The reddish tabby nodded, knowing her daughter had already chosen the path of life. That's all she could've hoped for. "When it is your time, We'll be waiting in Starclan. With a warm welcome." She kissed the top of Buckpaw's head (and with the power of starclan healed most of her wounds - cause ya know). "I love you three, so very much. Berrypaw, watch out for your sister's alright? Bearpaw, touch as a badger, a fine warrior. My sweet Buckpaw, ever the surviver- just like your father." Robinflame said, glancing at her smallest daughter. "Ready to go?" And with that she returned.

Berrypaw helped Buckpaw to her paws, watching as their mother disappeared. He knew it wouldn't be the last time they saw her, but he was determined to grow old and become a great warrior! "Come on guys, let's go show our mum what we're made of."

Haybounce sniffled, letting Dottie pass her with an affectionate lick of affection as she went to stand by Pippa. "We will always, always, be looking out," she said to Dottie before turning to Pippa. The prospect of the hunting grounds of starclan seemed lonely without her mother, but Haybounce knew that it would only be temporary. With her new form came new mindful thoughts- and they'd all meet again, in the end.

"Are you ready to leave?" she whispered, unable to speak the words aloud. Peachpaw called- "DOTTIE! There's SHEEP!"

Haybounce chuckled, looked back to Pippa. "I think that's our cue," she said, and with that, the she-cat disappeared back to the stars as the sun rose once more.

Dottie followed the two up the hill, her amber eyes glowing with tears as they reached the grand barn in all its glory. "We're home...We're finally home!" She now had tears running down her face, but these weren't sad, no. These were completely tears of joy. The stories that she'd tell and the memories that she made would only grow as she stared at the front of the big, red barn then turned to look at the wild flowers that swayed at its sides. "It's,,,Beautiful...Thank you, Haybounce."

Pippa nodded with a soft meow ringing in her tom-boyish voice, "we'll both watch over them I'm sure from above."

Beepaw frowned, speaking for Robinflame, "It's not written in the stars, not for you," she whispered in her sister's ear, "But there's still life left in you yet. Go and live in the medicine cat den- enjoy life while you can, dear sister. Or don't- and join us early. As in all things, it's your choice," she spoke, thought he situation was visibly making the tabby tear up.

(nah- let's just have them have a grand journey from here)

Haypaw smiled, "Good," she whispered, turning as she sensed a change in the mood of the room. Peachpaw, Raccoonpaw, and Dottie all looked . . . ready. Haypaw could feel it. No- not Haypaw, Haybounce, in death.

She turned to her mother and sisters and older sister.

"Let us leave, then," she said with a sigh, and the three living and two dead set off into the great unknown. They reached their query as the sun began to rise, and Peachpaw was astounded at the great beauty of the barn. It's sides, big and red and criscrossed with white, seemed like refuge, and inside, the hay-scent, even from atop the hill, tickled her nose, and the scent of mice underlying it was tantalizing.

Peachpaw was the first to take off running. Haybounce followed, shouting her jubilee song, and when they reached the great building, Haybounce went straight for the hay to play in.

"I-It's everything I've ever wanted," Peachpaw said, looking to Raccoonpaw, "Can you believe this? All for us!"

Haybounce looked to the sunrise with a sad smile, and to her mother, a soft smile on her face.

"You'll take care of them, won't you?" she asked, standing beside Pippa. Time was almost up.

Pippa's eyes widened, surprised that such a thing had happened to her dear sister. "Wow, that's incredible..." The black and white molly meowed, touching her nose to her sister's cheek. "I'm coming with you, of course."

Dottie pressed a genuine across her face. "Lets get out of here then, I can't wait to see what's waiting for us," she managed a warm purr and began to guide the family out. (Loner Plains?)

Buckpaw groaned, turning her gaze on her mother. Whether she was ignoring the herbs on purpose or just didn’t see them was blatantly unclear. Her eyes were hazed with pain as she started to sob. They were light and uneven, breaking and coming together again. She flexed her claws.

“I don’t want to die, I want to grow up and become a strong warrior just like you...” she murmured to her mother between sobs. “I want to have kits and-and fight for my clan and... and I want to make you proud! I want to become big and strong and amazing like you! I want to be there for my siblings and, I... I want to live.”

Raccoonpaw smiled at her sister, leaning against her and purring. ‘She’s growing so much..’ she thought to herself before her gaze trailed back to Dottie.

“Yeah, sure. It would be great if you came along.“ it took all her willpower not to scowl. She loved Peachpaw and would do what she could to see her smile. If this cat made her happy, she would suck it up.

Peachpaw's response was immediate. The chance to start over, with two of the cats she claimed as her most trusted allies, seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime. "Yes," she chirped definitively, "Let's leave, like, right now. Please. That sounds great," she said, awash with relief. She didn't sense her sister's hesitation until she turned, and her smile faltered. For once, Peachpaw was the one to lend a reassuring paw, letting Raccoonpaw lean on her.

Beepaw watched on, "There's- there's no impatience in StarClan," she said with a dip of her head, trying to comfort her dying sibling. "You don't need to rush to us just because you think we miss you. Time flows differently- we miss you, but we know that we'll get you one day, and that day is always coming. You should stay here, Buckpaw- as long as you can."

Haypaw smiled, "Feels like the world is losing its tether on me," Haypaw said, feeling a frown tug at her freckled face. She looked down at her paws, up at Pippa, and down at her paws again. She'd never gotten the chance to grow up- and she never would, would she?

The cat sighed, and when her green eyes opened again, she was standing eye-to-eye with Pippa. The she-cat's body had aged, without scars, and she seemed adult and mature, even if it was ill-achieved.

"Death is as full of surprises as life," she said simply, "Are you going to journey with us to the barn or help Sunclan rebuild?" she asked her sister.

Dottie didn't quite understand why Raccoonpaw had faced so much resentment towards her, but still, the calico mother was willing to try and understand further. She took in a breath, all her kits were now dead, aside from the two of which she had tried her best to take care of. "I'd like to go...With you two. We don't belong in this place...And Haypaw told me about a barn in Loner Plains, but we have leave now...If you're up to the journey...I just would like to do what's best and if it turns out that you don't like our new home, then of course you can leave, but I don't know if my paws will take me any farther that there." Dottie was exhausted, even the glow in her amber eyes had dimmed, however whether she realized it or not, she certainly was strong.

"Strange, how's it like down there?" Pippa answered with a laugh, the happy StarClan cat playfully pressed her starry paw at her little sister's shoulder.

The red tabby queen gaze down at her children who stared back at her, uncertainty clouding their gazes. She wanted to wrap them up in her arms and never let go, but she knew she couldn't do that. "I can ease your pain Buckpaw. In death you are still living, Starclan is warm and welcomes you with open paws. You can also stay here if you wish too." Robinflame spoke, smiling down at her daughter while also keeping a gentle paw on her head. She was doing her best to ease her pain.

Berrypaw huddled closer, inspecting Buckpaw's wounds with a frown. He hid his concern well, but he knew if she chose to stay here it would only bring her more pain. "I think you should go with mom and Beepaw. She will probably need an extra paw in watching over us, besides you get to meet all the cool ancestors!" He smiled, trying his best to hide his sadness.

Curlypaw got nervous, he would not be able to help that much the poor she-cat, he could only give her herbs to easy the pain, when he saw Pumastar already leaving, he noticed that he had to do something fast, he put the herb close of Buckpaw's mouth, ''Please, if you have strenght, chew it, i have to go.'' The medicine cat said worried, running to catch up all his clanmates. (ECc camp)

---

Meanwhile, the dark brown kittypet merely watched from a certain distance, he could understand a little more about his son now, he noticed how Curlypaw had grown up, and he decided that he shouldn't push his son to live the same life as he lives, even though his family had missed him for moons, he knew that Curlypaw felt the same, the father cat left raven's fortress with a frown, and a sad feeling, but he thought that things are better in this way, nothing he could do.

----

Bearpaw nudged gently her sister, she purred at her with hopes of giving her comfort.

It took all of f Buckpaw’s focus and concentration to pull her gaze off the starry pelt of her mother. She turned toward the muffled voice that rung around her head. Her gaze was fuzzy with anguish and pain as she sought out Curlypaw. Eventually she found him though her brain hasn’t quite processed why she was looking for the apprentice. Her body, she couldn’t feel her hind legs and her spine ached with agony. She just stared blankly at the medical cat, her head lulled awkwardly.

Pumastar nodded to Fallenstar, a little nervous that a Starclan cat had sought her out. Especially since that cat wasn’t her mother. She dipped her head nonetheless, grateful for her support. Despite her reserved posture, her gaze glowed with gratitude. (EclipseClan Camp)

Ravcoonpaw looked to Peachpaw as she spoke. She didn’t much agree with her. Yes, she wanted to leave, but she knew she would never trust another cat besides her sister after what that wench of a mother did to them. Her gaze, however, was low and even as she looked to Dottie. She tried not to react when Peachpaw called her mom, shoving her claws into the ground below her. Raccoonpaw nudged her sister comfortingly and smiled.

“Don’t be nervous, she can’t stop us and I won’t let her is she tries. Just stay calm.” She whispered into Peachpaw’s ear while pressing against her side.

Haypaw purred under Dottie's affection and sighed when she left to find Peachpaw and Raccoonpaw. She lifted her head and looked up to Pippa and Pretty as Dottie walked off, the kitten turning her attention to them. She was still short. "How's the weather up there?"

Peachpaw smiled up at Raccoonpaw, finding her sister had put all of her anxieties and fears so perfectly into words . . . it was refreshing. Peachpaw's green eyes closed in contentment and she nodded, but she was unable to voice her affirmation before Dottie walked up.

"W-we'd like to talk with you too, m-mom," Peachpaw tested the name on her tongue, finding it foreign and . . . strange. But she accepted it and the new terrain it dealt. She swallowed.

"Me and Raccoonpaw . . . we want to leave the clans. There's no future in this war. We don't like it. W-we wanted to know if we could l-leave, if you'd stay or go. . ." Peachpaw trailed off, ashamed she'd even think of leaving Dottie after such an experience. "If you'd come with us. If you'd take us somewhere better."

Beepaw growled as she was scolded for her callous words. That's what she gets for moving on to a different defining character trait!

But her concern for her sister was startling, and she glared at Curlypaw when he tried to help. And when Buckpaw spoke, her heart wrenched from her chest and her grimace turned to an anxious frown.

"W-We could help, I think," she said, looking to Robinflame, as if looking for permission. Her paw was raised hesitantly over Buckpaw's chest.

Ocelotstride nodded with enthusiasm falling over her. That and she did still feel ill and like a wave of pebbled pounded against her stomach too. The Bengal molly took Juniperspring to the camp, feeling happiness rush through her to be able to see her family and mentor again. (MC camp)

Fallenstar located Pumastar among the masses of cats and made her way to the leader, leaving Blackrabbit's side. She gave the new leader a respectful dip of her head and, as though sensing her reservations, "You have all of our support. EclipseClan will get through this." [EcC Camp]

"You better let me see them too, if you're really so certain it's something worth the hurry," Juniperspring snorted and started after Ocelotstride toward MoonClan's camp, hiding her apprehension toward returning to the familiar place after spending only a few moons hunting among the Starpelt.

''It's not that easy like that Beepaw.'' Bearpaw said with a little hint of worry in her voice, looking at the eyes of Buckpaw.

----

Curlypaw examined Buckpaw's hind legs, and he was sure about one thing: she would be unable to walk for her entire life, she would not be able to hunt or fight like any other warriors, if she would survive, her spine was broken, this injury, this simple injury just changed Buckpaw life forever. ''She can live, but, she won't be able to recover her legs...'' Curlypaw sobbed, he avoided saying to the siblings about Buckpaw's life having more chances to not be saved at all. ''I-i'm sorry, but, nothing i can do to heal this injury...It is not two broken legs, it is a broken spine...'' The medicine cat meowed with a saddened voice, most of the herbs used in the den were lacking, but he still had hope that he could find something, and the only thing that he saw was daisy, and most of them were turning to dust, the tom picked up the ones that were not so brown enough and raced in the direction of Buckpaw, ignoring completely Pumastar, he let the flower fell in the ground, clawing the plant to only their leaves get separated. ''Hey! Hey!'' He called the apprentice.

Ocelotstride nodded, intrigued that Juniperspring had admitted it all along. "Yeah, but I totally wasn't hot-head anyway," the molly meowed with hushed sarcasm in her glowing, blue-green gaze until her former mentor questioned her. She paused for a moment, simple to give a dramatic effect before answering, "Well...You were right about Tidebreaker, I love him more than words can describe. He's the only tom able to keep up with me, well, maybe two-steps behind, but that's besides the point." Ocelotstride flicked her tail gently against the ground with a soft laugh. "Now, let's head back to camp, I wanna see Fadewhisker and Stormblaze's face when they hear about it!"

Dottie gave her daughter another lick of the forehead. "I though' I told you, because you remind me of the memory of home we could've had. I missed it an' you're so bouncy and humble, just like when I'd jump around in the hay." As the glistening Haypaw continued to speak, Dottie's amber gaze widened. "Alright, I'll talk with Peachpaw an' Raccoonpaw, see if they would like to come. Either way, I'd like if you could take me there." The calico stood up, a warm smile still standing on her face. Certainly, she was worried, but Dottie knew this place just wasn't where they belonged any longer. "Follow me, dear," she cooed and began to head to Peachpaw and Raccoonpaw. "Peachpaw, Raccoonpaw! Haypaw an' I, we'd like to talk to you."

"Of course it is, you'd probably help out the mice before me," Crimsonfox joked, a small smile finding it's way onto his face as he walked with her, back to the place they called home. (MC camp)

Buckpaw sobbed with so much pain and anguish, slowly losing feeling in her hind legs. She closed her eyes a moment before opening them to focus on her mother. The starry pelt, the soothing eyes, the calming words. All else around her melded into white noise as she was focused on the words of her mother. The She cat’s sobbing eased as she started to breath slowly. Her spine was broken, if it was not made clear by the way her body laid on the ground. If she were to live, her body would be exposed to sickness and she’d run the risk of death anyway if she didn’t keep her upper body strong. She didn’t know any of this, and, well, if the medicine cat did, it would be a matter if they thought she was worth saving or not. She didn’t feel or notice all the cats that were pressed against her, nuzzling her, just the image of her mother’s starry pelt.

