Here we go again. I have made plans/outlines for No Wings to Fly (all of it) and up to chapter 25 for Dawnstar's Legacy. There are big plans for them. Big! The only thing that's keeping it slow is the artwork. If any of you want to see it, it's on my deviant art page, where the account name is the same as the one on here. Fanfiction won't let me link things, it gets rid of it entirely so you're going to have to search it up, sorry. Also, school is starting up soon, like, August 20th. After that date, don't expect much from any of my content accounts. I'll be going into my final year of college, so I need to focus on graduating.
Still open for OC's. If they don't fit into Dawnstar's Legacy, they will fit in No Wings to Fly. Be open to your characters going into any of the clans. Tigerface, Rosemoon, Wolfheart, Torrentrunner, Whitepool, Mothspots and Mapleleaf are all reader submitted characters that have or will have more than cameo roles, so I'm not just using them as backgrounds. And I'm aware you can add line breaks, but I started doing this without knowing that, so I just do separations for the sake of tradition now.
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Dawnflight hopped onto the fallen tree that connected dry land to Gathering Island. The silvery she cat dug her claws into the moistened bark, clinging to it as it trembled. She sucked in a breath when tree rocked slightly. She let out a small sigh as Stoneheart whisked around her and nimbly trotted across the tree bridge onto the island, paying no mind to her daughter's hesitation. Dawnflight felt her hackles raise when something poked her tail and haunches. She whirled around to see Fireclaw nudging her forwards. The bright ginger elder chuckled a little. His green eyes glowed under the moonlight, filled with a youth that his body seemed be absent of.
"When I was a moon or so younger than your age, I just swam across. Amberblaze thought I was a mouse brain and my mentor was embarrassed by his soaking wet apprentice when I introduced myself to the other clans."
Dawnflight flashed him a small smile and took a few paw steps forward. Then, she leapt. She shut her eyes and felt the breeze touch her fur as she flew to the island. The sound of sloshing lake water jerked her eyes open!
I'm going to fall into the lake!
Dawnflight tensed and braced her body for the impact into the dark, night kissed water, but instead she heard a thud and felt pain rippled across her body. Dawnflight blinked a few times, dusting out any dirt and pieces of grass from her amber eyes. Tree roots came into view and her front paws were splayed across them. Her tail and back legs lay limp on the remainder of the tree bridge. Fireclaw padded across the tree to Dawnflight. He let out a hearty laugh. Icepelt and Shellfang approached him from behind and hopped into the lake and began swimming towards the island, clearly annoyed by Dawnflight's spectacle. Dawnflight felt her fur grow warm from embarrassment. Fireclaw stopped laughing and grabbed Dawnflight's scruff, lifting her up and placing her onto the island.
"That was much bolder than what I would have done at your age, Dawnflight. I guess that's how you got your warrior name," the old tom said as he landed next to Dawnflight, "the other clans aren't even here yet. Nobody but us saw that."
Dawnflight sat up and got to her paws. Fireclaw trotted off towards the center of the island. Dawnflight shook her pelt. She almost fell back onto her haunches when a cat shoved her aside.
"Move it, I want to get a good place to sit." The voice hissed. Dawnflight gazed forward to see the dark amber eyes of Thunderpaw glaring back at her. The hairs on Dawnflight's tail bristled, but she wordlessly scooted to the side. Thunderpaw padded past her and disappeared through the pine trees. Dawnflight sighed quietly.
I'll need to talk to him one day. And to our parents. They haven't spoken a word to him for moons.
Dawnflight stood up on her white paws and moved towards the center of the Gathering Island. Low hanging pine needles scraped her pelt, but she didn't mind. The cool air of late green leaf and scent of the pines and water relaxed the grey she cat. Slightly exhilarated, like a newly fledged apprentice, she bounded into the clearing.
I don't remember the last Gathering I attended. I hope Waterstar doesn't announce my kits…
The Great Tree came into view, illuminated by the bright moonlight. Dawnflight squashed her thoughts and found an empty place in the grass to sit. The moment she sat down, ShadowClan scent filled her nose. More cats milled around, tense and quiet. The incoming cats ignored the RiverClan cats. Dawnflight felt her tail twitch in annoyance as some ShadowClan warriors passed right by her as if she was another forest plant and sat down several tail lengths away.
I shouldn't let their rudeness get to me. After all, we are about to battle them in the next half moon. I wouldn't want to speak to my opponents either.
A few cats sitting nearby jumped aside to surprise. Dawnflight prepared to move in case some cat decided they needed to get through. Dawnflight weaved through the ShadowClan and newly arriving WindClan and ThunderClan cats. The silvery she cat felt like meeting a few new faces today, if she could help it. Dawnflight walked to where WindClan scent was the strongest.
