Arc 1 - Shifting Ties

The first Arc of the RP itself. This page is a brief overview of what took place, with a few important sub-plots as well.

Key:

DuC - DuneClan ~ DeC - DeltaClan ~ MC - MeadowClan ~ RC - RockClan ~ CC - CoastClan

## Key Characters

Dunestar - DuC Leader (Snow)

Emeraldstar - DeC Leader (Iru)

Featherstar - MC Leader (King)

Jaggedstar - RC Leader (Blue)

Creststar - CC Leader (Miami)

Papyrusreed - DuC Med. Cat (Snow)

Magpiekit, Jaykit, Ravenkit, Rookkit, Jackdawkit, Heronkit - MC Kits (Iru, Miami, King, Snow, Snow, Blue)

Brackendust - CC Elder (King)

Penguinfeather - CC Sea Walker (Iru)

Minnowpaw/ripple - CC Medicine Cat Apprentice (Blue)

Puddlepaw/pounce - CC Apprentice/Warrior (Miami)

Chimera ‘Boss’ - Rogue Leader (Inu)

Ashlight - RC Warrior (Miami)

## The First Meet

The five Clans were young. Leaderships had only recently been established, and rules were still being made.

The Leaders, Dunestar of DuneClan, Emeraldstar of DeltaClan, Featherstar of MeadowClan, Jaggedstar of RockClan and Creststar of CoastClan met beside the river one night to lay down the foundations of the code that would apply to all the clans, but tensions ran high.

Emeraldstar, the last leader to be named, was keen to have her opinions heard. Creststar was young, having only been made a full warrior within the last two moons, and she was anxious about whether she truly belonged there. Dunestar only had his own Clan in mind. Featherstar and Jaggedstar were both level headed, and were keen to make sure peace is maintained among the Clans.

Emeraldstar, however, took offence at Dunestar’s brusque nature, and left before a full code was established. Resigned, the other leaders withdrew to their territories.

## The Moon Island

Not long after this, Emeraldstar found herself in the neutral meadows between the clans, pondering on the events of the meeting. While out, she met Papyrusreed, the DuneClan head medicine cat and Dunestar’s sister. Despite her feelings for the DuneClan leader, the DeltaClan leader found herself enamoured with the medicine cat, and Papyrusreed is blunt in her eager reciprocation of feelings.

While out together, they stumbled upon a bridge near the river that leads to an island, and both cats realised that this is an ideal place for the Clans to meet in the future.

> "Wow.... This place is so pretty!" Papyrusreed gasped, suddenly distracted by the island's beauty as she looked around. "Reminds me of Emerladstar..."
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> The island was covered in wildflowers, all brilliant colors, as well as other foliage such as few bushes.
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> It was quite the site.
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> TheShaddowedSnow, Shifting Ties - A Warriors' RP

With this discovery, the leaders once again convene. This meeting proved more productive, and a form of code was established, as well as the role of Mediators in the Clans.

## The MoonTree

MeadowClan is a family. The youngest members of said family were slightly chaotic to say the least. Their mother, Quailrunner, had her paws full with Magpiekit, Ravenkit, Jaykit, Jackdawkit and Rookkit, not to mention the arrival of Heronkit, a younger, motherless kit MeadowClan adopted.

Rookkit and Ravenkit were rather calm and collected, with Rookkit having aspirations of one day being a medicine cat. Jaykit and Magpiekit were less so, often engaging in a friendly rivalry in which Jackdawkit was eager to join. This dynamic sometimes led the litter to split… sometimes.

When Magpiekit and Jaykit decided to go on an adventure, Jackdawkit was willing and eager to follow. Rookkit and Ravenkit were scandalised, particularly when Jaykit coerced the small Heronkit into following, and decided it was best not to leave their wayward siblings unsupervised.

