Frosty And Auden's Sub Plot

[auden]

Feelings will fly like feathers, and no cat will be safe from the vicious talons of the blackbird. Everything will rot from the inside out, starting with the kits and ending with the Clans


Frostear makes this dire prophecy on the day that Flickerstorm becomes pregnant with Blizzardclaw's kits. Four kits are later born: Featherkit, Flurrykit, Gravelkit and Shellkit. At first nothing seems odd about the kits. But eventually Blizzardclaw and Flickerstorm notice a slight distinction; Flurrykit, Gravelkit, and Shellkit all have friends. In fact, they have more than friends. By the time they have all earned their warrior names (Flurryfoot, Gravelpelt, Shellfur, Featherstorm) they have mates. Featherstorm, however, has no mate. No cat even looks at her twice. While her siblings are kind and empathic, Featherstorm nurses a grudge born of jealousy. All of her siblings share their stories with her, confiding in her. She gives them advice, but her heart breaks every time they describe their happiness to her. Featherstorm throws her self at a rogue, who rejects her instantly. Full of hate, Featherstorm becomes a rogue herself, and renames herself Blackbird. She leads a small band of rogues, who all have some reason to hate the Clans, especially DustClan. Blackbird attempts to kill her family many times, and soon begins to kill other Clan cats as well. A war with the rogues is looming on the horizon, and Blackbird's band has grown very, very large.

Characters:
The Family

Blizzardclaw(Auden) - Father [Enough said]

[url=http://www.vcmc.proboards.com/index.cgi?
board=adc&action=display&thread=301]Flickerstorm

[/url](Frosty) - Mother [Enough said]

Flurrypaw/foot(Auden) - Daughter [Has a love/hate relationship with Smokekit for her kithood and apprenticeship, and then falls in love with him when she becomes a warrior ]

Gravelpaw/pelt(Frosty) - Son [Falls in love with his best friend, Cardinalkit/paw/heart, whom he has known since they were kits]

Shellpaw/fang(Frosty) - Daughter [Falls in love with Rustpaw, a tom from another Clan]

Featherpaw/storm/Blackbird(Auden) - Daughter [Scorned by all she turns rogue and threatens to destroy her family]

Beechkit/paw/tail(Dawn) - Son of Flickerstorm and Pantherfoot [Half brother to Feather, Gravel, Flurry, and Shell, omen to Flicker that Blizzard was her true mate]

Cougarkit/paw/heart(Frosty) - Son of Flickerstorm and Pantherfoot [Half brother to Feather, Gravel, Flurry, and Shell, omen to Flicker that Blizzard was her true mate]

Birchstar(Blue) - Grandmother [Is very protective of the kits and begins to hate Blizzardclaw for feeling the same way, although she is not the mother.]

Frostear (Auden) - Grandmother [Watches over the kits intently from StarClan]

Sootstorm(Frosty) - Grandfather [ Watches over the kits intently from StarClan]

The Family Yet To Come

Brightkit(Auden) - Flurry's and Smoke's future son

Fogkit(Kin) - Flurry's and Smoke's future son

Larchkit(Frosty) - Gravel's and Cardinal's future daughter

Bloomkit (Frosty) - Gravel's and Cardinal's future daughter

Claykit (Frosty) - Shell's and Rust's future son

Light Broken By Shadow aka Brokenshadow(Auden) - Feather and Sunken's future kit

Wing That Breaks In Flight aka Brokenwing(Auden) - Feather and Sunken's future kit [ Leaves Tribe to come to DustClan and beg forgiveness ]

Rock That Breaks Talons aka Brokentalon(Auden) - Feather and Sunken's future kit [ Leaves Tribe to come to DustClan and beg forgiveness ]

The Love Interests

Smokepaw(Kin) - Flurrypaw's love interest

Rustpaw(Rachel) - Shellpaw's love interest

Cardinalpaw(Blue) - Gravelpaw's love interest

Blackbird's Band

Kin(Kin) - To be one of the rogues in Blackbird's Band

Day(Kin) - To be one of the rogues in Blackbird's Band

Night(Kin) - To be one of the rogues in Blackbird's Band

Casanova(Auden) - To be one of the rogues in Blackbird's Band

Auden(Auden) - To be one of the rogues in Blackbird's Band

Titanic(Auden) - To be one of the rogues in Blackbird's band

Diablo(Lexxa) - To be one of the rogues in Blackbird's band

Drenn(Lexxa) - To be one of the rogues in Blackbird's band

NOTE TO FROSTY: Lexxa wants all Diablo's siblings to be in the band as well, please modify with their links once the cats are done.

Characters Needed:

Six or more rogues to follow Blackbird - PM Auden (this spot is always open)

Sub-plot within the sub-plot

Birchstar is very protective of the kits and feels like she should be involved in the kits lives more thoroughly, where as Blizzardclaw feels that she doesn't have the right to be more involved, or even as involved, as he is. Blizzardclaw would rather Birchstar leave his kits alone and Birchstar wants to be a large part of their lives, and wants Blizzardclaw gone from their lives. This creates tension between the leader and her daughter's mate, putting Flickerstorm in the middle of the dispute, which causes her to take another mate while Blizzardclaw is away. When Blizzardclaw returns, he and Birchstar have a final confrontation shortly after he and Flickerstorm get in a fight, and Birchstar agrees to calm down on her role with the kits, and Blizzardclaw agrees to stop being so harsh on her. (Haha, in-law issues.)

Current Plot Status

The kit's are apprentices now, and Blizzard & Flicker broke up. Blizzard, Flurry, and Feather left for the mountains and Flicker started to flirt with Panther.

