Cinderpaw to Riverclan for help. In Bluestar's words "It's going down tonight"
Duskstar had agreed to get even with Shadowclan. Stormstar was hesitant at first but agreed after some convincing.
"Everyone Shadowclan has fucked with us long enough" Bluestar yowled "Brokenstar and his followers are going down: Spottedleaf, Thymepaw, Lionheart, Robinwing, Frostbite, Nightshade, Tiger-roar, Miststrike, Fogtail, Willowpelt,Magpiethroat, Darkstripe, Sandstorm, Raveneye, Duststorm, Chestnutclaw, Graystripe, and Icebelly you all will join me in this bloodshed" Bluestar was choosing cats of mass rather than speed, she truly meant business.
"What about us?" Ebonypaw asked, her tail held high.
"Brackenpaw, Cinderpaw, Swiftpaw, Lynxpaw, and Seedpaw you may go and be on your own but Volepaw, Ebonypaw, Owlpaw, and Petalpaw stick with your mentors, the rest of you will stay here and defend the camp" Smokepaw was recovering from her greencough and needed to rest.
"I'll join" Rookslash mewed, earning some gasps from the clan
Bluestar looked skeptical "Are you sure Rookslash?"
"You once told me to face my fears mother and I'll do it or die trying" Rookslash declared
"Very well, let's go" Bluestar jumped from the highrock and led the battle patrol out of camp. "We're heading to fourtrees, keep up" His leader called picking up the pace.
Icebelly was glad to see the other clans come into view as they reached fourtrees. Duskstar and Stormstar stood on the rock proudly. Icebelly could see Stormstar brought a small patrol of: Sliverstream, Shadepaw, Stonestorm, Leopardfur, Flameshell, and Blackclaw. Duskstar brought a decent sized patrol of: Rabbitwhisker, Morningflower, Barkface,Cloudrunner, Eaglepaw, Deadfoot, Ryestalk, Mudclaw, Rushpaw, Runningbrook, Thrushpaw, Whitetail, Webfoot,and Stonepaw.
Bluestar leaped up, head held high. "Glad you two agreed to this" she mewed
"I'm ready to get even" Duskstar replied
Stormstar flicked his tail "Let's hope this can quick"
"It will if we move" Yellowfang appeared from from bushes, several Shadowclan cats appeared: Nightpelt, Hollowflower, Ashfur, Featherstorm, Dawncloud, Sliverstorm, Lichenfang, Whitethroat, Littlecloud, Wetfoot, Badgerfang.
"What is this?" Mudclaw snarled, his gaze burning into the Shadowclan cats.
"Silence kit" Yellowfang snapped back, their amber eyes fierce "These cats aren't on Brokenstar's side and this is some of them"
"It's true" Dawncloud stepped forward "I've lost to many kits under Brokenstar's rule, I don't want to lose any more"
"We want to end my brother reign" Sliverstorm added
"We will end it" Lichenfang finished, determination in her voice.
"Less talking and more fighting" Bluestar declared "Lead us to your territory"
"Follow us" Sliverstorm mewed, leading the clans to her camp.
The trip to the Shadowclan was swift with everyone keeping pace only stopping when crossing the Thunderpath.
"Yuck, how do you all mange the smell" Owlpaw spat
"When you live here your whole life you're not really bothered by it" Badgerfang replied "Patrol's aren't around much under Brokenstar so we're good"
They neared the camp where Bluestar raised her tail for them to stop. "On my mark"
They waited a few moments, preparing for the battle.
"Now!"
Without hesitating, the cats sprang and raced through the entrance. It was a frenzy of chaos. Three clans against one shouldn't last too long but Brokenstar had many cats who followed under him. Shadowclan may be small but they made up for it in their sneaky battle tactics.
Icebelly hooked his claws into Frogtail. Slashing his shoulder and back. Frogtail yowled with fury managing to dislodge him and ran off. Icebelly saw Rookslash fighting Clawface, truly fighting her fears. Icebelly could tell she needed help though. He was proved right when he saw Toadpelt appear and go for the black molly's back and Clawface only barley missed her throat. He saw Cinderfur rush forward and knock Toadpelt off.
"Traitor!" Toadpelt spat, the two littermates were locked in a battle to the death.
Icebelly rushed over to Rookslash seeing that Clawface had disappeared. She was a bloody hem. He dragged her quickly over to Spottedleaf and Thymepaw.
