If Serving Is Below You, Leadership Is Beyond You | PLOT

[Altina Staff]

If Serving Is Below You,

Leadership Is Beyond You.

Plot rp- Closed!

It had been a long and hard month and a half for Shadowclan, as during this time their previous leader, Fallenfox, had stepped down from his position without making sure he had a suitable replacement. Overwhelmed from the many hardships she had faced throughout the journey, Vipernose refused to take up leadership as she knew she wouldn't be able to handle the tasks set before her. 

Capitalizing on Shadowclans disorganization, Mushroomstar of Windclan swept in and preached his 'ownership' over the leaderless Clan, an act that enraged many Shadowclanners, and yet... no cat felt they had the power to challenge him. Perhaps they thought that if they waited long enough, Vipernose would work through her own personal issues and decide that she could advance in her rank after all, or maybe they believe that Starclan would send some cat a sign, to tell them they were destined to pick up where Fallenfox had left off.

Many Shadowclanners appeared to be acting like nothing was wrong, that Mushroomstar would be fine to lead the Clans to their new home as if they truly believed one they settled in new lands the older tom would forget about making the two Clans join into one. "After all," one cat would say, "The sun is shining stronger than ever and the snow is melting away under our paws." While this was true, there was still a pawful of cats who couldn't find comfort at the thought of the long journey finally coming to an end when the future of their Clan was still so... uncertain.

As the land itself begins to slope into small hills and valleys, the snow seemed to melt into makeshift rivers. Amongst the mass of cats, one young feline seemed to be weaving their way through the sea of cats, heading straight for the group of high ranks who walked at the very front of the group. A look of determination glowed in their eyes, and as you see the fire locked deep inside their gaze, you can't help but feel like something important is about to happen. 

You hope that it will end well.

ulla

[Mushroomstar]

I am the Messiah

Mushroomstar was indeed loving the full power he had over both his clan and his home clan. It had always been his dream to rule more than one clan, two was better than one in his mind. While it would be nice to have also had thunderclan and riverclan at his paws they were already all dead. Though that wouldn't necessarilymean they would be dead forever. Clans bounce back easily even if hey die, windclan did that multiple times even before Mushroomstar was born. 

The snow was melting which in general had been lifting some of the cats spirits. Bellies were a little bit fuller because some prey was out or coming out more.Still though with a hoard of cats their scent drove most things away. Mushroomstar would have to send cats out far from the group which wasn't exactly the safest, and boy did he get earfulls of complaining from other cats. The most from his half brother who was none too thrill to have Mushroomstar in power. Strange though, Mushroomstar was surprised his half brother didn't take this opportunity to become a leader. He knew the tom was outright shocked when Vipernose didn't step up, probably furious. But his half brother was probably also a man of tradition. He likely wanted to be a deputy before a leader, typical. Meanwhile Mushroomstar just took power without even being deputy, or even training a apprentice fully.  

Wasn't breaking the rules ever so fun? 

Mushroomstar licked his crooked jaw, his tongue slithering over the skin of his scar, it didn't seem like that sucker was going away, maybe the tissue was so bruised it wouldn't heal? Mushroomstar sure hoped not, it really ruined his good looks. The ground was starting to go upward which wasn't Mushroomstar's favorite, he wasn't exactly fit for climbing, what with him being overweight and all. He gave a wheeze  as he began the gradual slope. The tom paid no mind to whatever or whoever was behind him. It felt good to be in power, why he wouldn't mind keeping it this way at all...Severally lovely females at his side underneath him. He would have a deputy and two medicine cats, who cared right? Starclan obviously didn't. Starclan never cared, and they never would. They were silent. 

x

[Deleted]

Owlscreech

I said hey look Ma, I made it.

Sun bathed the ground that Owlscreech walked on, his white-tipped toes pressing into the slush of the half-melted snow and leaving pawprints that revealed a sight every cat had been praying to see; mud. Sticky, fresh mud that clung to the pad of the tabby toms foot after each new step. Owlscreech strode confidently forward, his chin held high, and his tail flying even higher. You could say the spring weather had put the tom in a rather good mood.

Not even Maplefang, Owlscreech's best friend and... newly discovered crush, knew what he was planning today. The day simply started off as it usually did, the two of them would wake up around dawn and try to catch a meal which they would then share, and once every cat had eaten, or all the prey had been caught, the pack of cats would begin traveling again. It's what they had been doing for four months, and they weren't done yet.

As the sun rose high into the sky, Owlscreech had nudged Maplefang with his shoulder, shot her a goofy grin, and mouthed a "follow me," before leading her through the crowd of cats. That had been several minutes ago, and now Owlscreech had reached his destination. He was at the front of the group, his eyes slightly narrowed and a grin spread across his face. In front of him were several cats, such as Vipernose, the ever so lovely Shadowclan deputy that Owlscreech had yelled at about a week ago, as well as the two Windclan high ranks, Fawnstep and Mushroomstar.

Sparing one last glance at Maplefang, Owlscreech winked."Mushroomstar!" The tomcat meowed loud enough to gain the attention of the cats behind him as he took another step towards the golden tom. "Enough is enough, and I'm sick and fucking tired of watching you walk all over Shadowclan unscathed. My Clan isn't yours for the taking, and if Vipernose isn't going to step up to the task... someone has to." Shooting the golden tom a cocky smirk, Owlpaw flicked his tail behind him. "I'm going to be Shadowclans next leader."