The six kits soon found themselves lost on RockClan territory and sought shelter in a cave, within which they discovered a large crystalline tree. Magpiekit, Jaykit and Jackdawkit were thrilled yet tired, while Rookkit was entranced. There is something about the tree that he couldn’t shake… as if it were calling to him.

While they slept, Rookkit was told that the tree is of great importance, a direct line to the Ancestors that Leaders and Medicine Cats can use. Before waking, he also received an ominous warning: look after Jackdawkit.

Once awake, Jaykit and Jackdawkit were keen to explore and play around the ‘tree’s’ roots, while Ravenkit and Rookkit were anxious that they should leave to find help.

An accident occured. Jaykit and Jackdawkit’s playing goes wrong when Jaykit pounced on her brother, landing on him at an unfortunate angle, resulting in the young tom’s jaw breaking. Fortunately, they soon found help in the form of a RockClan patrol, and were reunited with their leader, then their Clan.

It was not long before the Leaders convened at the tree to receive the blessing of 9 lives from the Ancestors. All but one…

## The CoastClan Rebellion

Creststar was named leader on the word of Brackendust, the only elder of the Clan and the one who had been the de facto leader since the Clan’s founding. He claimed to have seen a sign from the Ancestors, the crest of a wave gilded by the light of the setting sun, and decided it referred to Crestrunner, a very young, recently made Warrior (being only 14moons old).

The Clan was shocked, but most trusted in Brackendust’s judgement, and decided to overlook Creststar’s youth. A small faction, however, did not agree.

Penguinfeather was a newly made Sea Walker, four full seasons older than her new leader, and her ambition had always been clear. At first, she was furious that someone so much younger than she had been given the leadership and was sure the sign had been misinterpreted, and that it was Sunsetclaw that should be Leader. This sentiment didn’t last.

Penguinfeather gained support, and she soon decided that she could save her Clan from the misguidance of Brackendust and the ineptitude of Creststar. At first, she simply tried to delay Creststar from receiving her lives from the Ancestors by reporting ‘accidents’ that happened to her Clanmates. The young leader, terrified of being judged and rejected by the Ancestors, readily accepts any excuse to delay.

Soon, though, Penguinfeather grew impatient. She sent Minnowpaw, the medicine cat apprentice, to the MoonTree on the pretense of being sure of the Ancestors’ intent, only to report to the Clan that the young cat was snatched away by an unnaturally large bird. The black and white she-cat claimed it as a sign that the Ancestors were displeased with CoastClan for having Creststar as leader, and even goes so far as to voice her opinions at a Clan Gathering.

Events began to escalate when Penguinfeather settled on a new plan. In an attempt to undermine Crestsar’s leadership in the eyes of the other Clans, she turns to her youngest follower, Puddlepaw, to help her enact her plan.

Puddlepaw is enamoured by Penguinfeather, and is willing to do anything for the older she-cat. Penguinfeather tells the apprentice that she saw Creststar conversing with Papyrusreed, and that she is sure that Creststar was plotting with DuneClan. Puddlepaw agreed to confront the DuneClan medicine cat to try and determine the truth.

The encounter did not go as planned. Despite being much larger than the apprentice, Papyrusreed did not fight back. Puddlepaw underestimated her own abilities, and the medicine cat was killed. Horrified by her own actions, Puddlepaw cleaned herself up and returned to Penguinfeather. The older cat reassured Puddlepaw that she had acted in the best interests of CoastClan, but this did little to assuage her guilt when Dunestar and Emeraldstar both threatened CoastClan with war unless the murderer is found.

Tensions within the Clan reached breaking point when Creststar tried naming a warrior, Seashell, an official Sea Walker. The she-cat rejected the ceremony, claiming that Creststar was no leader to her and that she had brought nothing but ill luck to their Clan.

