Shellfall

**Shellfall** is a tall, lean, muscular gray tom with darker flecks and piercing blue eyes. He is known as the **Miracle of RiverClan.**

## History

Born as a rogue, Shell wanders around the lake, constantly fearing of being killed. Eventually, he becomes so miserable that he does not mind if he is killed, developing a deep sense of worthlessness. He comes across Dapplestar in RiverClan territory, and attacks her, managing to hold Dapplestar off for quite some time. Surprised that a rogue could hold his own against her, Dapplestar shows mercy to the rogue and invites him to join RiverClan, saving his life. She changes his name to Shellpaw, and mentors him herself after making him swear to serve her, even until death.
On Dapplestar's patrol, he is among the cats who attack a group of rogues hanging out in RiverClan territory, despite the patrol being terribly outnumbered. Eternally grateful for the cat who saved his life, he continues to train diligently under Dapplestar, who favors him due to his hard work. She makes Shellpaw a warrior, giving him the name Shellfall, and she invites him to serve him closely. Shellfall is given his own regiment when Dapplestar revamps her Clan's army.
Shellfall originally is annoyed by the pestering from Iceshine and Meadowdawn, but finds himself falling in love with Meadowdawn. He becomes good friends with Nightfire, but their friendship fades as the ShadowClan-RiverClan war starts, and they became bitter enemies. Shellfall fights for Dapplestar in the war, as one of her commanders and loyal warriors. He volunteers for the most dangerous jobs in battle, knowing that he will defend Dapplestar and RiverClan until his last breath.
He watches as Dapplestar grants mercy to Snowstorm and Gooseclaw, and finds himself resonating with them as Dapplestar says that she does not care for neither birth nor status, and gives them a second chance in RiverClan.
He sees the changes in Dapplestar each day, but does not say anything, trying desperately to believe that Dapplestar is doing the right thing. He notices Shimmerwing's unrest and tries to convince her subtly that Dapplestar is doing what she thinks is best.
He is part of the patrol that razes ShadowClan's territory to the ground, and as a commander, it is not within his purview to participate in the fighting, so he is forced to watch as cats kill fleeing ShadowClan warriors. He is unable to force them to stop, as Dapplestar's orders override his own. When Shimmerwing sees a fleeing young kit, Shellfall follows her as she races off. The kit, dying, looks up at Shimmerwing and kneads her, and then closes his eyes for the last time. Shimmerwing states that this is wrong, and Shellfall only gazes at the dead body.
Shellfall stays behind when Dapplestar takes Sharpfang and Rowanshade to burn WindClan's territory to the ground. Shimmerwing, Rippleheart, and Runningflame are all with him. The senior warriors argue within themselves, and Shimmerwing notices that most of them take Dapplestar's side, while Runningflame is the only one to side with Shimmerwing. Shellfall's heart drops to his stomach as he realizes this is the beginning of the fight within RiverClan.
One day, when Shimmerwing leads a rebellion against Dapplestar, Shellfall receives news of this. He instantly hurries to where he hears the rebellion is taking place, and sees Shimmerwing and Dapplestar facing off in the flames. Shellfall sees Dapplestar walking into the flames, and screams her name, trying to reach her. Shimmerwing pulls him back, telling him that Dapplestar is no more, and Shellfall argues with her, saying that Dapplestar is right there. However, a tree of burning fire comes down in front of Dapplestar, and she vanishes into the flames. Shellfall screams until his voice breaks, but the space where Dapplestar was in no longer exists.
He demands to know why Shimmerwing did this, citing that she was the closest to her than all. Shimmerwing tells him that she had to do it because she was the closest. Shellfall leaves her alone in the glade, bleeding and battered, and races back to RiverClan's camp. RiverClan, after hearing of Dapplestar's death, breaks into two. Shellfall talks to the other warriors, and Rippleheart and Rowanshade remain on his side, while Runningflame deflects to Shimmerwing's side. The rift in RiverClan breaks all of their hearts, as they had once been allies who trusted each other with their lives, but now they were forced to fight between the leader they swore fealty to and the warrior code or against the leader and code but for the good of RiverClan. Shellfall's army captures RiverClan's camp, and they do not allow anyone from Shimmerwing's side to stay.
One day, Shellfall decides to take a risky trip into Shimmerwing's territory, knowing that he needs one more conversation with her, to understand why. Shimmerwing allows him in, and the two eat fresh-kill together, where Shellfall finally asks why she did what she did. Shimmerwing replies that it was faith, and Shellfall gazes at her, saying that he still wants her to live. He leaves the camp, with Iceshine telling him to take care of himself.
Back at Shellfall's camp, every cat is aware that there must be one final battle before RiverClan is united again. Shelllfall notices that Meadowdawn is on his side, and he tries to convince her to join Shimmerwing's side, where her sister and father are. Meadowdawn refuses, saying that that only cat she will fight for is Shellfall. Shellfall smiles ruefully at her.
Shellfall declares Shimmerwing "an enemy of Dapplestar." The two sides face off in the pouring rain, neither of them losing but not winning, due to all of RiverClan being powerful warriors. Shellfall silently pleads for Shimmerwing to pull back. Shellfall's army is considerably larger, and he eventually takes to the fighting himself. Each army loses many warriors, and the battle continues to become a stalemate.
Swiftcloud betrays him to take reinforcements, and the battle sways in Shimmerwing and the other Clans' favor. Shellfall decides to retreat, but Rippleheart tells him that they must fight until they are all dead. Shellfall tells him that the lives they should focus on are the ones that are still here. Rippleheart pales and finally agrees. Shellfall takes the commanders of his forces and praises them, telling them that they need to live, to follow Shimmerwing. At first, they disagree, telling Shellfall that they will fight until they die, but Shellfall persuades them, and they obey. He bids farewell to Meadowdawn, apologizing that he could not make her happy in his final moments, and tells her that if they ever are to meet again, in this life or the next, he will make her happy. Shellfall pulls back his entire army, allowing them to surrender, giving the victory he knew he would never get to Shimmerwing. After wishing the best to his followers, he disappears from Clan territory, and despite search patrols being sent to look for him, he is never found.
## Personality

