Post by Galestar on May 22, 2006 12:05:16 GMT -5
A storm will rise again... so fierce that the past will be forgotten...
Chapter One - Last of the Leader's
"Brightflash will get her nine lives tonight," Poppystar muttered, slowly padding her way to sit with the three leaders that had already come to join StarClan. She sat down on the ground, where each blade of grass appeared to be made of tiny silver-green stars, and flicked her long tail neatly over her paws. "It's a new generation of leadership...I do not think our clans will survive under their original foundings."
The sleek black she-cat sighed, ducking her head as Silverstar, Longstar, and Fernstar stepped forward, and sat around her. The four leaders sat alone, in the middle of a moonlit clearing.
Silence passed between them, until Poppystar looked back up. She was the latest arrival to StarClan, her old body too frail to support her life any longer. Brightflash had succeeded her, and it was obvious the worry in her eyes.
Fernstar cleared her throat, shifting her weight precariously from haunch to haunch. "Don't be so soon to assume the worst. Galestar still has a hint of ambition in his eyes, and I do not think he will be so soon to give in." Longstar nodded, but the sleek gray tabby beside him was reluctant to agree.
Silverstar, after a moment of thought, nodded too. "Cinderstar is a keen tom, and I would trust him with my life all over again to lead StormClan down the path tha--"
"Cinderstar is changing too," Poppystar interrupted. Her eyes blazed with fury, but she allowed Silverstar to continue.
"...down the path that I planned. True, he...seems too willing. He is too calm." A soft sigh escaped Silverstar. He looked up to see Poppystar nodding her agreement.
The long-haired brown tom flexed his claws, turning his eyes to the starry sky above. Longstar did not speak for a long time. It seemed a day had passed before he finally opened his jaws.
"Meadowstar shows promise to keep things the way they are. I do not see fault in her." His words were simple, but quite the opposite of what the others were expecting. The other three looked at him thoughtfully, but the dull, unspoken feelings were cut short.
Poppystar got to her paws, closing her eyes and hanging her head to speak, "Brightstar relies on her emotions, though... I do see her leading the clan in the right direction. I might be saying too much for her."
She was interrupted by a light-hearted giggle from Fernstar. Each leader, in turn, looked to her. Poppystar lifted her head and gawked at the pretty tortoiseshell, her eyes wide and unblinking.
Fernstar also rose to her paws, a powerful smile on her lips. "Are we admitting that we chose the wrong cats to follow our footsteps?" They sat in silence, expecting the starry she-cat to say more. "These cats will lead our clans to understanding, an understanding broken by our very own Silverstar..."
Chapter Two - Signs
"But his intentions were good!" A she-cat spoke up, but it was not the voice of any leader. The four turned around, and looked into the silver ferns to see a tiny tortoiseshell standing in the shadows. Her star-patched pelt and frantic expression gave away only one name: Hollypaw.
She padded forward, now with the attention of the leaders. "He only wanted what he thought was best for cats, you can't expect him to want everyone to die and be unhappy." She spat, and came to sit by Poppystar's side. Hollypaw was formerly of LittleClan, though she suspected that everyone was shocked to see her support of Silverstar.
Poppystar flicked the young apprentice with her tail, urging the she-cat to stay quiet. "That is not the decree, young one. There will always be rivalries between the clans, and that cannot be helped."
An ominous silence fell over the five cats, the leader's eyes' filled with the same suspicions as they looked to one another.
Longstar was the first to speak, his eyes narrowed. "We may be losing confidence in the new leaders of our clans for good reason." The old tom breathed, "I do not mean that we were wrong in our choice, but their views are too settled on what Silverstar wanted. They were swayed by him. That may not be obvious to them now, but as time goes by they will begin to think that rivalries are foolish. I can see it now, Galestar and Cinderstar are the most vulnerable to start forming alliances."
Fernstar's eyes grew wide, and Poppystar gasped. The she-cat's exchanged a ragged look, and Poppystar spoke, "Brightstar and Meadowstar could easily form alliances, too. They're both very eager cats, and I assume CloudClan and LittleClan could either chase RedClan and StormClan out, or force them to join sides."
Hushed murmurs erupted over the edge of the clearing, and Hollypaw could see that more starry cat-shapes had formed...listening, wide-eyed, to their discussion.
The young apprentice looked up to her leader, concern burning in her golden eyes. "Do you mean, only two clans?"
Poppystar shook her head, "If worst came to worst, one clan."
