#lightclan!lightrunner

┏━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━┓ Lightrunner wished she could give herself more time to adjust to her new home, but she knew her warrior ancestors wouldn't be nearly as patient as she'd always been. Her purpose in coming here... was to start a new clan, wasn't it? But Lightrunner had never particularly liked the idea of leadership. She'd been a decent warrior in her time, sure, but any suggestions from her peers that she should take charge were often met with awkward laughter and shuffling paws. She knew this was the will of StarClan, but part of her couldn't help but wonder if they had the wrong cat.

Surely, surely, she was meant to find some other cat to lead the clan. She had to find new clanmates somehow, after all, and she figured she'd find at least one with an ambitious kick.

After carefully crossing the Thunderpath that bordered the territory, Lightrunner made her way through the farmlands. Where there were farms, there were mice. And where there were mice, there were cats! Surely she'd meet some new faces if she kept on in this direction, though whether they would be friendly was a different matter. ┗━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━┛

Lightrunner discovers a new location: McGreggor Farms

Lightrunner meets Briar, an aggressive tortoiseshell she-cat with a stubby tail. The two spar and gain mutual respect for one another as a result.

Lightrunner meets Honey, a friendly cream-and-white she-cat. The two socialize for a while and part on good terms.

Lightrunner meets a spotted tabby tom named Rudd. While he is friendly and the two hit it off, Rudd doesn't seem very interested in clan life as of now.

Lightrunner gets fleas while socializing with the strange barn cats.

Lightrunner spends the night outside the farmhouse to rest after her journey.

Lightrunner meets a black-and-white tom named Skunk. He seems apprehensive of her, but curious about life in the wild.

Lightrunner invites Skunk to join her new clan. He says he will consider it, but only if his mate, Honey, comes along as well.

Honey agrees to come along to check out the forest, as it "sounds like fun". Skunk joins as well, but less enthusiastically.

Lightrunner invites Briar to come to the clan as well. Briar agrees.

‼️ Hey, everyone! This chapter contains heavier themes, such as: death. Viewer discretion is advised. ‼️

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A piercing shriek rang out over the torrent of rain, sending a familiar, terrifying chill down Lilacdream's spine. What quickly followed was a blur, a flurry of distressed pawsteps, and the bitter taste of blood in the air.

"How could this have happened?!" The source of the shriek cried out angrily above the anxious buzz outside the healer's den. Lightrunner was in a panic, herself stained red by the blood of her close companion and the apparent victim of the incident. Briarclaw could hardly move, gravely wounded by a gash on her side.

"It was an accident!" Skunktooth responded, eyes enormous in his panic. "I didn't mean to-- I didn't mean to! I'm so sorry!"

"Sorries won't heal her!" Lightrunner spat in the tom's face, hissing. "Make yourself useful! Now!"

In no time at all, Skunktooth had skittered away, frantically trying to scavenge any cobwebs or herbs or anything he could find to fix the situation at hand. But his white paws had already been stained red, and Briarclaw... Briarclaw wasn't looking too good.

"Please..." Lightrunner's voice quieted, but she hadn't calmed in the slightest as she turned to Lilacdream, desperation in her voice. "Please, please tell me you can save her."

"I- I, um--"

Panic dried up any words Lilacdream might've mustered at that moment. She might've been a "healer" in title, but she didn't even entirely know what that meant yet! She'd had no guidance in getting here thus far; not even the stars had whispered to her regarding herbs and treatments and whatnot.

"...I'll... I'll do my best."

...

...

...But it wasn't enough. Lilacdream had close to no resources to work with, and even if she did, she wouldn't have known how to use them. She found herself floundering, slapping on any poultice she thought might work, but it was all in vain. Briarclaw's raspy, pained breathing eventually faded, and with it, her spirit had passed. Briarclaw... Briarclaw was dead.

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In the wake of yet another fight started by Briarclaw, the she-cat is gravely injured as Skunktooth attempted to defend himself.

Briarclaw died from her injuries. The clan is in mourning.

