Shadowstorm's Peril

First topic message reminder :

[I was reading Halt's Peril the book and I came up with this RPG!]

Shadowstorm slid furtively through the undergrowth. He was far away from the clan area in a forest and plain area. He was sent by Icestar to pursue assassins that had nearly infiltrated the ShadowClan camp. Shadowstorm trudged along in the forest. He heard a crack and whirled around. He saw a cat and the world went black.

Shadowstorm had not returned to camp in a week.

[So SAVE ME!!!!!]

[To any clan out there other than shadowclan, you can be the helping clan or the clan that tries...to uh, eat me. No, dragonclaw, you can't eat me again .]

Emberheart nodded and slid up to Darkstar. "(can I change the name?) Berrytail is ready to go," she meowed. "good," Darkstar declared. "We're moving out. Let's go!"

"Hurry up, Reedpaw!" Echosong called to her apprentice. "You haven't dropped that leaf packet, have you?" A ginger tabby she-cat with gleaming green eyes slid up. "Not yet," she mumbled. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, then clouded again as she gazed around the shadowClan camp.

Honeytounge was now getting close to Shadowclan’s Camp. He could smell not only Shadowclan cats, but Riverclan, Awesomeclan, and even the newly formed Fireclan as well.

“Makes sense.” He noted to himself (this time in his head). “Riverclan is allies with Shadowclan, and both Awesomeclan and Fireclan have former Shadowclan-members. Just like the prophecy said. No sign of Windclan though, I wonder if they will join the other clans, or side with Thunderclan and Iceclan, or choose to remain neutral? Well, I guess that’s up to Lotus-star to decide.”

Suddenly Honeytounge stopped in his tracks! Something was following him; he could sense its presence coming nearer and nearer. And yet, there was something familiar about it. Could it be? Impossible…but then again it seemed so. He decided to find out.

“Kali?” he mewed out towards the countless pine trees behind him.

“Here little brother”, a voice that rumbled deep with sweet-soothing joy called back.

A burst of happiness began to overwhelm Honeytounge as he dashed to the voice’s location. Trying to pant and purr at the same time while he walked up to a nearby large white pine. The light of the setting Sun revealed nothing, save something long and black dangling down from one of the branches.

“Found you!” Honeytounge said in playful amusement.

“As always” the voice replied in return.

A large black figure began to move in the branches, and then silently descend from the other side of the tree. The light revealed a panther with emerald-green eyes striding gracefully towards Honeytounge.

Darkstar and her Clan padded into ShadowClan camp. She was worried. What was Icestar going to do?

Blossomheart prodded Sunfall. "Tell CheeseSTar I'm going outside for a few minutes. I'm tired of just standing like a statue here." Sunfall nodded and Blossomheart slid out of camp, heading into the pine forest. Monkeystar.... The blood-thirsty leader...Huh. , Blossomheart kicked at stone with her paw, sending it flying. Suddenly, she stiffened. What was that unfamiliar smell? It smelled dimly of cat, yet it had a wilder, stranger scent to it. Creeping forward she rounded a bramble bush and froze. "Panther!" she cried in horror.

Terror froze Blossomheart in place, her amber eyes wide and unsheathed claws twitching. Her tail flicked slightly and she managed to move into a attack crouch. Yowling a battle cry, she prepared to launch herself forward.

CheeseStar wrote:CheeseStar led her team of cats down to the ShadowClan border, and they met up with a RiverClan patrol. "We've decided to side with you," CheeseStar announced. "Monkeystar is at a huge disadvantage because of the four Clans that are opposing him."
Altogether, the cats set out for ShadowClan's camp. When they reached the entrance, they were greeted by a tense atmosphere. An apprentice, probably to Crystaldance, slid past the cats with a bundle of herbs.

"Aha, WindClan has arrived. Shuriken? Let them in to the fortress?"

Lotus-star followed her warriors into the drafty fortress. There was Fernleaf, Sagedapple, and Owlflight made up her highest ranking Warriors. "We're ready," said Lotus-star.

"Monkeystar, what's the situation?" asked Owlflight

Owlflight wrote:"Monkeystar, what's the situation?" asked Owlflight

"Icestar, Brightstar, and possibly CheeseStar have formed an alliance against us. They also have a couple of loners and rogues. But we're fighting rather defensively. Once they are here, their only camp up in the mountains is outside. There are no caves or shelter nearby. There is no way to get into the Fortress unless we allow them... which we will - I'll tell you more about the plan later. Or perhaps you should ask Monkeystar himself." With that, Shuriken turned around and left.

