>> celestialclan t e r r a <<

[LYNX ♥]

CelestialClan is a semi-large territory, and strategecally placed, too. For CelestialClan is located within a lush, thriving forest full of prey and life, but it is along the mountainside, therefor a steep slant all the way to the glacier, and ZephyrClan. Most cats either use ancient dug out tunnels full of glowing stones to guide them through the territory, or use the trees, though some with expertise balance can walk along the forest floor.

[MiNTY♥]

A lone silver striped figure slipped through the moonlit forest, heading up the slope towards the more flat terrain of Celestialclan territory. The moon was almost full in the sky, it would not be long before the next gathering would be held under the stars. The clans were only just getting over those disgusting blood thirsty wanderers that no longer haunted the forest. If only she could have killed that large black one, she would have given anything to take the smug smirk from his face. Reaching a fairly bare clearing she often visited she curled up behind a large rock that offered shelter from the whispering trees. Her head came to rest upon her paws for no longer than a few seconds, before she found herself jumping to her paws in alarm. Mounting the rock the searched the darkness for the noise that had disturbed her. It sounded something along the lines of a ruthless chuckle. Her eyes grew to no more than narrow black slits, before she heard something directly behind her and whipped around. Her eyes grew wide with horror at the sight of the familiar green eyed tom in front of her. Her kissers curled back over her fangs, but before she had time to let out a yowl she felt herself falling off the rock from a blow to her side, yet the cunning tom, also known as Shard, had not moved a muscle. Then she caught site of another cat, a she-cat, with a patch of white on her chest, it could only be his snide sister.

Eclipseomen purred maliciously and stuck her claws into the leaders limp leg, "Didn't expect to see me again bitch." She sneered. Releasing her grip she danced away from Ghoststar and stood behind the leader, she would make sure Ghoststar would not leave this clearing. Alive. A snarl ripped from her throat and a stern glare from her brother told her to be quiet.

Shard cleared his throat and sat down with a last glance at Eclipseomen. He smirked down at the leader lying below him. "I thought you were a leader, aren't you supposed to act respectful at meetings? That's right sit up, defend what you think is right and all that utter crap!" He spat. He stood his muscles tensed showing off how large he really could be. His whiskers twitched smugly and he jabbed the leader with a claw. "Come on! Get up! Fight you lazy piece of fox dung! Or are you too scared? Finally realized Starclan wont be enough to save you now?" He continued in the same taunting tone.

Ghoststar lay very still, catching her breath and gathering her thoughts. She had to bite down on her tongue to prevent herself from having an outburst of word vomit. Stupid mouse brained smug piece of fox dung! She hissed through her teeth and tried to ignore all the words he spoke. Then in one quick movement she swiped his paws away from him. She truly believed she was laughing in the dace of danger itself as she could not help but let the kit like giggles come rolling out. Another dark pelted cat moved out of the shadows and leaped for her, catching the cats underbelly with her claw blood came raining down upon her pelt. Leaping to her paws to began to aim a blow at Shard, but the weight of Eclipseomen on her back distracted her. Yowling she threw the she-cat from her back. "You think you are so clever, smart, and brilliant, well I will tell you now, Shard, I am no coward, as long as I live it is my duty to protect my clan, and to do so I will destroy you." She snarled and lunged for Shard.

Eclipseomen snarled and dug her claws into the tree she had been hurled at, looking over her shoulder she watched with a furious glare as the she-cat managed to get away with all of this.

Shard moved forward and met her attack head on, he lashed out with all claws and reared up onto his hind legs, not exposing his belly for any length of time. "Keep telling yourself that little Ghoststar, but you will have to get through my friends first before you can even consider touching me." Leaping away from her claws he nodded to his two allies and grinned ruthlessly.

The dark tabby flew at the silver she cat, clawing and nipping where ever he could. Shard had chosen him to come along for a reason, to help fight, that must mean Shard saw him as a valued friend, and this was his test of true loyalty.

Ghoststar chuckled maliciously and caught the large tabby tom cat off balance. She held a paw dangerously close to his throat now. "I would not want to be in your position Shard, thats all I can say, at least I know how to treat others, I dread to think what you had in mind for him." She meowed tilting her head towards the tom she was holding down. As she felt his hind claws rake her stomach, she slid her claws deep into his throat and did not wait to watch the tom choke on his own blood. Killing was not something she enjoyed, like some sick cats, but something she did to protect her clan, her main duty as leader. She snarled. "I warned you, did you not think I could kill a cat? Did you think I was too soft? Think again." She spat, her eyes narrowing.