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Though the chill from leaf-bare still hung in the air, the cats of Lightclan were relieved to find that the billowing snow had ended for the time being, and the weather had warmed up enough to melt what frost remained. While trees remained barren, the green grass began to flourish, and the flowers were already beginning to sprout.

Newleaf had arrived, and Birchshine was just as excited as any cat. She hadn't seen the forest so full of life and color since her kithood! There were so many new sights and sounds... not to mention the prey pile would be so much easier to fill now that prey was beginning to peer out from their dens.

Birchshine had already caught several pieces of prey to contribute to the clan. Nothing quite filled her heart with more pride than providing for her clanmates, but even still, the warm air filled her heart with a sense of longing. What further changes would Newleaf bring to her life? She couldn't wait to find out.

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The snow has melted, and the flowers have begun to grow once more. The season is now newleaf.

Bearpaw teaches Sleetkit, Elmkit, and Flowerkit some hunting techniques now that the weather has warmed up.

The kits are getting close to their apprentice ceremonies. Lightrunner has been spotted mumbling about their potential future mentors...

Lightrunner and Stormflower have a playful spar in the middle of the camp.

The pond in camp has thawed. The cats of LightClan can fish once again.

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"I don't know about this..."

Mousepaw was surprised that Antpaw of all cats was apprehensive about Stormflower's proposal. He was usually the most eager to explore and try new things, being the most... careless of the litter.

"Why? I thought you'd be excited!" Birchpaw seemed equally shocked, tilting her head. Mousepaw just sat and allowed Antpaw to groom her fur, tipping her head to the side so he could reach behind her ear. He tended to fuss over her when he was anxious; was this related to the conversation?

"I'm just not sure it's a good idea, that's all. I mean..." He huffed, lowering his voice so that none of the others in camp could hear. "Skunktooth was... he was exiled, I don't know if we're allowed to talk to him."

"But Stormflower says it's fine!" Birchpaw replied, furrowing her brows. "And she's a healer. We should trust her!"

Still seeming unconvinced, Antpaw turned his attention back to Mousepaw, wordlessly asking for her opinion.

"...I just want to see him again," She mumbled quietly. "It might be controversial, but... he's our father! Why wouldn't we be allowed to see him?"

Antpaw kept silent. Mousepaw couldn't understand why he was so against the idea.

"Well, if you don't want to come along," Birchpaw huffed, rolling her eyes, "Then Mousepaw and I can just go by ourselves. That way you won't get in trouble, okay? Besides-" She grinned, motioning to a spot in the distance where Stormflower and Lightrunner were speaking. "-We're gonna be warriors soon! We should focus on that first!"

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Antpaw, Birchpaw, and Mousepaw return to camp with Stormflower. The healer reports to Lightrunner that the siblings have earned their warrior names.

Their warrior ceremony will be held soon.

The three apprentices discuss Stormflower's proposal with one another. Birchpaw and Mousepaw are on board, but Antpaw is still oddly reluctant.

Bearpaw has recovered well from her injury, though the incident has left a scar.

Magicburst seems to be giving his apprentice more positive attention since the incident.

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"Buzzberry... Ginseng... Lavender..."

Lilacdream mumbled the list of herbs to herself over and over, hurrying to her den after beginning to feel ill. Sure, it could just be a normal fever, but the buzzing in her head, like static and fire and ice all in one... it was all too familiar to her at this point. She just wanted it to end.

"Buzzberry... Ginseng..."

As she sifted through the herbs, Lilacdream grabbed the first two she could grab, quickly beginning to prepare them for herself. She did her best to recall what Stormflower had done the last two times she was sick... and before long, she had eaten the buzzberries as well as the ginseng. Would that be enough for the time being? How long would it take to kick in?

"Feeling sick again?"

Lilacdream whirled around at the sound of a cat in the den, the early-onset panic of her Sickness making her entirely too startled for the minor surprise. Stormflower, now in front of her, seemed to have gotten her answer by this reaction alone.

"Lay down. The herbs will help, but you need to rest more than anything."

"I don't... I... I want to help the clan."

"The clan will be fine while you take care of yourself," Stormflower seemed cold despite her warm gestures as she nudged her closer to her nest. Lilacdream felt herself moving, then suddenly laying down.