Plot Links

Gravel And Cardinal's Friendship

Shell And Rust's Meeting

Flickerstorm's Meeting With Pantherfoot

Blizzard, Flurry, and Feather's farewell THREAD CLOSED

The Kit's Apprentice Ceremony THREAD CLOSED

Blizzardclaw and Flickerstorm's Fight THREAD CLOSED

Blizzardclaw and Birchstar's argument

Kits @ Play THREAD CLOSED

The kit's birth THREAD CLOSED

FlickerxBlizzard: Falling In Love and the Prophecy THREAD CLOSED

Auden's Plot Plan

'Ello, it's Auden haha. Well, as you know I'm leaving soon for 7 weeks, so this plot will be on hold. However, since my head is bursting with ideas for it, I jotted them down here:

- Feather, Flurry, and Blizzard are leaving to receive the prophecy in my farewell. They left after Flickerstorm disowned her entire family because of Blizzard and her fight. After two moons of travel, Blizzardclaw and his kits reach the Tribe's home. For one moon they have to stay with the Tribe as hostages, until Bliss, Auden, and Titanic arrive to help fight their family, seeking the Tribe's help. The Tribe of Rushing Water agrees to help Bliss, Auden, and Titanic fight the Tribe Of Jagged Rocks, along with their family, and Blizzardclaw and his kits fight as well, then, after the great battle is won by the Tribe of Rushing Water and Bliss, Auden, and Titanic's family, the Tribe agrees to lead Blizzardclaw and his kits up to the top of the mountain.

- On the mountain top, Blizzard lies down and waits for dreams. Flurry and Feather stand guard as their father falls asleep. Blizzard begins to dream, his mother appearing before him first, followed by other ancient cats. Fallowstar, Snakefoot, Patchtail, Dewpaw, and Mothface of MarshClan, Lionstar, Cinderfur, Brakenstrom, and Speckledfur of PineClan, Shrikepelt, Brambleheart, Fishtail, Jayfeather, Stripedfur, and Acornpaw of OakClan, and finally, Cedarface, Nettlefang, Sootstorm, Whitefur, Frostflower, and Nightstar of DustClan all appeared to the tom, at least, those were the cats he recognized. Behind them were rows and rows and rows of other StarClan warriors, all stretched across the barren mountaintop. The StarClan warriors parted to reveal Blizzardclaw's grandparents; Fruit that Falls From Branch and Snow That Covers Rock. They joined Frostear and Sootstorm at the front of the crowd. Then Sootstrom and Frostear began to tell Blizzard about the prophecy that had been made when his kits were being conceived. Blizzardclaw was shocked, and he returned from the mountaintop and told his kits of the dire prophecy. The three cats had been with the Tribe for four moons by then, and they left the next morning. The journey back took longer, as Flurrypaw broke her leg halfway through and they had to wait for it to heal for three weeks. Then they arrived back in the camp. (See Frosty's plot to find out what happened then)

~~

- Flurry and Smoke loathe each other throughout their kit hood and apprenticeship, and the day after Flurry receives her warrior name they will be assigned to go on a patrol together; alone, by Blizzardclaw. The two will be driven into a cavern by either snow or rain, depending on the season, and be stuck there. Then they will; through an intense conversation, realize what they feel for each other. Half a moon later, Flurry will announce that she is pregnant. This will be what finally sets Feather off. With Flurry, Gravel, and Shell all having such successful lives in love and the clan, Featherstorm will feel like such a failure that she will leave DustClan.

- After Feather leaves DustClan she takes on the name Blackbird, realizing that she is the thing that Frostear's prophecy was about. She will announce, in the middle of rouge territory, that she is leading a battle against the Clans. Rogues will gather all around and Feather, who has great battle skills and a tactical mind, will spin her plan. She will kill Ripplepelt of DustClan on the border with MarshClan, and then Lightbelly of MarshClan when he comes along. DustClan realizes that it was Blackbird who killed the cats when they identify her smell on the dead bodies. Blackbird's band wrecks havoc through the Clans by sneakily killing cats and disappearing before anyone can see them; losing their scent by crossing rivers or rolling in dung. The Clans will become frightened and scared.

-Meanwhile, Flurry will give birth to her kits in the middle of an apprentice's warrior ceremony. Her family will rush in to comfort her, and she will birth six kits. Afterward she will insist they all go back to watch the apprentice become a warrior. She will leave the nursery to make dirt, and Blackbird, who will have been watching from the shadows, will sneak into the nursery and kill four out of the six kits before Flurry returns. Flurry will be shocked into silence, and Blackbird will leave without a word, and then Flurry will sound the alarm. She and Smoke will name the dead kits and then the alive ones, (see here for more info)

- During the six moons after murdering Flurry's kits, Blackbird plots the grand finale of her revenge plan. She will attack at the next Gathering (with Becca's permission and depending on what is going on with the main plot) with all of her band members; which should be around twenty rogues (not every rogue will have a player, some will be unnamed or uncreated and played loosely by other people). The battle will be great and fierce, and during the battle the rogue Casanova will kill Flurryfoot. Flurryfoot; lying on her deathbed, will speak to her whole family, drawn to her by Brightpaw's yowl, and tell them how sorry she is (She's sorry to her son, Fogpaw, that she favored Brightpaw over him, she's sorry to her mate for the same reason). Blackbird will be watching from the ferns, and after her sister draws her last breath, will run away, sounding the retreat. The battle will be over, but before that Brightpaw will kill Casanova in revenge, earning a scar above his eye. As he fights the rouge, he will say, over and over: My name is Brightpaw, warrior of DustClan. You killed my mother, prepare to die.