An exasperated gasp rolled from Hollypaw. It seemed too quick to be assuming things like this!
"Longstar is right, our clans need to remain as they are." Fernstar spoke, looking to the brown-furred tom. He nodded in agreement.
All of this time, Silverstar hadn't spoke. His mind whirled with thought, as he contemplated his next action. Was it really his fault, that the clans would end up defying each other like this? Or was it a horrible vision that would never come true? ...was it really meant to be, that every clan would look to one another and want something that they would never succeed in having?
Chapter Three - A Storm
Silverstar twitched his whiskers. "We should...give them time. They're still new, and their decisions may waver." He glanced to the apprentice, as she hung her head doubtfully.
"Either way," Hollypaw spoke lowly, "they're all becoming too accepting, especially Galestar. I thought he was a strong supporter of Fernstar's foundation of RedClan...though, I agree with the way he's turning things now." Her eyes wandered guiltily to Fernstar, who was looking at Hollypaw with a look of admiration.
The tortoiseshell leader stifled a mrrow of laughter, before adding her own thoughts. "The warrior code is a fickle thing, young one. You will see many a cat cross the lines to survive, but I only promoted this action if a benefit for the whole clan could have been gained. I see Galestar is feeling that it should be discarded....my ideals, that is." The she-cat stiffened, narrowing her eyes just slightly.
Hollypaw felt her discomfort, and looked to Poppystar. The tiny tortoiseshell apprentice flicked her ears, as another cat approached. Hollypaw noticed the cat as Talltail of StormClan. She supposed he was here to support Silverstar.
The black and white tom shook his head, joining the five cats in the circle. "You chose the right cat, Fernstar, all of you did. Don't have any doubts, that might weaken their confidence and cause them to bond sooner. Show your new leader's strength, they'll need it. Most of them were not expecting leadership so soon, so give them time..."
Talltail paused, looking to Silverstar. He did not blame his former leader, and it was clear in his speckled green gaze. A smile creased his lips, and he spoke once more, "It isn't your fault, Silverstar. You wanted what was best...and right now, Cinderstar is what's best. Galestar, Brightstar, and Meadowstar, all of them. Their hearts will find the right place..."
A distant look crossed Hollypaw's features, as her brow wrinkled and the tip of her tail twitched impatiently. "But first, a storm will rage; so fierce that the past will be forgotten."
Chapter Four - Decisions
The four leaders turned to Hollypaw, their eyes narrowed into curious slits. The apprentice blinked innocently.
"A storm, Hollypaw? There aren't any signs of bad weather for a long time..." Poppystar looked down at the young she-cat, her starry eyes soft. The other three leaders looked to one another, disregarding the hushed murmurs from the edge of the clearing.
Slowly the tortoiseshell apprentice shook her head. "Not that kind of storm. A wave of misunderstanding and deception, a storm of lies and misconceptions."
Silverstar's eyes grew wide. He understood what Hollypaw was saying. The others looked to him expectantly; even Talltail had turned his gaze from the apprentice to gawk at his former leader.
"If you tell them that, StormClan will take the blame again!"
Fernstar wrapped her tail around the silver tabby's flanks, a soothing purr flowing from her throat. "Unwanted hostility may be the answer, but StormClan themselves won't understand it's meaning until it's all over. Your clan might be taking the blame, but at le...no..."
The she-cat paused, and in her moment of silence, Hollypaw spoke up.
"No, Fernstar, the clans need to learn this. RedClan will come to support StormClan, Galestar is already showing signs of weakness. He wants to be recognized."
"Does he think StormClan would owe him anything?!" Silverstar growled, but he couldn't finish...
Fernstar sighed. "RedClan and StormClan? What about CloudClan and LittleClan?"
Carefully the long-haired tom got to his paws. As he did so, the hushed muttering around the clearing stopped. "Meadowstar is too fickle a cat to accepted LittleClan as an ally--"
"But not Brightstar," Poppystar put in, "She might convince both clans that an alliance would be preferable, if RedClan and StormClan combine first."
This time the long-haired tortoiseshell stood, a shaken breath coaxed from her lungs. "There is so much to consider. We should meet again in a moon...after Brightstar is secure. Poppystar, I think she's ready to gain her nine lives now."
Chapter Five - Grave Conclusions
It had been precisely a moon since the four leaders had gathered to discuss their thoughts. Now all of the clans were well situated with their new standings, and could function fairly under the rule of their new leaders...
