ElementClan just cannot catch a break this leaf-bare. Rustsong (47) had just announced that she was moving into the nursery with kits when she vanished into the night. Over the next several nights, Finchbelly (19), Wormdart (34), Shard (75), Palejumble (18), Marshdapple (69), Volcanoblossom (105), Goldenpaw (8), Fenneltuft (14), and Frostheart (81) all vanish. While on a patrol, Poolpaw (14) finds all of their dead, frozen bodies in a pit. No one can determine what killed them. There are whispers in the Clan, directed towards the two dark-cursed cats. They survived, while earth, wind, water, and fire-blessed cats all died. Is it a sign of dissatisfaction from StarClan? Creekstar (32) worries it may be a sign from somewhere else. Yuccawillow is in the Dark Forest. Is this her way of taking revenge on the Clan? Meanwhile, in said Dark Forest, Yuccawillow is tending to a recent wound-maybe from killing all those cats? Wildcave (61) is devastated by the loss of his mate and kit. But he makes sure to check on his surviving kit, Halfnoise (19), before indulging in his own mourning. It’s all he can do not to collapse, but caring for the cats around him has always brought him comfort in times of need. He trembles, tearing at his nest, unable to sleep as he broods over Rustsong’s last moments. Did she suffer? Was she scared? Wildcave can’t shake the crushing guilt. Cypressbadger (44) is also especially shaken by Rustsong’s death. She stares at her best friend’s body, waiting for the nightmare to end. Cypressbadger never considered the possibility that she’d one day be without Rustsong. She visits her grave, gazing blankly, unmovingly, at the ground for hours on end. Amethystdapple (105) is grateful that her immediate family survived unscathed. She enjoys some time sparring with Fry (85) and checks in on Poolpaw to make sure he’s eating. Gladepatch (54) is having a hard time caring for all the sick, grieving, and injured cats. And on top of that, his last connection to his parents, his aunt Frostheart, just died. There is also some tension amidst the Healer apprentices. Poolpaw accuses Asterpaw (14) of cheating-there’s no way he could win so many practice fights fairly! And there’s no one to mediate their fight with the death of Chervilcry. Glowquake (14) doesn’t want any more of his loved ones to die. He’s determined to protect them, now more so than ever. Elmpaw (8) is determined to learn everything she can and is distracting herself from the death of her sister with more training. Primcrest (20) wants a break. Sadly, while Amethystdapple’s immediate family may have survived, she herself does not. While on a patrol with Halfnoise (19) (her step-nephew) and Chiku (112), the patrol is attacked by a dog that ChaffinchClan led into their territory and she dies.