“Am I... am I going to die..?” She choked out the question no one would ever want to answer.

Winterpaw watched as her family, all members of Starclan, pressed against one another. She was alone now... all on her own. Her eyes darkened with sadness that she quickly pushed away. ‘They don’t need to worry about me, we’re together again, I can’t ruin that!’ Winterpaw shook herself and smiled at her father.

“Don’t be sorry. You’re always here for us. In our hearts...” she said, her voice a whisper. She then turned to press herself against them, and walk back home. (Eclipseclan Camp)

Pumastar nodded to the warriors of Starclan, silently praying she was doing a good job, before she turned and trotted out of camp. So much worry laid on her shoulders. She didn’t know if she was cut out for it.

‘not even a moon as leader and already thrown into such an awful battle...’ she thought to herself, clicking her maw. (Eclipseclan Camp)

Raccoonpaw listened to Peachpaw’s words with a sudden realization that she felt the same. She was caught off guard, however, to hear the rest of their family was Dead.

“Peachpaw..i think your right. They may say there will be no more battles, no more murder, but the ambition of cats will always get the best of them. i will leave with you Peachpaw. We can stand at eachother’s Side and fend for eachother. We can leave these awful memories behind and be free! Together we can get away... Will you come with me?” She looked down at her sister knowing she would say yes. She flicked her tail her looking down with a loving gaze at her sister.

"Fencestar, we might be needed-" Dieselstar started and sighed, having been left in a nearly visible cloud of dust by Fencerunner. Some things never changed, she reflected, and raised her eyebrows as she looked back to appraise their littler. "Well, let's go with your mother. We'll be back before anyone misses us." [EcC Terr?]

"We've got time," Rattlesong said softly, looking up to her brother with admiration. "And when I do go, I'll be watching you. If the wind ever changes when you're hunting, that's me," she said with a laugh. She walked over and found Meadowclaw's body to be the lightest and the StarClan cat hoisted her mother over her silver pelt, and the she-cat departed for home, looking over her shoulder to make sure the rest of her family followed.

(MoonClan camp)

Marshmumble made the announcement, "EarthClan, let us go from this place."

Honeyheart helped gather the dead and the near-dead, a smile on her face despite the task, and began to journey home (EaC Camp)

Beepaw looked down on Bearpaw with a frown, "Oh, come on! Death isn't so bad once you get used to it," she said to Buckpaw, though her own brow was pricked with worry. She looked to Robinflame, is there anything we can do?

Snowpaw realized who the two were at Winterpaw's prompt and had to think hard to realize the implications, but in the end she simply melted in place and went for her father's warm chest, ducking her head into it.

"Don't apologize for anything," she sniffled, "I'm just glad to finally meet you. Let's go home." (EcC camp)

Haypaw nodded excitably, "I only got to see it for a second, but . . . yeah. Why'd you name me after the hay, mama? It's so scratchy," she said. At Peachpaw's departure, the she-cat leaned up and whispered in her mother's ear.

"In the field outside of SunClan- in the loner plains. Follow the clouds on the horizon to the south, and when you've hit a maple tree in the middle of a lone hill, look left, and there'll be a place for you and whoever comes with you to call your own. I . . . I could take you there now, but we would need to leave tonight," Haypaw decreed, stepping back and sitting down and licking her mercifully blood-free paw.

Peachpaw's tail stilled, "We'll never be safe here," she said after a long moment. She sniffled. "Me and you are the only ones left, Raccoonpaw. Sandpaw and Gullypaw . . ." an unsaid sentence. "Even Haypaw." For once in her life, Peachpaw felt a surge of refreshing bravery. Independence. "I- I don't think I'll ever be a warrior for SunClan. Our ***** of a mom ruined it for us. Everyone looks at us with the same accusation, and nothing can ever reassure me that something like this battle won't happen again, even if the cat gods themselves said it . . . I don't trust it. I want to leave before it happens again," she said with a shudder.

Fencerunner heard Dieselstar's thoughts through the art of dead cat telepathy and a frown briefly crossed the youthful cat's lips. She was just beginning to enjoy her freedom in death- the molly dipped her head, grateful when her mate steered the conversation away from one of her greatest secrets.

Of course Mosspaw had to bring it back up.

"Origam's Place," she said after a small moment. "Let's go to Origam's place?" she looked towards Dieselstar, one of her paws already raised to begin a break-neck race across EclipseClan's territory. Stars, to run again!

“No, I imagine I was too much of a pain in your tail for that,” Juniperspring chuckled, “You’re all grown up now, though—jeez, is that milk I’m smelling? Who’s the lucky tom?”

Fallenstar watched Pumaeyes a moment, her expression somber, before she turned to see an EclipseClan elder staring toward his own corpse.

She wordlessly approached and stood beside him, hoping to give him some sense of comfort with her presence. The cat was so new to death, she thought, that he must not have even seen their hunting grounds.

“Well.” Blackrabbit sighed, stepping forward to pick it up. “I can’t say this is fair.”

“Fair?” Fallenstar prompted, her ears flicking back with surprise.

Blackrabbit shook his head, declining to explain, and started following Pumastar back to EclipseClan’s camp. [EcC Camp]

“You all are going to have to watch out for each other, now,” Dieselstar said, easily maneuvering the conversation away from her actual goal. That was not a conversation to have in public, even if Fencestar agreed that now was the time for it.

Bearpaw couldn't stay for more time, she heard the painful sobs of her sister, and quickly laid at her side, licking the sisters head. ''Curlypaw! Honeypaw! Please! Someone!'' She yelled, nuzzling her sister, who she was worried now, she was suffering too much, she was getting desesperated at this point.

---

Curlypaw heard Bearpaw's voice, and he reminded why he wanted to stay in the clan, he decided to follow the noble path of a medicine cat, he healed the sick, he helped the weak, he was needed in the clan. ''Sorry dad, but, i need to stay here, i help other cats but don't worry! I'll see you!'' He ran off before his father could say something, the dark brown kittypet observed his son in the shadows, he didn't know if the other cats would either attack him or not, or if they have seen him.

Curlypaw arrived at the scene. ''What she feels?'' He asked.

---

''Pain, too much pain...'' Meowed the reddish brown she-cat, she nuzzled more the poor Buckpaw, licking behind her ear.

The young calico removed herself from Dieselstar's pelt and sat down beside her siblings. She'd never felt so happy in her entire life. So much loss in a short amount of time, but seeing her family and the rest of the starclanners brought new life to the eclipseclanner. Mosspaw caught the look Dieselstar threw toward Fencewalker, confusion evident in her pale olive green eyes. It feels like they're hiding something? "What's wrong?" She inquired.

Robinflame sat down beside her daughter, touching a paw to her head and easing the pain. "My sweet Buckpaw, you look just like your father." The queen murmured, leaning down to whisper reassurances in her year. Berrypaw helped Bearpaw over to their sister, holding back the tears he had in seeing her pain. He leaned slightly on Beepaw, comforted by her presence.

Winterjay nodded to Winterpaw, smiling at the sight of his look alike. "We can all walk home together, back to Eclipseclan." He said and then turned toward Snowpaw. "I hope we will be able to get to know each other better. I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you girls."

Buckpaw was NOT dead, but she was suffering immensely. Her body ached with pain as when she was thrown into the air, her spine had cracked upon the awful landing. She wheezed as her vision blurred. She looked up at her family, her spirit wavering between life and death as she fought to stay alive.

“I don’t wanna die mama.” Her voice shook with the effort of every word. “P..lease... I don’t.. I don’t wanna... I can’t..” she tried to stand, to embrace her mother and sisters, but her body crumpled beneath itself and she lay on the ground. There was no blood, nothing able to heal the mass amount of suffering that was going on in her body. She just sobbed. “Make it stop... please make it end..”

Winterpaw looked up as her sister’s spirit emerged from her corpse, tear lines visible on her once beautiful face.

“It should have been me...“ She murmured, “I should have died to save you and now...” she couldnt finish her sentence as she dug her claws into the ground and cried, cried and cried and cried. Soon, there was nothing left, and all she could do was sob without the satisfaction of tears rolling down her elegant face. She looked up, however, when she heard her father call to her. She looked at him, then looked at her blood stained paws, slowly making a connection.

“Papa?”

Racconpaw continued to wail for her sister, calling for her with such fear and worry, that tears threatened to poor down her face. She ignored the cats of Starclan, ignored the speech. She wanted nothing to do with them. She just wanted her sister, the only family she had left. When she spotted Peachpaw, it was like being named an apprentice all over again.

“Peachpaw!!” She shouted, meeting her halfway and weaving around her. She listened to Peachpaw’s words, a soft smile on her face. “Yes we did, it’s all over, we’re safe now, it’s safe.“ she cuddled her sister closely, not saying a word about her desire to leave the clans for good.

Pumastar’s gaze continued to search for Dieselstar, though soon giving up.

‘Shes proably busy with family, nothing to do with me.‘ She sighed, looking around. She didn’t expect to see any cat she knew emotionally, her mother never was one for formal gatherings. She sighed, her head lowered a moment before rising high.

“Cats of EclipseClan! It is time we take our leave and return to our beloved clan. Join me here as we shall take a head count. Warriors I ask that if you can, pick up the bodies of our deceased as we shall bury them on our way.“

Ocelotstride wasn't surprised at her mother's words, for something always told her that she belonged in MoonClan, the Bengal just couldn't figure out why. "I wish I would've known earlier, but it sure has been an adventure." The molly's blue-green gaze glowed as she held her family close for a moment before shifting away as she spotted Juniperspring. "I'll meet with you back at the camp as soon as I can." The three nodded, smilies stretching out on their muzzles as the watched Ocelotstride pad to her former mentor and bump her head playfully against the shoulder of the starry molly. "Hey, Juniperspring, you didn't think I'd forget about you, hm?" The molly asked with a small hum.

Cranestar dipped his head to the glistening Scorchedwings, recognizing the starry molly as a former deputy and elder before he had been so grateful to achieve his rank of leader. "Yes, it's time we go to the hills where we belong," The tall tom meowed, his deep voice allowing a low purr to escape. Although he had lost many cats, those whom he could call his friends, somehow a small smile was able to appear on his face. "SunClan! It's time that we travel back to camp any and all who are willing to help the injured get back, please do so."

Seeing all the cats reunited with their families was a little sad for Curlypaw, his medicine-partner even got her full name as a medicine cat, and he didn't, even being at the age of a young adult at this point, but that didn't make him sad, just a little jealous, a dead leader even spoke to her, all these events made Curlypaw run out of raven's fortrees, but he was stopped by the sudden presence of a familiar dark tabby brown tom, he had a blue collar in his neck. ''Dad?'' Curlypaw said surprised, looking at the green eyes of the older tom. ''Daggerfall? Are you okay? I thought you were...'' The father cat paused, he was trembling, his deep voice sounded like he was surprised. ''Dead...'' He completed, his eyes clouded, but he gave a warm smile. ''Come here! My boy!'' He purred, pushing Curlypaw to his side with his paw, he nuzzled his son affectionate, Curlypaw purred, the two were crying, but it was just happiness, until the dark brown cat stopped to cry and decided to speak. ''You have lived in this weird gang for too long, you see? There are dead bodies everywhere! we should go home now.'' Meowed the father. ''Can't you see the starry ghosts?'' Asked the son. ''Ghosts? So all those lights are ghosts?'' The father asked, he looked at the middle of the raven's fortrees, and was surprised by all the lights, that, were not lights, they were cats with strange starry coats. ''Amazing...'' The father said surprised, his whiskers moved in excitement. ''You still need to go back, we were worried about you.'' The father said with certainty, but Curlypaw looked disappointed, it was a hard choice, either he could choose to be with his family like he planned since from the start, or he could stay living with Eclipseclan as a medicine cat, it was just so confusing at this point and so hard for Curlypaw, that decision could change forever not just his life but the life of his family.

A fond smile touched Juniperspring's lips as she spotted Ocelotstride conversing with a few family members from across the battle field. While the two had fought like weasels in a den through the cat's apprenticehood, Juniperspring had to admire her fire, even then, and could recognize the fine cat that Ocelotstride had grown to become. She turned away, allowing them some privacy.

Scorchedwings -a former SunClan deputy with a motherly bearing- approached Cranestar and gave a dip of her head in greeting.

"Let's take them home." She meowed.

Dieselstar purred as Mosspaw launched herself on her, practically knocking her down with the force of her enthusiasm.

"Careful there," She chuckled taking in the sight of her little family. Despite it all, the kits had all made it through the battle. She glanced toward Fencewalker, her expression turning serious for a flicker of a moment: we need to tell them.

The striped tom-cat gazed down at his mirror image, a purr erupting from his throat. "You were too young to remember us, but I'm your father and this is your mother." He hoped they'd warm up to him.

Mosspaw raced after Fencerunner, squealing in delight at the sight of Dieselstar. "Mom!" She screeched before throwing herself at the she-cat.

Ripplestream nodded toward Ocelotstride, happy the she-cat found a home within their little family. "Thank you for making Tidebreaker happy." She purred before letting the Bengal go and be with her own family. "Let's head home." She said. (MOONCLAN CAMP?)

"Thank you, Ripplestream, you know, I never got to tell you how much this means to me... How much you all mean to me. I know that I'm not the-well-the purest cat in the world, but I am so thankful." Ocelotstride welcomed the warmth of Ripplestream with a soft purr rumbling in her chest as she fought back tears. "I hope to be a mother as great as you soon." The Bengal's head pressed lovingly into the alluring, starry pelt of the mother before nuzzling her nose into Tidebreaker's neck fur. It only lasted a short moment, but through the wind Ocelotstride heard a strange, yet familiar voices ring through her mind like the whistling of leaves.

