When Marigoldpaw had left and was just a speck on the horizon, Brightstar still had yet to move. She'd been frozen to the spot, an indescribable mix of emotions tethering her to the stone outside of her den.

She'd failed, first off, as a leader. There was no getting around that part. One of her clanmates, one of the cats she was tasked to lead, to protect, to care for, had left. Marigoldpaw had told her, nearly straight off, that Cliffclan was no longer her home. That Cliffclan had failed her. That Brightstar had failed her.

"Brightstar?" Russetfoot prompted gently, concern in her voice. Brightstar made a great effort to turn and meet her.

"Yes," she said vaguely, remembering the pleading in Marigoldpaw's voice as she had said her leader's name, begging her to understand why she was leaving. "Ah, yes, Russetfoot. I need to call a meeting." Russetfoot said something then, tried to, but Brightstar was climbing up on top of her own den, the peak that served as the leader's perch.

There were cats outside of camp still, on patrol or training, but word would get to them even without them being here. "Cats of Cliffclan," Brightstar called, "Gather on the plateau for a clan meeting."

They flocked towards her, curiosity written on most of their faces, but there were others, others with sadness and expectation instead. But there was one who showed neither of those things. Poppyface gazed off to the side of Brightstar, looking towards but not at her, disinterest as her sole expression. Brightstar's eyes locked on the scars on Poppyface's muzzle and felt the tingle of rage start in her paws.

She spoke without really hearing herself. "Marigoldpaw has left," she said, ignoring the start of murmurs. "She has joined Caveclan. There is no ill will there," she pushed in, forcing calm into the words, half-aware of how Marigoldpaw could be seen as a traitor. "She was simply doing what was best for herself. That's all. Dismissed."

Brightstar lowered herself off the rock gently, more aware than ever of the kits she was carrying in her belly. "Poppyface," she called, voice flat from the effort of keeping anger out of it. "I want a word."

Poppyface didn't move away, but she didn't come towards Brightstar either, forcing her leader to go to her. This didn't help Brightstar's mood. She had to stand still for a moment, words scrambling in her head, most of them not polite.

"Poppyface," she finally mewed, the word trembling. "How dare you."

Poppyface's eyes flicked to hers and away again. She said nothing.

"I thought you only needed time. That this would- This would blow over. That you would come to your senses. Instead you have spat in the face that all of us stand for. Don't you walk away from me." Her voice had raised until she was snarling.

Poppyface stopped moving, and turned back to Brightstar. There was annoyance on her pretty, scarred face.

"Do not act like a petulant kit, Poppyface. What you have done here is wrong. No one- No one, at all, no matter who or where they come from, may treat one of our own that way, let alone their own child. I will never again stand by to let a clanmate of mine be treated as you have your own daughter, Poppyface. Your actions were unacceptable. No, I am still talking to you. You stand there, don't move."

Poppyface's claws were digging into the rock, her legs tense with staying in place.

"Since you seem to be intent on acting as an apprentice, then that is what you shall be. You are Poppypaw now." Poppyface's angered expression broke into shock. "Poppypaw, you are confined to camp. You will sleep in the apprentice's den until further notice. Everyone will know you as Poppypaw again." Brightstar's voice rose as she repeated, "Poppypaw." She let it sink in for a moment, then continued, "Never in my life have I seen such a display of immaturity in one of my own clanmates. Poppypaw, go to your den. You will not eat today. You will not leave the den until a warrior has fetched you. Go."

Poppypaw stared at her a moment longer before breaking the eye contact and whirling around. She disappeared over the edge of the plateau with Brightstar watching. She became aware of the clan watching. Well, it hadn't been subtle.

She cast her gaze over them, neutral. Everyone seemed a little sad, but perhaps the most surprising thing was the lack of surprise.

"Thank you," Lightcloud said to her, just a moment later. Sorrow gleamed in her eyes. "It was terrible, what she was doing."

Brightstar didn't have the chance to respond before Squirrelwhisker was there. "Don't beat yourself up too badly," the tolly murmured. "I did nothing either. Not until it was too late."

"We'll know in the future," Brightstar said, exhaustion in her voice. "If there's a silver lining, let that be it."

"Let that be it," Lightcloud agreed.

"By Starclan's will," Squirrelwhisker put in, and a moment later they were, all of them, silent.


AN: This is a scene set during chapter 16 that wasn't shown for POV reasons, but that I wrote anyway. Stories where terrible parents are just allowed to happen irk me, and it's unrealistic in a warriors setting. Hopefully this explained a bit about why it happened, at least, other than just "plot reasons," and that it absolutely isn't an okay thing.

And that brings Prophet to an end!