Yellowstar AU

Welcome to the Yellowstar AU (Alternate Universe).

This AU explores what might have become of Fernclan if Yellowtail had managed to kill Needlestrike, thus taking his place as deputy and soon leader. If you thought Fernclan couldn't have a worse leader than Needlestar, think again!

*Disclaimer:* Keep in mind that some of the events that canonically happened in the roleplay may have been altered, as well as character personalities. The intent was to alter the storyline as much as possible, even going to far as to save certain characters from the roleplay that may have died, while disassembling some of the main plot points. While I haven't worked out all the details yet, here are some of the main alterations.

## Premise

### Backstory

The backstory behind this AU is generally the same as it is in the canon events of the roleplay; Yellow and Needle are born to Stone Claw and Black Heart, their cruel and unforgiving rogue parents. Though both siblings share the same struggles under the harsh claw of their mother and father, Yellow shows no interest in helping her brother. Instead, she finds her strength in joining her parents in their harsh nature towards Needle. Thus, she sees herself as the favorite child with ultimate superiority over her littermate.

When Needle at last escapes and finds his way to the clans, Stone Claw sends Yellow after him. He tells her to find him and kill him. Yellow is determined to do just that, but at the same time she vows to take all that her brother has-- his place within the clan, his reputation, his goal to become leader-- all of it. Yellow is found by a Fernclan patrol and brought to Pebblestar. Needlepaw obviously isn't pleased to see his cruel natured sister, and tries in desperation to get rid of her. Pebblestar, however, sees the young cat's potential as a skilled fighter. She decides to let the scheming young cat stay and train as an apprentice.

Yellowpaw is mentored by one of the Fernclan warriors and is eventually skilled enough to become a warrior. She receives the name Yellowtail, while her brother is granted the name Needlestrike.

As in the canon events of the roleplay, Yellowtail is soon chosen to mentor Briarpaw, whereas Needlestrike is given Shardpaw. However, in this AU, Yellowtail does not take the craven course of allowing Briarpaw to rid of Needlestrike for her. She makes the move during a battle (staged by her), launching herself from a hidden tree branch and catching her brother by surprise. Needlestrike doesn't have time to react as Yellowtail dispatches him quickly. He is presumed killed in battle, and Yellowtail is made the next deputy of Fernclan.

### Fernclan's New Leader

Yellowtail travels to the Moonlake alone, ignoring the long held tradition of bringing a medicine cat. However, Starclan refuses to grant her nine lives. They saw Needlestrike as an honorable warrior that served his clan well and allowed him a place in Starclan. Needlestrike confronts Yellowtail, telling her that she has not earned her place as leader, but stole it. Yellowtail is furious, nearly attacking him. She disregards her brother's strong accusations, racing back to her clan. She names herself Yellowstar and threatens the clan with her newfound position of power.

At the first Gathering, she proudly positions herself as the fourth leader, along with Moonstar, Sleekstar, and Shatteredstar. It becomes obvious that Yellowstar despises Burrowclan, seeing them as the weakest clan. She also despises Shatteredstar. Yellowstar takes careful note of Sleekstar's rising resentments with the other two clans and secretly organizes an alliance with Rainclan, which she soon uses to attack and drive out Burrowclan from the forest, dividing the territory between the allied clans.

Scorchpelt, however, is angered by the new alliance. Though he doesn't speak out at first, he can't hold his tongue for long. Shortly after the alliance is formed, he speaks out against Yellowstar. He pleads with the clan to side with him, but few cats seem willing to speak up. Yellowstar promptly banishes Scorchpelt, threatening his life if he should continue to speak ill of her. Scarletflame calls after him as he flees from the camp, several cats with unsheathed claws following hard on his paws.

But Scarletflame's luck only gets worse. In this AU, Scarletflame had already confided in Scorchpelt the fact that she is carrying Sparrowclaw's kit. She shares with him her fears for the future as well as worries about what Yellowstar would do to her if she was ever found out. With Scorchpelt gone, she is without protection as she enters the camp with Snakekit in her jaws. Yellowstar rises from her place on the hightree, Briarthorn close beside her. She is surprised when Briarthorn suddenly speaks out, naming her sister a traitor for running off with a rival clan's warrior. Yellowstar calmly approaches the new mother and her kit, determined to set an example for the rest of the clan. Chillingly she asks if Scarletflame cares for the kit. Scarletflame hardly has time to start her response before Yellowstar launches herself at the kit. Her claws strike their intended target as Scarletflame rushes to protect her son. The young medicine cat collapses, blood covering her fur. Shardclaw rushes over to his sister with a wail of grief. Yellowstar wastes no time, snatching up Snakekit and taking him to the hightree. She announces to the clan that he was not to be blamed for his parents' recklessness, that his mother got what she deserved. With blood soaked claws she pushes him towards the nursery, demanding that some queen raise him so that Fernclan may make use of him.