-Blackbird will run into the forest in depression, crying and sobbing and hating herself. There she will meet a rouge named Sunken-eye, who will console her and give her what she has always wanted; love. He will make her pregnant, then leave her for good. Blackbird will travel to the Tribe to live the rest of her days there. She will birth three kits; (Light Broken By Shadow) Brokenshadow, (Wing That Breaks In Flight) Brokenwing, and (Rock That Breaks Talons) Brokentalon, all named Broken in honor of her broken heart. After Blackbird dies, Brokenwing and Brokentalon will leave the tribe to travel to DustClan, wanting to ask for their family's forgiveness. If Auden has enough Karma by then, one or two of the siblings will join DustClan.

That's what Auden plans to do with the plot

Frosty's Plot Plan
It's Frost-ehhh now!
Mkay, so I completely agree with Auden's side of the plot. She covered Flurry and Feather, so I'm going to cover Gravel and Shell.

- So, Shell is Birchstar's apprentice. And since Birch is leader of DustClan, it's hard to make room for training an apprentice. So one day, Shell wanders off and unknowingly stumbles along into PineClan territory. There, Rustpaw can attack or confront her or whatever and they'll meet that way. It'll start as kind of a tease relationship but then it'll grow. I think I'll have Shell become pregnant the day Flurry dies, but this is still up in the air as I'd like to give Rachel some say in it.

- Gravel and Cardinal will have a fairytale romance. Picture a Simba and Nala from Lion King type of love. They've been friends since they were kits, each having a secret crush on the other. They are often seem sharing fresh-kill together, or leaving camp to go for runs through the forest. One day during early warriorhood, Gravel can't deny his feelings anymore. He wakes Cardinal from the nest next to his and tells her he wants to go out for a walk. Cardinal agrees and the two leave amp together. As close as it gets without touching, Cardinal and Gravel exit the camp and start their walk in silence. Suddenly, Gravel nudges Cardinal with his head and the two begin to wrestle playfully. They tumble down a hill and into a night lit copse. Affectionately pinning Cardinal down, Gravel confesses his love for her and they officially become mates.

- During Auden's hiatus, Blizzard leaves with Flurry and Feather. Flicker spits venom at him as he goes, still enraged by his comment about her mother. During their fight, Flicker snarled, "I don't know why I waste my time with you!" That stills haunts her, though she is beginning to listen to Birch about finding a new mate. Flicker takes her mother's advice and finds a new tom in DustClan: a warrior named Pantherfoot. She and him hit it off, and Flicker truly believes he was the right one for her. She begins to feel like her and Blizzard should never have been, and that her kits were a mistake. So she begins to neglect Shell and Gravel, insisting that they are not her kits anymore. She comes on very strongly to Panther and announces she is pregnant for the second time. She bears him two kits: a little golden tom named Cougarkit and a little llight brown tom named Beechkit. Shocked at the color of their pelts, since neither she nor Panther have golden fur, nor do any of the cats on their family tree, Flicker knows this was a sign from StarClan that Blizzard and her really were meant to be together forever. When MarshClan attacks DustClan, Panther dies in battle and Flicker is deeply saddened, but only because Cougar and Beechkit will never know their father.

- The day Blizzard comes back, he is beyond extremely hurt that Flicker found a new mate and had another two kits, unable to even express his anger with words. He shouts and yells and even begins to strike back at her, stopping himself from clawing his mate just in time. Flicker apologizes, knowing that no amount of words could heal the wounds in his heart. She asks Blizzard to father Beech and Cougar, though he is not their biological father. Blizzard accepts, but refuses to continue being Flicker's mate, saying that this time the things she has done are too horrible to forgive.

- Then, the day comes when Blackbird attacks at the Gathering. Flicker, Blizzard, Gravel, Flurry, Shell, Cougar, Beech, Cardinal, Rust, Bright, Fog, and Smoke are all present this time. Coincidental? Perhaps. Or maybe it was just a lucky twist of destiny. Nonetheless, any and all luck would be welcomed. Blackbird exploded into the Clearing with all her rogues behind her, at least thirty strong (some rouges will be NP and powerplayed, others will be real). Everything becomes a blur, but Flicker can comprehend that her kit was plotting the death of her family and Clans. One rogue leaps at Flicker, grabbing the tri-colored she-cat by the neck and pinning her down. He buries his fangs in her neck, shredding her underbelly with her hind claws in the process. Just as Flicker was about to join the ranks of StarClan, Blizzard leaps out of the throng of battling cats and catches the rogue with a death blow at the back of his neck. Blizzard crouches next to Flicker, murmuring soothing words to her. He tells her that he is in love with her, and never stopped loving her even in their darkest hour. Torn and bloody, Flicker tells him the same and they get back together.

- During the epic battle, Gravel thrusts a pregnant Cardinal in a burrow and insists she hide there. Usually Cardinal would've protested, but she was extremely fearful of his murderous sister that she obeys. Shell, Gravel, Bright, Fog, Flurry, Beech, and Cougar fight with all the strength of LionClan but they all know how dangerous the battle is, understanding that they may loose some of their family members this night. Finally, Gravel takes the initiative to leap on a dirt mound and yowl the the fighting cats to halt. Cardinal comes out of hiding to crouch behind her mate while he stands tall, but not for the reason of standing beside him proudly. Gravel seeks Feather out, refusing to call her Blackbird. He confronts her about what she has done and why. But before Blackbird has a chance to respond, Cardinal goes into labor and births two kits, whom she names Larchkit and Bloomkit. (two for now, she can have up to four more if people want to play them). Blackbird watches the scene unfold before her, preparing to respond to Gravel's confrontation by snubbing them all, they hear a horrible gurgling noise followed by Brightpaw's yowl and rush toward the thicket where their sister lies. Flurry is bleeding her life out, ragged wounds covering her body. She apologizes to her son Fogpaw and says goodbye to her large family. Blizzard, who reaches her side first, stays with her as she dies, along with Shell, Gravel, Flicker (who made it there despite her wounds), Birch, and even Cougar and Beech, her half brothers. After she passes, Frostear and Sootstorm guide her to StarClan, where she watches as the battle ends and new life begins.