"We're right here, Ocelot..." "Come on, sis! Look over!" "Now, Lynx, she might not recognize us..." "Oh, of course she will!" The molly's beautiful gaze widened with surprise as she turned her head to spot three Bengals, one tall and a starry shade of brown, mirroring the spots of Ocelotstride herself. The other two were small, but still held similar features, aside from Lynx's cream-colored pelt. "That's my mother...A-and Lynx and Hush...How's that possible?" Ocelotstride's question was obviously rhetorical as she looked from Ripplestream and Tidebreaker in complete awe taking a couple steps towards them. "Well, you see, I used to be in MoonClan when I was young... Until your father wished to leave. Though I never did stop believing in StarClan hence why Lynx and Hush are here too...Your father and I were so young, Ocelot, and I had planned to take you to the clan that day we were hunting...But it seems as though you've made your way to here perfectly alright, and clearly have a wonderful family and mate too." Marsh pressed her nose to the ear of her daughter as Lynx leaned into her lovingly. "Sis, I can't believe it's been this long since I could talk to you! You won't believe how many times I've helped you out in arguments. Hush hates when I do that, but I can't help it! It's so much fun. Oh and you better have a name for kit made up for me too, I want her-I mean-its life to be the life I didn't have. Your handsome mate oughta know that too." Ocelotstride laughed as Lynx spouted out as many words from her lips as possible as though she were saving them up until now. "Heck, and I thought I had a stubborn streak," the molly meowed, giving her sister a soft nudge with her shoulder. "Runs in the family, just you wait." The gorgeous kit-aged molly mewed, soon giving Tidebreaker a wink.

---

"That's all I ever wanted to be to you." Dottie licked Peachpaw's head with love gleaming in her lovely eyes of amber before her gaze looked at all the starry cats. It was beautiful really, how all stars could now be seem from where they stood. Her gaze turned to see Haypaw, Pretty and Pippa racing down to meet her again, the molly showering them both with licks. "It's beautiful...Haypaw...Are you-are you saying that there's a barn up there too?"

Crimsonfox blinked, confusion simply settling in his yellow gaze of sunlight. "Mom..." His voice was hushed until he overheard Rattlesong's loud voice exerting. "Hm, well, Rattlesong. You look much cleaner now, so that's a plus." The color-point tom meowed with sarcasm gleaming into his voice. "I'm gonna miss you all when you go..."

Cranestar listened contently to Moonstar's words, only able to imagine what it would be like up in the sky. As his voice ended and Blossomstar's voice rose, the SunClan leader held an apologetic frown, but he knew what was done was done and couldn't be returned. His gaze turned to see Robinflame and Fenstrike and cats of those long before him. It was truly amazing.

"Well, have they?" Dieselstar asked Fencerunner. She seemed older than her mate, having arrived at StarClan as the age of a more mature warrior, some silver hairs remaining along her muzzle.

Notchedfin smiled, watching Marshmumble and Sparkpaw's reunion. He turned and walked through the clearing, hoping to find his brother, Smudgedstone, among the crowd.

"Alright, we'll help take them back. This is Emberstar, she was one of our leaders, a long time ago," Milfoilcloud answered Honeyheart. Emberstar gave a little dip of her head. "How many are there? I'll send for more warriors to help us."

Meadowclaw smiled mournfully- Blossomstar spoke as if he were still living. The she-cat looked to her children and to the tom. He would get to meet Pricklegaze now, and know what strong tom had caused Meadowclaw so much love and loss. A soft grief gripped her.

"We can all talk more at the end of the night," Meadowclaw said, "Once we bury our bodies. I think we can skip the vigil, though," Meadowclaw remained serious despite the humorous words. "At the end of the moon's phase, we will disappear to the stars, many of us for the first time. Until then, we walk with you, here, to put back what was made wrong in our lives. Let us make the most of this time in peace, enjoying the company of our ancestors and descendants," she said, and Meadowclaw moved to be the first one to turn to hoist the stiffening body of Rattlesong between her shoulders and begin the trek home. (MoonClan camp)

Snowpaw looked up at Winterjay and Moonsplash, tilting her head in confusion. She had been so very young when they had died.

"Wh-who are you?" she asked, her powers of deduction not very impressive.

Fencerunner smiled at Mosspaw, "Fine, Kitmoss. Let's go find your other siblings," she chuckled. She slipped up behind Dieselstar just as the former leader ended her joke.

"Hard to obey someone who's dead!" she said, joking macabre, "You're looking quite beautiful tonight. Or maybe its just the lighting."

Beepaw's existential crisis would not end for a long while, but the sight of Robinflame drew her like a moth to a flame and she, too, embraced their queen. She listened to the words and was pacified, her anger melting away and leaving a much different cat.

"That sounds . . . nice," she said softly, without the bite that had been present in life. "Let's do that, mom," she said with a nod.

Marshmumble gasped as she turned to Sparkpaw, his appearance as large of a surprise as her own rebirth. She embraced her son warmly, astral tears descending.

"Not even StarClan could've saved you from that monster," she said, "but I have ended him, and he will not bother anyone ever again. The world has no room for such evils. But it does have room for us, Sparkpaw."

"Even if you really were pest!" Honeyheart mewed, still traumatized, but finding her stride. She was so glad to see her brother again.

Marshmumble withdrew with her embrace, nodding to Honeyheart as Milfoilcloud asked her question. "Honeyheart, we should probably get these cats home. And you should come home as well. It's time you came back to EarthClan," she said.

Honeyheart's eyes had little heart-shaped eyeshines locked in them. She was beyond speech as she looked up at all of the StarClan cats around her- and Milfoilcloud. But she was pretty, and Honeyheart was pretty gay. "All of MoonClan's are, Milfoil. One of your warriors is pregnant though- Ocelotstride. I don't know how she got out of camp without me noticing. I'm sorry," she told the warrior.

Marshmumble looked to Sparkpaw, silence befalling them. "I'm so glad to see you again," she whispered.

Emberstar walked through the clearing and approached Milfoilcloud. The pair exchanged a few hushed words then walked toward the medicine den together.

"Honeypaw, Marshmumble? Are the injured well enough to be taken home?" Milfoilcloud asked.

Blossomstar, now full of stars and a glowy silhouette, stepped up and approached Meadowclaw. He was glad to see her reunite with her children, but part of him wished it had been when they were alive. Blazingvalley spotted Moonclan's former leader and shot the tom a smile. "Didn't think you'd been joining us so soon." She teased, meeting the large tom for a hug. She'd always admired his strength. Blossomstar chuckled at her words, "I hoped to have a family reunion under different circumstances." It was a little sad, but so many families had been reunited that it was happier than expected. He glanced around the clearing and realized that they should all go home and rest. He turned to meadowclaw, "I think it's time we all returned home. The rest of Moonclan and Earthclan must be worried." And with that he cleared his throat and spoke. "Moonclan! It is time we headed home. You've fought well and deserve to rest. Your families will be missing you."

"Have you two been behaving for your mother?" Dieselstar asked, her tone neutral, as though no time had passed at all.

Oxalispaw gasped and turned, his eyes meeting his mother's where she sat behind him and Mulleinpaw lept forward, a purr errupting from her throat as she rubbed her cheek against her mother's neck, taking in her familiar scent and the warmth of her starry fur.

Hailstar walked along beside Omnistar, parting only as Omnistar paused to reassure the wounded apprentice, Buckpaw. He stood, surveying the battleground with a look of weary resignation. Palefur stood by his side, her own brow knit as she watched the cats. They were all strangers to her -- generations had passed since her life -- but all so familiar.

Milfoilcloud rushed between clumps of MoonClanners, tears still in the corners of her eyes as she struggled to comprehend all that had occurred. It felt distant and dream-like and in her exhaustion, she wondered if she had, in fact, died.

Moonstar stepped down from the ledge and walked toward the medicine den, dipping his head respectfully to the cats he passed. He stepped inside and meowed, "What can we do to help?"

''Buckpaw?'' Bearpaw was surprised, she never thought of the possibility of her other sister death, although she was stronger this time, and holded back her tears, she knew that one day she would join Starclan, and see her family again, it was just a long goodbye, she would be able to see them again, for the first time, Bearpaw smiled, their death could be violent but in the end they would just end up fine in Starclan. ''Mom, are you proud of me?'' She asked, looking like the same Bearkit that Robinflame had met.

Winterjay stood beside Moonsplash, a proud smile on his face as he gazed at his kittens. "Snowpaw, Winterpaw." He called for them, hoping to get a better look at his grown kin

Mosspaw whirled around at the sight of her mother running toward her. A happy yowl fell from her throat and she met her mother, crashing into her pelt. At the rambling, she backed away and flattened her ears but the movement didn't matter because a smile remained on her face. "Please don't call me Mosskit! That'd be terrible." She purred, surprised by the Fencerunner's look. She was young and healthy and running!

Robinflame chuckled at her children, licking Bearpaw's cheek before turning to look for Beepaw and Buckpaw. The queen stood, whispered she'd be back and approached her kittnes who had joined her in Starclan. "Beepaw, Buckpaw." She smiled at the two, she knew they might not take it well and would do her best to ease their grieving. "Come join us and we can walk home together." She motioned toward Berrypaw and Bearpaw.

Sparkpaw padded to sit beside Honeyheart, nudging his sister softly before waiting until Marshmumble joined Starclan. "I've missed you, I'm apologize for being such a pest to you and the rest of our siblings." He said, smiling at her. He glanced at his mother, hoping she recognized him. He knew Jupiter had done a number on his body and watched from Starclan helpless to do anything to help his mother. "I wish I had been stronger."

Ripplestream embraced her boys, but her blue gaze was searching for a particular bengal pelt. Once she found the cat she was looking for, the silver tabby smiled at the new queen. "You are just as much a part of the family as any of us." She motioned for Ocelotstride to join their family hug, warmth spreading toward her. Tidebreaker glanced away from his mother and licked his mate's cheek. "You've always been family." He said.

Peachpaw buried her head in Dottie's warm chest, likewise not noticing the quiet emphasis of light as it filled the room. Instead, she sobbed gently, like a brook, and only withdrew once snot forced her to find a different intake of air. She looked up at Dottie, her eyes shining. She'd never known how to feel loved before. Speckle- Frecklemask . . . she was not her mom. Peachpaw didn't have a mother. She had someone who gave birth to her, and then she had Dottie. It clicked, and Peachpaw wanted to scream out her apology at not saving Haypaw for Dottie. For being such a brat, when Peachpaw understood now how Dottie really felt. And now, she embraced Dottie for what she was; someone who loved her unconditionally. And Peachpaw now returned the favor tenfold.

"I love you too, mom," she whimpered, before a sight caught her eye. She whipped around, thinking it was another enemy, only to see the cats of StarClan around her. So many of the clanmates she knew were among them. Many more that she didn't. The stars in their fur choked her eyesight, but she noted with a satisfied and vindicted grin as she limped back to lean into Dottie. Moonstar gave his new code to the clans, and Peachpaw regarded him with hatred. She would not be a clan cat any longer. She refused.

But she did find Haypaw among them- she appeared younger in StarClan, and on her face was an inappropriately large smile. Her black tail was high.

"Mama! Peachpaw! Pippa, Pretty, they're over here!" she said, running towards her family in a reunion. Her astral fur was puffed with excitement and Peachpaw was so afraid of how her adopted sister would regard her- but she was forced to turn away as she heard Raccoonpaw scream her name. Distracted, Peachpaw ducked to find her sister, but Haypaw stopped her.

"I don't blame you," the cat said, still smiling. Peachpaw nodded nervously, then went to retrieve Raccoonpaw. If they were the only two left, they needed to be together.

Haypaw looked to her mama. "Mama, its so beautiful," she said simply, "Thank you."

Peachpaw clambered through cats of the galaxy to find Raccoonpaw. She shook as she embraced her sister- the two tabbies were going to be just fine.

"It's over," she said vindictively, "It's done. We're fine. We survived," she said. "Raccoonpaw- we did it . . ." but Peachpaw was crying.

Snowpaw's spirit emerged from her corpse, and instead of being regal or reborn or forged fresh with death, Snowpaw was just as upset as if alive. She found Winterpaw and looked up in fear, "I-I'm dead," she shouted in agony, "I was in so much pain, and then it was black, and now I'm not- oh, Stars, no!"

Rattlesong stood strong beside Blazingvalley, her image in death so much stronger than in life. The gray tabby patches of her coat were brighter, her curled fur tight and well-groomed, and the muscles of her childhood had blossomed. She was a warrior in death.

She turned as she heard Crimsonfox and walked slowly towards her brother, giving him an immortal lick on the cheek of affection and an all-knowing smile before she turned back to reveal Meadowclaw's own spirit. She nodded in submission and stepped aside, and Meadowclaw took her place near Crimsonfox.

Meadowclaw had not been healed in death like most cats. If her spirit was the representation of her true form, then she had been her true self all along. Her leg was still missing and ended in a massive pink scar. Her ear was still tattered like a piece of spanish moss, and her left eye was still clouded and marked by upright claw-scars. She was the picture of a warrior, and also a mother, and she kissed her son on the forehead and embraced him warmly.

"You heard my prayer," she said, voice quiet, "I am glad you came."

Rattlesong nodded, "Don't be so formal," she laughed, "Crimsonfox- you disobeyed direct orders! You shall be punished!" she laughed. Meadowclaw shot her daughter an amused glance.

"Stop- you're going to confuse him!" Meadowclaw laughed. Her depression was banished to the dark forest.

A pale yellow tabby appeared near the center of the clearing, delighting the clan as she walked through the blood. She looked down on her body sadly- it was so broken. She silently wished that her clan could remember her the way she was in her youth- the way she appeared in the stars. Her legs were long and spry and there were no scars. Her eyes were bright. Her ears perked on the top of her head. The she-cat smiled as she spotted Mosspaw and she ran over, quick as a bullet. She wanted her daughter to know so badly who she had been in her youth, if she was recognizable.

"Mosspaw- or should I call you by your warrior name and get it over with?" she said with a laugh, beginning to ramble, "Or maybe I should give you a new nickname- or confuse you and call you Mosskit, because you'll always be my baby. Oh, the possibilities!" she said, nearly bouncing through the roof in excitement and youth. It was intoxicating.

Beepaw's spirit emerged from her body with a startled scream- the apprentice thought she was still alive. She watched Moonstar give his speech with her yellow eyes glaring- StarClan, when would this all be over?