350 words

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[Ferntrail]

death doesn't discriminate Ferntrail had been going over how she would tell the clan she was their Medicine Cat. To them she was a stranger, a former rogue. She would never admit it to anyone but she would be crushed if they didn’t accept her as their medicine cat. The snow melting was like music to her nose, so many different smells popping up here and there. The newly crowned Medicine Cat had even managed to pick up some herbs here and there for emergencies, and kept them in a tight bundle. Her experience was little, apart from the patch-up she’d done on Vipernose. While Ferntrail was debating and thinking, another cat was taking matters into his own paws. Owlpaw storming past her and towards Mushroomstar was enough to bring her mind to attention. She could feel the energy vibrating from the clan and she knew something was about to go down. Getting to her fluffy paws she hurried after the tom, not wanting to miss out on whatever was about to happen. She was not expecting the small tom to stake a claim to leadership but he did have a fair point. This moment would be crucial for the history of the clan and Ferntrail needed to think hard about what side she was going to support. Even if the clan didn’t fully trust her, her word as Medicine Cat could mean a lot, with Vipernose’s backing. Personally she didn’t like this fat orange tom that acted like their king and Shadowclan would gain independence if they got their own leader. Owlpaw was also Bluepaw’s half-brother, or something along the lines of that, and getting points with him was always on the agenda. Though to Ferntrail her clan had always been more important then her personal agenda. In a few nervous heartbeats her side had been chosen as she stepped up towards the two toms, towards her rightful place. ”For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Ferntrail the new Medicine Cat of Shadowclan... If you don't believe me or have a problem you can take it up with me, not Vipernose. Your deputy is loyal and you should not blame her for doing her job.” and just like that it was out, leaving a perfect opening for Vipernose to come in” Starclan chose me for a reason and if I am not to share my opinion and thoughts with my clan, what is my purpose? I believe that Owlpaw is right, Shadowclan needs a leader that will think only of Shadowclan. A leader was never meant to rule two clans, just like Shadowclan and Windclan were never meant to live together. We let Mushroomstar lead because it was easy to fall back on him in a time of crisis but now we need to stake out Shadowclan’s future and I believe that lays on the paws of this young tom” She dipped her head low towards the tom, turning her back on the orange tom with a swish of her fluffy tail. between the sinners and the saints

[Ferntrail]

in the cold light of day,

we're inflamed in the wind of the fire we started

Bluepaw thought she had known pain and suffering, her damaged face proof of that… But nope. Waddling up this hill, the size of a fucking dog was proving a fucking strenuous task. If labour was anything like this, to hell with that! Her legs ached and she had a headache. It left her tongue rolling out of her mouth in a few dog like way.

A more pleasant side effect was how warm she was feeling, It looked like freezing her ass off was far behind her. Oh and there Owlpaw goes deciding to flaunt how horrible she was feeling in her face, breezing up the hill. He was about to get a piece of her mind! She didn’t call out though, she wanted to surprise and pounce on him. Moving her heavy paws as fast as she could. The blue female got a lot of growls and hisses as she shoved past cats. They can make way for her, they aren’t pregnant, she is.

When Owlpaw strode up to Mushroomstar a pit in her stomach started bubbling. Fight, fight, fight! She couldn’t even hear shit over the buzzing in her ears but she didn’t care. Her little brother had a backbone and was obvious growling about something at Mushroomstar. Then a cat shoved past her, taking a step towards the two toms and her heart stopped. Then her world. How could that scheming bitch be alive? She should have rotted away in the city.

Bluepaw’s lips curled back into a snarl but the spotted she-cat managed to take the breath from her once again. Her horrible, horrible foster sister was the medicine cat? Oh Hell No. Not if had anything to say about it. She had opened her mouth to expose her bitchy sister for who she was when she mentioned Owlpaw becoming leader. Bluepaw took a step back, the swell of emotion receding. She couldn’t do it to him. Couldn’t take away his moment, his turn in the spotlight. So instead she’d support him and do the thing she had been thinking of doing for a long time.

Join Shadowclan.

But not now, not yet. The clan was still in shock from his claim. She’d let the argument go on for a few rounds until she’d switch to Owlpaw’s side. Show Mushroomstar that even his people would rather be lead by an apprentice. Later she would shred her foster sister to pieces but for now she had to look at the bigger picture. Her lips curled into a vicious smile as her blue eye took in the picture before her. Soon she would be going home, with her brother as her leader.

＃ENY ADOXOGRAPHY

[Deleted]

You lied, I cried.

InkKit was startled awake by the sudden shouting, her eyelids heavy, not that it made a difference. She listened in for a moment, her fur quickly bristling in a bit of fright. From the sounds of it, it seemed to her that a fight would be forming soon, likely a harsh one if they were really teaming up. The spotted kit scrambled to her feet, listening to try to find her way to the talking. Sure she was a kit, but her father had always said that looks are all you need to make cats listen to you. She darted on over, opening her mouth to speak before running face-first into what felt like a leg. With a small 'eep' she fell back, floofing herself up a bit and folding her ears, trying her hardest to look pitiful, "Don't let them fight" she whimpered out, "It doesn't sound good...fights sound scary..." she murmured, partly to herself

Tag - Words - Notes

L

[Mushroomstar]

I am the Messiah

Mushroomstar hadn't even looked back when he heard someone approaching, frankly he thought maybe it was Fawnstep or even pesky Hollowdusk, but no it was this apprentice who felt all too entitled despite Mushroomstar literally saving him from rogues once. 