> "I refuse to have this ceremony held by a false leader," Seashell snarled. "You're a weak, pathetic cat who only got leadership because Brackendust favors you! Penguinfeather is right though, your leadership has only cursed us!"
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> (Penguinfeather) hid her surprise at Seashell's words, and slowly stood up, padding forwards. "You know, CoastClan? I think we have been lead by a blind fool for too long."
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> "It's time someone capable becomes leader." She scanned the crowd, a fire as cold as light from the stars glowing in her eyes.
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> Waveshine stood with them. "We have had our future far too jeopardised with Crest leading, we need someone who will not doom us to destruction!"
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> TheShaddowedSnow, IrusanW4 and Bluegem, Shifting Ties - A Warriors' RP

Penguinfeather seized her opportunity and attacked. Creststar and those loyal to her fled, leaving with many injured including Creststar herself.

Those who fled sought refuge in MeadowClan, where Featherstar welcomed them.

Creststar, once she had recovered slightly from her wounds, left her Clanmates in the capable paws of Featherstar without telling anyone.

The cats who remained in CoastClan follow Penguinfeather loyally; though Penguinfeather herself feared retaliation from the other Clans. Once again she called on Puddlepaw, who she had named Puddlepounce in an unconventional naming ceremony. She ordersed her to ‘deal with’ Jewelpaw, an unusual DuneClan medicine cat apprentice and the adopted daughter of Papyrusreed and Emeraldstar. Her hope in this plan was to unsteady her uncle, Dunestar, and her mother Emeraldstar.

Puddlepounce, still traumatised by her experience with Papyrusreed, defied her orders. Rather than kill the unusual young cat, she told her to go into hiding and that Dunestar is to tell all others that Jewelpaw is, in fact, dead.

With the other Clans growing increasingly concerned with Penguinfeather’s ambition, Dunestar summoned the leaders to meet and discuss the issue.

While ‘missing’, Creststar took herself to the MoonTree. She was desperate to know the Ancestors’ wishes, but scared of what they might say about her failure to stop Penguinfeather’s rise. Creststar was shocked to discover Minnowpaw was alive and well, living at the MoonTree. Minnowpaw, in turn, was dismayed to learn of Penguinfeather’s actions. She urged the young leader on, and both turned to the MoonTree where Creststar finally received her 9 lives.

The leaders, once Creststar was found, decided to give Penguinfeather one last chance to surrender, primarily at Creststar’s insistence.

Penguinfeather, aware of the threat the other Clans posed to her new regime, enlisted the help of a large group of rogues from the mountains led by a cat named Chimera, though his followers refered to him simply as ‘Boss’. In order to prove themselves worthy of their help, Penguinfeather offered up Puddlepounce as a challenger to one of Chimera’s cats.

Once again, Puddlepounce lost herself in her panic and killed her challenger, Bat. This, however, sealed the respect of the rogues, and Penguinfeather and Chimera finalised their plans in regards to neutralizing the threat from the other Clans.

Viewing RockClan as problematic to her plans with them aiding MeadowClan’s protection of CoastClan, Penguinfeather decided to target them first.

Once plans were established, Penguinfeather and Chimera led their cats to RockClan territory. On the border they stumbled upon a small RockClan patrol composed of two apprentices and two warriors. One of the warriors, Ashlight, went to investigate when they caught the scent of the intruders and was quickly pinned by Penguinfeather.

Ashlight, being mute, was unable to call for help, or ward off Barkpaw as he came looking for her. Barkpaw was easily caught by Puddlepounce, who held him down in a way which made it difficult for him to breathe. When she released him (not wanting to suffocate him), Penguinfeather scolded her, making Puddlepounce flinch awkwardly, all her weight falling on the apprentice’s neck, breaking it.

Enraged, Ashlight took her chance when she was released to attack Penguinfeahter. Blinded by grief and fury Penguinfeather was quick to ground her, leaving the RockClan warrior severely injured and half blind.

Desperate and distraught, Ashlight staggered home, inadvertently leading Penguinfeather and Chimera straight to the RockClan camp. A short battle ensued, after which Ashlight and Belladonna, Jaggedstar’s mate, were seized and held with claws at their throats.