Her eyes went wide and she looked between two groups- Buckpaw, with two StarClan cats bending over her. And to her other side, Robinflame. With Bearpaw and Berrypaw, both of which were still alive and kicking.

She decided to let cats die at death and walked to Buckpaw, still not realizing her death- she limped like her paw was hurt, psychosomatic though the injury was. She lowered her head and growled at Omnistar.

"I got this, thanks," she said, and went to grab her sister's scruff, but her jaw just . . . phased through. Beepaw looked on in shock, her eyes growing wide, before she looked down at her chest and saw the stars embedded in her fur.

"Whaaa ?" she said quietly, a question not quite formed.

Honeypaw looked around for her mother, tears fresh, humbled in a way she'd never known as the cats ascended from StarClan itself to give the living their decree. Honeypaw drank in every word like a song, a poem she sang in her heart. Peace. That was all she wanted. Peace.

And her mother.

But she couldn't find her- Honeypaw began to panic, her warm brown coat tinged with blood, and she sat down in a resigned fate before she felt a presence around her shoulder.

"Hello again," she heard a soft voice, and turned around and nearly fainted in happiness. Her mom was there, in full glory. Her coat was long and shiny, flowing in an invisible breeze. Honeypaw melted at her paws and bowed.

"I-I'm so sorry, mama, I couldn't save you- I should've tried harder."

"Nonsense," marshmumble said simply, "You did all you could. And with that sentiment in mind . . ." Marshmumble said, walking towards the center of a gap in the group of cats.

"I, Marshmumble, former medicine cat of EclipseClan, former deputy of EarthClan, former cat of the earth, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help she will serve her Clan for many moons."

Honeypaw looked afraid, but realized what was happening and straightened herself. Her ears were back. The apprentice was starstruck.

"Honeypaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?" Marshmumble knew the question was moot. Every cat had seen Honeypaw's devotion to humanitarian efforts in the midst of crisis.

Honeypaw choked, but managed to mumble out between sobs of relief and expectation, "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Honeypaw, from this moment you will be known as Honeyheart. StarClan honors your compassion, yoru sweetness, and your empathy, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of EarthClan." Honeyheart was humbled and reduced herself to sobs. Marshmumble emerged to embrace her.

Buckpaw laid there weakly, a cough escaped her.

“I-I can’t... I’m too weak i’ll Never make it...” she sighed, her body trembling. “My back, it hurts. I can’t.. feel.. it hurts..” her voice trembled with every word. her body curled around itself as she sighed. Leave me to die.. She looked pathetic. Her pelt dull and tears falling from her eyes. “I can’t do it... I can’t..” she sobbed.

Pumastar glanced around at all the cats, then at the Apprentices.

‘Theyve all proven themselves ready to become full warriors of Eclipseclan. I think I’ll make them Apprentices as soon as we return to camp. She flicked her tail, her gaze searching for for Dieselstar. She sighed, hoping she would be there.

Omnistar descended from Starpelt slowly, his sharp yellow gaze raking across the throng of cats. It was truly a bloodbath and a sight to see. The former leader of SunClan from many, many moons ago had finally returned with all of his StarClan ancestors. No longer was he the old, frail and weak cat as he was before his untimely demise so many moons ago. He had been restored to his full strength; large and brawny. His claws remained the dangerous weapons they had been before, but this time, they left no marks in the ground. Omnistar made his way over to Buckpaw, crouching down beside her."Come on, little one." He rumbled, using his nose to gently nudge her shoulder. "Hang in there."

Vivitross soon followed behind Omnistar, her sleek spotted pelt glistening with the stars that littered her body. The lithe EarthClan shecat took in the scene, her green eyes wide. Moonstar had said there was a great battle going on, but she did not think it would be any bigger than the battles she was involved in when she was alive. Her tail gave a singular flick as the memories flooded over her. Twistedtricks, eldest son of her and Brokenstar's single litter of kits, had never joined them in StarClan. She hadn't seen a glimpse of him since she watched him pass on. Deep down, she knew where he had gone. His intentions were obvious. She hoped that none of the cats who had lost their lives in this fighting had the unfortunate demise of joining the Dark Forest. Looking to Moonstar, she listened silently, giving a nod in agreement.

Junipertwist scampered after Omnistar, perking up as his former leader stooped down to assist Buckpaw. Though Junipertwist had passed away alone; with no idea where his mate, Ligerheart, had disappeared to, he was fairly happy to be among his living Clanmates.

Bearpaw looked at her mother with a intense feeling of warmth and protection, the same feelings that she had when she was a smaller kitten, she approached to the starry she-cat and head-butted her gently, rubbing her body agains't the reddish starry mother.

Ocelotstride's blue-green watched the cats with awe as Curlypaw bounded past her with the look of joy in his eyes, while tears began to sift through her gorgeous gaze. The Bengal sat alone, watching as loved ones met with their families and believing that hers would not be found within their beautiful pelts. All she ever wanted was to look into her mother's eyes again and be amidst her siblings just as Tidebreaker had seen his mother again. Her ears flattened at such the selfish thought whilst she made her way towards the family. "It's good...To see that you're all here together again...I was hoping that would happen one day." the molly meowed in a hushed voice, though silent sorrow shone in her face as she sat close to Tidebreaker. Sometimes, Ocelotstride seemed like too strong of a cat, as though she wanted to cry, but simply could not. 'I wish I could see my mother...Lynx...And Hush too. Just...Just this once.' Little did the molly know, they happened to there too.

(POST BY STORMBLAZE) Blacknose stared in wonder and awe as glowing silhouette’s of cats long since passed appeared before them. At first, he wasn’t sure what to think. After all this time and they choose now to appear and lend a helping paw. Of course he was angry, but the next thing he felt was relief. The fighting had stopped and now the cats were gathered together in peace. No more blood was to be spilt on this day. He approached his son, Tidebreaker, and pulled the Tom-cat away from his leader and clan-mate. They sat beside each other and listened as Moonstar spoke, reciting a new code. He was so focused on the starclanner’s words that he almost didn’t feel the presence of another feline. One so familiar to him. His golden gaze met deep blue eyes and a small smile finally touched his lips. Standing before Blacknose was his past mate, Ripplestream and the silver tabby still look as beautiful as ever. She smiled and nodded her head toward Tidebreaker who was searching the crowd for Ocelotstride.

“He’s gotten so big. They all have. So strong too, just like their father.” She spoke, nostalgia getting the best of her. She was glad to see her family alive and well, managing to find Stormblaze, Fadewhisker and Hiddenstrike before appearing here. Blacknose choked down the lump he could feel forming, tears threatening to spill at the site of the love of his life. “That celestial glow suites you.” He teased, flicking her shoulder with the tip of his tail. “I make it work.” She purred, touching her nose to his cheek. Ripplestream glanced toward their son who was now staring at her and dipped her head at him. Overcome with so many emotions, Tidebreaker rushed into his mother’s side. “I’ve missed you.” He breathed out.

---

The reddish tabby Tom nodded toward Bearpaw, not sure if he should stay planted in his spot or run to his mother and sister. They’d been so small when Robinflame passed, too young to really realize the finality of death. “You gonna just stand there or you gonna give your momma a hug?” The starclan queen purred, prompting Berrypaw into a sprint before he was colliding into his mother’s coat. “I love you!” He cried, snuggling deeper into her red pelt that almost mirrored his own.

---

Mosspaw sat amongst the eclipseclanners who had survived. She searched the crowd of StarClanners for two familiar pelts. The young calico needed to see her mother’s, she wanted to tell them she loved them one last time. The whereabouts of her siblings were unknown to her and she was afraid she had been left behind by her family and forgotten. She spited Winterjay’s and Tigermasks familiar pelts, both tom’s smiling at her once they noticed her.

(POST BY STORMBLAZE)

Pumastar fought the cat at her paws, tumbling and rolling with his. She pushed off of him just before he could crush her, seizing her chance and pouncing upon him. Without thinking for even a moment, she swiftly snapped his neck. Her eyes were low as she glared at the body, her gave slowly drifting to the spirits that arose from the bodies that laid all around. She looked down in shame at Moonstar’s words, though her gaze was steady.

Raccoonpaw yowled for Peachpaw when she had scurried away, her voice drowned out by the yowls of battle that still filled the place at first. She shoved her way toward her and Sandpaw, only to end up getting shoved in different directions until she was thrown into a small clearing area. Her gaze was dogged with worry that she didn’t see the spirit cats rising.

“PEACHPAW!!” She yowled, “PEACHPAW!! WHERE ARE YOU!” She shoved herself back into the fray, ignoring annoyed snarls and mutters.

Winterpaw found herself back back in the nursery, stumbling The she cat was tired. Her normally elegant pelt was smeared and drenched with blood.

None of it, her own.

She went to where she hid Snowpaw‘s body, pulling it out and collapsing at its side. She let out low moans of pain and sadness, her heart aching awfully for her family. Her eyes were slapped closed and her ears were filled with her own sobs.

Buckpaw was weak and tired, heavily limping. She wasn’t bleeding besides a few scratches here and there, but her spine was badly bruised she was slowly losing feeling in her hind legs. Her vision was spotted with black as she fought to stay awake. She wanted to see her sisters, but she couldn’t keep going. Her legs gave out and she collapsed, panting heavily.

Curlypaw felt more comfortable at Ocelotstride's support, even though he was still crying, until some weird sensation came in his whiskers, running through his body, something made him exit the medicine cat's den, he could see all the starry cats, even though he didn't had any faith in Starclan as medicine cats were supposed to have, the proof was outside, he could see the figure of Moonstar, he could recognize the faces of the dead cats that he could not save, all of them familiar, he was amazed, and scared by all their ghostly presence, he ran in the direction of all Starclan cats, jumping the dead bodies and the pools of blood that were everywhere, and he stopped to hear when Moonstar spoke, he nodded at the words of the long dead leader, he felt more happy to see the new rules that promote peace.

---

Bearpaw could see the starry cats everywhere, she was sure that it was Starclan, she tried to find Aspenleaf, Robinflame and Beepaw, but it was hard to see, so many cats in the same place... ''Berrypaw, have you seen mom? Or Beepaw?'' She asked, searching for them with her yellow eyes.

Moonstar's face was drawn in grief as he looked over the clearing and with the graceful movement of a born warrior, pounced onto a raised surface. He turned and settled, bearing the hundreds of eyes upon him with quiet assurance, and finally spoke: “May the cats of all clans gather here for a meeting.”

Milfoilcloud drew forward, followed, at some distance, by Burdockbone. Oxalispaw and Mulleinpaw, exchanging looks of fear and confusion, settled near them, their paws trembling as one of the starry cats sat behind them. All eyes remained on Moonstar as he addressed the clans, “I have long believed that it is the right of a cat to decide their own fate.” He paused, allowing his words to sink in. “As warriors, we choose to live lives that are not safe from harm, but to live lives that are worth the harm; as clans, we are honorable and brave, disciplined and loyal, but also proud and independent. For this reason, we of StarClan have abstained from interfering in the lives of the living. The clans, as the cats in them, have the right to determine their own paths, to make mistakes and learn from them, to live full lives free from the meddling of the generations of those who came before. But we have never abandoned you.

“We have watched; rejoiced for your triumphs and grieved for your pain. We wept for lost kits and hungry winters, for the loss of brave and kind warriors, struck down for their clans. But the warriors still fell. Tonight, dozens have fallen, all before their time, and all without cause. For this, I must beg your forgiveness. We all must use what we are given and we must use it to the best we can, however much or little help we have for the task. The Warrior Code arose from honorable intentions, but intentions matter little in the face of tangible consequences. We cannot allow the mistakes of a cat too young to have earned his warrior name to guide cats even younger than him to their deaths. We cannot become so used to horror, that we assume there is no other way. There is always another way. The cats of StarClan gathered tonight and, as one, we present you with a new way: The Ideals and The Code. We cannot promise you safety, but with you, we hope that the lives of our descendants will be those worth the risk inherent to our ideals.”

Moonstar bowed his head and began to recite, “Each clan has the right to be proud and independent, but in times of trouble they must forget their boundaries and fight side by side to protect each other. A threat to one clan is a threat to all. The safety of the clans as a whole is more important than the safety of one cat.

“A warrior protects those who are weak. A warrior must not neglect cats in pain or danger, even if the cat is an enemy. A warrior must not attack cats who are seeking help, even if the cat is an enemy.

“A warrior defends life. A warrior must not kill unnecessarily and must never risk the lives of others or their own life for frivolous reasons.

“A warrior’s strength does not make them capable of ruling; a warrior’s strength makes them capable of service. Deputies must be chosen by a majority vote of adult cats and approved by StarClan. A warrior may challenge a weak or cruel leader.

“A warrior chooses their path. A warrior may choose to leave their clan of birth and join another upon receiving their warrior name. Any adult cat sincerely wishing to join a clan must be given a trial period of a moon, during which time they are tasked with apprentice duties. “The Code: Every clan cat must follow The Ideals and live a life worthy of StarClan.

“Prey is killed only to be eaten. Elders, queens, and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. Unless they have permission, apprentices may not eat until they have hunted to feed the elders, queens, and kits. If any warrior or apprentice is sick or injured, they may eat while the elders, queens, and kits are eating.

“Warriors must not needlessly trespass or hunt outside of their territory. Territory boundaries must be checked and marked daily.

“Any adult cat may seek the guidance of StarClan at the Moonstone.

“A gathering of all clans is held at Hawk’s Tree on the night of the full moon. Any violence among the clans at this time is punishable by exile.

“A meeting of medicine cats is held at the Moonstone on the night of a half moon. During this time, the medicine cats may commune with StarClan in privacy. Any violence among the clans at this time is punishable by exile.

“Every cat within a clan has a role to play in protecting and serving their clan.

“Kits are precious and vulnerable. Kits must stay in the camp until they are apprenticed and may neither train nor hunt.

“Apprentices learn the ways of their clan, The Ideals, and The Code. Apprentices are responsible for training in the ways of their chosen path. A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice. An apprentice must be at least twelve moons old and earn the approval of their mentor and leader to become a warrior or medicine cat.