The fat tom gave a groaning growl as he turned his head to Owlpaw. When the cat finished his little speech Mushroomstar just laughed loudly at him, it took him a little bit to stop himself from laughing. Man was this kid stupid, or really was this just all a joke? He was acting like he had the authority to even do any of this when he didn't. He was a child and Mushroomstar wouldn't let him forget it. He sneered at Owlpaw and meowed "Tired of seeing me walk all over your clan? Those were your words? Unscathed you say? My what a way to put it. Shadowclan is also my clan or do you forget? I was shadowclan born, I was your medicine cat at one point. To say its only your clan is so childish. Naive. I don't walk all over shadowclan, all I've been doing is leading you and organizing things, I'm a leader after all. Please clarify again, who was it that abandoned shadowclan? Was it really I? No. It was Fallenfox who abandoned shadowclan at its time of need. I only picked you up to carry on my shoulders. To say I am unscathed is simply wrong. Do you know how exhausting it is to run two different clans? Neither clan enjoys me, yet I have not wronged them, I've kept everyone fed to the best of my abilities. I've even lost a few pounds because of the lack of food that I give to others. So don't you dare come at me acting like I'm such a tyrant." He hissed a bit. 

He lashed his tail around a bit giving another mocking laugh "You can't be leader, that's not how it works, you're a child. You don't even have a warrior name, nor a ceremony, wheres your vigil? Oh PLEASE! Next thing you'll tell me is that kits are going to make their own clan called kitclan. Come back when youre older, though really that likely will never happen. There are far more superior warriors than yourself who are capable of leading." His gaze looked up towards his family "Even if they remain silent as of now." He raised a paw to the male's forehead and flicked him, knocking him back a bit "Now buzz off small fry." 

When he heard the new medicine cat of shadowclan speak up about this dastardly riot of leadership Mushroomstar hissed loudly "It is I who shall be the leader! Not an apprentice! I have my paws in both clans, I think for both your survival! Not just one! I want us all to thrive and live! You are not in need of a leader for I am the best one to lead you all!" He hissed angrily "In this time we cannot think only for our clans, we already have two clans dead, we must stick together as one!" He grasped at morals to appease others into agree with his statement. There was a code after all that in a time of need clans must unite. He growled at Owlpaw "Look what you're doing, you've stirred them up! This isn't the time to be splitting off, we haven't made it to our new home yet! I will not be defiled by a damn apprentice who thinks hes entitled to a role he isn't even remotely ready for! You don't even have an experience of a warrior! You would be a terrible leader!"

x

[Deleted]

Owlscreech

I said hey look Ma, I made it.

The smirk on Owlscreech's face never wavered as Mushroomstar laughed at him, nor as he began to try to explain away the young toms claim, pulling any reason he could think of out of his ass to keep his new self-appointed position. For Owlscreech, it was easy enough to filter out the fat toms words and to not think twice about the garbage falling out of his mouth. Owlscreech never trusted the golden tom, as there was always something about Mushroomstar that had always rubbed the young warrior the wrong way, ever since he saw his big, ugly face for the first time in the city. He didn't trust him, and from what Mushroomstar seemed to be saying, no cat really trusted him.

This would be easy.

"I don't give a damn if you were Shadowclan born," Owlscreech meowed calmly, "Being born in a Clan doesn't give you a birthright to leadership, this isn't some fucked up rogue hierarchy we're dealing with." Raising an eyebrow, the tan tabby continued, "I don't know how old you think I am, but you were never in Shadowclan when I joined about... nine or ten moons ago. For all I know your claim to Medicine Cat is total bullshit, but I'll believe it for now. I'm sure not everything out of your horrific mouth is a lie, you only spin tales when it's convenient for you, right?" Smirking, Owlscreech shut his mouth and listened to the next portion of Mushroomstars speech, only interrupting again when the golden tom brought up how troublesome being leader was. "Oh, good!" Owlscreech pipped up in an overly cheery voice. "Then you should have no problem allowing Shadowclan to appoint their own leader! It's just sooo hard on you, after all, I'll be doing you a great favor." At the end of his sentence, mint green eyes shifted to look Mushroomstar up and down, a cocky smirk spreading across his lips. "I don't believe you willingly dropped those pounds, fatty. You don't get that size overnight."

"Actually, that's where you're wrong," Owlscreech meowed as he turned around on his toes, his gaze sweeping outward to look over the cats who were no doubt watching them by now. "Only a few days ago, I received my warrior name," Owlscreech began, "and sure, it might not have been the traditional way you wild cats have always done it, but... I have no doubt that Starclan heard as me and Maplefang as we recited the speech your leaders always give." Swinging his head around to look at Mushroomstar again, the tom continued, "At fifteen moons of age, I was within the age I'm told cats are normally made into warriors, and I go by Owlscreech now." Straightening his shoulders, Owlscrech tilted his head slightly to the side. "Now tell me, Mushroomstar," he paused as he lifted his head and sauntered a little closer to where the high ranks were standing, "If the rumors I've heard are true, along with what you've told me here, you've gone from being Medicine Cat of Shadowclan, to leader of Windclan, only to be demoted as Medicine Cat again in Riverclan when you inevitably failed in your leadership," Owlscreech smirked, his tail flicking dangerously behind him. "and now you claim to be leader of Windclan for the second time. If a cat such as yourself can change rank so often with no cat batting an eye, why can't a cat like me become Leader of Shadowclan?"

As Mushroomstar reached out one of his giant paws and flicked at Owlscreech's forehead, the tom felt a snarl curl on his lips. Instead of backing away, Owlscreech took a step closer- only to stop in his tracks as the voice of an unfamiliar cat called out behind him. Turning around to face the front of the crowd, Owlscreech looked on with interest as a brown freckled she-cat stepped away from the crowd and began addressing them all. As she spoke, Owlscreech flicked his gaze to view Vipernose's face and, not seeing any shock or confusion at Ferntrail's claims, Owlscreech returned his stare to Ferntail and decided that he believed her. Flicking his tail across Mushroomstars muzzle as he turned, Owlscreech trotted over to Ferntrail just as she ended her statement. "Nice to meet you, Ferntrail," Owlscreech said with a pleasant smile. "I think the two of us could work very well together, and I'd love to have you as a Medicine Cat, though I know it wasn't ever my decision to make."