"...How do you do it?" She blurted out suddenly, in a panic. "How do you do everything so... so perfectly? I'm so afraid. I'm so scared to screw things up."

"Easy..." Stormflower hushed. "The Sickness is playing tricks on your mind, Lilacdream. You'll be okay with some rest."

"But I didn't even know what I was doing until you came along! How do I know I'll be able to do my job correctly in the future?"

"Trust me, I hadn't the foggiest idea how to heal my patients when I was first starting out. It comes with time and training, and you've come a long way."

"I..." Lilacdream quieted as Stormflower rested her tail against her flank, taking a deep breath.

"Rest. I'll be right here until you fall asleep."

Lilacdream wanted to say something, wanted to act on the horrible gut-wrenching sensation in the pit of her stomach, but... the nest was so warm, and...

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Lilacdream has fallen sick once again. However, the clan has the treatment she needs on hand this time, and she will soon recover with some bed rest.

Lilacdream and Stormflower have become Best Friends after having some bonding time.

LightClan has been luckier in their hunting patrols lately. Lightrunner even manages to catch two Plasma Beetles in a row!

The recent hunting luck fills LightClan with hope.

Sleetkit finds a parakeet on the edge of camp and practices her stalking.

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As Antpaw went about his daily duties- namely, hunting for his clan- he debated whether or not this was a good idea. He had decided to go back for that strange structure he'd seen the last time he visited this section of the forest, alongside his sisters. The rocks just seemed so... deliberate, so important... surely, they would mean a great deal for LightClan! Besides, if he, Birchpaw, and Mousepaw all went and explored new territories to claim, Lightrunner would be impressed with them! Which would get them that much closer to receiving their warrior names.

"This is the weird place you saw..?" Mousepaw mewed, tipping her head curiously as she squinted off in the distance. "Those rocks over there?"

"Yeah! They're not too far, right?"

"I guess not, but shouldn't we bring a warrior..?"

Birchpaw perked up. "Like Magic-"

"Not Magicburst," Antpaw and Mousepaw answered in unison. Birchpaw seemed a little sad that her idea was shot down before she could even suggest it, but she didn't protest.

"If we explore it on our own, Lightrunner will see what good warriors we are! Taking initiative and all..."

"I guess that makes sense..." Though Mousepaw still didn't seem completely on board, Antpaw knew she would tag along anyway.

"Yeah! Let's go! Let's race there!" Birchpaw's front paws prodded the snow excitedly.

"No, no racing!"

"Yes racing!"

Before Mousepaw could stop her, Birchpaw had already pelted off into the forest, beaming. Betrayed, Antpaw started after her.

"Do BOTH of you have bees in your ears?!" Mousepaw whined, giving chase with her smaller legs. "Wait for me!"

For once, Birchpaw actually did wait for Mousepaw, slowing down enough so that both she and Antpaw could pass. Antpaw didn't want either of his sisters to win, though, so he didn't stop. In fact, he was supposed to be the leader of this whole operation, so it only made sense that he'd be in front.

As they continued onward, though, the mist began to grow thicker, only made more difficult to navigate by the snow that started to whirl down onto their pelts. It was a good thing he and Birchpaw had their mother's thick fur, but...

"It's so cold!" Mousepaw complained with a squeak. "My tail's gonna freeze off at this rate!"

"It'll be okay! We're nearly there!"

The closer they got to the rocks, the more Antpaw began to realize that the mist was emanating from this place, rather than this place being settled in mist. It sent a chill down his spine, almost as much as the snow did.

Eventually, the structure loomed before them. A circle of rocks, within another circle of rocks, and with the... weirdest tree Antpaw had ever seen, right smack in the middle. It almost seemed to... twinkle?

"...This place is creepy... I don't like it..." Mousepaw whimpered, shivering due to the cold fog surrounding them. "Can we go home yet?"

"No way!" Birchpaw piped up. "This place is like, SUPER significant! We've gotta tell Lightrunner, like, right away!"

"We should probably hunt first," Antpaw shook his head. "We did come out here on a hunting trip, after all..."

