#applefinch

Aliases / Nicknames: Speckfire

Gender: genderqueer

Family:  unnamed father, unnamed other father, Applefinch (sister)

Other relations: unnamed mentor

Clan: Skyclan

Characteristics: targets in order to protect their Clan

Number of Victims: 4

Number of Murders: 4

Murder Method: snapping necks

Known Victims: Silverpaw, Birchpaw, Ravenpaw, Whitepaw

Cause of Death: liver failure

Cautionary Tale: N/A

Story:

Skyclan had faced a horrible bout of greencough. Speckfire was one of few warriors not in the medicine den, and when it came time for a gathering, their leader saw no way across lying, and admitted that the Clan needed help. Only Thunderclan offered it.

During a solo patrol, Speckfire overheard two Shadowclan warriors, one the deputy, discussing Skyclan’s weakness and how they could take advantage of it.

Speckfire was distraught. Their Clanmates were already weak and suffering, two had died (three including one of Featherstar’s lives). The Clan could not put up with this!

They reported it to their leader, but what action could be taken other than prepare for the worst? How could the Clan be protected with so few cats able to fight? Applefinch had one-moon old kits, for Starclan’s sake!

Speckfire did it out of love, out of the need to protect their Clan. The first time wasn’t planned, either. They were on a patrol, solo again, since there were still so few cats able to perform duties, and Featherstar wanted more back in camp to guard.

Two Shadowclan apprentices had snuck into the territory, whispering loudly about how they should steal, since no one would be around to catch them.

Overcome with rage, Speckfire pounced, snapping one of their necks like prey, then attacked the other before they could get too far.

Shocked with themself, they carried the two over the border. What had Speckfire done? Now Shadowclan would surely attack.

They would have told Featherstar if they weren’t so disturbed and numb. When they awoke the next morning, no declaration of war had been made. Dew wafted into their nose.. it had rained last night! 

After more time waiting, their thoughts were confirmed. Speckfire’s scent had completely washed away. Did that mean Starclan was on their side?

Their guilt eased, but still clung. No war came. From what they heard at gatherings, the Shadowclan leader decided that they didn’t need more grief. 

Speckfire had protected their Clan!

But it always stuck with them, a constant lump in their heart, a nag in their mind. 

Once again, two apprentices, Thunderclan this time, snuck into Skyclan territory after Skyclan announced a prey-shortage. What did they hope to gain in a territory with so little food? Did they wish to take away even the smallest morsels from Skyclan?

Maybe repreated history meant.... well, to repeat history. So Speckfire did, snapping one neck after another, and leaving them on the border. 

They found out later that a fox had been sighted in Thunderclan territory, passing through where Speckfire left the two, possibly having a nibble too. Whatever the creature did, it hid their scent.

But even with the belief that Starclan was on their side, the guilt weighed them down, harsher when they saw the grieving parents. 

Then a dream. A Starclan cat came to them, said how Speckfire was wrong to do what they did, that it wasn’t the way to protect the Clans. So Speckfire didn’t have Starclan on their side. Sparkfire killed innocent apprentices.

Although still relatively young, they announced their wish to become an elder, and how they wished to be named Fallenfire. 

They remained in the elder’s den until their death, growing cataracts, and forever repeating the names of the four lives in which they took. Silverpaw, Birchpaw, Ravenpaw, Whitepaw.

Additional Information:

-- Order of deaths: Ravenpaw, Silverpaw, Whitepaw, Birchpaw

--Whitepaw and Birchpaw are littermates, Ravenpaw and Silverpaw are friends 

--Ravenpaw didn’t really want to come along, but Silverpaw made him.

--Fallenfire has claw marks across their lips, in case it’s hard to see!

--Fallenfire didn’t want to bury them because they didn’t want to hide their crime. If they weren’t caught, it would only be because Starclan chose to protect the secret (and in actuality it turned out to be luck).