It had been precisely a moon since Poppystar, of LittleClan, died...and left Brightflash--star--in her place.
"Everything seems fine," Silverstar meowed under his breath, as he came to sit in the tiny circle of cats. He sat down calmly on the cool ground, where moonlight bathed the leader's in a swath of celestial rays.
The tip of his tail twitched guiltily.
"Brightstar has already lost a life, things are not fine." Poppystar hissed. Hollypaw was beside the lean black-furred leader; but her golden eyes did not hint the presence of the warrior tom of StarClan.
Silverstar's jaw dropped, "It was a boarder fight! That's what we're looking for!"
The she-cat narrowed her eyes--a feeling of concern for both Brightstar and her former clan burning deep within them.
Fernstar, the pretty tortoiseshell from RedClan, blinked and nodded in agreement with Silverstar. "LittleClan and CloudClan are behaving as we hoped. Brightstar should be on her toes...but RedClan... Galestar is quickly forgetting what I set the foundation of my clan on."
A sigh rolled from Hollypaw, as she contributed to the conversation once more. "I've been watching CloudClan closely, too... after the skirmish, a lot of cats have been unwilling to fight. They're definitely not open about it, but I watch them share tongues and gossip about it." The apprentice slumped; her ears drooped hopelessly.
The silvery tom sat alertly, his eyes wide. "CloudClan?! Surely not, Hollypaw... They've always been willing fighters."
She shook her head solemnly.
Longstar nodded wordlessly, an unspoken regret in his eyes. Meadowstar was indeed a wonderful leader; he favored her most of all...but he could not help but feeling guilty for passing and leaving his clan, with no way to help.
"It is my fault, isn't it..." Silverstar muttered, "I should have never broken away. My vision of the warrior code was too selfish. I didn't think...not until now. I think I asked too much from StarClan at the time."
Hollypaw looked up with a relieved sigh. "Cats are going to die, but it will be worth it once they see the importance of stability within the single clan, and the warrior code." She cast a worthwhile glance at Fernstar, "...and that the code should be followed as it is." Faint traces of a smile crept across the leader's muzzle.
The apprentice turned to the silver tabby, faint traces of a smile crept along her lips as he sighed.
"I will visit Meadowstar tonight," Longstar meowed at last, "And I will share with her our conclusion."
Fernstar nodded, and agreed to visit Galestar.
The other leaders nodded their reply as well, and stood to their paws.
"What if they remain together? ...If our words are wasted and they don't understand the looming threat of our decree?" Poppystar trembled; her ears flat. The clear concern in her voice could have been heard by the youngest of kits: Poppystar was afraid for the traditional ways of living...that perhaps, StarClan themselves would be thrown away with the warrior code?
Hollypaw purred, touching her leader's shoulder with the tip of her tail. "It has to happen."
Chapter Six - Dreams
Galestar curled up in his warm bed of moss. His meal of vole filled his stomach, and the RedClan leader was ready to settle down for the night. He closed his eyes and felt the calm, sweet scent of dreams come over him...
The gray and white tom awoke in a moonlit clearing, the strong odors of greenleaf and cats surrounding him. He breathed in the scent of Fernstar and turned to see the pretty tortoiseshell behind him, standing in a clump of bracken.
She smiled, and beckoned him forward with the flick of an ear.
"Fernstar?" The tom purred, padding close with his tail high. "Is something wrong?" He blinked, and felt the purr disappear with the worried look that crossed his starry leader's face.
"I made the right choice when I chose you as deputy," she began with a sigh, "we all made the right choices. But..."
Galestar was happy at her words, he was, but as she paused he couldn't help but droop his tail. His fur prickled uneasily.
"I'm glad to hear, Fernstar, but what's going on? Do you have a message for me. For my clan?" He blinked curiously, sitting and wrapping his tail around his paws.
Fernstar got to her paws and looked the gray and white warrior with stern green eyes. "A storm is coming, Galestar, so fierce that the past will be forgotten." She heaved a sigh, watching as the tom shifted.
"Nothing clearer?" He asked, quirking a brow, "It could mean so many things. Another storm? Like the one when I was a kit?"
The tortoiseshell shook her head, "I cannot answer you, this is something you need to find the answer to. Galestar, I have faith that you will restore RedClan to it's foundation." She nodded, got to her paws, and turned to step through the shadows that seemed to be lined in stars.
The tom wrinkled his nose, watching as the she-cat--and the forest around him--dissolved into black.