Lionblaze and Jayfeather report in
If you haven't already, I'd like to direct everyone to my new AU Dump. So far I've got one drabble/one-shot/idea and soon I'll be adding more! (When I feel like it- might be today actually)
People are giving me such good ideas on where to take Ignite- keep sending me ideas so I can continue! They're really helping me out big time!
Please review!
It was around sunset when Lionblaze and Jayfeather finally got around to tell Firestar about what Tigerstar and the Dark Forest were up to.
"...so Ivypool seems to think there aren't any more of those stones, but it's not deterring Tigerstar from trying. She thinks they might try again at a later point," Jayfeather finished.
Firestar shifted in his nest and carefully curled his tail around his paws. He had stayed silent throughout he whole report, and he couldn't help but be worried. The stone was giving off small angry pulses, just about as happy as he was about the situation.
He wasn't sure why, but the prospect of more stones out there in the big rock set his blood boiling. Bad enough that he had been turned into this, but if cats will bad intentions got their paws on a stone and was turned just like he was?
This was his territory, and he didn't like to share.
No, no, no, that wasn't why he should be worried! Who knows what Tigerstar would do if he got his paws on another stone?
Lay claim to my territory, do something to hurt my treasures; hurt my mate and hatchlings.
What? Where were these thoughts coming from? Of course he knew Tigerstar would do everything in his power to destroy all he knew and loved, just to get back at him. But his thoughts had never been this... vocal before. They were just coming up to the forefront of his mind, uninvited.
"Firestar?" He snapped back to reality to Lionblaze's and Jayfeather's questioning stares. The tips of his ears flushed red, the black making it all the more noticable.
"Right, sorry. If there aren't any more of these stones, then there isn't anything to worry about. You said Ivypool reported that the Dark Forest didn't find anything?"
"She said they were being pretty thorough. Maybe there's more on the inside, but we can't be certain," Lionblaze informed.
More on the inside. How did Tigerstar think he was going to crack the thing open, with his claws and fangs? Well Tigerstar was persistent, he could give him that.
Firestar took in a deep breath, "Okay, we'll send out a patrol tomorrow morning to see if nothing else is there."
Jayfeather frowned, "Tomorrow? What if they do find something tonight?"
"That's assuming they go out again tonight. And if you want to be the one to explain to the clan why we need to check the big rock for more stones, be my guest," Firestar meowed.
The two cats in front of him gave defeated sighs and nodded. Jayfeather reached out and bumped his head against Firestars' in an affection gesture. "Good night Firestar," he said as he left the den.
Lionblaze gave him a nuzzle, and the stone pulsed angrily. He flinched away from Lionblaze, feeling something was wrong. Lionblaze himself backed away, hurt shining in his eyes. Why had he just done that? Lionblaze had done nothing wrong! The stone have a pulse and suddenly he could see something shining within Lionblaze. He stared at it, perplexed. What was that? It felt.. powerful.
Threat, threat, threat, stay away, stay away, stay away
What?! Lionblaze wasn't a threat, he would do nothing to hurt him or anyone else! He was fighting so hard for this clan. He wasn't a threat!
Or was he?
"Firestar, you're starting to scare me," Lionblaze whimpered. He shook himself of his trance and felt his wings had moved from their folded up position to being slightly raised and open in a threatening position. He gaped at them, folding them back up with a snap, even though his instincts were telling him that Lionblaze was clearly powerful and he had to tread carefully with this cat around.
"I'm- I'm so sorry; I don't know what came over me!" he said desperately, pleading with Lionblaze to forgive him.
"You've been acting differently over the past quarter moon, ever since your appearance changed," he stated, gazing down upon the stone with a neutral expression. Firestar twitched his tail, embarrassed. He really hadn't wanted to act like this, it was like the stone was deciding how he should act for him.
"It's the stone again isn't it? It's changing you into what you are now, making you act how it wants," Lionblaze purred sadly.
Was he being condescending towards him? He couldn't tell. All he knew was that he wanted Lionblaze out of the den so that he could brood and cry. His wings involuntarily moved to slowly cover up his body, trying to hide from the cat in front of him. He stiffened as Lionblaze lowered his head to rest it atop his own. He let out a choked sob and looked up at his grandson.
"I hate what I'm becoming." Lionblaze gave him a lick and nuzzled him, before bidding him good night.
Sandstorm pushed her way into the den. "What did Lionblaze and Jayfeather want to see you for? More medicine cat or prophecy business?" She took notice of his downhearted expression. He looked like he wanted to cry. "Or perhaps it was family business," she murmured.
She padded up to the nest and sat down next to him. "What's wrong dear?"
He looked at her with bleary eyes. "What isn't wrong? I'm a freak, I'm acting and thinking differently, and I all but threatened Lionblaze because he felt off," he listed.
"How did he feel off?"
He sighed. "I don't know, the stone just felt angry all of a sudden, and then I could see something in Lionblaze. Some kind of light; it felt powerful."
She flicked her ear. "You think the stone doesn't like this power?"
"Not just the stone; me. I cringed away from him. I thought he was a threat and wanted him to get away from me! I'm afraid that it will happen again and- what if I hurt him? Why do I feel as if everyone is out to steal everything from me?" he wailed.
"Steal from you?" she tried urging him on. If she knew how to handle this new mentality of his then maybe...
"Steal my territory. Hurt my treasures. My treasures..." he trailed off, dazed.
"And what are your treasures?" she pressed. His response was to curl around her carefully.
"I- I need to- to protect my treasures. Without my treasures, my mate and hatchlings, I'm nothing," he mumbled, more to himself than to her. She pursed her lips; did he consider her his treasure? He was sweet, but he talked as if she was something fragile to protect. And she wasn't fragile.
"You know I can protect myself right?" she said heatedly. He looked up at her with wide eyes. She gave an inward cringe; that might not have been the best thing to say. At the very least, she shouldn't have said it in that tone of voice. His eyes turned to slits and he curled around her tighter, enough to prevent her from leaving his hold. Was he mad at her? Maybe she should try being a little gentler this time.
"I'm not going to leave you, but I can protect myself just fine," she murmured to him. His eyes flashed red briefly before he closed his eyes and laid his head on her pelt. Looks like she was stuck for the night. It was fine; Firestar gave out a natural heat since he changed. It was welcome, since the weather would be getting colder with the coming moons.
Not only that, but his embrace made her feel safe. She wasn't a fragile she-cat, but sometimes even she needed someone to comfort her. Here, she was content to be with her big, strong mate. He still had a gentle heart inside him, she just knew it. She snuggled into his hold, and was pleased to hear a soft, low purr coming from him. She closed her eyes, drifting off into sleep, purring into Firestar's ears.
He needed to know that there would be someone here to protect and comfort him too.
Firestar's mentality is changing. Any other powerful beings are threats to his hoard.
The dragon is very much aware that Sandstorm, as well as Brambleclaw, Leafpool, and Squirrelflight aren't dragons like itself. Now if they were dragons, he would be proud that Sandstorm doesn't need as much protecting, and he's still proud, but since she's not a dragon, Firestar's mentality thinks that she needs a little more protection than usual.
What would he be without his treasures? There are a number of routes to take if all his treasures are ripped away from him, or they leave him in general. He could lose the will to live, or he could be angry and despondent at the world. He could become uncaring to those around him. What do they matter if he's lost everything?
Basically keeping his mate and children close makes a happy Firestar. And we stan a happy Firestar in this house.
Tell me how I did.