I only know a few WindClan cats. I might as well start there.
Dawnflight sat down next to a lithe, dark grey she cat. Her emerald green eyes sparkled in the low light of the night. She smiled at Dawnflight and mewed her greeting.
"Hi, my name is Wolfheart. I'm a WindClan warrior." The dark grey cat mewed with a friendly tone. Dawnflight mused how her fur looked rather beautiful and sleek in the moonlight. She blinked when she suddenly felt déjà vu.
I've never met this cat before, but she seems so familiar? Maybe she reminds me of someone else.
Dawnflight blinked again and mentally shook herself.
I probably just saw someone who looked like her here at the Gathering. Some cats just look alike.
"I'm Dawnflight and I'm from RiverClan" Dawnflight responded; Wolfheart nodded, "it's nice to meet you."
"What's it like, living by the water? When I'm patrolling or hunting by the lake, I can't stand the sounds from the waves." Wolfheart meowed. Dawnflight twitched her whiskers in amusement.
"I like the sounds from the river and the lake. It can be quieter than you think most days. What I can't stand is all the rustling in ThunderClan territory." Dawnflight responded. Wolfheart raised an eyebrow.
"You've been to ThunderClan territory?"
Dawnflight froze for a heartbeat.
I shouldn't have said that! It must be so weird that I don't always stay on my clan's lands.
"Uh, yeah, once when I was on my way to visit the Moonpool before my warrior ceremony."
"Oh, right, I forgot about that. You must cross both ThunderClan and ShadowClan territories if you don't want to feel exposed out in my clan's territory for endless fox lengths," Wolfheart purred, "I don't think I could live with all that rustling either. I'd probably stay up all night with all the noise." Dawnflight purred in response. The two she cats chatted for a while, enjoying each other's company. Dawnflight was surprised they seemed to fit so well together, almost like best friends. The feeling of déjà vu hit Dawnflight again.
There it is again. Déjà vu. Maybe we were good friends or sisters in a past life or something.
The white pawed warrior gazed back at her dark colored friend. Dark amber met emerald green. Wolfheart spoke first.
"You said you were from RiverClan, right? Is Fireclaw here tonight? He and I are old friends. I'd like to say hello to him."
Dawnflight nodded.
"Yeah, he's over that way," her tail pointed towards the west side of the clearing, "He'll be among a few other elders."
"Thanks, I'll go look for him. I think I'll try a few pawsteps in the lake tomorrow. Come find me at the next Gathering." Wolfheart mewed as she walked towards the sea of cats.
"No problem, I'll try out those grooming tips tonight. I have a friend in ThunderClan, that I want to see."
Wolfheart's eyes flashed something at the mention of "friend in ThunderClan" that Dawnflight wasn't sure she even saw, but then mewed her "goodbye." The Windclan warrior disappeared in the mass of pelts. Dawnflight pushed past a few cats in search of Breezepaw's silver tabby coat.
I really like Wolfheart, she and I became good friends, but she just feels so familiar and I can't put my paw on it.
Dawnflight swung her head side to side, searching every pelt. No sign of Breezepaw.
Maybe Applepaw and Emberpaw are here.
The silvery grey she cat turned around towards the ShadowClan cats. Some of them seemed to ease up after settling down at the Gathering but a few warriors still gave a Dawnflight a sneer as she passed by. Dawnflight sat down next to some less than hostile cats when a ginger paw prodded her flank. Dawnflight turned her head to see purple-blue eyes staring at her with a cream-colored tom smiling.
"Emberpaw!" Dawnflight meowed joyously. The tom fluffed his fur a little.
"It's Emberheart now."
"Congratulations! I got my warrior name too. It's Dawnflight."
Emberheart nodded and brushed his tail on her, towards him.
"Applepaw and Breezepaw are overhear. I went to go find you." Emberheart said, urging Dawnflight towards his direction. Dawnflight eagerly followed him. She was soon greeted with the sight of her two friends. Applepaw bounded towards her and nuzzled her brown muzzled on Dawnflight's.
"It's so good to see you! I haven't spoken to you in moons!" Applepaw exclaimed. Her red-amber eyes glimmering with happiness. "How have you been?"
"I got my warrior name. It's Dawnflight now." Dawnflight replied. Breezepaw approached Dawnflight, the two she cats touched tails.
"Congratulations! I knew you'd get your name soon." Breezepaw mewed.
"I'm sure you'll get yours in the next quarter moon, Breezepaw." Dawnflight meowed back. Breezepaw stood a little straighter.
"My mentor said that too. I can't wait! My father said when I become a warrior, He's going to show me a few battle moves a WindClan warrior taught him once."
Applepaw stepped forward to speak. The other cats sat down around her and quieted. Her eyes flashed some worry.