"Don't speak so soon little one." She snarled "You wont have to wait much longer to be a ghost." Eclipseomen did not even cast a glance in the direction of the dead cat, they had not been acquainted for long. She remembered exactly what Shard had told her, "Kill her once, then while she is losing her life, kill her again." Her fangs glistened, in battle, stealth was her best friend. She charged at the she-cat, but pulled up at the last minute, dodging behind her and clawing her hind end. Ghoststar had turned just in time to see her darting off again into the night.

The leader's breathing grew heavier than normal, everything was happening so fast, her hind end stung like nothing she had experienced before, yet she was strong, she would not give up, not if she could help it. She tossed her head up high and took a deep breath of the cool night air, it filled her lungs with a new strength. She would win this, and if she did not, she would go down as a fighter. A snarl ripped from her throat as she looked on into the night. "You want me? Come and get me Shard." She hissed. She would be ready.

Shard flicked his tail to his sister, she could wait for him to return with her, but he had to kill Ghoststar now. He would take her on, on his own. It was not as if he needed help. He was just lazy, and so the massive black tom unsheathed his claws, his eyes blazed in the silver light of the moon, and for the first time in a long time, he began to battle.

Shard drove forward meeting the large silver leader head on, but the massive black tom showed no fear, only great blood lust and ambition. The excitement was clearly making him stronger. He aimed a blow at Ghoststar's head, sending the leader off balance. Ghoststar tumbled a little and a warm liquid ran down her face, blood. The black tom swiped his tongue over his fangs before smirking. Ghoststar whipped her head up sending blood splattering across the clearing. She knew the tom was behind her, bathing in his glory. She snorted and kicked out wards with as much force as she could, she turned to smack his across his smug little maw, but he was lying in a pile at the bottom of a trunk. She laughed as his sister snarled near by. There was silence in the clearing for a long time before Shard stood back up, he spat out a mouthful of blood, and with it a valuable tooth. "You!" He snarled, and charged at Ghoststar. He ripped and slashed and bit and dodged, blood was now running from many wounds on the black cat, but many more on the silver cat. Both cats took a moment to notice the pain of their wounds, Shard fell against a nearby tree trunk, a rebellious glitter in his eyes. Ghoststar stood tall, taking a moment to catch her breath. Eclipseomen sucked in her breath and tensed her muscles. She could end it all now, but she knew Shard would never forgive her. Ghoststar stalked over to Shard, summoning the last of her strength. She knew if she killed him his sister would kill her, but she would risk it, as long as it meant one less evil cat in the world. She aimed her second last blow at Shard, her claw held high in the air, ready to witness the fear in his eyes, but instead of fear his eyes glittered and he smirked. Before she knew it she was the one lying on the ground, in a pool of her own blood. Her wounds gushed and she fought, gasping for breath. She let out an ear splitting yowl, loud enough to ring through the forest, but that screech was shortly cut off into nothing more than a pathetic squeal. Shard's fangs sank deeper and deeper into her throat, she felt the pain ebb, as Starclan joined her in the clearing.

Meanwhile Shard sank his fangs in as deep as possible and when he stood at attention again he signaled for his sister to join him. "Kill her twice, she still has another life." He hissed. Eclipseomen nodded and began tearing lumps out of the she-cat fur, more warm blood spilling everywhere, it would have been impossible for the she-cat to live now. What a gruesome sight she was. "Let us go." Shard hissed, and with that the two siblings slunk off into the night.

"Your final life has been spent dear one." A kind but chilling voice announced. Ghoststar's eyes widened in panic, "I had more than one life left!" She yowled in outrage. The surrounding cats with shining, glittering pelts all shook their heads glumly. "Not and more." The same kind voice noted. The she-cat moved towards her and layed her silver tail on the dead leader's shoulder. Ghoststar stood, unable to move. She saw her ruined body, she saw how her pelt now glowed with the stars, and most importantly she saw three cat enter the clearing where her body lay, her deputy, now leader, along with two other cats. Ghoststar gasped in anguish and dismay as she watched them. Her time as a leader had been well spent, as she watched the future leader of her clan discover her body.

Vividgrace had came as fast as she could to where she had heard all the noise coming from, flanked by Mudsplash and Nettlescreech, but it wasn't fair, she was too late. Vividgrace let out a deafening screech as she and the other two warriors ran to their leaders mangled body. She tumbled into her leaders body and pushed her nose into her wounds, her blood was still warm, the murderers were still out there. Lifting her head she glared at the darkness. "MURDERERS!" She screeched. She fell to her side and began to cry, soft tears falling down her cheeks. "We can not take her body back in this state, cats who wish to see her will need to pay their respects here." She choked out. She lay down beside her leader and rested her head on her blood stained pelt. Mudsplash joined her and Nettlescreech stood motionless.