Owlscreech spun on his paws to face Mushroomstar and the other high ranks once more, an air of confidence radiating off of him. "Well, would you look at that, Mushroomstar is throwing a tantrum because he can't have his way," The tom snickered, his eyes narrowing slightly in amusement. "Face it, Mushroomstar, Shadowclan doesn't need you." The Shadowclanner meowed with a dismissive wave of his paw. "We have three perfectly good high ranks right here, and we will not hand our Clan over to you without a fight. Let me tell you how this is going to go," Stalking forward once again, Owlscreech practically shoved his nose into the golden tom's face. "Vipernose, Ferntrail and I will be joining you and Fawnstep in making important decisions until we reach our new territories, and when we get there, we will be going our separate ways. Got it?" Sneering at the Windclan leader now, Owlscreech took a step away from Mushroomstar without ever taking his eyes off him. "Shadowclan will never join Windclan, and we will never allow you to turn this into one big Clan." Owlscreech responded with a hiss, not yet done making his point. "We're only together now because it was necessary for survival, and I'll kindly remind you that Fallenfox only stepped down a moon ago, which means every cat here knows that you aren't deserving of all the credit."

Turning to face the Clan, Owlscreech let out a long sigh. "Shadowclan, hear me now. Mushroomstar talks a big game, but do any of you remember the fox attacks a few months back? This fat fuck didn't get off his damn ass and help his own Clan, let alone ours. Cats of both Windclan and Shadowclan died, and while I disagree with Fallenfox stepping down, he at least fought, and killed, one of those damn foxes." With renewed anger in his eyes, Owlscreech scanned the cats in front of him. "Mushroomstar will never be our leader, and I'm asking for each and every one of you to support me. I truly believe that it would be in Windclans best interest to throw Mushroomstar off to the side and pick a leader who would die for them, not blindly run around supporting a leader that willingly sits on the sidelines and watches his own cats perish in a battle he wasn't willing to fight in."

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[Ferntrail]

in the cold light of day,

we're inflamed in the wind of the fire we started

Bluepaw had always thought of Mushroomstar as immature and misguided but as she watched this unfold she realized he believed in what he said, at least partially. It made her want to crack up laughing, to roll on the ground wheezing. Shadowclan and Windclan were not without their dramas and for the cats not involved you got to see the real personalities of the cats leading you. It also made you cringed when cats said all the wrong words, made you die inside just a little bit.

She didn’t really listen to much of Mushroomstar’s whining, but she didn’t miss the part when he glanced at his family. Hollowdusk. Hollowdusk would be a good suit for a leader but Bluepaw doubted he’d choose politics over family. She knew the tom and he was hard-working and would deserve the position and he would protect his mate and child to his dying breath. As much as she respected the tom, she’d choose to support her kin over him but If all went well she wouldn’t have to make that decision.

When Mushroomstar flicked Owlpaw on the head she fought the urge to growl. Fucking self-serving, bitchy ass of a man-whore Only Bluepaw was allowed to beat Owlpaw up, not this son of a bitch. She was growing impatient listening to them prattle on, wanting to get into the midst of this argument. Then for the second time today it felt like her heart stopped. ”Only a few days ago I received my warrior name”

Owlpaw had gotten his warrior name before her? She was nearly 20 fucking moons old and he was 15 moons. He himself had told her that it was fine that she was still an apprentice because no one had approved of her becoming a warrior. Then he goes and becomes a fucking warrior with mother fucking Maplepaw? Did this bitch want a slap? Because he going to get a good ass whooping once this shit was sorted out. She didn’t try to hide the hurt in her eyes as she stared at him, tail lashing back and forth. When he became the leader the first thing he would do would be giving her the name she deserved. Hell, she was fucking mentoring him! Shouldn’t she have given him his name? Bluepaw was shocked about this recent discovery but she had long ago learned not to act completely on her emotions. She wouldn’t fuck this up for herself and turn her back on Owlpaw-screech when he needed her support, but he sure as hell would be getting a cold shoulder.

Then he had the fucking nerve to speak politely to that lying bitch that claimed to be a medicine cat. She’d have to monitor what Ferntrail had control over and make sure she didn’t somehow end up manipulating Owlpa-screech. She wouldn’t tell him about her, though, at least not yet. Despite the shit he just pulled on her she was too tired to explain the situation and who knows, maybe he deserves to sit in the unaware for a bit. Just like she did.
Then came the time to speak up, so she did. ”You talk about sticking together Mushroombelly, but if one of these clans got sick you’d ditch them in the blink of an eye. You talk about our survival? We will tear each other to shreds if we stay together. The best way to separate Windclan and Shadowclan is getting a leader, and now, not waiting around for you to manipulate everyone into becoming your man-whores” Her voice echoed above the outraged noises of the clan cats. She took a step forward, surveying the clan ”I joined Windclan and it was the biggest mistake of my life – take offence if you want Windclan – and I’m not going to let Shadowclan make a similar mistake.”
Then Bluepaw got a sudden urge and it felt kinda nice so she leaped on it. With a dramatic slide, she swooped up Inkkit, honestly not knowing if she was in Shadowclan or Windclan and strode up to stand next to Owlp-screech. ”Do we want our kits to grow up under a tyrants reign? Do we want our kits living in some ugly ass moor? No, we don’t. Which is why if you have any common fucking sense you’ll stand with me and Owlscreech, our rightful leader” While Bluepaw was yelling at the crowd through Inkkit’s scruff many cats were probably just staring at Bluepaw right now. She liked to do a lot of moving and was kinda swinging the kit around. Bluepaw was awkward around kits and wouldn’t be surprised if she was choking her right now.