Time Line

FrostXSoot meet
Frost makes prohpecy
Blizzard and Flicker fall in love
BlizzardXFlicker's kits are born
GravelXCardinal become friends
SmokeXFlurry meet
Kits become apprentices
Shell meets Rust
Blizzard leaves with Flurry and Feather
Flicker meets Panther with Birch's help
Cougar and Beech are born
Flicker neglects first litter
Marsh attacks Dust
Panther dies
Cougar and Beech are apprenticed
ShellXRust continue meeting
GravelXCardinal continue flirting
BlizzardXFeatherXFlurry return
Blizzard is sad at FlickerXPanther
Blizzard fathers Cougar and Beech
First litter become warriors
CardinalXGravel becomes mates
SmokeXFlurry become mates
ShellXRust become mates
Cougar and Beech become warriors
Feather becomes Blackbird and finds rogue allies
Flurry's kits are born
Feather kills kits
Flurry's kits are apprenticed
Six moons later Feather attacks Gathering
Blizzard takes Flicker back
Cardinal's kits are born
Flurry dies
Shell becomes pregnant
Feather leaves
Sunken makes Feather pregnant
Feather leaves for Tribe
Shell's kits are born
Feather's kits are born
Shell and Rust get in a fight with Birch
Shell leaves for PineClan
Shell returns to DustClan half a moon later with one son
Feather dies
Feather's kits beg forgiveness from DustClan
One kit becomes a DustClan warrior

[/blockquote]
[/size]

[frosty]

{♥} ooc.
Aaaand Frosty has decided to post Flickerstorm's comeback, because she had the muse for it and Auden wanted to see it.

- - - -

B-blizzardclaw? Y-you’re back?

Gravelpaw and Shellpaw raced into camp, their jaws laden with prey. Shellpaw tripped over the wing of the blackbird she was carrying, but her eyes were shining with the light of a million suns. Not even her minor accident could dampen her spirits at this moment. Birchstar had taken both apprentices out that morning to assess their hunting skills, but once the brother-sister duo had caught a stray scent of their father and siblings, they yowled with undisguised happiness and raced back to camp screeching the returning family's names all the way back to the DustClan camp.

The gray tom rushed up to his father, ready to leap at Blizzardclaw and pummel his ears affectionately. But the second the two apprentices broke through the grass tunnel, they could feel the waves of mixed emotions pulsing off the three cats.

Cautiously, Gravelpaw dropped his rabbit on the fresh-kill pile and prowled over to Featherpaw and Flurrypaw. His stormy green eyes seemed hollow, fear and worry swimming in their depths. His sisters and father looked so different from the last time he had seen them. They no longer seemed like the small, young, inexperienced apprentices they were when they left. Now, they looked like seasons warriors. A long shudder passed through the length of his body. His littermates were larger, though not as large as he. Being the only tom out of four kits, Gravelpaw had become accustomed to being the largest one, easily outsizing each and every one of his sisters.

Just as he had bunched his muscles, ready to spring onto his father, Ripplepaw padded up to the golden tom and said something Gravelpaw didn't catch. He skidded to a halt, signaling with his tail for Shellpaw to do the same. Wide eyed, the littermates watched in bitter confusement as Flurrypaw, Featherpaw, and Blizzardclaw disappeared into the apprentices den. Heartbeats later, Blizzardclaw exploded out from the den, his fur bristling like a porcupine and anger wild in his eyes.

He blinked slowly, digesting the scene that had just unfolded. Gravelpaw could guess that Ripplepaw had just shown Blizzardclaw Cougarpaw, his own half-brother.

WHERE IS THAT PIECE OF CROW-FOOD?

Some cat's yowl echoed through the throng of assembled cats, immediately quieting their loud chatter. Eerie silence crept upon them, unfolding itself over DustClan until the crowd parted to reveal a she-cat's tri-colored form.

Flickerstorm flicked her long tail, burning her pale blue gaze into Blizzardclaw's green one. With a twitch of her ears, Cougarpaw came scampering to her side, and the she-cat wrapped her tail over his shoulders as if to protect him from her ex-mate's rage.

"Blizzardclaw," she began, her voice like a leaf-bare wind. "This is my son, Cougarpaw. Mine and Pantherfoot's. You seem very upset, which begs the question: why? Why are you so angry? Why are you letting your emotions run like wild stallions? You are not my mate anymore, you must remember that. When you left, every cat thought you were taking Featherpaw and Flurrypaw to their deaths. No cat expected you to come back. So I moved on. I told you before you abandoned me that you were not my mate, and Featherpaw, Gravelpaw, Flurrypaw, and Shellpaw were not my kits. I should never have been a mate to a rogue, especially a rogue who despised my mother, your Clan leader, so, so much. Pantherfoot was there for me. He was ready to catch me when I fell, unlike you."

Flickerstorm glared at the golden tom, now ragged with scared and a new wisdom glinting in his furious green orbs. He was so different than he was six moons ago, they both were. But gradually, very gradually, her voice began to warm. Tears were pooling behind her own blue optics, hot and full of passion.

"He loved me."

She blinked, and the tears came falling from her eyes. They seemed to quench the heat she felt on her face, streaming off her silken whiskers. There was no doubt in her mind that Blizzardclaw, once upon a time, had loved her too, but their love had evaporated many moons ago. Flickerstorm could feel Cougarpaw brush his muzzle against her flank, and once again she was reminded of Pantherfoot. Her youngest son was freshly apprenticed, his ceremony only three sunrises ago. He would be no match if Blizzardclaw launched himself towards his ex-mate's kit.