Idolized for both his cunning mind and generous smile, Shellfall rose through the ranks from humble origins. When around friends, Shellfall is cheery and happy-go-lucky, however, first in his heart was Dapplestar, and his loyalty would always be to her. Whenever Dapplestar arranged for a battle or for an ambush, Shellfall always volunteered for the most dangerous job in order to protect the leader he had promised to serve even in death. He is loyal to a fault.
## Trivia

These are trivia facts about the character revealed by the roleplayer.

* It is not known what happened to him after he disappeared from RiverClan territory.
* He did not agree with all of Dapplestar's policies, but only avenged her out of his promise to serve his leader until the very end.

## Theme song

* **Life is Worth Living** by Justin Bieber

*Life is worth living, so live another day, the meaning of forgiveness. People make mistakes, doesn't mean you have to give in, life is worth living again.*

## Quotes

"*Shell, is it. It's Shellpaw now. You will serve me until the day you die... for from this day on... you belong to me.*"
—Dapplestar to Shellpaw

"*Shellpaw. Remember this well if you are to serve me. I have great love for those who stand with me, whether Clanborn or non Clanborn. You belong to me, even in death... so be sure you act like it.*"
—Dapplestar to Shellpaw

**Shellfall**: "*Dapplestar, are you sure I'm supposed to be one of your closest warriors, let alone lead a regiment?*"

**Dapplestar**: "*Why shouldn't you be?*"

**Shellfall**: "*Three moons ago I was a rogue. I was small, weak, powerless. I lost faith in the world... I lost faith in myself. Every nasty thing anyone had ever said about me came true. I did some really bad things to survive. I even attacked you. I only knew that kind of life could end badly. So I spent most days just waiting around to die. And my deeds caught up with me... when I attacked you. Why... why didn't you put me out of my misery?*"

**Dapplestar**: "*I don't kill dead cats.*"
**Shellfall**: "*...What?*"
**Dapplestar**: "*Statuses are a relic of the past, long overdue to be abolished. You can't find a Clan to be loyal to? Rubbish. You are your Clan. Shellfall, you are your Clan, this is your Clan.*"

—Dapplestar and Shellfall

"*Shellfall. Swear that you will return to me.*"
—Dapplestar after Shellfall offers to take command of the vanguard

"*Sorry, I don't feel like dying today.*"
—Shellfall

**Shellfall**: "*Dapplestar!*"

**Narrator**: "*A frantic cry makes Shimmerwing whip around again. Legs flexing as he hurtles headlong into the burning glade is Shellfall.*"