"I know none of us have spoken in some time, and Dawnflight I know you haven't even been to the last two or three Gatherings, because of, well, you know, but we need to talk about the prophecy we heard several moons ago before Mapleleaf calls me over to the other medicine cats. When we heard it the first time, it was never specified which clan it was referring to. ShadowClan hasn't had too many issues aside from the territory dispute," Applepaw shot Dawnflight a look of sympathy, "but I don't know how that fits into it. Breezepaw, what's been up with ThunderClan?"
Breezepaw paused for a few heartbeats, bit her lip, then spoke.
"For the past two moons, some of the prey we've been gathering has been making cat sick. Most of the sick cats recover just fine but we lost an elder…." Breezepaw trailed off a little and averted her blue gaze, "we're kind of weak right now. Please don't tell anyone. I don't think any fights would help our health right now."
The other cats gave her a reassuring lick.
"Don't worry about any problems from ShadowClan. Falconstar hasn't so much as whispered about ThunderClan. We actually have a battle with RiverClan in the next half moon." Emberheart stated. Dawnflight nodded in agreement and Breezepaw relaxed a little. "Sorry about that, Dawnflight. Falconstar, is, uh, a little weird. I don't really agree with a lot of the decisions he's been making. Our deputy doesn't either. She just stares at him when he speaks now."
"It's ok, the warrior code says the clan leader's word is law so it's not like you guys could have changed anything about it." Dawnflight said. Applepaw looked at Dawnflight expectantly.
"What about RiverClan?" the brown apprentice asked.
"Uhh, aside from my kits, RiverClan has been, I guess, ordinary? Really only personal things have happened in the past two or three moons." Dawnflight pondered. Training, burying her kits and the upcoming battle were the only events of note that happened in RiverClan. Dawnflight had forgotten about the prophecy until recently. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary enough to worry about until now. Emberheart fidgeted beside Dawnflight.
"Guys, I thought of something," Emberheart started, "maybe the prophecy is vague on purpose."
Well, that's what Jayfeather said. Typical StarClan. Makes sense though, considering how they've acted in the past.
"What if it means something could affect any, or even all, of the clans?"
Breezepaw, Applepaw, and Dawnflight collectively blinked at the ginger and cream-colored tom. Breezepaw visibly brightened.
"That makes so much sense! You're a genius, Emberheart!" Breezepaw exclaimed. Emberheart looked down at his paw for a heartbeat. Applepaw nodded.
"Well, if anyone figures out something about any of the clans, make sure you come to the next gathering. I have to go; the leaders are about to start, and I need to get back to Mapleleaf."
Applepaw slipped through the throng of cats and disappeared. Dawnflight assumed her friend sat close to the Great Tree. With so many cats present, the silvery she cat couldn't even see it. Dawnflight stood up and face her two remaining friends.
"I'm going to see if I can find a place where I can see. I'll see you guys next time." Dawnflight mewed before pushing past a few ShadowClan warriors, who grumbled at her intrusion of space. She weaved through more cats till she found a clearing. Dawnflight sat down and gazed at the Great Tree. All four clan leaders stood on a branch, their deputies and medicine cats stood on the roots the base. Falconstar had somehow hauled himself up to the highest branch of the four. Waterstar sat at the lowest. Goldenstar of WindClan and Spiderstar of ThunderClan stood on the branches between them. Goldenstar let out a yowl that echoed through the clearing. The attending warriors quieted, and the Gathering started. Falconstar stood up straight, gazing below at the clan cats. He let out an even louder yowl than Goldenstar's.
"Let the Gathering begin! I will start."
The other leaders eyed him with slight annoyance but obeyed the old warrior. Falconstar's leafy green eyes shone with the same light that Dawnflight had seen the night she became a warrior. Dawnflight visible flinched. The ShadowClan warrior sitting next to her let out a tiny giggle at her reaction. Dawnflight ignored it. Instead she focused on Falconstar, who didn't appear as disheveled and pushy as he did when he arrived in the RiverClan camp. Dawnflight's eyes widened when she ran her eyes down the trunk of the Great Tree to where the deputies sat. The silver and white she cat counted only three deputies!
Where's Falconstar's deputy? Is Mosswing sick?
A paw prodded Dawnflight's tail. The silvery she cat hissed in annoyance. She turned around to come face to face with a scarred black tabby she cat with a white chin and paws. Her white tipped ears flicked and her bright amber eyes looked coldly into Dawnflight's dark amber eyes. Dawnflight recognized her as Torrentrunner, the cat who had sought her out from the crowed when Falconstar strolled into her clan's camp. Torrentrunner leaned close to Dawnflight's face.