"But then MarshClan attacked us. Pantherfoot... d-died... But not before he met his only son, the son I bore him: Cougarkit. He was so, so precious, so lively and full of energy and curiosity. But he would never grow up with a father to tread on his tail, to run with him through the forest, to be there to congratulate him when he caught his first piece of prey. This is an innocent kit, Blizzardclaw. He has done nothing wrong, and I have not betrayed you. Our love is gone, it was gone the day you decided to leave everything you loved behind in a Clan dawning on danger. You have no idea what you missed while you traveled to this... this StarClan sent mission. You have no place in DustClan if you're going to take our apprentices away for moons with no sign of returning. But Birchstar is a compassionate leader. There is no doubt in my mind she will welcome you back, though you disobeyed her countless times and bad mouthed her behind her back. I would never do something so foolish, but I am not Clan leader and perhaps there is a reason for that. But while I must be forced to share a den with you, I refuse to reclaim you as my mate and I refuse to reclaim your kits as my own. As far as you all are concerned, I have one son, and his name is Cougarpaw. I have one mate and his name is Pantherfoot. My mate was killed during the night of the battle with MarshClan. And when the fangs of that MarshClan warrior took Pantherfoot's life, they left me without a mate and Cougarpaw without a father. As much as I despise you right now, Blizzardclaw, I ask that you see Cougarpaw as your son. He has done nothing wrong, and his birth was no mistake. He plays an important role in our lives, and while 'I' am not 'we' and 'you' are not 'our', we must come together as alliances for Cougarpaw's sake."

Flickerstorm paused to draw in a breath of fire and ice, cold and hot piercing the back of her throat. Nothing more would ever hurt her as much as the speech that had tumbled out of her mouth, fueled by her wretched vocal chords. What had she done? Maybe... maybe just maybe Blizzardclaw would take her back. Maybe, maybe... Maybe she should have been truthful to him, right then and there with the watchful gazes of all their Clanmates staring metaphoric holes right through them. Maybe she should've told him that neither she nor Pantherfoot bore golden fur, nor did any cat in their family tree. Maybe she should've told him that Sootstorm and Frostear had appeared to her in the world of dreams, murmuring prophetic words in her sleeping ears and telling her that Cougarpaw's golden fur was no coincidence. Maybe, just maybe, if she had told him that, the revenge that had boiled in his blood wouldn't have threatened to overwhelm him.

What if he refused to father Cougarpaw? What if he struck her son? What if Blizzardclaw went on a complete rampage? What if he left the Clan? What if he attacked her? All the 'what ifs' burned her ears, singing the soft inner fur. Did Blizzardclaw have it in him, that nameless emotion? It all waited on one look, one response. Cougarpaw's entire life could shatter in the next few heartbeats, and Flickerstorm wasn't sure whether or not she could pick up the pieces.

"In dreams and love there are no impossibilities. But our dream has been dreamt, and has quickly spiraled into a never-ending nightmare..." Flickerstorm whispered.

There was one love remaining.

[frosty]

I've been lonely, I've been waiting for you
I'm pretending, and that's all I can do
The love I'm sending ain't making it through to your heart
Pain, since I've lost you, I'm lost too
Sorry for the trouble that I put you and your heart through
God knows that I'd do anything for a part two, or to
be prayin' for the day you come back to me, sayin' that you forgive me
Give me another chance, I'm needin' it like a kidney
I don't wanna advance, give me back her hands
Give me back her touch, I don't ask for much
but I fucked up, I know I fucked up, I admit I fucked up

This whole time... This whole time, I thought it was just a spat. A fit. I thought you would cool down and we would be back together when we returned with StarClan's message. All these moons I thought of you, Flickerstorm. I was sure our love was strong enough that we would last. But apparently, you didn't think so. You didn't have faith, you didn't believe in the magic that we felt for those fifteen moons before. You didn't love me, like I loved you, that much is clear, because if you had you would have waited. The she-cat I fell in love with really is gone, because that she-cat didn't care about my bloodlines, rouge or Tribe. That she-cat was faithful and true and accepting.

Flickerstorm shook her head, carefully digesting the words Blizzardclaw had just spoken. It was all true, and by performing that small physical action, she had agreed with him. With fully waxed eyes the color of a pale sky, she stared back at him, burning blue into green, pitting color against color.

"Blizzardclaw..." Flickerstorm meowed, stepping forward. Her vocals faltered, fading off into a trail of nothingness. "I-I know you think I betrayed you. And I'm sorry. No words can explain how sorry I am. I could never stop thinking about you, but I had to move on, you have to understand that. I'm so, so, so sorry. Even if I say it a thousand times over it won't be enough to tell you just how sorry I am. Blizzardclaw, please...." I still love you and I never stopped loving you. There's so much you don't know, but have to. She left the sentence hanging in mid air, willing the muscular golden tom to take her back.

Suddenly feeling unsteady, Flickerstorm lowered her head to nuzzle Cougarpaw. She loved her son, just as much as she loved her other kits. The kits she had disowned. She never meant to disown them. Everything had just blown way out of proportion. She wanted them back, just as badly as she wanted Blizzardclaw back. She didn't want Flurrypaw to call her 'Flickerstorm', she wanted to be call 'mommy'. She suddenly felt an ache in her heart for what she just said to Blizzardclaw. Flickerstorm didn't want Cougarpaw to feel heavy-hearted as well. Wincing, she fought back another cascade of tears, hiding them behind pale blue eyes. Closing her optics slightly, she rasped her tongue over Cougarpaw's ear, just praying that he didn't loathe her too.