“Warriors protect and provide for the weak. Warriors are responsible for training apprentices, hunting, and protecting the clan. Newly appointed warriors keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name. After this vigil, warriors are sworn to uphold The Ideals and The Code.

“Queens ensure the future. Queens are responsible for caring for the clans’ kits. Queens are released from their duties as warriors or medicine cats for the duration of their stay in the nursery. Any cat may choose to become a queen and raise the clan’s young.

“Medicine cats heal. Medicine cats are responsible for treating the sick and injured and providing spiritual counsel. When a medicine cat apprentice has achieved the approval of their mentor and leader, they travel to the Moonstone to commune with StarClan and receive their full station.

“Deputies create order. Deputies are responsible for orchestrating clan life by organizing border patrols, hunting expeditions, and group training sessions. A deputy becomes clan leader when a leader or deputy dies, retires, or is exiled and may act in a leader’s stead if a leader is temporarily incapacitated. After a deputy position is vacated, the new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh.

“Leaders serve their clan. Leaders are responsible for mediating disagreements, performing clan meetings and ceremonies, enacting punishments for infractions of clan norms, The Code, and The Ideals, and making decisions that affect the clan as a whole. Upon sharing tongues with StarClan at their leadership ceremony, the new leader is granted nine lives with which they are expected to protect and serve their clan.

“Elders guide the clan with their wisdom and experience. Elders prepare the dead, provide counsel, and carry clan traditions, The Ideals, and The Code to the clans’ young. Cats become elders when they can no longer serve their clan as a warrior or medicine cat.”

Moonstar fell silent, allowing the living cats to reflect upon The Ideals and The Code before he spoke again. “We of StarClan will remain with you until the full moon, when we will return to our hunting grounds within the Starpelt. I pray that the living never have need of us again.”

Ocelotstride stood onto her four paws and touched her nose to the shoulder of Curlypaw as he cried, the anger leaving her entire body as she forced herself to look into the eyes of the young tom. "It'll be all over soon...I've lost friends too, in fact we all have...It's jus-," the brown Bengal paused, her glowing, blue-green gaze stunned at the light that filled the room before them. 'Am I dead or are they...Real?' The molly wondered to herself as she began to amble towards the entrance of the den towards the main room of silver, gleaming cats. "Starclan..." Never in her life had she seen so many precious cats, including a small group of kits, their pelts oddly familiar to Ocelotstride. 'It can't be...Fadewhisker's kits too?'

The blood loss Pippa suffered was too much for her to handle, she lay crumpled behind the couch until the last of her breaths dwindled to no more. She did what she could to help her mother and adopted siblings, and that was all the little molly could do. As silver cats surrounded her, the black and white molly's pelt suddenly glowed though she saw her former self still residing around the pools of blood. Something changed, she was happy, and there was Pretty too and Haypaw, both glistening of silver too. 'We're home.'

Crimsonfox ran through the territory as the StarClan cats began to travel downward. He didn't know what to think of it, but something or someone, told him to go and find Meadowclaw. His red, color-pointed pelt burned from running so quickly until he stopped and stared at the endless number of silver, immortal cats with wonder in his sun-lit gaze. There among them, were his sisters. "R-rattle...Blazing..." He stifled softly, not even realizing that he had found his way to Meadowclaw.

Dottie had been trying to fend off a cat from the other side of Peachpaw, the warrior was strong and stocky, but Dottie tried her best to rid of the MoonClanner. The molly stumbled back to the little cat at her side. "...I'm sorry that I'm not the mother you deserve...But I do love you." She meowed softly, tears clouding over her gaze. The molly knew that if this battle went any longer, that she would die too. Dottie didn't even notice that light that filled the room, for sadness lingered in her eyes.

Cranestar stumbled to the side as Tidebreaker pushed him away from Blossomstar, shaking, but he still stood. The tall tom staggered a little until he fell and began to twitch, a MoonClanner taking away a single life. As his pale, green gaze opened again, he wasn't dead, however he saw a light glowing over him until it landed at his side. Cats that he recognized loomed around him as he stood again, bloodied face barely able to make them out.

Smudgedstone was injured, however, he was strong and his thick pelt had taken most hits. He had just pinned an Eclipseclanner when his vibrant, green eyes looked up to watch the glistening cats come down. There in the group, the tom recognized his father, Brokenstar, and mother, Wrinkledface.

Burdockbone struggled up to his feet, blood dripping from a long gash along his shoulder. His opponent seemed to hold back, adjusting her feet in a defensive pose, as his vision momentarily swam. He stumbled forward, trying to strike out at her, but his attack was plainly telegraphed and Milfoilcloud evaded it, instead going through with an attack of her own that left him sprawled out on the ground with a new bite opened on his shoulder and another, he anticipated, aimed for his neck.

But the bite never came. A hush descended upon the clearing and Burdockbone slowly opened his eyes to strange, glowing forms that slipped across the battlefield. The forms materialized into cats, their fur illuminated against the dimness of the room as if filled with twinkling starlight. The shapes seemed to deepen and fill out, their masses becoming real before his eyes as they took on individual character, and Burdockbone heard a hushed prayer from the MoonClan she-cat he had been fighting, who stood dumbfounded over him, still poised to deliver a deathblow.

Burdockbone stirred and the she-cat seemed to remember herself and step away, with a muttered reflexive apology that he could only return with a slight dip of his head. He found his feet under him once more, the ground slick with blood -- his own or others, he didn’t know -- and watched the otherworldly cats as they filled the camp, first a dozen, then two, then many more. At their helm was a large silver and white tom: Moonstar, Burdockbone realized, the father of the clans. He seemed so young, much younger than Burdockbone himself.

Eaglepaw's movements were based on reaction. Her nose was blocked with blood, she did not smell SunClan. She did not recognize the two from her clan- they'd just emerged from the nursery. Fatigue framed her mind. She made a mistake.

She lunged for her clanmate, Sandpaw, with lethal force, and crunched down on the neck of the new apprentice. She let go, retched blood, and then looked around for the little cretin who'd screamed. But Peachpaw was gone.

Eaglepaw stepped over Sandpaw and continued, looking for Dovepaw until the end.

Sandpaw stood, still too scared to move. She gazed at Eaglepaw, seeing that something was very off about her, but no matter what she did, her limbs refused to move. "Peachpaw..." she let out a whisper, barely audible. Her eyes were wide, her heart felt like it might explode, she could barely breath. "I-I can't..." she could barely form words.

Meadowclaw looked in sorrow at Blossomstar and she leaned forth to gently stroke his eyes closed, glad for his quickly-cooling skin to still be warm to her touch. She'd lost so much in this battle-literally and figuratively. Blood leaked from her shoulder where Peachpaw had bitten her. The bodies of three of her family members and her possible lover were laid out before her. This was the nightmare Meadowclaw wished she could wake from- she didn't have the fuel left to process additional emotional trauam. Being friendzoned by her attempt at romance was nothing compared to losing her children. Her clan. It reopened a wound that still leaked deep in Meadowclaw's soul and she yearned for her old mate, back in the old days of simple living.

She was so clouded with grief, so ashamed at the lack of fight in her bones, that she did not notice Eaglepaw, who crept from the shadows, a massive and new force to see. Her white head emerged from behind the couch only as she pounced for Meadowclaw, and it would not be the cat's teeth that ended Meadowclaw's life, but the snapping of her back at the weight of Eaglepaw falling atop the queen. Eaglepaw stood, victorious over the corpses of MoonClan's leader and the matriarch, and she crept on with a hiss towards Tidebreaker.

"Run, little kitty," she said with a lash of her tail before looking up, seemingly distracted. "Dovepaw!" she shouted as she ran off.

Meadowclaw whimpered in pain and fear, unable to see or defend herself from her assailant. It was a low blow, but she would never know it was EclipseClan's ferocity that had killed her. She merely looked through to Blossomstar's silver-black fur, dancing in an unseen and unfelt breeze, familiar and eerie and unyielding before her eyes as blood loss left her delirious. She felt nothing but warmth and the delight of seeing her friends and family again- a familiar scent enveloped her as Blossomstar's faded.

Is that . . . she thought, looking away, a spirit forming from her corpse, pine sap?

A white pelt's idea swept across her eyelids and Meadowclaw smiled.

Pricklegaze.

Peachpaw screamed for Raccoonpaw but was unable to find her anchor- she spotted a familiar pelt among the chaos and pelted for it, pleased to find Sandpaw. She babbled before regaining her composure.

"We need t-to get out of here, S-Sandpaw," she said to her sister, "B-before- Haypaw- Dottie-" she said, eyes flashing distrustingly at a nearing cat.

The approaching cat was Eaglepaw, an EclipseClan warrior. Peachpaw and Sandpaw were both SunClan cats- but Eaglepaw's eyes were nothing recognizable. Their golden depths were tinted with a mission darker than anything Peachpaw knew. The she-cat let out a mighty squeal of fear, speech abandoning her.

Mulleinpaw and Oxalispaw huddled close to each other's sides, all of their past squabbles forgotten in this new desperate battle to keep each other alive. Gingerfall happened to pause in front of them to catch her breath, a mistake that soon proved to be fatal.

Mullinpaw spotted her first and pounced, sending the she-cat sprawling and trying to get to her paws, when Oxalispaw darted forward and went straight for her neck, giving the she-cat far too little time to respond before his sharp teeth took hold and tore back, taking her life with it. Mulleinpaw scrambled off, the death barely registering as she took up her brother's back again, a seemingly endless stream of EarthClan and MoonClanners before them, each encounter presenting a simple choice: them or us.

Pebblestorm ran into the battle, looking all around, overwhelmed by everything going on around her, trying to catch her breath and focus

Sandpaw stood of to the side, frozen in fear as she watched her clanmates dying left and right, and others killing other cats left and right. She was terrified

Gingerfall wanted nothing more than to be in camp right now, playing with the kits in the nursery. She hates fights, she didn't want to be here, surrounded by death and destruction.

Brownfur faced off against Ravenflower from EclipseClan.

WInner: nobody. They both died of wounds. Brownfur, of a throat bite.

Blossomstar's death wasn't quick, but he felt no pain- thank starclan for that. He appreciated Meadowclaw's presence, it calmed him and helped alleviate some of his grief. "I wish I'd been a better leader and a better friend to you." He coughed, nudging her side. "Who will you complain too once i'm gone?" He hoped his teasing words would help. He didn't want her to be sad, he only wished for her happiness. He laid his head down and passed quickly after the words left his mouth.

Blacknose nodded his head toward his deputy, a silent goodbye as she left them. He was grateful for having known her and he'd do everything in his power to protect his clan as well as the kits she left behind. The large black and white tom heard Ocelotstride's protests and turned away from the mother-daughter scene. He followed her voice to the nursery and smiled at her. "Come on mom." By now, most of the battle field knew their was a new queen on the grounds. "Let's go find Tidebreaker."

Mosspaw found her Fencewalker's body and finally started to cry. She plopped herself down next to the elder's mangled body and wept into her pelt. She lost too much. First Dieselstar and now her other mother.

Berrypaw glanced at his sister, letting the she-cat lean on him for support. "I could've sworn I heard mom's voice." He said.

Fencewalker's corpse lay openly, the elder slain by a clean cut to the throat, but otherwise unmarked. She had barely put up a fight towards the MoonClanner who had looked down on her with distaste- only asked for a moment to reflect on her mistakes. She died at peace, her eyes closed, the final of her nine lives taken from her swiftly as her heart stopped beating before it ran out of blood to pump. There was no smile on her face; but there was no anger either.

Meadowclaw leaned down and comforted her leader, rasping her tongue over his brow in the way only a mother really knew how to. She heard Tidebreaker speak and was surprised at the maturity there- if he survived Cranestar, he might make a fine deputy one day.

"There was nothing you could've done. This was inevitable- and its not your problem anymore. Not now," Meadowclaw said, easing him down. The blood was warm between her toepads. Fresh.

"Blossomstar- I-" she squeezed her eyes shut, looking away, "I need you to know that its okay. I don't blame you. No one else, will either, or I'll strike them down. For they are wrong. StarClan, I-" at the mention of StarClan, a strange tug pulled at Meadowclaw's throat and she stopped talking. Her next words were whispers.

"I love you."

Marshmumble was in no shape to redirect her attention towards her clanmates. Jupiter had lain her bare, his claws scalping her of the skin of her shoulder, laying muscle and bone to the open air. It was a gruesome wound. Marshmumble was unable to stand on it, and walking pained her much more. It wept blood. But it was nothing compared to the scratch that sailed from her neck to her haunch. A trickle came from Marshmumble's nose.

She shook as she looked at Jupiter's body, but did take Blacknose's words to heart.

"Thank you for your help," she said to him, laying down, "But- I- I don't think I'll be able t-" Marshmumble fell over, passing out promptly.

Honeypaw didn't see her mother fall, but she sensed she had to exit the medicine cat den. Fresh air- fresh wounds. Stars, there is no end. She was drawn, though, to her mother's side, and in an instant her cool persona melted and the medicine cat was in hysterics.

"Mom!" she wept openly over the body, seeing the blood, seeing there was nothing to do. There was, once again, a tale as old as a thousand years, too much blood being lost, and too little to do about it.

But Honeypaw tried. She had to.

Marshmumble startled back with a shocked gasp as Honeypaw's paws pressed on the mortal wound- pain flipped behind her eyes. She screamed. Honeypaw looked on in fear at what she'd done. "Honeypaw- wh-wha?"

"Mama It's okay- I-I'm gonna save you. Everything will be okay-" "Honeypaw,, listen- it's-it's okay. Tell daddy I love him." "Mama, no- I can't- no-" Honeypaw wept. "You're going to do great, Honeyheart. Sometimes, the worst part of being someone important is learning when to let go. I love you."

Marshmumble's eyes clouded, her face a grimace. She left Honeypaw- Honeyheart -weeping over her corpse, and a very confused onlooker nearby.

Bearpaw was saddened by the melancholic feel in the camp, one strange energy made her feel less tired, she stood and approached to Berrypaw, looking at him with her unreadable expression as always. "Berrypaw, what's wrong?" She asked.