**Shellfall**: "*Dapplestar!*"

**Narrator**: "*Screaming her name over and over, he extends a paw, trying to reach beyond the flames.*"
**Shimmerwing**: "*Shellfall!*"
**Narrator**: "*Shimmerwing yells, dragging him back bodily.*"
**Shellfall**: "*Let go of me! Dapplestar's in there!*"
**Shimmerwing**: "*...Dapplestar is no more.*"
**Shellfall**: "*What are you talking about? She's right there-*"
**Narrator**: "*With eyes wild and bewildered, Shellfall looks back into the flames. With a whoosh and a crack, another branch comes hurtling down... and Dapplestar vanishes into the depths of the inferno.*"
**Shellfall**: "*Dapplestar!*"
**Narrator**: "*He hollers until his voice breaks, but to no avail. The space in which Dapplestar stood a minute ago no longer exists.*"
**Shellfall**: "*Why?!*"
**Narrator**: "*Shellfall turns and slams Shimmerwing roughly into the ground, pinning her down.*"
**Shellfall**: "*What have you done?! Why didn't you stop this?!*"

**Narrator**: "*Shimmerwing flinches as if each enraged shout is a physical strike against her body.*"
**Shelfall**: "*You were the closest to her of any of us! Tell me why! How could you?!*"
**Shimmerwing**: "*Because... I was the closest.*"
**Narrator**: "*Shimmerwing answers solemnly. Her expression, her voice... all of it contains a cool sense of composure completely at odds with the punishing heat around them.*"

—Shimmerwing and Shellfall about Dapplestar

**Shimmerwing**: "*So you have come to ask, have you?*"

**Shellfall**: "*What?*"

**Shimmerwing**: "*Is there nothing you wish to know of me?*"

**Shellfall**: "*What made you do it? You were Dapplestar's most loyal cat. So why, at the time, did you...*"
**Shimmerwing**: "*It was faith.*"
**Shellfall**: "*Is that all? There's nothing else you want to say, then.*"
**Shimmerwing**: "*That is the only answer I have to give.*"
**Shellfall**: "*I see. And yet, I still want you to live.*"

—Shimmerwing and Shellfall

**Narrator**: "*Shellfall’s lungs heave as he pulls his teeth away from the throat of a dead RiverClan warrior. His impatience at Shimmerwing’s forces is growing intense; they hold their ground no matter how hard he pushes.*"

**Shellfall**: "*Why...?*"

**Narrator**: "*Shellfall’s forces are throwing their full military might behind this, not to mention the rain which will be a massive drain on energy. Yet he has no sense that Shimmerwing is about to order a retreat.*"

**Shellfall**: "*Please pull back.*"
**Narrator**: "*He had no intention of killing Shimmerwing from the start. Not if it was faith that caused her to abandon Dapplestar in the flames. If there is no way for them to defy the turbulent times that they are caught up in...*"
**Shellfall**: "*This is all I can do.*"
**Narrator**: "*By raising an army in the name of ‘vengeance’, he can keep other warriors in check… and while he does this, he is able to protect Shimmerwing from the impending threats all around her.*"
**Shellfall**: "*I am not aiming for your life.*"
**Narrator**: "*Using the rain to their advantage, the warriors make their onslaught against Shimmerwing even more incessantly than before.*"
**Shellfall**: "*So, please, I beg of you...*"
**Narrator**: "*His plea vanishes into the din, somewhere below the rallying cry of the troops and their boosted morale.*"

—Shellfall facing Shimmerwing in battle

**Narrator**: "*By some inexplicable force of will, Shellfall drives warrior after warrior as they seek to cut him down. An enemy warrior wobbles, paws dragged down by the squelching mud. He runs her teeth straight into his neck. His body is at its limit already. Thrust, slash, kill, repeat - their numbers never dwindle, while his own injuries multiply.* At this rate I’ll... *He issues orders to his forces, impatience riding, charging forth alongside the vanguard. Despite the disadvantages they face in circumstance and sheer numbers, they have been fighting the good fight thus far. Just then... the morale of Shimmerwing’s army seems to surge.*"

**Icepaw**: "*Shellfall! Swiftcloud-*"

**Narrator**: "*Shellfall stares at Icepaw, and looks up. Through the veil of the rain, it is clear that Shimmerwing has found a second wind and is bearing down on them.*"

—The arrival of Shimmerwing's new forces

**Narrator**: "*With adversaries closing in from every angle, Shellfall readies his stance and begins hacking away with renewed vigor.* I cannot die here! I cannot! *In his periphery, Shellfall sees his blood soaked warriors, still fighting.* We need to go home. *One, more, two more of the enemy down. Shellfall keeps going, moving ever forward. Suddenly, Shellfall leaps back as a sudden cry reaches his ears.*"

**Rippleheart**: "*Swiftcloud has betrayed us! She brought ShadowClan, ThunderClan, and WindClan on their way as reinforcements!*"