Straightening up, Flickerstorm went through her thoughts like they were on file. Inside her head, she was waging war on herself. How could she have done this? How could she have been some impulsive? Why had she let Pantherfoot in? How had she fallen for him? But he was so beautiful: wild and dark, yellow eyes filled with a complexity she couldn't begin to fathom. When she was with him, it was as if he had stood over her with a mountain-like affirmation, with a smooth gait, and a protective air that shrouded both of them. Unfeline fingers wrapped their hands around her heart, bonding hers with his. She had loved Pantherfoot, but not as much as she had loved Blizzardclaw. He was right, and she was wrong.

Rage pumped through her veins, and every movement was controlled by the devil who was singing a sweet song into her dark brown ears. She couldn't help but listen to him, with his persuasive ways. But something calmed her, a lighter presence that she was just reminiscing. For a split second, and no more than a split second, a lean, shadow-pelted wraithlike form weaved around Flickerstorm's ivory flanks, shunning the dark thoughts out of her mind. A sweet voice, smooth as honey, breathed in her ear. Undoubtedly feline, but equally as nonexistent. And just as he had appeared, Pantherfoot vanished, evaporating into the afternoon air.

"Scream for more, more than some blue eyed metaphor," he had whispered.

And for your information, for all of the Clan's information, I did not, and do not, despise Birchstar. We are divided on an issue, we are fighting that is true. But I could never hate my kits grandmother, never in a million moons have a traitorous thought about my own Clan leader. I did not abandon you, nor did your daughters. StarClan sent us and StarClan received us, and they gave me a message to pass on to Birchstar, to give to the Clans. A prophecy, Flickerstorm, which involves our kits. Because Featherpaw, Gravelpaw, Flurrypaw, and Shellpaw are your kits whether you like it or not. And perhaps you did not think we would return, perhaps you even hoped it would be so, but how could we not? We had StarClan on our side and our love to guide us. It's even more clear how shallowly you truly cared for us, that you were so quick to assume we had left and were not coming back, would not even try.

Out of her peripheral vision, Flickerstorm saw Gravelpaw slowly coaxing the watching DustClan cats away. This was not for their ears, and the young gray apprentice realized that. Her heart swelled with pride at his authority. Gravelpaw was always looking out for his family; he had such a large heart, able to always hold more love, never turning any love away, even though someone else had taken their love from him.

It was absolutely killing Flickerstorm. Every word she said was wrong. Every decision she had made had been wrong. Everything she thought had been wrong. Everything she felt was wrong. Her life was just a big mistake. Oh, what a disappointment she must be to Birchstar. And to Sootstorm. And to Pantherfoot. And to Featherpaw, Gravelpaw, Flurrypaw, and Shellpaw. And especially to Blizzardclaw. The hearts she had shattered seemed limitless, countless. It was as if she had trampled all their expectations, their hopes, their dreams. She had completely destroyed their family, in more ways than one. And now she didn't know what to say. There was nothing she could say to heal the deep-running wounds of the heart; the scars would remain forever.

And in terms of Cougarpaw...

Where the fury had previously been before Pantherfoot had calmed her, adrenaline took its place. Her heart beat rapidly, pounding against her ribcage as Blizzardclaw mentioned her son's name. Was Pantherfoot with her still? She parted her lips just barely to drink in the air, praying that the scent that had always reminded her of the Pool at twilight was lingering in the air. But it was not and Flickerstorm was left to listen to Blizzardclaw's speech alone, without her rock. Or, the rock she had thought she had.

A moon into our stint as captives of the Tribe Of Rushing Water, after they had begun to trust us, we were in our cells with Stoneteller, their leader. I was telling him about you, Flickerstorm, and Shellpaw and Gravelpaw and our family. About our love, and how deep it was. He said, that in ancient Tribe language, there was a word for a family like ours. In ancient Tribe dialect, Ohana means family. And family, well family means nobody gets left behind; or forgotten.

A long shudder passed along the length of Flickerstorm's body, disturbing Cougarpaw whom had been leaning on his mother. He was facing Blizzardclaw with Flickerstorm; she was not alone. And she had not destroyed every life that had been in relation to her. It was time to man up, and take her responsibilities as a mother seriously. Young Cougarpaw needed raising, by two parents. She had brought him into this world, and he was no mistake, she was sure of it. And now, he stood strong against her ex-mate like a hatchling braving the wind for the first time. It was as if in a few heartbeats, a new wisdom gleamed in his blue eyes. It was as if he had grown up in just a few moments, moments that were still fresh in every cat's mind. As the scene blossomed in front of her own blue eyes, she couldn't hide a wince as Blizzardclaw bent down to eye level with her son.

Cougarpaw stepped forward, every extremity calm and relaxed.

Cougarpaw, I cannot honestly say that I am sorry Pantherfoot died. I can honestly say that I am sorry a DustClan warrior is gone. I can say that I am sorry you do not have a father. I know what that is like. You may not be my son, but you are the son of someone I love, who once loved me. You are the son of someone I would do anything for. So, at Flickerstorm's request and with your permission, I would like to adopt you. I will treat you as my own son, and you, me, Featherpaw, Gravelpaw, Flurrypaw, and Shellpaw, we'll be a family. Your mother doesn't want to be part of that family, but I welcome you into our family as well as hers. Cougarpaw, I am sorry of the first impression I made on you and the things I've said, these things go beyond you and involve your mother and I. I will treat you no differently than Gravelpaw. I swear it by StarClan, by my kits and by my Clan.

The young golden apprentice was almost an exact replica of Blizzardclaw, and no cat seemed to notice but Flickerstorm. But that was only because during those moments where evening gives way to night, the moments in which she had birthed Cougarpaw, Sootstorm had whispered gently in her pained ears the explanation. Another tear rolled off her cheek, breaking into a million pieces as it hit the ground.

