Wow, look a super late update! So yeah, I don't think I'll be updating the usual times at Saturday anymore cause I finally got a part time job. I'll tell you, the anxiety I had leading up to today was awful.
The pain from standing most of the time was pretty awful too. Turns out, I've got no stamina or endurance for physical labor. ;-; My back couldn't take it. It was so bad that when I finally got home, I couldn't even make myself lunch and I just- plopped onto the couch and cried. I should probably exercise more.
Anyway, here's a super forced chapter because I really don't know where I'm going with this. Did I mention that I have no idea how to do the inbetween stuff?
ALSO PLEASE READ. I posted this on fanfiction yesterday, so I'm putting this up again for the A03 people and the people that didn't see this when I put it up. If you've already read this than skip!
Okay, so I just received criticism not pertaining to the fic or the chapter, but in regards to me. And I'm really not sure if I want to approve the review and put it up with the rest of the reviews. It basically accused me of always complaining about not receiving enough reviews and made me out to be an ungrateful piece of work. I'm making it seem like my reviewers aren't doing enough.
Let me make this clear: I do appreciate my reviewers. But I think people are getting confused here. I was talking about the lack of reviews in regards to the AU DUMP, not IGNITE. I'm sure a lot of writers out there see the amount of people are viewing their fics and wonder why the review count didn't go up.
They say no news is good news, but for me, no reviews tells me nothing. Was the chapter good? Was it bad? It's because of the people so far PMing me and reviewing and giving me ideas that this fic has even gotten this far. It's because of some people giving me ideas that I get ideas for the AU Dump.
And you know what? This person is kinda right. (╥_╥) I'm sorry if I made people feel like crap for not reviewing. I appreciate all your reviews and ideas. I suppose like I felt the work I put into the AU Dump was underappreciated.
I just went and dumped on the other writers of the fandom too, because there are a bunch of other people out there who don't have it as good as me, getting all these amazing people to review, favorite, and follow their fics.
So yeah, now I feel like crap.
I'll try to curb such behavior in the future, and I'm sorry again.
"They- they think I'm what? Some kind of- of monster?" he whispered brokenly. The cats in front of him gave him concerned looks, and he averted his eyes. He wasn't a monster! He was-
He was powerful, he was strong. He was meant to be feared, and that was okay. If they weren't okay with him, then he would just squash them. The other clans meant nothing in the grand scheme of life.
What? Of course the clans mean something! He wasn't- he wasn't some uncaring monster that would kill those that opposed him!
Why not?
What were these thoughts-?
They don't matter. My mate and my hatchlings- my treasures- are the only things that matter. Anyone who tries taking them away or makes them unhappy will feel my wrath.
This- this wasn't him. The stone sent a warm pulse throughout his body, and he fought to keep his shudder in.
"Firestar, please calm down. You'll wake the others... and you know what happens if you get too stressed out," Brambleclaw pleaded. His eyes shifted over to his hatchling. "We don't think you of some kind of monster, you know that."
"You don't..." Firestar murmured. "But everyone else in the clan..." They were still talking about him and every move and action he made. Nothing he did would ever ease their minds. It wasn't just Thunderclan now, it was everyone around the lake. His transformation would bring war to Thunderclan. Everything was his fault.
Just kill them then. Keeping my treasures safe are all that matters.
He wanted these thoughts to just stop.
A pulse of gentle warmth flooded him, the stone coaxing his mind to forget all his worries. His thoughts were melting away again. Ah, he was regressing again wasn't he? He was beginning to become aware of it happening lately. All of his worries would be washed away, his mindset being reduced to pure instinct, something primal. Surprisingly, it was a nice feeling.
He didn't fight the stone's influence this time. He just... wanted to forget.
Firestar blinked up at the cats in front of him, confused. What were they looking so worried for?
Brambleclaw sighed. "Oh no, not again. He always regresses to this state when he gets stressed enough..." Why was his hatchling talking like he wasn't there? The other two cats gave a dip of their heads before leaving the den.
Brambleclaw turned to him with a sad smile. His hatchling was sad again. He couldn't help but feel as though it was his fault that Brambleclaw looked so defeated. There was obviously nothing to worry about! He didn't need to be scared of or be scared for him. He would never hurt his hatchling, and if anything hurt Brambleclaw or the others, he would defend them until the threat was gone. He gave Brambleclaw a nuzzle, trying to comfort him. His hatchling gave a soft purr and thrust his head underneath Firestar's.
It made Firestar so happy to see his hatchling was no longer shying away from his affections. Usually he would be so stiff!
He felt movement underneath his wings, and he folded them onto his back. Squirrelflight gave a groan at the removal of the heat covering her and gave a yawn. Leafpool got up and stretched out her body while Sandstorm's eyelids fluttered. He gave her face a few licks, and she giggled at the ticklish feeling and opened her eyes. She too gave him a sad smile upon seeing his red eyes.
She turned to Brambleclaw. "What happened this time?"