Desertclaw watched Shadowstorm. The poison was weakening him by the day. Plus it was cold down in the dungeon. Desertclaw went to get the ShadowClan deputy a blanket.

<wow that took a long time to read>

Icewing was out in the snow. The harsh wind froze him and the ice whipped and stabbed at his pelt. But at least he was camouflaged. Shuriken sent him on a scouting mission to see the enemy movement. Icewing was surprised. The enemy alliance hadn't even gone to the base of the mountains. "Has one of the Clans delayed?" He hurried back to report to Shuriken.

~hi Icewing... IceClan is an all-male clan. o.o ~
(( can't we like, not do anything until Icestar comes on? ))
"WindClan has sided with ThunderClan and IceClan," CheeseStar mewed to the other leaders. "They have more warriors now."
WindClan could be a problem. They were fast. But SHadowClan was stealthy, although they consisted of mostly dark-pelted cats.

Darkstar eyed CheeseStar. "What is Icestar waiting for?" she asked impatiently. "For all we know, Shadowstorm could be dead by the time we run up the mountain through the freezing snow." she eyed the leader's den irritably.

~We should god-mod Icestar. This is getting nowhere.~

~she hates being god-modded she said though. but... i'm pretty sure she would go into battle. what other solutions/things to do are there? i say we fight. or, the other clans can fight while ShadowClan are reinforcements, so Icestar will still have control of the clan. members of ShadowClan who want to do something, you are free to join the fight, i guess. ~

~we could say Icestar got injured while hunting. She had to stay behind...... Silversong or Cloudsplash or someone is in charge of ShadowClan while they're tracking Shadowstorm. Icestar catches up later. And the rest of us leaves her back at camp with Crystaldance's apprentice, say, it's Pinepaw. Crystaldance comes with us on the journey.~

"It's so good to see you again!" Honeytongue purred as he rubbed and licked his adopted litter-mate. "I'm still amazed that you were able to follow me this far from Lakshmi Valley."

"Well it wasn't easy." Kali spoke between licks. "If Tigresspool hadn't received the prophecy after you left, we wouldn't of had even a prayer of catching up."

"Wait a minute." Honeytongue paused to look up at the panther. "We?"

"Hey Madhu!" an excited voice yipped from the same tree Kali had been.

Honeytonge had only enough time to look up and get out of the way, as a small Gray Fox came diving down right in front of him!

"Speckleback!" Kali softly scolded at the young vixen. "Be more careful next time."

"Sorry Kali. I just wanted to show Madhurasna my Attack Drop."

"Wow, Speckleback? I remember when you were just a kit! I guess you must be Kali's apprentice now?"

"Yes, I am." Speckleback answered with pride beaming around her.

"Well that's great to hear! Congratulations, to both of you." Then looking back up at Kali with a smug he asked. "So how's that going?"

"Pretty good. She's an excellent learner, and is always improving her hunting and battle skills. Though sometimes she can be a little overenthusiastic, and often has to be reminded that I'm her mentor, not Mangostep." With those last few words, she turned to her apprentice (who was trying to appear rather innocent).

"So Mangostep is stealing the attention of your apprentice is he?" Honeytongue mrrrowed teasingly.

"He tries, that mischievous Macaque." growled Kali with annoyance. "I...Speckleback, try not to scratch while carrying the bag will you."

Only now did Honeytongue notice the tiny bag Speckleback wore around her neck. As he took a closer look at it, his eyes began to widen.

"Is that...?"

"Tigresspool's magic travel-bag, yes." Kali answered with a nod.

"We've been using it to carry Everything!" Speckleback added. Finished scratching, she now began to leap around between the two of them. "Food, healing herbs, weapons, ooh, and even your sitar Madhu!I missed hearing you play those incredible ragas. Could you do some for me? Please!"

"[sigh] Maybe some other time Speckleback." Honeytongue purred. "Right now..."

"Panther!" cried a voice from a bramble bush. It sounded like Blossomheart.

"Oh no!" Honeytongue spoke in dreadful realization. He'd been so happy to see Kali, he forgotten how close they were to ShodowClan camp!

"Madhu?" Kali said with concern.

"Just stay here! I'll handle this!" And with that he bounded off to where they had heard Blossomheart.

"What's happening Kali?" Speckleback asked her mentor .

Using her tail to bring the young fox near her, Kali lied down so she could be at eyes-level with her apprentice.

"Stick close to me, everything will be fine." In a reassuring voice she continued. "Madhu is going to explain to the clan warriors that we're not a threat, and have come here to help them." Then she paused and seemed to be remembering something (dark and terrifying) from long ago. "But if things should go wrong, you must quickly climb back up the tree as high as you can. And remain there until I tell you it's safe. Do you understand me?"