Ears erect, she listened intently to the words that Cougarpaw's vocal chords produced.

"I-I'd like that, Blizzardclaw. Thank you," he meowed in a small voice, a surprised voice. Cougarpaw gently extended his neck so he could return his adopted father's gesture of affection by touching noses.

Welcome to the Ohana.

This time it was Blizzardclaw's turn to be wrong. She had wanted to be a part of their family, the family they had built together, the family that she had broken single-pawed. Oh, how she had just wanted to run and hide. The temptation to run to the twisted Thunderpath, just run through rows of speeding cars, was overwhelming. But it was time to be a big girl and go her own way. Perhaps that was her own way. The mistakes she'd made, they were all just unbearable. It was all her fault, and she was lucky nothing else had mounted on top of her as a result of her actions.

I'm not coming back forgive me
I've done something so terrible
I'm terrified to speak
But you'd expect that from me

Turning away, Flickerstorm walked past Gravelpaw and Shellpaw with no acknowledgment. Her head was down, hidden by shadow, and her tail traced a thin line in the dust. The grasses at the front entrance rustled as she pushed through them, deleted and defeated.

Shellpaw. Gravelpaw. I hope you two can forgive us for leaving. I hope you at least will accept us back. Maybe later we can all go into the forest, all five of us, and talk about the last six moons.

Gravelpaw had just finished nudging a gray and black tabby she-cat named Vinepaw away when he heard Blizzardclaw's voice. After the scene that had just exploded in front of his stormy green eyes, all he could do was nod. All the emotions pulsing inside him were ready to take over, to possess the huge gray tom and bring him to a place he didn't want to go. Nothing was going right, everything had spiraled down into a void of nothingness in just a matter of moons. It was as if his entire life were falling apart, starting with his parents and ending with his half-brother. With tired eyes, he could just see his mother leave towards the grass tunnel to be swallowed up by the blades. He wasn't like that, he wasn't going to run away from his problems no matter how much he wanted to. It was clear that both his parents were at fault... or perhaps it was he himself were at fault. At that thought, it felt as if the entire mountains had separated from the ground and plunged all their weight onto his shoulders. What if... what if it was his fault? Flickerstorm and Blizzardclaw were very, very young when he and his sisters were born. Perhaps they weren't ready to take on the responsibility of parenthood, and perhaps it was all finally catching up with them. What if his birth was a mistake? All the possibilities that could sprout from his parents' errors, the thought was disgusting. It was poisoning his mind, spreading like a weed into every fibre of his being.

Maybe it was for the best if Flickerstorm and Blizzardclaw separated. True, they were once in love, but that was many, many moons ago, long before he was brought into reality. But Flickerstorm had proved she was ready to move on by mating with Pantherfoot and birthing Cougarpaw, and Blizzardclaw had proved he was ready to walk away, far down an unknown path. Both cats were at fault, but wasn't Gravelpaw at fault too? He was trying his best, but it was draining him, sucking away all his energy and motivation. The only rock he had was Cardinalpaw, the pretty red and white she-cat who was ready to share his burden. Casting a glance over his shoulder, he caught a flash of her tabby spotted pelt in his peripheral vision, and suddenly his heart seemed to thunder in his chest. She swept him off his paws every time he laid eyes on her, but what if the feeling wasn't reciprocal? He couldn't take another heartbreak, not now anyways.

I missed you guys!!!!!! We have so much to tell you! About Sand, but Featherpaw should tell you that, and the mountain and the Tribe and the battle! And oh my gosh!!!!!!!!! THERES SO MUCH TO TELL YOU! What did you do over the moons? What's happened? Any good gossip? How are the other apprentices? Ripplepaw, and Cardnialpaw, and Morningpaw, and Smokepaw...

All his thoughts were shattered when Flurrypaw bounded in, tackling him in her excitement. But he couldn't share her joy. The gentle tom batted her away with his forepaws, ready to let Shellpaw answer. She was the carefree one, the one who didn't let anything affect her. Shellpaw was probably the toughest one out of any of the four siblings. Though she only measured up to Gravelpaw's shoulders, she was still a force to be reckoned with. No, she would not let any cat ever forget her.

We'll tell them on the hunt, sweetie. And I'm sure they have lots to tell us to. But first I have to find Birchstar and tell her about the prophecy, and then find Cardnialpaw. I'm sure she's learned lots over they moons, but it's time I took her out and made up for the journey. And I bet your mentors will be looking for you to.

There was Cardinalpaw's name again. Oh, how sweet the sound. How it rolled off his tongue with such a smooth sound.

"She's over there Blizzardclaw," Gravelpaw meowed, making the greatest effort to keep his voice steady. His flicked his black-ringed tail in her direction, directing a soft smile her way.

Shellpaw merely blinked a blind eye at Blizzardclaw and Flickerstorm. Her parents' troubles were not her troubles, they would sort it out for themselves. It really was none of her business if they were in a heated feud, one that could only result in moons of depression. Inclining her head gently, she could tell her littermates were all being deeply affected by the piercing words that had seared their ears like fire, burning their burn to crisps. Shellpaw didn't feel that flame, because she was like the water that would quench the ignited feelings.

Gravelpaw seemed deeply disturbed, like a shell of his former self. Once a loving, warm-hearted tom, it seemed as though their darkest hour had blown a frigid wind across his heart, chilling his spirit to the bone. His eyes seemed hollow, with a hunter look reflecting in their green depths. The emotions he felt were so intense, so widely broadcasted, that Shellpaw had to look away.

Flurrypaw seemed more enraged than Blizzardclaw. She really needed to calm down; this was bad for her health. She had to let Blizzardclaw and Flickerstorm sort this out for themselves instead of fueling their father's rage with her own fury. It just wasn't fair to Flickerstorm. Though she had done great wrong, she didn't deserve all the hatred directed at her. Carefully studying her older sister, Shellpaw tried to distinguish on set emotion but they all seemed to bouncing around, like a cat high on life.