Mousepaw huffed, clearly not happy with the suggestion. "Yeah, I guess so. I'm still hungry... I didn't get any breakfast..."

"We'll earn you some supper, then!" Birchpaw gave Mousepaw a good rough pat on the back with her paw. "Maybe we'll even get our warrior ceremony when we get back? You never know!"

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Antpaw, Birchpaw, and Mousepaw have discovered a new location: Misty Grotto

None of the apprentices can quite place why, but this place seems spiritually significant.

The siblings hunt while they're at the strange location, chatting happily among themselves.

Back home, Magicburst picks a fight with Stormflower. While the healer wins the fight, she gains a minor wound in the process.

Thankfully, Stormflower is able to recover on her own with minimal effort.

Magicburst and Stormflower are currently on bad terms.

After a full day of unsuccessful hunting back home, the apprentices' hunting patrol is a sight for sore eyes. They manage to bring back enough prey to feed the clan, if only for the evening.

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"Magicpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?" Lightrunner spoke out from atop the rock, pride gleaming in her eyes.

"I do."

"Then, may Starclan shine upon you like a warm ray of light. From this day forward, you will be known as Magicburst. LightClan will forever honor your loyalty and determination."

As the clan cheered Magicburst's new name, with Birchpaw being among the loudest, Mousepaw felt her belly wrench with distaste. She'd never gotten along with Magicburst, not even when they were kits, and she was... weirdly jealous of his new status as a warrior.

Even now, as their clanmates moved to congratulate the new warrior, Birchpaw would not shut up about him.

"Can you believe that? Magicpaw's a-- I mean Magicburst is a warrior now! I mean, he deserves it, he beat that twoleg up real good! I wish I could've seen it!"

"I wish you could've faced the twoleg instead," Antpaw rolled his eyes with a laugh. "No offense, Birchpaw, but you've been talking about this for days. You sound like a moonstruck kit."

"I--" Birchpaw's fur fluffed up on the defense. "I can respect a warrior of my clan, can't I?"

"Yeah, but it's painful to listen to all the time!" Antpaw laughed, putting on his always-funny-and-accurate Birchpaw impression. 'Magicpaw this, Magicpaw that! Magicpaw's so cool! I wish he'd sweep me up off my paws and carry me off into the sunset~!'" If Birchpaw was embarrassed before, she was mortified now.

"I- I do not talk like that! S-Shut up, he's gonna hear you!"

"You do kinda talk like that, though," Mousepaw finally chimed in, giving her sister a sympathetic smile, though her brow furrowed. "But... Magicburst's... kind of a jerk, you know? He still hisses at me, like, all the time."

"Mousepaw's right!" Antpaw huffed. "We're siblings! We've all gotta be on the same team! So are you with us, or against us?"

"Th-That's not fair!" Birchpaw huffed, tail lashing. "Of course I'm on your side, I just... well, I wanna make other friends too, y'know?"

Mousepaw stayed quiet, averting her eyes.

"Well, then, how about this!" Antpaw puffed up a little, his tone making Mousepaw a bit nervous. When Antpaw got himself all riled up, Birchpaw was usually quick to follow... and it usually landed them all in trouble. "I've got a plan. One that'll show Lightrunner that we're all ready to be warriors."

"We haven't been apprentices for that long, though..?" Mousepaw pointed out softly.

"Doesn't matter! If warriorship is about achievements, then... well, let's give her some!"

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Magicpaw receives his warrior name, Magicburst.

The remaining apprentices are whispering about some sort of plan.

Honeypurr attempts to share some motherhood tips with Pepperfrost. Pepperfrost does not seem very interested.

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As Magicpaw wandered the territory, he found himself muttering grouchily to himself. He'd gotten used to sleeping alone in the apprentices' den, but now that Honeypurr's brood had reached six moons and had their apprentice ceremony, they were taking up all of his space! Not only were there too many of them, but they were all so loud, and they kept roughhousing and rolling on top of him while he was trying to sleep!

He wasn't sure how much more of it he could take. If only Lightrunner would make him a warrior already... Magicpaw didn't want to get in trouble for starting fights again, and of course, everyone would take the younger apprentices' sides if he tried to teach them a lesson.