The large Moonclanner huffed out a breath, chest rising and falling at a ragged pace. His golden eyes were glazed over and some part of him knew these were his last moments among the living. Blossomstar coughed, chest convulsing as he breathed in the stench of death. He could have avoided this- he realized. Back in camp he had chose the path of battle and now- he couldn't see how many but he knew most of his clan mates had fallen. The sound of Tidebreaker's voice paired with Meadowclaw's had him shifting. He wanted to see them both and apologize for the pain he'd cause. He managed to prop himself up, tears stinging his eyes. "I'm so sorry." Blossomstar choked out, the once stoic like tom was now reduced to a pile of tears and blood. "I couldn't protect them."

Tidebreaker stood his ground, ocean eyes set of Cranestar and the other sunclanner. Moonclan had come here to prove a point, it had unfortunately been lost somewhere with the tension that pit the clans against each other. "I ask you to stop this meaningless fight. Too many have died here and I don't speak just from Moonclan's point of view. Look around us, what good would it do you to continue?" The black and white tom spoke with finality, but he knew the leader would choose what he thought was right. His mind drifted toward his mate and he wished she was by his side in that moment. Her presence always seemed to chase his fears away.

Blacknose, alongside Marshmumble, had finally been able to bring Jupiter to his knees. He'd been surprised by the cats skills in battle and his speed was unmatched, but Blacknose was skilled in his own right and Marshmumble's motherly rage had helped to defeat the killer. The havana brown cat lay amongst the dead but he was headed straight to the dark forest. The earthclanner turned toward his deputy, a slight frown marring his features. "It's over Marshmumble, we need to gather our clan-mates and put an end to this fight." He said, glancing away to scan the crowd for his son and daughter-in law.

A young calico she-cat sat at the edge of the carnage, her white, grey and ginger calico pelt was stained red with blood- whether it was her own or her enemy's, she couldn't tell. Probably both. Her anger over he mother's death had been her fuel, it spurred her on and helped her end lives. Bile rose, threatening to spill out and add to the scene before her, but she refused. Mosspaw needed to remain strong. The fight was ending, she could tell it was drawing to a close. She padded toward the nursery, hoping to find a familiar face, maybe Oxalispaw or Mullienpaw.

Berrypaw sat by himself, having become useless to the healers quite some time ago. Most of their patients succumbed to their wounds. Bearpaw would be find, but Beepaw was gone and he had no idea where Buckpaw had gone. His heart clenched, a painful feeling as he let the tears fall. They'd lost so much and in the aftermath of that massacre, he finally could see how many lives were gone. Berrypaw.... The sound of his name being called caught his attention. He jumped to his paws, green eyes frantically trying to locate the voice. It was so familiar.. it sounded just like moms.

Meadowclaw screamed in alarm at Peachpaw's ferocity. It seemed the cutesy apprentice was cut from a different clothe- but her claws were just as sharp as her own. Meadowclaw tousled to get out of her grip, all the while listening to a barrage of profanities from the young cat's mouth. In the end, Meadowclaw threw her hard against the door and left Peachpaw with a dangerous wound to the underbelly before running off, spooked. This was a battle the likes of which Meadowclaw had never seen. She would never admit it outside the trusted confines of her own mind, but she was terrified.

She scanned the main room critically. Only a few tattered fights still broke out, pathways between the carnage connecting them along with cats who moaned for death. Meadowclaw was forced to step over them, abandoning the bodies of her family as she searched for revenge. The few cuts Haypaw and Peachpaw had given her already stung, but she had to ignore them.

She spotted a large black shape lying in the dust- only one cat could've fulfilled such a space. Near him, Cranestar, Meadowclaw devised. And another SunClanner. And a cat, standing protectively over Blossomstar- such a small one, though. Meadowclaw's subconscious formed around his name but her heart didn't know- Tidebreaker.

She ran to defend, hoping she could make up for the guilt of her absence. She was still ready to fight, even if everything around her decayed into a screaming mess of blood.

"Blossomstar," she said, sniffing his wounds- StarClan, this was bad, and there was little to do but watch on and defend him so he could die slowly. What sort of victory was that? The warrior glared up at Cranestar and the enemy SunClanner, but trusted Tidebreaker to keep the peace while she spoke with and comforted the dying tom.

Blossomstar fought valiantly against Cranestar's advances, but it didn't help that another Sunclanner came to aide his leader. Blood cause his pelt to ling heavily to his sides and his breathing was ragged. He knew he'd die from blood loss- he'd already lost two lives to this fight. He was a formidable fighter, even two against one. He just wish he could see Meadowclaw again and apologize for being unable to protect her kits. He felt his paws give way underneath him, large body thumping against the already red stained floor.

"Blossomstar!" Tidebreaker called from where he stood, adrenaline spurring his movements forward. He pushed Cranestar aside, ocean blue eyes focusing on his leaders battered body. The unnamed sunclanner attacked the black and white tom, but unfortunately was no match for the Moonclanner. Tidebreaker growled and refused anyone who tried to get at his leader.

''Can you please shut up? I'm doing my best to help your clanmates too and i'm tired to see other cats dieing in front of me because of this useless and stupid war that bloodthirsty cats agreed on! I don't really care if my ears would be clawed, go ahead, my friends are all dead anyways...'' He started the phrase growling loud until his tears started to fall, sobbing, he wasn't ashamed to cry in front of Ocelotstride, his yellow eyes clouded and his ears were flat. He padded out of the den and dragged a small gray cat, a apprentice of Moonclan, she had a large open wound in her throat, it didn't stop to bleed, Curlypaw kept putting cobwebs on it, but the wound was so large, that unfortunately the young cat died, he was surprised that he had still a few cobwebs, the tom sighed again, he didn't stopped to cry, the curly-haired tom pressed his head agaisn't the den walls, still crying, he got a little nauseous, but he wouldn't use his herbs to cure himself, only others.

(ten minutes)

Meadowclaw's paws thrummed the ground in a three-count rhythm, stilted and disorganized as she rounded the corner of the abandoned grand hotel. Easily the fastest she'd ever run, she stopped cold at the assault to the senses she was confronted with. Blood-scent soaked the air. Liquid coated the floor. Meadowclaw already had it on her, just from being present. And worse- corpse after corpse lay draped over the floor, the furniture, the window dressings. Meadowclaw could identify a few with great sadness- most of them EarthClanners.

Until Meadowclaw saw a white pelt with golden tabby patches, covered though they were in a masking of fluid. Meadowclaw babbled as she rushed nearer, slipping in the plasma, but she was able to identify, unwillingly, Blazingvalley.

She turned her head to lean into her daughter's cold fur, only for a similar corpse, only a few feet away, to catch the matron's attention, and she stiffened as she recognized the body of Rattlesong.

And a few more feet away, eliciting a strange, strangled laugh from Meadowclaw, was Cedarclaw.

The cat had never known such loss before- only touched it after Pricklegaze. This time, there was nothing to keep her love. Two of her children and her idiot brother, taken.

Meadowclaw, fresh to the fight and instilled with raw grief, took hold of the nearest enemy she saw and ripped a hole in their intestines.

That nearest cat happened to be Haypaw. She was frozen in time as a kitten. The cycle of murder continued.

Peachpaw spotted the tip of a black tail peeking out from behind a couch and looked towards Dottie and Raccoonpaw- "Guys-" she said, loud enough to get their attention, before running to examine the scene. Meadowclaw was gone panting over the apprentice's body, blood on her mouth. Haypaw's eyes were glazing over.

Peachpaw's blue eyes went wide, her blood ran cold, and she threw herself at Meadowclaw without a second thought, guided by instinct the likes of which she'd never known before.

Marshmumble's green eyes were surprised at Blacknose, but she did not count her blessings. Instead, she doubled down on Jupiter, facing down the tom as she headbutted him with her broad face. Her ears were back in a snarl, and her claws clung to his coat with nothing able to separate her. It did not matter how his claws stung her- she would leave the world a better place without Jupiter's looming threat hanging over her litter. Or her innocence. Or her relationship with her one true love.

Haypaw twirled in a circle, desperately searching for somewhere safe she could make a pilgrimage to.

Ocelotstride watched as her mate went off to find the MoonClan cat, the molly's tensed frame only relaxing as Honeystride placed together cobwebs to put on her torn up side. The cat she'd been fighting certainly had done his damage, though the Bengal knew that Tidebreaker's father had brought the Eclipseclanner's fate to StarClan. Her blue-green gaze watched Honeypaw leave the den and Curlypaw approach, her teeth drew back into a snarl as though to tell him to stay away. "Like I said, I didn't know, otherwise your ears, Eclipseclanner, would be clawed off by now." Without the comfort of the other MoonClanners at her side, Ocelotstride's stubborn streak let her to speak out confidently.

Dottie urgently tried to search for her daughter.

Grousethorn hissed and spat as Pumastar grabbed hold of him, digging more ragged scratches into his shoulders as she kept hold. He rolled back, trying to crush her in the hopes that she'd let go.

(EAC) Blacknose stared at his deputy for a few moments, a frown spreading across his face. He knew she was right and there had always been something off about Jupiter. Instead of prying Marshmumble away from the rogue, the black and white tom-cat joined her. If they were keeping the clans safe by killing Jupiter, then so be it.

The tom ran off in true MoonClan fashion, leaving Peachpaw panting and alarmed as she looked around dumbfoundedly. She looked to Raccoonpaw and buried her head in her sister's soft chest, feeling the need to cry but knowing now was not the time nor place to do so. She took a deep breath and withdrew.

"Wait a second," she said softly, "Where'd Haypaw go?" she said, looking around in terror. Dottie would have her tail.

Curlypaw looked at Bearpaw's face, he noticed that she was revealing her yellow eyes slowly. ''Thank you.'' Mumbled Bearpaw to Curlypaw and Berrypaw, she was still tired, the brown tabby tom didn't heard her words, his attention was to the new cat in the den, he noticed her belly a little more bigger than normal for a cat. ''What a great time to be pregnant.'' He complained tiredly, and approached to Ocelotstride, it looks like Honeypaw already treated her wounds.

----

While this, Bearpaw tried to stood, but she was too tired to even move. ''Buckpaw...'' She mumbled, her pupils moved in hope to see her sister, but there are no signs, not even her scent was present here, she got worried, but she could do nothing until she got more strenght, she was sad but she didn't showed her sadness.

Pumastar scanned the perimeter and spotted Grousethorn, red clouding her vision a moment. She leapt from where she stood and ran at him, slamming hard into the Tom and rolling. She dug her claws in deep, holding on tightly to the MoonClan cat.

Raccoonpaw slashed at the tom’s eyes, snarling and spitting.

“DONT YOU DARE EVER LAY A CLAW ON MY SISTER?!” She yowled into his ears, blood spurting onto her paws and the area around them. “PEACHPAW, GO AROUND HIS FLANK!!” She yowled to her sister as the bigger and more experienced Tom started to try shaking her off.

Winterpaw laid before her sister’s body, sobbing.

“It.. di...dnt.... why.. why? WHY??” She yowled to the sky with all her heart, shaking her head. She stood up slowly, taking Snowpaw’s body and hiding it safely so it wouldn’t be trampled. She closed her sister’s eyes and looked at her a moment before turning back around. “I will avenge you....“ she growled to herself, bounding away and slashing at any cat she got close to with the ferocity of several warriors.

Buckpaw looked up and at the last moment, rolled out of the way of the blow. She slashed at the cat’s Eyes who recoiled in pain. Seizing her chance, Buckpaw stumbled away. Her head spun and aches and she struggled to stay in a straight line.

Please be ok, please be ok please be ok... She thought to herself, worrying greatly for her family.

"Murderer!" Marshmumble shouted as she clawed for Jupiter even as he wriggled out from underneath her heavyset paws. She lashed for his throat, slow though she was, obviously no longer in self defense mode for the first time in her life. "Rapist! Kit-killer!" she said, flashing a look to Jayflower and Blacknose with sheer animosity towards the tom she attacked. Jupiter may be her own clan mate, but Marshmumble saw him as public enemy number one. And if either bystander had sense, Marshmumble hoped they'd sense her tone and join the depiuty in dispatching the true threat.

Honeypaw helped Ocelotstride into the den, past Swivelstrike and Tidebreaker, and treated her wounds- they were, thankfully, non-deadly, though Honeypaw worried for the she-cat's kits. She would tell the queen later- now was not the time.

She continued over and spared a look to Berrypaw. Curlypaw and Bearpaw were working diligently, and Honeypaw looked towards the wounds with a shock- they had stopped bleeding. StarClan had answered her prayers.

"Leave her now- she'll be fine," she told Curlypaw before busily hurrying towards another needy soul. Something took over her paws, something supernatural, and the herbs flashed in images in her mind instead of words. From that moment onwards, her prayer sounded over and over again, and Honeypaw repeated her wish to never have to close the eyes of another cat for the last time.

Haypaw was unaware of the sequence of events that led to her separation from her family. She'd run away after Raccoonpaw leapt towards the tom that had attacked Peachpaw, a scratch on her tail from Peachpaw biting it. She looked around, absolutely frozen in terror, and every direction seemed blocked by blood or bodies. She had lost sight of Dottie, or of anybody friendly, and the kit-apprentice's green eyes were wide as she searched any face for signs of friendliness, that it was okay to approach. She still hoped this would all end. Dottie had promised a barn.

Smokepelt has managed to hide himself away for the most part. scared for his life he had seen so many of his clan mates fall and handed into the paws of starclan, he needed to be brave if he was going to die he might as well fight for his clan rather than hide away from it, giving he paws one final lick he exited his hiding place so he was exposed out into the open.

Grousethorn abandoned Silhouettechase's corpse as soon as she stilled under him and wildly looked around himself, seeking out his next opponent. Adrenaline roared through his ears, silencing the complaints of his wounded shoulders and stomach.

(Anyone is welcome to attack and kill him :) )

(EAC) "Just a misunderstanding." Jupiter drawled, wiggling his way from underneath Marshmumble's claws. He could feel her hatred and that brought a little smirk to his lips. "I was merely helping out Blacknose here, it's not my fault this sunclanner bit off more than she could chew." The havana brown tom-cat mewed, glancing between Earthclan's deputy and Jayflower.