"Ah... Jayfeather came back from the Moonpool and didn't have... exactly good news to share," Brambleclaw explained.
Firestar meanwhile, reached over and started rasping his tongue over Squirrelflight's head. Her fur was all tussled on her head. "Father, I can do that myself!" she groaned, but nevertheless gave him a lick in return. This was all he wanted; his mate and hatchlings together where he could watch over them.
Leafpool touched her muzzle onto his head, avoiding his horns in the process. "Go back to sleep father. The clan can survive a bit without you," she urged him. Well if she insisted...
Sandstorm squeaked as his wings unfolded and wrapped around her frame and pulled her close to her mate. "I don't think he'll be letting me go anytime soon," she joked. His hatchlings give him affectionate licks before stepping out of the den. He watched them as they left, hoping that they would be fine on their own. He closed his eyes let himself drift off.
.
.
.
.
.
.
He blinked his eyes open, feeling well rested. Jayfeather's dream still weighed heavily on his mind, but at least he felt better now. That was, until he noticed where he was.
He muttered a curse under his breath upon seeing the dark, murky forest in front of him. He glared up at the sky; no moon or stars. He knew where this was.
"Poor kittypet, lost every bit of respect within the clans." Firestar's eyes narrowed at the evil tabby emerging from the rotten undergrowth. Maybe he could get out of here if he closed his eyes and went back to sleep. It would certainly be better than being here with Tigerstar of all cats.
Tigerstar kept his distance, but there was a mocking smile gracing his muzzle. "That form doesn't suit you kittypet."
"It wouldn't exactly suit you either, what's your point?" Firestar drawled.
"That power is utterly wasted on you," Tigerstar hissed. He suddenly smirked. "And yet..."
"What do you want? I'm not in the mood to be playing your games," Firestar hissed at him. His wings flared out, trying to make him more threatening. He lashed his tail, making deep gouges into the earth below him.
Tigerstar gave a dark chuckle. "Such a pretty little beast you've become."
Firestar gaped at him, before he gave the tabby a furious glare. "How dare you! The only beast here is you, you murderer. You would have killed us all already if this had happened to you," he spat.
"Perhaps I would have," he meowed nonchalantly. "But at least I'm not the one whose a monster."
Not a monster, not a monster, not a monster, not a monster, I'm not just some monster! I'm-
But what if he was? He had apparently almost killed Onestar in his rage, made his clan and the other clans feel threatened by his presence.
"They all think so don't they? Your precious clan doesn't trust you anymore, Windclan wants you gone, and the other two will be wanting the same soon." Tigerstar smirked at him. "Even those close to you will hate you. Squirrelflight, Leafpool, Sandstorm, Brambleclaw; they'll all blame you for their troubles."
Firestar flinched, wondering if he was right. His treasures wouldn't leave him... right?
"Enough."
A bright light blinded the two, and Tigerstar gave an enraged hiss as the light burned him. It died down, and Firestar's eyes widened at seeing the Starclan cats standing off against Tigerstar. Tallstar bared his fangs at him, Bluestar gave Tigerstar a growl, and Yellowfang nudged Firestar further into the forest.
"Well, look at you. You're even taller and bigger than Tigerstar now," Yellowfang purred as they walked off. Firestar gave her a startled look, wondering why she was so calm near him. Cats usually treated him with wariness...
"Don't listen to Tigerstar, Firestar. You're not a monster. You've been given a gift that will help the clans for generations to come," Bluestar said.
"What kind of gift is this?" he cried. "I'm bringing possible war to Thunderclan! My own clan tiptoes around me like I'm easy to set off! What if he's right? They'll all leave me in the end!" Would his treasures be better off without him? Without him they wouldn't be dragged into the mess he made. A mess he made by existing.
Tallstar touched his muzzle to Firestar's head. "I think you'll find that your loved ones will never leave you. You have the power to protect them better than ever before." Tallstar paused, thinking. "I'm sorry for Onestar's behavior. I wanted Windclan and Thunderclan to help each other in times of need, and instead of helping you get through this, he has convinced others to scorn you." He gave a heavy sigh. "Perhaps I never should have chosen him at the last heartbeat."
"Not your fault that Onestar turned into a mouse-brain," Yellowfang snorted.
"Anyway, we are here for you Firestar. Never give up your faith in your clan and loved ones. They will always be there for you, just like we watch over everyone from Starclan," Bluestar meowed warmly.
He blinked, and suddenly he was back in his nest within the leaders' den. He stared off into the distance, mulling over their words. Why wait so long to tell him he had support? He sucked in a breath through his teeth as the stone sent out a pulse of heat that washed over him. His head throbbed and pulsed.
Don't trust them.
His eyes narrowed. Liars.
Tigerstar trying to mess with Firestar's head? I can see him doing that. Did I execute it well? Not really.
Firestar has supporters in Starclan, and enemies in Starclan. The stone sees them all as enemies. Firestar should only trust himself, and his treasures.
I could still use some ideas on where to take Ignite cause I really hated writing out this chapter.
Tell me how I did.