"But I..." the fox tried to protest.

"Speckleback!" said Kali in a stern growl. Her eyes hardened like two jade-stones.

"OK, I will." Speckleback promised.

"Good...[sigh]Let's just hope it doesn't come to that."

~Honeytongue! Your post was so long-but it's also interesting. I hope your friends don't get killed...~

Hazeldust was nervous. WindClan never sided with anyone-they always stood neutral. But if they sided with IceClan and ThunderClan now, they must be certain that the combined powers of ShadowClan, RiverClan, AwesomeClan, FireClan, and many loners wouldn't stand against IceClan and ThunderClan.

Hazeldust shivered at that thought-then the opposing clans must be ultimately powerful. Which wouldn't be good.

The cats of the clans siding with ShadowClan were all edgy-Shadowstorm might be dying, and they still haven't started out to find IceClan's fortress. And many would fall ill on the way-and death was a probable factor as well. Hazeldust groaned to herself. Why did Monkeystar want so much territory? His clan had looked healthy enough at the last Gathering...

Perhaps someone should go reason with him. Just a couple of cats that wouldn't look too much like a battle force. And perhaps talk to Shadowstorm if he had heard anything as a prisoner. And if they wouldn't agree to let Shadowstorm go, then they would have to fight. Tired with sleeplessness for the past few nights, Hazeldust padded to CheeseStar's den to tell her of her idea.

~Hazeldust and everyone else who has commented, Thanks!~

The last thing Honeytongue wanted to see was warriors from four clans come swarming to attack Kali and Speckleback! There was no need for anyone (on either side) to die! As he neared the bramble bush, he began to yell "Blossomheart, Wait!", but his words were soon drowned under the yowling battle-cry of the Awesomeclan warrior. He had just enough time to see the Tortoiseshell and white she-cat rushing forward!

Blossomheart yelped as she saw Honeytounge. She realized that if she landed where her leap was taking her, she would knock Honeytounge straight over. Attempting to skid to stop, she tripped and fell over on her back. "Great." she sighed. Scrambling to her paws, she blinked at Honeytounge, her head cocked to one side. "Can't you see there's a panther?"

~ I wonder what's going to happen now? ~

Brightstar pricked her ears when she heard a furious battle yowl, almost drowning out a desperate cry, "Blossomheart, wait!" Spinning around, she bounded out of the entrance barrier and up the route the AwesomeClan warrior had taken. Skidding around the corner, she almost ran into Honeytounge. "Great StarClan!" She skidded to a stop and eyed the two cats. "What in the name of StarClan are you two doing?" she demanded. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see a small grey fox and a jet-black panther sitting farther into the trees, but she ignored them. Logic, quick reasoning, and a good bit of common-sense came with being a leader, Brightstar thought, glancing at a ruffled Blossomheart. If Honeytounge wasn't worried or frightened of the two strange animals, surely she did't have to worry either?

blossomheart glanced at Brightstar. "Er, hi. I, um, thought I saw a hostile panther, and almost attacked it.... but...Honeytongue stopped me for some reason..."

Honeytounge watched as Blossomheart tried to stop herself from leaping at her Loner friend, causing her to trip and fall on her back.

"Thank StarClan". he panted under his breath, at least he didn't have to restrain her himself.

"Can't you see there's a panther?" the ruffled she-cat said, looking at Honeytongue with a confused expression.

Just as Honeytongue was about to answer her... "Great StarClan!" came another voice from the other corner of the bramble bush. He turned to see Brightstar running at his side-flank! He leaped aside with lightning agility to get out of her way. Luckily though, the RiverClan Leader had enough control to skid to a complete halt.
While demanding to know what was going on, Honeytongue noticed her eying at Kali and Speckleback, but she did not seemed threatened by their presence.

That's a good sign Honeytounge thought. "Greetings Brightstar." he began courteously. "Allow me to explain everything." And so he told the entire story to the two clan cats.

Blossomheart tilted her head, bemused. "So your foster brother is a panther? A grey fox is a panther's apprentice? Now i'm confused." She sat back, frowning slightly.

Brightstar nodded slowly. "I think I understand," she meowed quietly. "You've come from a.... mystical land, kind of." She blinked slowly. "Blossomheart, why don't you go back to ShadowClan camp to warn the leaders about Kali and Speckleback? Providing that everybody stays calm enough, we'll be able to bring those two into camp."

"Is everything alright now?" Speckleback asked anxiously.

"Patience young one." Kali hushed the apprentice fox, then returning to gaze at Madhurasna talking to the other cats. "We shall soon find out."