Blacknose shook his head at the sound of his name coming out of the scrawny cats mouth. He had a bad feeling forming in the pit of his belly but ignored it in favor of not speaking with the tom. "Marshmumble, he's not worth it. He'll get what's coming to him." His golden eyes locked with his deputy and he hoped she'd listen to him. They could deal with Jupiter after this blood bath.

(SC) While Honeypaw's answer was less than friendly, Berrypaw was happy to be given a task. He listened to her directions and held his paws over the wounded cats chest, putting as much pressure on it as he could without injuring the feline. While he stood beside the blood soaked she-cat, he came to realize it was his sister. "Mouse-dung." He cursed under his breath, taking in her batter appearance. "She's tough, we don't have to worry." The young tabby said it more for his own comfort than Curlypaw's.

(MC) Tidebreaker let his mate lean her weight on him when Honeypaw approached. He shot the young healer a small smile. "Don't worry, remember what I said? I'm not going to let anything happen to you. Stay here with Honeypaw," He licked Ocelot's cheek. "I'm going to find Blossomstar."

(ECC) Tigermask lay in amongst the rest of the fallen warriors, broken and bleeding. He'd fought as hard as he could, for Dieselstar's sake. Now it seemed Starclan was calling his name. He passed away due to blood loss.

Jayflower

In the middle of the battle she leaps between fighting cats looking for any cat that is open. She sees a very wounded Sunclanner apprentice. The young she apprentice struggles to stand from the blooding wound from her neck. The cat soon falls from her wounds and is lying in a poor of her our blood. Jayflower knew the other she was an enemy cat but she truly disagreed that apprentices should be able to fight in wars. They were too young. She turns her head to notice something strange. An Earthclanner pinning on of her clan mates to the ground. She padded to them and glared at the she doing this. "What in StarClan is happening?" She hissed in a commanding tone.

Curlypaw felt more pressured when he heard Honeypaw saying that now Berrypaw had to do what he says, he didn't want to bring someone to their death, the she-cat was still bleeding so he put a few cobwebs, luckily, she didn't had many large wounds, he was sure that Bearpaw will survive. ''Berrypaw, take a look at the herbs that we have, please?'' He meowed, a little less sad, because he knew that he could save someone, even with the few herbs that he had.

Winterpaw was panting heavily, taking in her sister’s presence when it suddenly disappeared. She whipped around to stop her sister when she had already laid being mauled by the cats.

“MOMSTERS! GET AWAY!!” She lunged with sudden ferocity, ripping and tearing them away with the strength of several warriors. Soon, two of the Apprentices were sent running, the biggest laid dead on the floor. Winterpaw looked down at Snowpaw’s body with horror beyond belief. She fell down, shoving her nose into her sister’s fur, howling such sadness to the skies that it echoed in the heads of Starclan themselves.

——

Raccoonpaw whipped around from the cats she was fighting to see Haypaw attack Peachpaw and then her being dragged away.

”PEACHPAW!!” Raccoonpaw yowled, lunging for her and the cat that held her tail. She attacked the tom’s face, hoping to dislodge her sister from his grasp. She wouldve attacked Haypaw too, but she was more worried about her sister than anyone else.

——

Buckpaw screeched as she was tossed into the air like a piece of prey, flying above all the battling cats. For the brief moment she was up there, she could see everythin. The bodies, the fighting, the blood. Cats howling in sadness for fallen comrades, cats killing cats like they were killing prey... It was horrific. Though, she didn’t have much time to think about it as she fell to the ground with a great ‘thump!’ She groaned, weakly trying to get up only to be stepped on by the cat that had grabbed her before. He pulled her towards him, aiming to give a finishing blow.

——

Pumastar battled viscouslu, the beautiful Bengal she cat fighting with the surge of her nine lives. She clawed at any cat who got too close until it was just her with some space in between the rest of the cats. She looked around with hawk like eyes, searching for cats of her clan whom would need her help.

—-——

—-——

Honeypaw stepped aside and laid her ear to Bearpaw's chest in triage as Rumbleheart brought her in. She failed to recognize the sibling relation between Bearpaw and Berrypaw, but she didn't have to. She sniffled as she looked over the wounds- the blood was already slowing on its own. Honeypaw closed her golden eyes, laid her tail over Curlypaw's head to still him, and spoke aloud a prayer she'd learned in the company of MoonClan's camp.

"StarClan, recognize this apprentice's will and return her to us, touched by your grace and mercy. If it is her night to hunt the forest of stars, I beg you to take her swiftly," she said before beginning work in cooperation with Curlypaw. They were running out of herbs; Honeypaw was able to reuse a poultice- bloody though it was- on one of the worse-bleeding cuts. She stepped back after a moment, wiping the blood from her chin like a hospital smock. She knew she'd heard her name from somewhere . . .

She spotted a tense scene from the entrance and coldly regarded Berrypaw. "Go put pressure on that cat's wound. Don't let up or she could die. Do whatever Curlypaw tells you to do and she might yet live," she said, commanding her crossclan peer with a sweetness to her voice that was almost overshadowed by her jaded tiredness. She slipped back, her attention forced to Ocelotstride's bleeding form, Tidebreaker's aggression, and Swivelstrike's understandable denial of entry.

Honeypaw was forced to approach the enemy warrior, though her tail quaked. She could only hope the tom would recognize her from the one gathering she attended- where she'd stepped alongside Endlessdream to save Fencewalker's kittens from a bloody miscarriage.

"EclipseClan warrior," she addressed Swivelstrike, her eyes on Ocelotstride, "There are no clans in this den, only herbs and helpful paws. Please, let that queen through," she said, shocked that Ocelotstride had even slipped her own attentiveness. How had Honeypaw let her go to battle? And now she was bleeding . . .

Marshmumble skidded across the carpet at Jupiter's tossing. Her face, so matronly and characteristic among her clan as a figure to watch over them, was twisted into an ugly snarl, "You know no rules but your own, Jupiter!" she shouted with venom, spitting clear, "Seeing you kill this cat-" a glance towards the defeated Smallfoot, "-and knowing what you've done and threatened to do . . ."

She drew her claws in, freeing her to leap across the carpet. Hell had no fury like Marshmumble, armed with revenge for her fallen sons and the need to protect her new litter that dozed back in Moonclan's camp. Her teeth were her chosen weapons, yellow though they were with age. Her humanitarian mission was forgotten

*EcC*

"You're a fool," Swivelstrike snapped after Tidebreaker, but didn't bother following him or his mate. "Your best bet would be to just leave. If you're attacked while you try pointlessly to plea with others, then what? In the end, it will be either you, or them..." Her words would reach him, or they wouldn't. In some way, maybe she was a fool for letting him simply walk away without so much as a scratch to remember her by. She would either prove herself right, or he would prove her wrong; honestly, it didn't matter either way.

She turned her back to them, and set her sights back toward the battlefield, anticipating her next fight.

(Open for an attack by MC or EC)

"I didn't know until now." Ocelotstride clenched her teeth and lashed her tail at the Eclipseclanner's words, wanting so much as to claw at her face, and she really would have too, for Tidebreaker knew just how much she wanted to fight. Though, now her head spun a little, the scent of death and blood, mixed with her body made her feel absolutely sick to her stomach. It was a strange feeling that was certain and Ocelotstride didn't know how to feel about it. It wasn't long before Tidebreaker ushered her along while carefully watching Swivelstrike's every movement. "Tide...I feel so sick.." The Bengal's voice was quiet, more of a mutter than a whine, however. "Do...you really think it's possible...To save the clans as they are now?"

Cranestar noticed the sudden distraction the Blossomstar now had upon him, and with that, the tall tom took it as a sign to attack once more. He aimed his teeth straight for the neck of the large tom, done playing around. So many of his cats were now dead and he was ready to damage MoonClan.

Silhouettechase let out one last scream, her eyes closing at the teeth of the tom clamped against her throat, blood pooling into her mouth as everything around her began to dim. The last thing that she saw were the fearless eyes of the MoonClanner, then her head tipped back as her neck snapped, and there she was, lying on the coldness of the floor, dead.

(MC) The black and white tom-cat growled at Swivelstrike's words, upset by her accusation. He wasn't here to cause unnecessary death, he was here because his leader asked him to be. "I wasn't going to disobey my leader. While I may disagree with his intentions, It's my duty to battle for my clans sake. But it seems both sides were out for blood. I will not fight you, but if you force my paws I will have no choice but to protect myself and my mate. I'm going to try and stop this before too many cats are sent to an early grave you can either help or stand aside." Tidebreaker stated. He wasn't going to allow for this- he would do something even if that meant for his death in the process. Please Starclan. We could really use your help right about now. He ushered Ocelotstride along but he held Swivelstrike in his gaze at all times.

"Honeypaw!" He called for the apprentice, a sad smile capturing his lips. He caught the tail-end of her conversation with a young sunclanner- a little upset at her words. "You can't lose hope, not yet."

(SC) The reddish furred tabby tom flattened his ears, green eyes swimming with so many emotions it made him dizzy. He didn't appreciate Honeypaw's negativity, but he understood where it was coming from. "No." He said, "I refuse to leave. Any cat will most likely need help after the dust clears. I don't care from which clan- we need to have faith." He agreed with the new warrior who approached.

(ECC) Mosspaw sucked in greedily, trying to fill her lungs with as much oxygen as possible. That fight had been her first and while she had pride in her heart, it was slightly unsatisfying. She hadn't meant to kill the Earthclanner, but casualties in battle could never be avoided. Those words were the same ones Tigermask had preached to her just before while they trained for this very battle. The young calico shifted her attention to the rest of the room where blood splattered the carpet and furniture like paintings. A sigh left her lips and she found herself dodging more claws as she was thrown back into the heat of the battle. (SOMEONE IS MORE THAN WELCOME TO ATTACK HER)

(EAC) Jupiter was startled when he was firmly pinned to the grown, but a grin captured his lips again at the sight of Marshmumble. "Hi lovely." He purred, using his back legs to push him upward. He jerked the she-cat offer and twisted around to face her. "Attacking a clan-mate, isn't that against the rules?"

Firelight Firelight hissed as the other cat came down at his limb. He heard a sickening sound winced. Though it didn't break it was messed up in some way. He pushed the other cat off of him, holding his injured leg in the air. He glared at the other cat. His wasn't one to back away from a fight. But he had to if he wanted to live. But he wasn't leaving till he made a mark on this cat. He lunged forward claws out.

Curlypaw was pretty busy with all the cats in the battle, his efforts seems useless, the stock of herbs was ending, and some cats who he saved just came to the battle again to be killed off, others just die in his paws, a few still lived, but they kept in the medicine cat's den, which was not so big, ''Please go, Honeypaw is right, there's nothing to do here that can help effectively in the battle.'' He meowed with tears in his eyes to Berrypaw. then, he saw Rumbleheart, who dragged probably a lifeless body of a apprentice. ''Bring this corpse out of me! We have enough of them.'' He yelled hopeless, but when he put his thoughts in order, he noticed that it didn't make sense for the deputy give to the medicine den a already dead cat, Curlypaw approached to Bearpaw with curiosity, and he heard the she-cat breathing, she was alive, although there are no herbs to take care of her sudden loss of consciousness , the brown tabby tom dragged Bearpaw into a corner in the den, it was hard, she was heavy and large. ''She is alive, is just a matter of time to wake up.'' He meowed to Rumbleheart and Honeypaw.

*SC*

The SunClan she-cat felt dizzy as sorrow pulled her heart down to her stomach. Rumbleheart stopped amongst the fighting, losing sight of every cat around her when she noticed her dear friend, Pretty, lying on the ground, lifeless. She didn’t want to accept it. It hurt, more than anything ever had. “Why… why can’t we just stop all of this?” She choked on her own words, tears spilling from her eyes. How much longer would this fight rage on?

Through the blur of her tears, not very far from her, she saw a mass of red-brown fur tumble over, and figured: she must be dead, too. Without really registering what she was doing, she trudged forward to the feline, recognizing her as Bearpaw. Rumbleheart lowered her head to touch her nose to the Apprentice’s forehead, mourning not only her, but Pretty, too. She was still as stone as she sent a prayer for each of her clanmates whose lives had been taken too early.

Then, she heard Bearpaw breathe. Rumbleheart lifted her head again to look down at Bearpaw’s chest, and watched it rise and fall. She’s not dead, she thought, eyes widening in shock. Hurriedly, she took Bearpaw’s scruff in her mouth and carefully pulled the she-cat out of the way of the center of the battle, making her way to the medicine cat’s den. You won’t die...

*EcC*

Endingday’s white and black fur was now spotted with bright red. It dripped down his pelt where Firelight dug his claws into. His eyes flashed with determination; he would not back down until this cat turned tail to run, or begged for his life to be spared. Instead of pulling out of Firelight’s grip, he turned and dropped his weight down on the tom’s limb, his goal being to either break or, at the least, sprain the other's paw or leg.

Swivelstrike lashed her tail side to side. She almost felt the need to laugh out loud in disbelief at Tidebreaker’s words. “You shouldn’t be here, then, don’t you think?” She returned his gaze, seeing clearly the foolish sincerity in his blue eyes. Coming to the conclusion that the two MoonClanners were no immediate threat to her, she turned her head, practically pointing her nose up at them, but sweeping her eyes across the blood-drenched camp. “What can you possibly do to stop the bloodshed? It seems you only want to save your own skin,” her tone was light, but scathing all the same. “This battle will only end once every capable Warrior is maimed or dead… Or, running with their sorry tails between their legs out of Raven’s Fortress.” She glanced back at the two, narrowing her eyes slightly. Of course, she hadn’t failed to notice the other she-cat’s unique scent; above the sharp mingling smells of blood and death, it stood out, and, as she looked on, Swivelstrike contemplated whether or not it was in her to hold the death of a queen on her claws.

Rattlepaw was simply too slow. She saw the claws rip through her underbelly before she felt them, desperate and uncharacteristically emotional all the same as crimson came to stain her white fur. There wasn't much to do but stop in her tracks as her belly hemorrhaged into a grand waterfall. Rattlepaw looked up at Mosspaw, accusatory and apologetic at the same time, that she had thought she had a chance. She staggered to move towards the side of the arena, sounds of battle nauseating and overstimulating in the slowness of her thumping heartbeat. But at its zenith, Rattlepaw's bloodloss proved too grand and she died where she stood, at Mosspaw's attack. In her last image, she blinked, and it was Meadowclaw's face staring down at her.

