Okay, this chapter is later than usual. I just had a huge lack of motivation for months. But inspiration struck and here we are! This is the next chapter of Descent! Usual warnings for sexism, though no homophobia and transphobia in this chapter.

Enjoy!

- Mossy

Review Replies:

Rowan Wisteria- Thanks for the OCs, I really love them! Dovebreeze and Foxclaw (we'll see more of him in the future) have quickly become favorites. Best boys. Fawnspots is literally a walking disaster magnet and I love her for it. She's a lovable wreck :)

succulentsofa- Wooo, Fawnspots is an idiot. She loses her brain around Skyshade. And I want the world for Dovebreeze already, we'll see a lot of him. But thanks! I don't want to be too in your face with the world building. And actually I do kinda ship Redpaw and Blazingpaw whoops-

Forever-snowy- Thanks! I love putting random spots for people's characters in, it's really fun. Fawnspots is a klutz yes, and you got her character pinned! Don't worry, I want to explore this world too and I'm looking forward to building it up.

Pigeonstar's bones ached as he heaved himself up on the dirt mound that made up the place where he gave his announcements. He saw Silverclaw pace back and force, obviously anxious. He could understand why. This was his first kit to make it to adulthood, since his first litter passed away as kits, taking the life of his first mate with them. Gingertail's body, red fur made redder by the blood that had coated her pelt, still haunted his dreams for seasons after her death.

She looked almost exactly like her mother before her passing. Pigeonstar felt the familiar stab of grief that accompanied thoughts of Mapleleaf. However, it had since dulled to a cool ache. The throbbing of old feelings for something that might have been. Yewbranch offered him a silent smile from the elder's den, the sunlight dancing off her golden fur. He ducked his head and flushed, embarrassed she still had that effect on him.

He shook his fur out as she walked closer to him, "What's ruffling your feathers, Pigeon?" she whispered, pressing her muzzle into his scruff. He sighed, and let himself relax as he took in her scent.

"It's Featherpaw's ceremony," he sighed, seeing his mate's face light up, "Amberheart's apprentice." He say Yewbranch stare at him, before smiling.

"My niece's apprentice," she purred, "How lovely. Do you think Featherpaw is ready?"

"To have kits?" Pigeonstar scoffed (he knew Silverclaw wanted Featherpaw to become mate's with Pigeonstar's own nephew), "Sure. Whatever tom that wants her can have her. That's not why I'm-"

"Pigeonstar, she doesn't know a future," Yewbranch scoffed, "She's young and she's probably excited to start a family. I thought I saw her looking at that young Ferretsoar. Quite the lady killer, that one."

"That sounds fine," Pigeonstar rolled his eyes, "The dilly dallying of the youth is the least of my worries. Maybe I-" He swallowed, "Maybe I would care more if our grandkits were among them."

"Pigeonstar!" Yewbranch huffed, cuffing him gently over the ear. He winced, "You know I don't- I never cared-"

"Yeah, well I soon I have to pick out names for Mapleleaf's grandkits," he hissed, "And I- I'm the leader of Gladeclan and yet I could never start a family with the she-cat I love."

"Pigeon," Yewbranch sighed, "That's right. Despite how… how many tests the stars put you through, you won. You've successfully led Gladeclan for moons now. Besides, I'm much too old for kits now."

"You deserved a family, Yew," he whispered.

"I do have a family," Yewbranch scoffed, "I have Amberheart, and her kits, and I have you. I wouldn't trade you for anything in the world." He almost melted at the sincerity of her words.

Still, Pigeonstar had noticed the way her eyes lit up when new kits were born. How gentle she was with them when telling stories. She would have made an amazing mother.

"I'm proud of Amberheart, and…" Yewbranch sighed, "It's not her fault who her mother was, Pigeon."

He flinched, "That's not- I-" Yewbranch simply sighed.

"I know you still think about her, love," she whispered, "I can see it in your eyes. I know… I know how much you cared about her."

"Yew, she's not… you," Pigeonstar shook his head, "I'm an old tom, well past loving Mapleleaf. It more hurts because… she got-"

"She got what you thought I deserved," Yewbranch rolled her eyes, "We've had this conversation a million times. How about you stop telling me what I deserved, and instead let me be thankful for the wonderful life I've lived with you."

Pigeonstar stared at her and slowly nodded. He wanted to believe his mate, the she-cat who had stood by his side for moons and moons. He'd do anything for Yewbranch, she was his world. He just… saw the way her eyes lit up whenever kits came to visit the elder's den. She would have loved her own family. And he never could give her that. He never understood why she stayed with him, and knew he was lucky to have a mate at all. Especially one as kind and gentle as Yewbranch. He felt the sting of tears in his eyes and his claws sank into the dirt if the tunnel floor beneath him. Yewbranch wiped his tears away with her tail. "Come on Pigeon," she whispered, "You have a ceremony to do."

Pigeonstar slowly nodded and stood up straighter. The closest thing he had to a kit of his own was his sister's single grandson. (Bugheart herself had unfortunately passed away due to greencough many seasons ago.) Now a young warrior, Applestorm was currently eyeing Featherpaw with a hungry look in his eye. Pigeonstar let out a sigh. His nephew had also been… greedy.

He sighed, knowing the young tom was already set up to be with Maplepaw. The pretty, russet she-cat seemed less than thrilled about her fate. Pigeonstar scoffed at that. Applestorm's attitude could be improved and he was the last of the mighty leader's bloodline. It was honor to be one of his mates. As leader, Pigeonstar liked to survey the potential mates of his clan. He wanted to make sure that any future generations would be strong, because otherwise Gladeclan would crumble. Not that I'm the best when it comes to passing on the bloodline. It hurt to see his parents' proud lineage end up on the shoulders of his brash, arrogant nephew. He hoped that Applestorm would learn humility in the coming moons.