RockClan surrendered, irate and frustrated at their loss. Penguinfeather was quick to annex the Clan.

When confronted at the DuneClan border by the DuneClan leader, Penguinfeather revealed that she and her cats had taken RockClan. Dunestar, furious, demanded Penguinfeather submit to justice for the murder of his sister. Rather than do this, she decides on a different course of action.

The black and white she-cat pushes Puddlepounce forward, telling Dunestar exactly what happened.

While Dunestar seemingly holds no hard feelings towards the young grey she-cat, Puddlepounce is panicked. Fearing how she will be treated, she confronts Penguinfeather, stating that she had fought and killed for her.

After Penguinfeather dismissed her as nothing but weak, Puddlepounce snapped and attacked her idol. For a while, the pair were evenly matched, but Penguinfeather bested her eventually. Leaving the young she-cat a crumpled mess at Dunestar’s, she led her patrol back into RockClan territory.

The brutal takeover sent shockwaves through the other Clans, and Creststar knew that there was nothing left to do but fight. CoastClan, MeadowClan, DuneClan and DeltaClan gathered together, preparing to raid and free RockClan.

Penguinfeather’s forces, however, caught wind of the Clans gathering, and rather than allowing them to attack, she and Chimera rallied their own cats. They arrived in the field where the Clans had gathered, near a large Canyon through the mountains.

Upon noticing that they were no longer alone, the Clan leaders drew up the battle lines.

It didn’t take long for the battle to erupt.

Penguinfeather didn’t get far before she was confronted by a young CoastClan apprentice, Shellpaw, who had once been her own apprentice. He tried in vain to get her to stop the fight, before she then tried to slaughter the young tom.

Seeing this, Creststar is enraged and throws herself at Penguinfeather. The two fight for a moment, before Creststar gives her one last chance to leave. The CoastClan leader sheathed her claws and steps back, but Penguinfeather simply took advantage of her enemy’s position.

Pinned, Creststar simply watched in forlorn regret as her once best friend slashed her throat.

With that, Creststar lost her first life, and Penguinfeather thought herself victorious.

> "Nothing is worth this, Penguinfeather. Back down, and we'll let you leave the territories!" Creststar half pleaded, backing away slightly from her old friend as she sheathed her claws.
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> "No more blood needs to be shed for your ego."
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> Penguinfeather lifted her tail tip just a tad, debating replying for a couple heartbeats, then flung herself forwards. She slammed her weight into her foe, pinning Crestrunner. She raised one paw above her head, slid her claws out to their greatest extent, and slammed it down, tearing open Crestrunner's throat.
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> An instant later, her hated enemy, best friend, and first ally had begun to pour her life on the earth beneath them.
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> Miami and IrusanW4, Shifting Ties - A Warriors' RP

The battle raged on, and Creststar soon recovered. Seeing her resurrection, Penguinfeather is horrified, having been so sure that the Ancestors would never have accepted the young she-cat as leader.

One last confrontation between the two rivals, and Penguinfeather fled towards the canyon, her entire worldview changed.

Noticing that their leader had abandoned them, the rebels also began to flee, including Chimera’s rogues.

Chimera, who had been fighting with Timbercreek (the two having a history), is slain.

## Epilogue

A storm had been raging during the battle, making the walls of the canyon unstable.

As Penguinfeather fled, the rocks from the canyon wall began to collapse around her. She didn’t make it out the other end in time, and the black and white she-cat was crushed, but not killed.

She managed to drag her broken body from the wreckage of the landslide, only to be met with a young grey she-cat talking to herself.

Puddlepounce hadn’t been herself since Penguinfeather’s betrayal, and had been haunted by the thought of those she had killed. Papyrusreed in particular had been at the forefront of her thoughts… and her spirit had been trying to reach out to the distraught cat.

Having followed the spirit from the DuneClan medicine cat den, she came across Penguinfeather.

After some deliberation, she slashed out at the black and white cat, putting her out of her misery.