I'm sorry I disobeyed, she could imagine herself saying.

Honeypaw's efforts were a mess amidst the chaos. She responded to Curlypaw's response with a lost, hopeless look that was soon knocked off by the delivery of yet another corpse. The she-cat wailed, but her attention ponged to the entrance, where a SunClan apprentice appeared fearfully. Honeypaw smiled gently towards Berrypaw.

"Please," she said, bowing her small head, "Please just go. There's nothing for you to do here except watch these cats die. Unless you want to identify your clan's dead and sift them out to a corner-" Honeypaw sucked in air as she realized how impartial she sounded. Simply told, she was so overwhelmed by the sheer volume of death. And there was no supplies to begin to address the river of blood that needed stenching.

Marshmumble had brought back the bodies of two more nameless SunClanners when she spotted Jupiter amidst the fighting. Of course she knew the tomcat would make an appearance- but something about the blood that spotted his muzzle around Smallfoot's throat drove a spike in her heart. The she-cat suddenly forgot whose side she was on- and whose clan Jupiter fought for. All she could imagine was Smallfoot as her darling son Thunderpaw, the respected warrior Notchedfin, or the protective tom Riverstone. She dropped her payload dryly onto the carpet- the injured cat muttered a great oof. And Marshmumble was atop Jupiter in an instant.

There was no good way for this to end.

Snowpaw had been encircled into the corral that had surrounded Winterpaw (and Buckpaw?) the EclipseClan apprentice just as useless as the three bullied the two into a tighter circle. Snowpaw's small form huddled next to her older sister and she looked to her ally.

"We put up a good fight!" she said, blood coating the cat's white chest. Her voice was small, but her tone was unafraid, and the she-cat threw herself towards the largest assailant with appearance of stupidity. It ended badly, but her sacrifice distracted all three cats. An opening was made behind the third apprentice as Snowpaw screamed in pain, torn to bits by claws and teeth. "Winterpaw, go!" she spat between bites. Blood was splashing the wall behind her as a claw found her throat, and Snowpaw fell to the ground limply, Moonsplash and Winterjay's influences wiped out with her. The three apprentices fought still, unaware of her death.

(SunClan- opponent needed. Haypaw to die.)

Haypaw screamed in chaos as she tried to follow Dottie, but a weight pulling on her tail yanked her back and into the fighting just as they tried to exit. The calico turned and recognized Peachpaw, the Eclipseclanner's claws thin and sharp in her own tail as an enemy cat pulled on Peachpaw. In this chain of incidence, Haypaw whipped around and attacked Peachpaw, who let go in alarm, but was dragged further into the battle by the tom who had originally surprised the kit-apprentice. "Peachpaw!" Haypaw shouted, just as Peachpaw yelled for Raccoonpaw and the entire scene was incomprehensible and jumbled as it could've possibly been. Eaglepaw was dripping with the wounds of battle. She'd fought long and hard to keep Dovepaw sequestered in a pocket amidst the massacre, away from any enemies, but she turned her head away from her opponent to witness Coalshadow's claws raking Dovepaw's virgin face, and the rage that blinded the level-headed she-cat was devastating. Her white head was smacked to the side by her MoonClan match and Eaglepaw returned it, sending her flying before Eaglepaw ran towards Dovepaw and Coalshadow. She didn't recognize the tom but for his slim build. Eaglepaw outmuscled him, broad in her back and chest, and she rammed him like a bull to get him away from her coveted Dove.

The sound that emanated from her mouth was not cat-like, but something primely supernatural as her claws reached to rake eight long lines down his back, from the nape of his neck to the tip of his tail.

Grousethorn didn't pause to take in Silhouettechase's words and in the heat of the battle, they barely even reached his ears as he stuck his head down onto her neck and mercilessly bit down, not stopping until he heard a pop and she completely stilled under him.

Bearpaw was impressed as well, her opponent, who just died at her paws complimented her skill, and while she was suffering, and coughing blood, which made her regret her choice, even though she was the enemy, she noticed that it was the worst mistake she could ever done, because Aspenleaf was a good warrior, with her own life, not all the cats wished the war, and not every cat approved such barbarian choices.

''May Starclan light your path.'' She meowed at Aspenleaf, even though she was unable to respond.

The young apprentice spitted the blood of the once living warrior in the ground, she moved away from the corpse, she was having some confusing conflict in her mind, it was so stressful that Bearpaw dropped her body, her confusing feelings made her faint, she was left in the bloody battle unconscious.

Smallfoot jumped to her paws panting. The smell of her blood in her nose. Her tiny body shivering and not from the cold but from blood lose and fear. She didn't know war was like this. She white fur stained. Her gaze shifting between the two cats. Not knowing who was going to attack first.

(MC) The black and white tom stepped in front of Ocelotstride, lips pursed slightly as he stared at the opposing Eclipseclanner. All his fighting spirit had left him as soon as the first casualty hit the floor of Raven's Fortress. "We're not trying to hurt anyone. I want to get her inside and try and salvage what little humanity we have left. If the fight continues on like this, we can say good bye to any semblance of the four clans we have now." He met Swivelstrike's gaze, hoping the feline saw the sincerity in his gaze.

(EAC) Blacknose was surprised when the weight of a cat was taken from his back and he whipped his head around only to find Jupiter tearing into Smallfoot's throat. A low growl ripped from his throat and he did what he thought any cat should. The large tom-cat dug his claws into the smaller feline's back and ripped him away from the Sunclanner. While the rogue tumbled across the carpet, Blacknose turned his yellow gaze back on the she-cat. A frown marring his features at the sight of her.

(MC) The large Maine Coon was about to make a move to attack Cranestar when a familiar yowl reached his ears. He turned, golden eyes frantically trying to pinpoint where the pained cry had come from. He ignored his opponents presence, heart leaping into his throat when his gaze fell on the familiar blazing orange pelt of Blazingpaw. From where he stood, he could see a much larger warrior standing over her with blood soaked fur. No. No. NO. He'd failed once again.

(ECC) Tigermask ignored Roseflame's battle cry and instead rolled to the side to avoid her angered attack. That measly apprentice had it coming. At least she died honorable. The fact that she'd maintained eye-contact with him surprised him. It reminded him of Hydrantbreath in some ways. He growled, a low rumble deep in his chest before he was battling the she-cat again.

(EcC) Silhouettechase had little time to let go of Cedarclaw's neck when Grousethorn slammed her straight down into a pin, her spine cracking under the strength of MoonClanner. She let out a shattered yowl and visible tears began to cloud her eyes when she realized that she could not move the lower half of her body. "I-I made it quick...So h-he didn't suffer..." The beautiful, Turkish Angora mewed in her whispery voice, her ears flattening with fear.

(MC) Ocelotstride stopped dead in her tracks when Swivelstrike flexed out her claws, the lovely molly's first instinct was to bare her teeth, however she did not. There was a new, very fragile scent that mingled with the MoonClanner, forest smell. That of a new Queen who had yet to have kits of her own. Ocelotstride wasn't going to take that chance anymore. She backed herself up, close to Tidebreaker, her blue-green widening and didn't say a single word.

Firelight quickly ducked, but not quick enough. The claws of the other tom caught his forehead very close to his eyes, just above. That was so close. He turned his body to dig his claws into the other tom. He hissed in pain and clenched his jaws.

Endingday ripped his leg away from Firelight's teeth, leaving a gash in his skin. He hissed at the pain, and growled when the tom effectively threw him to the ground. He was quick on his paws, however, and charged forward once again, using both of his paws to swing his unsheathed claws at Firelight's face.

Aspenleaf looked up at the younger cat with a mix of fear and comfort in her eyes. She has lived a good life before the war. She knew she wouldn't win this fight. Her life taken by a youthful apprentice with her whole life ahead of her. She needed to tell her killer she was proud of her. "I'm impressed." She coughed, blood dripping from her mouth. "You will grow into a strong warrior." She coughed up blood and went weak. She leaned against the other cat. Her own blood pooling at her paws. She took her final breath. Her eyes looking up at sky. Once her spirit left her body she joined the other cats in StarClan.

Bearpaw felt a little more empathy for the cat she was attacking, but she immediatelly ignored that feeling, she put more strenght in her jaws and the blood kept going, she wanted the end of the fight, she wanted the death of the older she-cat.

Aspenleaf tensed, feeling Bearpaw's teeth sink into her flesh. She felt a little weaker as she pushed and pushed at Bearpaw's. She panted quickly losing her energy. She felt her blood pouring out of her. A trickle going down her body.

The clawing, biting and kicking just made Bearpaw more furious, but that was worthless, the she-cat still stood strong, even with the pain she felt and with the wounds, she had more strenght than some warriors, she finally dug her teeth in Aspenleaf's flesh, the fur and the blood in her mouth was disgusting, but that was expected, everything would go away in the end.

Firelight roared as an unknown feline landed on his back. He turned his body to get a grip of the cat. He sink his teeth into the leg of his attacker. He threw himself on his back pressing the other tom into the ground.

*EcC*

Swivelstrike was beginning to lose count of how many of her clanmates she’d seen fall in such a short span of time. She tried in vain to save any of them, as when she would shake off one cat to go to their rescue, another appeared to hold her back. She spat blood from her mouth as a random EarthClanner scrambled away from her with their tail between their legs. “__…” she hissed, feeling a blow to her ego as the cat escaped her view. At the same moment, she spotted Ocelotstrider and Tidebreaker heading toward the nursery and assumed the worse. Completely ignoring their body language, she maneuvered her away around the masses of fighting bodies and stopped in front of them.

She bared her teeth, and flexed her bloodied claws. “You’re not going in there,” Her growl was low and intimidating, and her dull-colored eyes sparked with ferocity, just daring them to make another move.

Endingday had launched himself into the battle, timing it right so that he’d need to put in only just enough effort to take down those of MoonClan and EarthClan who were now growing weary. He spotted Firelight among the crowd with his back turned to him, and leapt into the air to tackle him to the ground.

Dovepaw only stood there shaking, overcome with fear, as her clanmates, and SunClan cats alike, fell one after another, after another… She was frozen in place, deaf to her sister’s words, and merely watched on as Eaglepaw was attacked numerous times right in front of her. It seemed no one deemed Dovepaw worthy enough to try and fight her. She was lost inside of her own head, too swarmed by panic and overwhelmingly distraught by her own lack of bravery and tenacity to help anyone. I can’t do this! I’m not like Eaglepaw! I'm not like any of them! This wasn’t supposed to happen. StarClan, save us. I can’t do anything...

*MC*

Roseflame had been unable to reach Tigermask again, and watched on in rage as the tom tore into Blazingpaw with eyes both empty and filled with a hate she’d never seen before. She didn’t know what history they shared, but it mattered not as she saw her clanmate’s body hit the ground. When Tigermask turned to her again, Roseflame was prepared to match his aggression. She charged him head on, aiming to get a hold on him with her claws and to dig her teeth into the back of his neck.

Coalshadow arrived a bit late to the showdown. At first, he wanted to stay behind and help watch over the mostly abandoned camp. When he realised how boring it would be, and that there wouldn’t be anyone important to show off to, he left of his own accord to follow after the battle patrol.

By the time he reached Raven’s Fortress by his lonesome, things were already so chaotic. Everyone seemed to be fighting someone else. He caught sight of Blossomstar duking it out with another, almost equally as formidable looking tom, and figured that it must be Cranestar. Wanting to stay in his leader’s sights, on the off chance Blossomstar would happen to see Coalshadow and feel the need to commend him at any time for his amazing battling skills, he picked out a white she-cat who seemed to be sitting alone in the middle of the camp. It didn’t cross his mind what she might be doing, or that she might have a bigger, protective sister just a few pawsteps away.

He threw himself in front of Dovepaw and snarled, his wild, blue and gray coat bristling. Fear was etched into her pretty features, and it annoyed him. What a pathetic excuse for a clan cat, he thought, before bringing his paw up, and swiping his claws across her face.

Raccoonpaw yowled with such immense rage and a taste for blood. She leaped protectively for Peachpaw after spitting and clawing at many other apprentices. She had the ferocity of her mother, bounding about and slamming cats to the ground. She lunged for the throats, already killing a few cats. The she cat was filled with rippling muscles and had a long lithe body. Any cat at first glance would think she was almost a warrior, though she had just been apprenticed. She now stood, panting, by Peachpaw, her pelt blood soaked. How much of it was her's, was unknown.

-- --

Pumastar yowled in shock as the clearing before her was enveloped in battle. She squinted and furrowed her gaze, leaping down from where she stood and attacking any cat close enough. She was strong despite her elegant and pretty look. She gabbed cats by their scruffs, slamming them into others before bounding to claw other cats. Her shoulders seared in pain from her undealt with wounds though that didn't stop the rush of excitement that blurred her vision as she fought.

-- --

WinterPaw stood spitting wildly as three larger apprentices closed in on her. She was in the nursery trying to help protect any kits. She was, unfortunately, caught in a cross fire and now stuck where she was. The cats would leap at her if she tried to run, clawing her sides while she stood, stuck. She aimed viscous strikes at their eyes and noses though, as accurate as they may have been, she was out matched and needed help as soon as possible.

-- --

BuckPaw yowled in fear and anger. She bashed her head into any opposing cats, occasionally hurting herself in the process. She was quickly growing dizzy as she fought for her life. She spotted Bearpaw and Berrypaw. She tried to yowl out their names, though she was quickly cut off as a cat grabbed her by the tail and pulled her down and away. She quickly lost sight of them again, yowling in pain, fear, and sadness.

Smallfoot yowled in pain from this new attacker. She turned and clawed at his face forgetting about her original target. She wasn't going to let her mother down, even if she was with StarClan. She swung her paws only nicking the other cat.

Aspenleaf knew dead was at her den. She fought back with all of her power. Kicking, clawing, biting, anything to get away from this blood thirsty apprentice. She panicked slightly not wanting to die at the paws of a worthless apprentice.