However, Shardclaw cannot stay silent any longer. He opens his jaws in a violent outrage against Yellowstar, determined to avenge his sister. Yellowstar is unamused, sending Briar down to kill him for refusing her authority. Briarthorn and Shardclaw fight for a while before Shardclaw finally breaks free, desperately fleeing in the direction of Cloverclan territory. Yellowstar lets him go, but names Briar as her deputy for looking past family ties and following her leader's orders with diligence.

When Snakekit is barely four moons Yellowstar takes him on as her apprentice. She trains him harshly, forcing him to learn through pain and fear. She often uses his parents as a weapon, speaking often of Sparrowclaw; the father that never loved him, and Scarletflame; the mother that didn't care for him. Snakepaw is raised to know only hatred, which Yellowstar thinks will make him an excellent pawn in her quest. What she doesn't realize is that Snakepaw hates her most of all. One day during a training session, Snakepaw's leg is twisted beyond repair. Yellowstar scoffs, deciding to send him to Cloverclan as a spy since he has no use to her in battle anymore.

### Welcome to Cloverclan

Snakepaw is discovered by Silverecho and taken to the clan's medicine cat for healing. Scorchpelt immediately recognizes him as Scarletflame's son, persuading Moonstar to let him stay in the clan a while. Scorchpelt soon approaches him, informing the young cat of his mother's sacrifice. Snakepaw's anger nearly bursts as he swears revenge on Yellowstar, his mother's killer. Scorchpelt tries to calm him, making him promise to stay in Cloverclan a while. It would be foolish to attack Yellowstar now. Scorchpelt offers to help Snakepaw train and gain back his strength after his injury. In only a few moons Snakepaw has the skills necessary and is made a warrior. Snakefang is sent to report back to Yellowstar, providing false information while learning of her plans to attack Cloverclan at the next gathering.

*Side note: In this AU Gorsekit is still alive. She is made deputy of Cloverclan by her mother, Moonstar.*

Moonstar soon forms an alliance with Mittens and her group of rogues. Though the rogues are not trusted by the clan, it's the only hope Cloverclan has of winning the battle. (The rogues' main objective being to take down as many clan cats as possible and hopefully rise to power/steal territory. Moonstar may have also promised them a sum of Burrowclan's territory??)

### The Battle Begins

The night of the Gathering finally comes, Fernclan and Rainclan tightly allying against Cloverclan. At the first threat of battle Moonstar wastes little time, calling forth her rogue army. Yellowstar is taken aback, she had been hoping for an easy victory. After a slight moment of panic she launches herself at Moonstar, promptly being intercepted by Scorchpelt. They lock into battle, tumbling from the highrock. Scorchpelt nearly has the leader pinned, but her claws manage to strike a deep gash in his throat before he can make his move. The warrior staggers a few steps before collapsing, the light dying from his gaze. Yellowstar is celebrating this victory when Snakefang suddenly crashes into her shoulder, flinging her to the ground. Briar tries to help, but is immediately intercepted by Shard. Yellowstar and Snakefang fight viciously, but Snakefang soon gains the upper claw. With a roar of fury he sinks his teeth into Yellowstar's throat, prepared to do it as many times as he needs. As Yellowstar's final moments flash before her eyes she becomes aware that they are losing the fight.

Eclipseheart had risen up against Sleekstar, pinning the leader to the highrock and speaking words of revenge for Tawnyheart. Moonstar seemingly preoccupied as she fought with Voletooth. The rogues started attacking any cats they could sink their claws into. Most of Fernclan had turned from attacking Cloverclan to helping them fend off the merciless swarm of rogues. Shard staggered away from the body of his remaining littermate, coming to stand over the place Scorchpelt had fallen as Yellowstar heaved a final breath.

The season of Yellowstar's tyranny was over.

### How It All Ends

Yellowtail awakes to find herself in Starclan, confused to see starry grass under her paws. She almost laughs. What did she do to deserve a place here? A chilling mew sounds from behind her, and she turns to find Needlestrike's claws bearing down on her.

After the battle, the three remaining clans are in shambles. Eclipseheart has successfully killed Sleekstar and now willingly takes his place as leader of Rainclan. Moonstar and Voletooth both fought to the death, leaving Gorse[insert epic warrior suffix] to take her place as Cloverclan's new leader. Snakefang is chosen to represent Fernclan, as he was the one who brought Yellowstar's reign to an end. Shard supports him fully.

The three remaining clans belong to Snakestar, Gorsestar, and Eclipsestar now.