**Shellfall**: "*This is what we’ve come to and there are reinforcements coming?*"

**Narrator**: "*A scout jogs over to him as Shellfall waxes philosophical on the subject. Runningflame is looking rather grim as he bows his head.*"
**Rippleheart**: "*Shellfall... Swiftcloud has betrayed you and has gathered warriors from WindClan, ThunderClan, and ShadowClan. They are serving as reinforcements for Shimmerwing, and are heading right towards us.*"
**Narrator**: "*Though they kill and they kill and they kill, Shellfall’s warriors are growing exhausted under the limitless energy of the enemy. To make things worse, there is no one Shellfall can call upon to give them a boost of their own. There are no reserves.*"
**Shellfall**: "*Very well.*"
**Narrator**: "*Those words leave Shellfall on a heavy sigh. He calls a retreat for those who still retain their lives. The downpour only picks up in strength, washing down over the blank expressions of dead bodies left littering the battlefield.*"

—The final battle

"*When they enter RiverClan’s deserted camp, less than half of Shellfall’s forces remain. He beholds how exhausted they are, how they have been pushed to their very limits.* I have not come out unscathed, either. *Shellfall’s body aches with every breath he takes by the time he manages to stagger to all four paws.* So this is it... *A depressing sense of defeat hangs in the air as they hold up in RiverClan’s camp walls. This is the answer Shellfall has received for these turbulent times.* So this camp is what greets me in my final moments, is it? *The instant he perceives the truth, there in the corner of his mind, all the chaos fades away. There is only one clarity.* If someone must die here, let it only be me. *He had to find a way to set his loyal warriors free. He does not know how much of the situation Shimmerwing had already predicted… but it is a different story altogether if Swiftcloud had gathered ShadowClan, ThunderClan, and WindClan’s contingent to come.* My forces are not the one to flee in terror. They will resist. *Knowing their pursuers may be close at hand, Shellfall doubts he will be able to postpone the inevitable for long.*"
—Narrator

**Shellfall**: "*I want you all to surrender.*"

**Icepaw**: "*But what of you, Shellfall?*"

**Shellfall**: "*This is the end of my vengeance. I will not have my warriors follow me into death. Seek protection from Shimmerwing. I do not think you will come to harm in her paws. Hurry. Before Swiftcloud, ShadowClan, ThunderClan, and WindClan reach you.*"

**Rippleheart**: "*But I... no! I will not surrender and leave you here, Shellfall! I could never!*"
**Shellfall**: "*I have no intention of dying with you all.*"
**Icepaw**: "*Then you intend to die alone? Shellfall... We've still got some fight left in us.*"
**Narrator**: "*Cats who were unable to move are now on their paws, their claws unsheathed.*"
**Rippleheart**: "*We will charge into the fray again.*"
**Icepaw**: "*So please... do not say you will die alone. Your forces will not be destroyed as long as we have you.*"
**Narrator**: "*Shellfall can tell that they have been pushed past their own limits, standing through nothing more than sheer will power. And yet they are still trying to defend him.* How did I come to be surrounded by such excellent warriors?'**"**
**Rippleheart**: "*Go on, Shellfall.*"
**Narrator**: "*Shellfall’s eyes widen. But he understands Rippleheart's intentions.* I cannot die here. *A tuft of fur that had fallen from Shellfall’s shoulders lays on the ground. Shellfall picks up the mottled bunch.*"
**Shellfall**: "*Give this to Shimmerwing.*"
**Rippleheart**: "*I will.*"
**Narrator**: "*They all pour out of the glade against the backdrop of night. There is nothing to be anxious over.*"
**Icepaw**: "*Please be careful, Shellfall.*"
**Shellfall**: "*Thank you all. Be safe. Fight for RiverClan. Live the life of glory you have always wanted to. And... to everyone who lost their lives... I am sorry.*"
**Narrator**: "*He looks around all their faces one last time. Their eyes glitter with hope and fierce determination.* They’ll be all right. They have to be. *Then, Shellfall disappears under the cloak of the night.*"

—Shellfall and his troops

**Shellfall**: "*Not only will we lose the battle, we will lose all of our lives...*"

**Rippleheart**: "*Lose our lives? How do you expect to win with talk like that? There are times when a warrior must press on, even when he knows he is against all the odds.*"

**Shellfall**: "*We're all tired... the lives you should be focusing on... are the lives that are still here...*"

—Shellfall and Rippleheart

"*I told Dapplestar I’d follow her into death… so… I’m happy…*"
—Shellfall's last thoughts