With a sigh, he crawled up to the boulder in the large center cavern of the tunnel system that made up Gladeclan's camp. That was how they'd always lived. The deep, smooth tunnels gave them shelter and a safe place to live and the grassy meadows provided prey. Warriors had been hunting out in the glade, and queens raised kits in the tunnels for generations. Of course, queens weren't allowed on the moor. Pigeonstar purred, remembering all the times he'd accompanied Yewbranch to the glade and she'd stick flower petals in his fur. What a simpler time.

He looked out over his clan, seeing them watch him with anticipation. He saw Talonshreik, sitting at the base of the stone looking stern as ever. Pigeonstar nodded at his deputy, smiling as he saw a young kit totter up to his deputy. "Papa!" the kit exclaimed, wrapping her paws around her father. Talonshreik's gaze softened ever so slightly.

"Talonshreik!" Pigeonstar called, "Who's the little one?" He saw the deputy blink at him, before a faint smile appeared on his face. His pride was evident. "Oh, that's Smallkit." The she-kit puffed her chest out upon hearing her name.

"Ah, did Littlewing have another litter already?" Pigeonstar beamed, "I'm sure you must be proud."

"Ah no, Littlewing's still expecting," Talonshreik dipped his head, "This is Lakefrost's first litter. Unfortunately we only had one kit, but…" He shook his head, "I'm hoping Littlewing's will be a bit bigger."

"But her first litter just had Hearthpaw," Pigeonstar nodded, sighing, "The curse of small litters, right?" What I would give for one kit. "Hopefully a few sons get thrown in the mix."

"Yes," Talonshreik nodded, "I love Hearthpaw and Smallkit with all my heart, but…" He trailed off, "Well, someone should inherit my fighting skill." He pawed at the dirt mournfully.

Pigeonstar hummed in agreement, and sensing the conversation was coming to a close, turned to face his clanmates. "Hello everyone! Today, a young she-cat earns her name." He smiled politely at the young Featherpaw, who looked up at him, obviously nervous. She truly was a pretty she-cat, and he knew more toms than Applestorm would be fighting over her. Good breeding, a petite frame… He saw her squirm under his gaze.

"I, Pigeonstar, leader of Gladeclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as queen in turn," the old gray leader started, watching as Featherpaw shifted her paws.

"Featherpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to carry on the legacy of your Clan?"

The apprentice's words came out shaky, "I do?"

Pigeonstar shook his head and sighed, "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your name. Featherpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Featherbell. StarClan honors your beauty and grace, and we welcome you as a full queen of Gladeclan." He jumped off the old stone, hip creaking. With a slight shudder he stood up and placed his muzzle on Featherbell's head.

The she-cat felt dainty under his paws, almost fragile. He hoped she wouldn't break when it came to kitting. Silverclaw deserved some living descendants. "Thank you sir," she whispered, seeming polite and respectful. Maybe she wouldn't be so bad for his nephew.

"You're welcome," Pigeonstar nodded, and did a quick glance at Applestorm, "I hope you find a mate who makes you very happy."

She nodded, eyes scanning the crowd. Pigeonstar sighed when he saw her gaze linger on Ferretsoar. He wasn't surprised, too many she-cats had their heart set on that airheaded tom. Pigeonstar wished he'd pick a few and hurry up and have some kits. That boy didn't seem to have his head straight on his shoulders. "You know," he nudged her gaze over, "There's more… dependable toms around your age."

"Applestorm?" she wrinkled her nose and Pigeonstar tried not to sigh. He'd told Applestorm his attitude didn't help his reputation.

"My own nephew," Pigeonstar purred, "I'm sure he'd love a pretty lady like yourself." Featherbell looked less than pleased, and gave a resigned nod.

"Yes… sir," she murmured. Pigeonstar saw Silverclaw give him a small nod. The senior warrior would love for his daughter to give birth to the leader's future kin.

"How about you go hunt together?" he whispered, and shoved her in Applestorm's direction. Silverclaw padded over.

"Well she seems less than enthused," he shook his head, "What's wrong with Featherbell? I thought she'd like this day."

"Oh, same as all young she-cats," Pigeonstar huffed, "She's padding after the local heartthrob."

"Ah," Silverclaw didn't sound happy, "Ferretsoar needs to take a mate by the end of the moon. He's a problem."

"Oh, he should soon," Pigeonstar narrowed his eyes. The young tom was currently sitting next to Badgerfern, laughing as something that was probably inane. He remembered Badgerfern was mates with Ferretsoar's sister. At least one of them settled down.

"Applestorm seems pleased with my daughter at least," Silverclaw rolled his eyes.

"Oh, he likes the pretty ones," Pigeonstar nodded, "He's been after Maplepaw since kithood. I'm sure Featherbell will make him very happy."

"There's nothing more I could want," Silverclaw purred, "Only the best for my eldest kit."

Pigeonstar nodded. He'd been looking out for Applestorm since his mother's and Bugheart's death. He owed it to her sister to look out for her grandson. Only the best.

Okay, curious about what people think of Silverclaw. Or Pigeonstar, so that will be the question for this chapter.

I plan on switching POVs, so any character that people specifically want to see they can request! I can't say for sure I'll pick them, but I'll take it into consideration!