As he approached the border, Magicpaw froze to a halt at the stench of a twoleg nearby. Was there another intruder? ...No, this twoleg was on the other side of the thunderpath. He crouched behind the cover of the bushes, trying to figure out what the lumbering creature was up to.

Then, upon further inspection, he gasped. He had a kit in his paws! Magicpaw couldn't tell whether or not the kit was in danger, but either way... he didn't want to risk it! The warrior code says to always protect kits, right? Well, Magicpaw was a warrior in spirit, and he was not about to let this slide.

"Put that kit down! Leave it alone!" He yowled, rushing across the thunderpath and charging at the threat. In seconds, his claws raked through the weird outer skin of the twoleg, and it let out a loud shout of surprise and fear. Shocked, the twoleg dropped the kit, and it landed with a soft 'fwump' into the powdery snow.

"Yeah! That's right!" Magicpaw hissed, biting at the twoleg's ankles. "Get out of here! This is LightClan territory!"

The strange twoleg bellowed in terror, and Magicpaw gave him a few more rakes of his claws before the twoleg ran away, its nonexistent tail between its legs.

Magicpaw spat at the pavement, fur fluffed up with anger and pride. He'd driven out a twoleg all on his own! The clan would be so proud of him; surely he'd earned his warrior name now!

"Awawawa--"

Oh, right-- the kit. Magicpaw watched for a moment as she flailed in the snow, struggling to get up out of it so that she could stand. With a huff of second-hand embarrassment, Magicpaw scooped her up by the neck scruff, then carried her safely to the other side of the thunderpath before setting her down.

"Ptoo!" The kit spat out a bit of snow from her mouth. "That was cold!"

"It was snow," He informed curtly, tipping his head. "Are you okay?"

"No, I'm Mips!" She squeaked in response, shaking herself off.

"Uh... that's a weird name. Are you a kittyp-" He paused. If she were a kittypet, she wouldn't know what that meant. "-a house cat?"

"Yeah!" The kit was already prancing about on her little paws. "I was at my house with my sisters and brother an' then these big-people came an' poked us around with their big fleshy paws! An' then this BIIIIG guy scooped me up and took me right outside! Golly, it's so cold out here! Part of it he stuck me right in his pocket! But then YOU came along! Wowie! You kicked his big dumb butt! Are you a super-hero-cat?"

Magicpaw hardly understood a word the kit was saying, but at least she seemed alright. But, Stars, if he thought Antpaw was loud...

"Uh, no, I'm not a 'super-hero-cat'," He informed, puffing out his chest. "I'm a warrior-cat! Gonna be, anyway. I'm Magicpaw."

"Oh! Oh! Cause your paws is magic?"

"Uh- something like that?"

"Can you take me home Mister Magic-Paws? I'm hungry!"

Uh. Magicpaw glanced around awkwardly, trying to figure out where this kit had even come from. Apart from the farms, there weren't a whole lot of twoleg dens around. Her home must be pretty far away...

"...Tell you what. I'll take you back to my clan, and you can eat something there. The grown-ups can figure out what to do with you there, okay?" Without waiting for the little kit to respond, he started to lead the way back to camp, clearing a path through the snow for her with his tail.

"You mean you're not a grown-up?" She gasped, running along at his heels. "You're like the biggest kitten I've ever seen! Am I gonna be big like you soon?"

"If you eat plenty of fresh-kill, you might?"

"Haha! I like your funny words, Magic-Paws!"

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Magicpaw chases a twoleg off of LightClan territory, freeing a young kit from its grasp.

The kit introduces herself as Mips.

Magicpaw brings the kit back to the clan for her safety.

Lightrunner is surprised by the story as Magicpaw tells it.

Birchpaw is thoroughly impressed after overhearing about Magicpaw's bravery.

Lightrunner decides to change Mips's name to Bearkit in honor of her stubby tail, and she allows her to join the clan.

Magicpaw believes this incident has gotten him closer to his warrior ceremony.

Birchpaw is eager to squeeze every detail of the encounter with the twoleg from Magicpaw. He tells the story proudly, and the two grow a little closer.