To top it off she threw an icy smile at Ferntrail ”And of course the wonderful, sweet Ferntrail and Vipernose, our loyal and brave deputy” As she finished she kinda forgot she was carrying the light bundle and let go in between her speech. She watched Inkkit go down the hill with a sort of shrug and an expression that said ‘oops?’

＃ENY ADOXOGRAPHY

[Mushroomstar]

Wraith of God

Anger boiled in his blood as he heard outcries from everyone in support of this runt leading? The hell was wrong with these cats, sure Mushroomstar wasn't the best he had never been the best but at least he was EXPERIENCED. Experience used to take you a long way but it seemed everyone was so clogged they didn't see how stupid having this kit as a leader would be. His icy blue eyes darted back and forth as he heard call outs from others, his muzzle twitched in rage as his eyes settled back on Owlpaw.

He wanted to kill him just so he could shut him up. But he could not touch him, for if he did a mutiny would surely happen, and Mushroomstar knew he didn't have any lives to spar, not this time. He hissed loudly "SILENCE! ALL OF YOU!" He spit a bit as he spoke. God every noise coming at him only banged the war drums inside his head, he needed to get control of the situation before he lost a grasp on not only shadowclan but windclan too. 

He meowed angrily at Owlpaw "You're are correct with one thing, being born of shadowclan descent doesn't make it a birthright to lead. However, that was not what I was saying. I was saying I have family here. Family who despite our differences I care for!" He glared up at Bluepaw and hissed "Why did you even fucking join my clan you had a perfect life in shadowclan practically! Hollowdusk never threw you to the side! Go back to shadowclan if you want to why should I care!? You cause more trouble than good!" He then added "If shadowclan got sick I would still bring you with me, I'm not a monster my gods!" He wheezed a bit out of anger and stress. Why did everyone think he was such a monster? Had the rumors about him spread that thin? Every since his previous windclan leadership everyone treated him like he was a monster, did they know? No they couldn't know it was impossible for them to know, no one knew but himself right? yes no one knew but himself that was correct, it had to be correct, he couldn't be wrong in that manner it just wasn't so. Even if they knew they knew it wrong he didn't mean to kill windclan the first time no, he just wanted to weaken the clans was all with a little poisoning, not to kill his own no no. The poison wasn't suppose to affect anyone like that it wasn't even suppose to kill it was just suppose to make them sick that was all. But the bastard who gave the poison to him, he tricked me yes, trickery at play and it cost me my leadership, the respect I was finally getting. Now here whatever respect I had finally gained was slipping through my paws. Thoughts roared inside mushroombelly's head.

He screeched at Bluepaw who was frankly making him more pissed off than the little runt trying to overthrow him. "Oh just fucking go back to your swamp then! If you didn't want to live on a moor it makes me more curious as to why the hell you went to join windclan in the first place! Windclan lived on the damn moors before I was even in power!" If cats could flick one another off Mushroomstar would give this bitch the bird. Finally he meowed "Since you love shadowclan so much Bluepaw go join them because you're no longer welcomed in windclan! You got that? I don't want to see your face in my territory when we get to our new home! If I do I'll fucking chase you off myself!" He lashed his tail back and forth finally focusing back on Owlpaw "And you! Squirt! Don't be a dumb ass, you can ask the older cats in your clan if I was a medicine cat. You could even ask my half-brother Hollowdusk, who doesn't even like me and he'll tell you I'm telling the fucking truth! I was the medicine cat during Burningstar's reign, of fucking course you weren't there. You were around where, during Tawnystar's or Pumpkinstar's reign? So no duh I wasn't there!" He couldn't help but flex his claws in the snow a bit before continuing "I aint giving shadowclan to a damn apprentice! You haven't really been given a name because there has been no leader to give you one! You can't just give it yourself, that's not how it works and I will not accept it! You're still an Apprentice, you and Maplepaw! Just like Bluepaw is still an apprentice!" He then snarky replied "Just because you're in the age range does not give you the right. Plenty of cats are held back well pass that age due to different reasons. So you my little dude are still an apprentice. Only a leader can give you your warrior name, or else its never official. And you are not the leader."  His muzzle twitched in anger as this apprentice tried to state that he failed at leadership. He growled loudly at the tom wanting to snap his neck "It was not MY fault windclan fell during my reign! The sickness that plagued every clan hit us the hardest, it was contagious I had to let go of my leadership and dismantle the clan to keep those alive safe from the sickness! You were not there to see just how bad our home was. WE could not live there anymore!" Anger, Stress, Distraught were all caught in his eyes as he couldn't help but recall the dead bodies rotting on windclans land because they could not be buried due to the poison. Mushroomstar had to put his paw on his head, gritting his teeth trying to forget the memory or at least submerge it back down into the watery depths of his mind. He wheezed "Any good leader would have done what I did. If I kept them there we would have all perished. If we moved away to the damn city we would not be recognized as a real clan anymore by the other three." 