Thymepaw was quickly treating her wounds. Icebelly turned his head to the madness.
Cloudrunner fighting Mudfoot. "For Aspenfall" Cloudrunner had hissed as he ripped Mudfoot's throat out. Tangleburr had grabbed Lizardstripe by her scruff and Nightpelt had killed Lizardstripe with a single slash to the throat. Graystripe snapping Deerfoot's neck from the back, the gray tom fell to the ground, revenge for Nettlesong.
Icebelly heard a screech behind him. He turned to see Clawface with Spottedleaf in his jaws. No he learned that killing a medicine cat was a great offense. Thymepaw had a slash across the side her back.
Icebelly didn't think, he acted. He launched himself at Clawface. He nipped at Clawface's paws making the older warrior back up then he struck Clawface across his scared face. He pinned the brown tom to the ground. He did not hesitate slashing the Shadowclan tom's throat open. He felt the blood spray onto his face and muzzle. He licked it with glee.
This is what power feels like, he guessed him and Tiger-roar weren't too different
"Icebelly!" Thymepaw exclaimed
Icebelly turned his head, feeling his high go down.
"She alive!" Thymepaw mewed, she pressed cobwebs hard against Spottedleaf's throat.
A loud yowl broke up the fight. Cats were in a circle. Icebelly rushed over to see what happened and kinda laughed when he saw Brokenstar being sat on by Graystripe. Yellowfang was infront of them, their mouth dropped in shock.
"Aahh get this fatass off me" Brokenstar hissed, paws flailing.
"I'm good" The gray tom replied, the smirk turned into a snarl "You killed Lionheart!"
Icebelly craned his neck to see Lionheart off to the side, bleeding at the throat and his limbs looked broken and bitten, Barkface started dragging Lionheart away. He saw Yellowfang, Sliverstorm, and Lichenfang step forward.
"You killed Raggedstar" Yellowfang spat finding their voice.
Brokenstar seemed to drop any charade he had left. "You found the body, didn't you recognize the fur between her claws"
Bluestar stepped forward with venom in her mew "You're a disgrace to the warrior code"
"I'm better than the code could ever be" Brokenstar retorted, a smirk on his wicked face
"You're nothing but a liar and a monster" Sliverstorm "And all those kits? did they deserve to die too?"
Brokenstar laughed "If they didn't die some other warrior would've killed them"
Dawncloud let out a yowl of grief.
Graystripe sprung away when Yellowfang had launched themself at Brokenstar, slashing his eyes.
"Aah I can't see"
"That's not all you're bout to lose" Lichenfang snapped
Lichenfang pulled Brokenstar back by his bent tail and Sliverstorm shoved Brokenstar to the ground. Yellowfang did the final blow, they tackled Brokenstar. Ripping into Brokenstar's throat, drawing it out with their large fangs. The wound was deep enough where you could see bone. Brokenstar wasn't going anywhere though Lichenfang sunk her own long fangs in when Brokenstar came back and didn't stop.
"Take back what he never deserved" Barkface muttered, as he pressed cobwebs on Lionheart's neck. Tiger-roar stared on at Brokenstar, he wore an emotion Icebelly couldn't tell. Brokenstar met Tiger-roar's gaze as he lose life after life.
Did they plan this to happen? Icebelly thought
Brokenstar had stopped moving after the fourth time. Lichenfang tossed his body like a piece of prey "Leave his body for the crows"
"Who's leader now?" Graystripe asked
"Sliverstorm and Lichenfang have more blood claim than Blackfoot" Applefang mewed, glancing at the white tom
"And I step down" Blackfoot added, bowing his head
"Traitor!" It was Frogtail who hissed that, he was under Blackfoot.
Brokenstar's supporters seemed to get over their shock and made a run for it. Frogtail kicked Blackfoot off and ran after them.
"Don't just stand there after them!" Cinderpaw called rushing out of camp, several cats following them.
"Cinderpaw" Icebelly ran after them. He did his best to keep pace, he just wanted to collapse in his nest. He heard hissing but he heard a car skidding and a screech. Icebelly sped up but skidded to a halt when he reached the Thunderpath. He saw Shadepaw staring at something, she was still as a rock.
"What's wrong, Shadepaw?"
Shadepaw pointed with her paw. Icebelly looked where she was pointing and his heart suddenly dropped. He saw something beside the ash, a dark shape on the thin stripe of grass.
It was Cinderpaw.