"Meet me at the border tonight. Don't ask questions. Just meet me." Torrentrunner whispered. Dawnflight caught a glimpse of a plea in the warrior's bright eyes. Then it faded back into the cold stare she usually held. Dawnflight just nodded. Then, as quickly as she appeared, Torrentrunner disappeared. Dawnflight sighed and scrapped a claw over the grass before turning her attention back to the Gathering.
"ShadowClan is doing well. We have a new warrior, Emberheart," Falconstar paused to allow all the cats to chant Emberheart's name. Dawnflight joined in. Then, Falconstar continued, "Mosswing has decided to step down from the deputy position to raise her new litter of kits arriving in the next moon. Torrentrunner is the new deputy of ShadowClan."
Dawnflight blinked in surprise.
That's why she was with Falconstar when he visited. Mosswing retired!
Much to Dawnflight's shock, Torrentrunner had somehow materialized at the foot of the Great Tree! Dawnflight took a double take before gazing back at the ShadowClan she cat. Torrentrunner sat proudly with the other deputies, her broad shoulders displaying her strength. Her bright amber eyes looked cold and calculating. Torrentrunner flashed Dawnflight a look. Dawnflight returned it.
ShadowClan is sneaky! And no mention of the battle. If he's so proud of himself, why is he keeping it a secret?
Falconstar concluded his part of the Gathering. The old tom carefully sat down on his branch, claws extended to keep himself steady. Spiderstar, a much younger leader, stood up on his branch with perfect balance Dawnflight scoffed a bit.
His age is finally showing.
"ThunderClan has been doing well. Prey is running and our borders are safe." Spiderstar reported. Dawnstar's whisker's twitched. A few ThunderClan cats sitting nearby visibly flinched.
Spiderstar is lying, but at least he's making it kind of believable and his clan looks relatively healthy for now.
Waterstar announced her report after Spiderstar's. Dawnflight breathed a sigh of relief when Waterstar didn't mention her kits. The cats around her cheered her warrior name joyously when she was announced. Dawnflight sat proudly. Then, Waterstar sat down on her branch, neatly tucking her paws under her. Goldenstar gave her a quick nod before announcing her clan's report. WindClan seemed to be having an ordinary moon. The Gathering quickly came to a close after Goldenstar's report. Falconstar was the first to leap down onto the island floor. He hit the grass with a thud that shook his legs and the force caused him to drop into a painful crouch. Torrentrunner and Mapleleaf hurried to Falconstar's side, bodyblocking him from the view of the other cats. Mapleleaf tried to help his leader back onto his feet, but the dark brown tabby was met with a snarl, causing the medicine cat to step back. Torrentrunner just glared at Falconstar, who ignored the looks his deputy gave him. Several heartbeats passed before Falconstar finally stood back up. When he did, the other leaders gracefully alighted to the ground. Goldenstar yowled for her cats and raced over the Tree Bridge. Dawnflight admired how fast WindClan cat ran. It almost looked like they flew across the grass. The silvery she cat instinctively looked for Wolfheart, who gave her a small nod before leaping across the Tree Bridge back to the moor.
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Dawnflight padded quietly out of the warriors', careful not to wake her sleeping clanmates. She stepped over Timberclaw's snoring, sleeping form. She side stepped her parents' nest and ducked her head under the roof of the den. Moonlight and crickets adorned the sleeping camp. It was eerily quiet and still to Dawnflight, who wasted no time leaving RiverClan's camp. The gray she cat slowly pushed past the reed barrier, careful to keep them from making any sounds. Soon, she was out of camp and into the wilderness. She bounded off towards the ShadowClan border under the silent moon. The damp ground squished under her paws as Dawnflight ran. The warrior ignored the feeling of mud drying on her white paws. She ignored the tempting prey scents and sounds that reminded her that she hadn't eaten since before the Gathering. Dawnflight stopped at the clearing where the border sat. Pine trees and ShadowClan must surrounded her, letting her nose know she was at the border. Sitting at the border atop some pine needle strewn grass was Torrentrunner. The black tabby she cat no longer held the proud, stiff persona she had earlier that night. Now the ShadowClan deputy looked afraid. She looked as if she was a badger was about to pounce on her. Dawnflight felt pity for her.
"So, what did you want to discuss with me. I'm here, but I don't think I should be doing this." Dawnflight started. She narrowed her dark amber eyes at the ShadowClan cat. Torrentrunner stood up on her paws, ears sagging down against the sides of her head. Her bright amber eyes lost their sheen. Dawnflight took a few paw steps closer. Torrentrunner blinked slowly and gritted her teeth before making eye contact with Dawnflight again. Desperation hung on the deputy's on her face like a mask. Torrentrunner breathed several breaths before parting her jaws to speak.
"I want you to help me assassinate Falconstar."