He groaned in anger "I claimed to be leader because I still was rightfully the leader of windclan! Being riverclan's medicine cat was just temporary I just do what starclan tells of me!" Of course this was a lie but no one could prove other wise, after all starclan seemed to be silence about his lies, which always confused the fat tom and intrigued him. He had lied about being windclans leader the first time, he had made up a story to being riverclans medicine cat, and he reclaimed windclan on another lie. Why the only time starclan ever contacted him was during shadowclan. Still though they never told another soul about his betrayal. His face snarled as Owlpaw said shadowclan didn't need him and when owlpaw shoved his nose into Mushroomstar's face. He growled "Get out of my face before I tear you to shreds. Weakling." his muzzle kept twitching even after owlpaw left his face. Now though it was his whole body twitch like he was about to snap any second now. His mind had been unstable for many seasons now and this wasn't making it any better. To have everything going perfect only for it to all be ruined again, he couldn't take much more of this really. Why was it that he was always doomed to fail in some manner. Finally lead a clan why don't you, no it'll be stripped away from a stupid mistake you regret. Oh you got into riverclan, well they were just such assholes to you that they practically forced you out before they all died. Claimed leadership again, lead the two clans you have an actual fucking connect to and neither one of them like you, respect you, care for you at all. No one cared. If he were to die no one would care.....No one....

The thought sunk into him slowly, it was echoing in his mind. No one would care if he died. The rest of Owlpaw's speech became white noise in Mushroomstar's ears. His fur and tail lowered in a defeated kind of way as he just stared at the snow. The white noise got louder as all Mushroomstar could hear or think was the fact if he died no one would care, his body would be spit upon his corpse not even buried like the many corpses he left on the moors. No one would sit and share one last tongue with his body. Not even his family would. No one liked him, he was the loneliest cat in the clans. All his friends were dead, could he even say he had friends? Coalmask was the only real friend he had. A single cat. As an apprentice he only seeked out friendship with Hollowdusk and no one else, when that didn't work out he recluse himself from everyone. As a medicine cat he tried to open his heart up to two apprentices, one fell into a madness mushroomstar had to separate himself from and the other fell for him only to abandon him when he refused to give her what she wanted from him. In Windclan no one liked him, everyone mocked him and his leadership, even his own medicine cat mocked him. He was the laughing stock of many cats jokes, even kits mocked him. What leader gets mocked by his own clanmates? Old and young? Leaders were suppose to be respected but Mushroomstar never was. Riverclan was no better, they treated him like he was some kind of beast, cats planned to assassinate him just for joining, Frostkit left him during that time. He never had a real friend there or even anyone close. He had to live his life in riverclan out of pure paranoia that he might not wake up because a founding family member had lashed his neck in his sleep. That's how bad it had gotten. Yet for some reason he kept pushing through it all, but why? There was no rainbow on the other side, the grass was never greener. 

Mushroomstar was done. He was tried of this, who cared now. He wanted to be loved he wanted to be respected but he could never achieve that goal it seemed. He would always been a failure at everything he did. He said nothing as the white noise faded. He just turned from Owlpaw and kept climbing up the mountain. Who cared if the apprentice won. Mushroomstar had no respect to even lose now.

x

[Deleted]

Owlpaw

I said hey look Ma, I made it.

Mischief sparkled in Owlscreech's eyes as he shifted his gaze to view Bluepaw, who just crested the hill and announced her presence by shoving cats out of her way. Typical of Bluepaw, if you asked him, but Owlscreech wouldn't mention it right now. He tom lifted one paw to his maw to shield the cackles that fell from his lips at Bluepaws words, and, standing at his full height, Owlscreech raised his tail in a greeting to his half-sister. "Rightful leader or not," Owlscreech meowed calmly, "so far I'm the only one to say I'd take the job, and do it a hell of a lot better than Mushroomstar here."

As Mushroomstar started screeching off to his side, Owlscreech turned his head to stare directly at Mushroomstar. The golden tom looked at him with such hatred in his icy blue eyes, and the young warrior couldn't blame him. Owlscreech hated Windclans leader just as much as he hated him. He watched, amused, as anger practically blew smoke from the golden toms ears. How could any cat support the fat oaf that was screaming his head off, just because on cat dared to tell him he had no right to something he clearly didn't.

Anger filled the toms mint gaze as Windclans leader tried to reassert his power over every cat. "You do not silence my Clan," Owlscreech hissed, "No Shadowclan cat has to ever listen to your commands as long as I'm around, I'll make damn sure of that." The length of Owlscreech's tabby tail lashed violently behind him as he glared daggers at the older tom. He tilted his chin up in disgust as the older tom directed his screeching at Bluepaw. He knew he didn't have to defend the she-cat, as she was damn well capable of doing it herself. Instead, Owlscreech just rolled his eyes, meowing a "You can yell at a she-cat all you want, Mushroomstar, you're just making yourself look like a fool. Would you throw out any other cat who dared speak against you? That doesn't sound like a level-headed leader to me." loud enough for the cats behind him to hear. He turned his attention back to Bluepaw, a grin wide on his face as he addressed her instead. "You're always welcome to come back with us, dear sister. I never liked the idea of you hanging around this idiot, anyway. I'd rather not see you get killed for a cat who doesn't give a damn whether you live or die." The smile on the toms face quickly turned into one of pure panic as Bluepaw let the fuck go of the kitten's scruff she was holding. His claws instantly sank into the dirt, a reaction of the fear that pulsed through his veins- but before he could leap up to catch the kitten that was sliding down the fucking hill, Owlscreech saw one of Shadowclans newest apprentices leaping up and snatching the kitten in her teeth. With an audible sigh, Owlscreech felt the tension leave his shoulders. Goddamnit, Owlpaw thought to himself. I'm going to have my hands full making sure Bluepaw doesn't fuck up her own kittens.

Hearing an insult thrown his way, Owlscreech was snatched out of his thoughts as he turned and gave Mushroomstar his full attention again. He outright laughed in the tom's face as he began screaming at him, holding up one of his paws to shush him. "I don't need to ask anyone about your history, I already said I believed you. I don't care about your history anyway, Mushroomstar. You were a failure in the past, and you're a failure now. That's all the information I need." Smirking dangerously at Mushroomstar, he allowed the golden tom to finish his statement uninterrupted. "What you don't seem to be understanding about this, Mushroomstar, is you don't get to decide if I'm a warrior or not. You aren't Shadowclans leader, you never were, and you never will be. As long as my Clan supports my decision, my claim is valid in their eyes, and that's all I need. I don't need or even want your approval."