Featherpaw was just... Featherpaw. Quiet and emotionless, she always seemed like the skin a snake left behind. Perhaps it had something to do with this "Sand" character her sister had mentioned. Shellpaw could never understand why Featherpaw bottled everything up, but she knew that only time would tell. One day, Featherpaw would expose herself, and they could only assume the worst but hope for the best.

Tearing her gaze away from the mysterious Featherpaw, Shellpaw redirected her attention towards Flurrypaw.

"We're all fine, Flurrypaw, honestly. You've only been away for a few moons, for StarClan's sake!" Shellpaw mewed, balancing on her hind legs so she would look down at the sibling that looked so much like Flickerstorm. Holding Flurrypaw's shoulders for support, she continued in a hushed voice, "Gravelpaw and Cardinalpaw have hit it off. You should see them, getting all moony-eyed over each other. They love each other, and everyone knows except them." The pale tabby's foggy blue eyes gleamed with a wise knowing, as if she had grown out of all her immaturity. "Birchstar and Stormheart have taught us some incredible things, we'll have to get Blizzardclaw to take us all, including Cougarpaw, to the Dry Pond so we can have a play fight. You two are so much bigger than you were before you left. I can't believe you're finally back... I missed you, Flurrypaw." Dropping back down onto all four paws, Shellpaw extended her neck so she could nuzzle Flurrypaw's chest, the highest point the small little apprentice could reach. A purr vibrated in her vocal chords as she continued her gesture of affection; Flurrypaw could likely feel the waves of vibration through Shellpaw.

After Birchstar, you four will be the first to know. And then, after we restart our training, you, me, Featherpaw, Gravelpaw, Shellpaw, and even Cougarpaw, if he wants, we'll all go for a nice, long walk. Patrol the borders.

Shellpaw drew away from Flurrypaw and padded over to Featherpaw, giving her oldest sister a lick on her foreleg before bounding over to her massive golden father. She was so small, seeming so delicate, when she stood next to him. It was hard to imagine that such a huge cat could father such a tiny she-cat. But her bloodline was undeniable, regardless of size and stature. Nonetheless, the little tabby hurtled herself at her father, bunching her muscles when she neared the last tail length. With a playful growl, she leaped on Blizzardclaw's back, scrambling up so she could make it up all the way. The purr grew louder and louder as she cuffed him over the ears, rubbing her face against the back of his head.

"Oh, Blizzardclaw, I've missed you so much!" Shellpaw whimpered, squeezing her blue eyes tightly together. Maybe... Just maybe... If Blizzardclaw didn't see her familiar blue eyes that she, Flurrypaw, Cougarpaw, and Flickerstorm all shared, all their conflict would be nothing more than some distant memory, collecting dust in the back of their mind in the place where dreams are born. Gathering her mind together, Shellpaw dropped down from her father's back and burned her blue eyes into his green ones, just as Flickerstorm had done just moments ago. It was all so hauntingly familiar, and Shellpaw knew this would frighten her father. But it was time to exercise these demons and put all their lives back together.

"Please... Don't ever leave us ever again, you've seen what can happen when something beyond your comprehension draws you away from what you truly love. If StarClan hadn't been so naive, none of this would ever have happened. Now we're in and we can't get out. Everyone's at fault, the truth is out, and there's no running and hiding from it. This has to be fixed now, or everything will be lost forever. We cannot let what we once had disintegrate. It's... It's just too hard to bear... We can't put our Ohana at risk, it's our lifeline now, it's all we have left. If the horizon were to shatter at dawn tomorrow and breaking into a million pieces, not everything would be lost. We'll always have each other, forever and always. And we can't throw all that away over a dead tom and a new kit. Everything happens for a reason, remember that. Remember that cats change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together. Flickerstorm has wronged you, I know. But she needs wide open spaces, room to make her mistakes. StarClan have laid out our path, mapped it out long before we were kitted. It's up to us to fulfill their expectations and put things back together, even if the pieces don't fit together. We have to learn to make them fit, for everyone's sake."

Family, means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten.

Those whispered words, they traveled through the atmosphere to a pair of dark brown ears, wandering aimlessly through the Openland towards no destination in particular. Slow pawsteps seemed to echo through reality, pounding the eardrums of some nonexistant ear. The sheer anguish that pulsed off the tricolored she-cat was overwhelming, dragging the mood down as if a dark void had infected the oxygen around her. She walked with a tired gait, and she looked worn down, many moons older than she really was. There was a bleak look in her blue eyes, and her heart felt as though a thousand daggers had driven into it. Everything was automatic to her, nothing was thought through because she had left her mind back at camp, where her stinging words were spoken and hurtful words were received. No, she had thought she was forgotten. She felt forgotten. She looked forgotten. But she wasn't. Because nearby, there was a massive golden tom that wanted her - no, needed her - more than he needed food and water. But she was too blind to realize it. She was blaming herself for everything that had happened, kicking a shadow for every mistake she had made until it seemed she had run out of shadows.

Flickerstorm was broken in a hundred and one pieces. But it was no one's fault but her own.

You forgot about the house, you forgot about the ring
I remember everything, I just wanna hear you sing
I remember the love, right after the fights
You can't tell me you don't remember those nights
and if I would cry, then you would cry twice
To me you are the brightest star under sunlight
See take away my title, take away my stripes
You give me back my girl and you give me back my life
Give me back my girl and you give me back my life
See this is just a nightmare, so I blink twice
Open up my eyes hopin' she'd be in my sight
I remember the time, I wish I could bring it back