"Sure, maybe you're right," Owlscreech meowed with a flick of his paw. "It wasn't your fault that a sickness spread throughout Windclan, but it's still your fault that you left your Clan to die. And to do what, exactly?" the tom meowed accusingly, his eyes hardening as he glared at his rival. "You abandoned your Clan when they needed you most, tail tucked between your fat thighs like a scared puppy." Taking a step towards Mushroomstar, Owlscreech continued to growl. "It's the same stunt you pulled with the foxes, only this time you didn't have another Clan to run to. You want leadership when you have a powerful Clan to command, but as soon as cats start dying, you run away." Jabbing a claw in the Windclanners direction, Owlscreech hissed. "You could have gathered Windclan and left the forest, just like Fallenfox did when the winter became too much for Shadowclan to survive. You're no leader, you're a coward."

Owlscreech stared directly at Mushroomstar, but... the tom didn't respond. In fact, he looked completely shell-shocked. His eyes seemed clouded over, his jaw going slack as the anger drained from his face. If the Shadowclanner didn't know better, he would say the golden tom died right then and there, the life seemingly leaving his body entirely. Curiously, Owlscreech raised a brow as Mushroomstar blinked, turning on his paws, and began stalking up the hill in front of him. What the fuck had just happened? ... Had he won? As a grin blossomed onto the tabbies face, Owlscreech turned his attention back to the cats staring at them. In an instant, Owlscreech was caterwauling his victory over Mushroomstar.

Shadowclan was free.

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[Fawnstep]

Fawnstep

"When the gods are having a fight, everybody else better hold on tight."

             Fawnstep had watched this entire exchange between the two cats with bated breath. This tiny, tiny tom- an apprentice naming himself warrior- decides to challenge Mushroomstar- their leader- for Starclan's sake! Nothing about this made sense to her. It might have been the strange combination of lingering grief from her sister's death and the exhaustion from walking day and night for 4 moons now... but some points this Owl... screech made actually made some kind of sense in her mind. Mushroomstar began getting angry. He spat about leading these clans. The white and brown female knew it was hard on him. He wanted to lead these clans to the best of his ability and a cat-no, kit- who couldn't be much older than 15 moons was challenging him.... because he'd held many positions before. Because he was leading two clans.

                                             Nothing made sense.

                                              "Mushroomstar, I-" 
                                                    Cut off.
                                             "This doesn't seem-"
                                                    Cut off.

           But it was fine. She stopped trying to speak up, and just decided to listen. It's what she does best anyway. Listen and analyze. Take notes on every cat and figure out what in the actual fuck was going on. But it didn't really matter, because then.. her leader went silent. She felt a flicker in his spirit. Something happened in his mind that made the fur on her shoulders prick. And then, out of nowhere, he stood up and began walking. Fawnstep hopped up and followed him, not being able to bear being alone with cats who just threatened this tom like they did... He really was doing his best to lead these cats, and they didn't seem to appreciate anything he'd done for them.

           Fawnstep caught up with Mushroomstar and brushed her fur gently against his side. The weight he'd lost was apparent. Silence filled the air between them. She knew nothing she could say would console whatever had happened in his mind, so she decided to just be there for him. I'll stay by your side until my last breath. That's a promise.

          With that thought, she walked side by side with her leader, hoping to be at least a bit of comfort to him.

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[Deleted]

Bravepaw

She who is brave is free.

What's going on? Bravepaw thought with a look of slight panic in her eyes. The she-cat had been amongst the Shadowclan cats, wedged somewhere roughly in the middle of the group when cats began to murmur. It wasn't long before she heard cats screeching at each other and, truthfully, Bravepaw was worried that a fight might break out. The she-cat didn't appear outwardly worried, however, as the fur along her spine remained flat and well groomed. It was only if a cat looked into the hues of her pink eyes that they would see her emotion shine through.

Reflecting her new name, Bravepaw didn't allow her fear to control her. Fear wasn't something Bravepaw was... afraid of, for a lack of a better term. She worked through her fear, and in this setting, it was shown by the action the taupe apprentice took. She weaved her way through the crowd elegantly, being extra careful as to not shove cats around just to get to her destination. She meowed an "excuse me, excuse me, thank you," as she went until, finally, she was one row away from the front. Raising herself so she was as tall as she could be, Bravepaw scanned the cats in front of her to try and puzzle what was really happening.

It appeared a young tom, not much older than Bravepaw herself, was the cause of all the commotion. He looked to be challenging another cat Bravepaw only vaguely knew, the Windclan leader Mushroomstar. Bravepaw wouldn't deny being uneducated in the ways of Clan cats, but if this tabby tom wished to become Shadowclans next leader, Bravepaw only prayed that he would be like Fallenstar was. The taupe she-cat had only just gotten to meet Fallenstar when he stepped down, but through her observations prior, he seemed like a respectable tom.

It was only when a high-pitched squeal broke the air that Bravepaw felt her head snap up, her diluted pink gaze swinging in the direction the voice was heading. A blue, speckled kitten was tumbling down the hill! Panic swept through Bravepaw and, without thinking, the she-cat was on her paws and sprinting towards the kittens, oblivious to how she shoved and even possibly stomped on the paws of her Clanmates in her desperate dash to catch the young she-cat. With a giant leap, Bravepaw soared through the air before landing on the ground and skidding, her front paws extended in front of her to absorb the impact of her landing and slow her descent. Just as the two she-cats were approaching a dip in the ground that would surely launch them both into the air, Bravepaw clamped her teeth around Inkkits tail and held on tight.

When Bravepaw felt her body resting flat on the ground, the she-cat loosened her jaw to release the kitten's thin appendage. "I'm sorry!" The she-cat meowed with a heavy southern accent. "I hope I didn't hurt you, darling, but I couldn't let you continue rolling down this hill! Are you alright? What's your name, sweetie?"

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[Deleted]

You lied, I cried.

The blue tabby felt somewhat... numb. She opened her faded, blind green eyes but looked towards nothing, her fur bristled to a high fluff and her body quivering a bit. What was happening? She was thrown, she knew that much, and the shouting got very loud and stopped. Did they kill someone? The silence WAS rather abrupt... Suddenly, the kitten's eyes began to well with tears and she sniffled, her ears finally focusing on the voice just in front of her, making her quickly scramble to the she-cat. With a spooked whine, InkKit pressed herself into the apprentice's fur, hiding her face into it and curling her body up into a tight, frightened ball. "T-tell me no one got hurt!" she choked out, having to force herself to speak. "Tell me what h-happened!"

Tag - Words - Notes

L

[Ferntrail]

in the cold light of day,

we're inflamed in the wind of the fire we started

Oh hell yeah! Shit was going down and it was fucking amazing. All the uncertainty from the journey was fading. They had nearly reached their new home and they had established a good leader. Bluepaw had once believed it was her destiny to fight tooth and claw to become leader but she now saw that all of this pure feminine strength had been made to support Owlscreech. It made her feel high like she was soaring above the clouds. Her ears were buzzing, her scarred lips pulling into a smirk. Mushroombelly could do whatever the fuck he wanted and it still couldn’t change the fact no one liked him Mushroombelly could fucking preach to the stars like some saint but a rat couldn’t change his colors.

She was surprised at the angry hiss he used to try and stop the murmuring. ”Give it up, Mushroombelly. We aren’t your slaves to command. If we have a fucking opinion we will fucking share it, and you better get used to it if you want to keep Windclan as well” Her own voice a calm pitch but an amused tone. Her kitty-brows then rose and she purred in a sickly sweet voice ”You care about your family, hmm? But they don’t care about you. You fucked up Mushroombelly, you dug yourself a hole and we’re not going to permit you to climb back out. Hollowdusk never threw me to the side but my life was far from perfect.” She sneered at him ”Don’t push your personal issues on me, we know the only cat Hollowdusk abandoned here was you”

Bluepaw had heard many rumors about Mushroombelly, and had never believed any. Mushroombelly himself had built himself into the tyrant she saw when she looked at him. It hadn’t been a warrior that had told her most of his enemies wounded up dead, one way or another, it had been Mushroombelly. The blue molly then let giggles slip through her lips, not hiding her amusement from the tom. He could do a very good high-pitched voice. ”I’m honestly surprised you're being so thick Mushroombelly. That declaration of mine was my official withdrawal from Windclan. Although I am pleased to know I hold a special place in your heart” A wink from the molly.

After her official resignation of being an apprentice at Windclan, it looked like she had done a complete circle. Had tried the branching out thing and decided it didn’t work out for her. She had come to her senses and realized her kits deserved to live in a world where they could meet their uncles and be proud that were Shadowclan, not mangy Windclanners. Even though she was hella pissed at Owlscreech for not telling her about becoming a warrior, she had to admit she wouldn’t be here without him. He also didn’t try to control or defend her, which warmed her heart. Turning her head to her half-brother she gave him a small smile, leaning over to swipe a tongue over his ear in an affectionate gesture.

”I think I might have to take you up on that offer, dear brother, I don’t think Shadowclan is quite Shadowclan without me” The expression on her face, her body language even her gods damn tone showed that she was becoming a force to be reckoned with, just as Owlscreech was.

Gods, she had thought she would never have this much fun again. First with Maxie, where she had tried to impress him by being a good girl, then with the kits. It had only just dawned on her that having kits shouldn’t change her, but just magnify her personality. Her kittens were going to be strong, independent women or men. ”You keep talking about the past, Mushroombelly. I don’t give a fuck about Burningstar, hell I don’t even know who that asshole is. We are the next generation, as hard as that is for you to admit. We are looking to the future, to what is good for Shadowclan. Shadowclan’s future does not involve a particular deceiving golden tom."

Then Mushroombelly had the fucking nerve to threaten her brother. Bluepaw shoved forward, baring her fangs at him. ”Don’t fucking threaten my brother. If you do, you’ll have to go through me.” She tilted her head to the side slightly with a smile that told him she knew Owlscreech was going to win this. ”We’ll see if your clan will still follow you after you beat up a queen and the next Leader of Shadowclan” Hell, she called herself a queen. She was a queen, right? In the loosest sense possible. Still calling herself a queen made her feel strange, old even.

She then took a step back, her chest rising and falling rapidly. They had won. More then a few mental wounds had been torn open, but they were here. Standing on the edge of a revolution. She joined Owlscreech’s victory caterwauling with a screech of her own. Shadowclan better treat her brother right. Once the howls and yowls had quietened down she opened her mouth to introduce her brother when someone interrupted. That someone being a particular speckled she-cat that Bluepaw wanted to strangle.

Bluepaw had not forgotten about the bitch claiming to be Ferntrail and she had no inclination to let her foster sister live on with this dream of being Medicine Cat. Maybe not now, nevertheless soon she was going down. And when it happened, it wasn’t going to be pretty.

＃ENY ADOXOGRAPHY