[tranquil]

Death was the easiest thing for me to deal with. My insecurity about my work and how I could handle it was something that I needed to get over. However the fact still remained that I doubted myself and the actions I used as a Medicine Cat of Celestialclan. I preferred death in an odd morbid way. It was less to do. There was nothing that could go wrong except for the fact that we had lost a cat of our clan. I was a young thing, death was something I didn't see often...and yet it was one of my favorite things. But as an apprentice ran towards my den, calling my name...

"Deergrace! Deergrace! Ghoststar has fallen come quick!"

I knew that this was something I didn't want to deal with. Ghoststar, our leader...dead? Those words were almost impossible. A cat loosing a number of lives so quickly was a hard thing to do...though not if there were enough cats ganged up on one. My eyes went wide, my vision blurred as I felt a panic attack creep up upon my nerves. However it was quickly soothed as adrenaline rushed through my veins. Finding the thyme I stored for myself I quickly chewed a leaf, swallowing it. It would calm me further than needed. "Poppy seeds, cobwebs, marigold, burdock...thyme..." I quickly recited to myself a list of herbs I should take. Sighing I dropped them into a large leaf, folded it as best as I could with my paws and hurried off.

I tried to breath slow and steadily, though my pounding heart and the fact that I might be rushing to save my Leader's life effected that. My breathing was labored by the time I reached where three cats now stood. I found myself staring at death. I felt it's cold icy fingers wrap around my heart. I wasn't that close to Ghoststar, but none the less she was my leader. Every cat was close to her in a sense no other could understand. My pace slowed as I reached the group and found myself staring at the blood that was on the ground, still fresh and warm from my now dead leader. I set the bundle of herbs down and moved towards our Deputy....our now Leader. Pressing my nose against Vividgrace's flank. I moved beside her and rested my tail against her back. "She will have to be buried where she lays...." My voice was calm and collected. The thyme was definitely kicking in. "Vividgrace...here take this." I held a few seeds of poppy and a few thyme leaves in my paw and hopped carefully towards Vividgrace. She needed them now more than anybody. "I know this may be rushed, but you must be strong for no longer shall we call you by your Deputy name...we shall look to your for answers as Vividstar. But that can wait until tomorrow, we shall travel then to get your name. Right now...we need to summon the clan to grieve for their lost Leader and friend." My words were soft and hopefully comforting enough for the beautiful she-cat. Sighing softly I turned to Mudsplash and Nettlescreech... "If need be, take a poppy seed or thyme leaf." My words were simple enough and they should understand them. I turned back towards my once Deputy, my now Leader...and without knowing it, the starter of a great battle beyond my knowledge.

[MiNTY♥]

Vividgrace had fallen into a deep trace, everything around her appeared as one smooth blur. The noise, that she tried her hardest to block out, all merged into one low noise buzzing in the background. The night was spinning all around her, she was no longer aware of her surroundings, everything was black...too black.

A nose in her flank made her jump, being caught off guard was not something she was used to, and she was not about to start getting used to it. She was aware of Deergrace at her side. The buzzing in the background began to get louder, into something more like a quiet and concerned chatter. Some horrified yowls began to break out, but she blocked them out. Only then did she begin to hear one voice about the rest, it was no surprise it belonged to Deergrace. She chewed the poppy seeds and the thyme leaves without any complaining as she listened to Deergrace speaking beside her. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard, but how could she act as though she did not care?

It was as if it hit her like a two leg monster, tearing through her, making sure she could not escape it. She was so young, not even a year old yet, and yet she had been chosen as deputy. It was clear that Ghoststar had planned for a longer life in the forest, that she would learn how to be a real leader while being deputy. Now she was out on her own, like she had been dropped in an endless pool of water and asked to swim for her life. She shook her head abruptly, no it would not be like this.

Regretfully she took it upon her to leave Ghoststar's side for the moment. She stood at attention on all fours and looked to Deergrace. "No cat must be out of camp alone until further notice, apprentices should always be with a warrior, Ghoststar only killed one or the attackers, it is clear that there was another, maybe even another two." She said. Raising her head she looked to the star's, praying that they would be there to guide her. For a moment she could swear she heard Ghoststar speaking to her, but it was probably just her imagination.

[rowan]

Aquapaw ran up the steep slope, her breath coming faster and faster as she fought to keep going. It was difficult to keep balance on the steep ground but she just managed by pushing her claws into the undergrowth. Every step was agony for her leg muscles and her eyes were screwed up against the tall grasses and vines infront of her face. She had to keep going, had to keep going! Her mentor was busy and she might be able to help. She wanted to do what ever she could do to help her and show her that she would be a good apprentice.

As soon as she arrived Aquapaw knew she was too late. Ghoststar, her leader was laid on the floor in the middle of the cats. Her eyes widened in shock, her leader! So that meant... her eyes moved towards Vividgrace, so she was leader? Aquapaw felt sorry for her, she hadn't been deputy for long and now had to lead the clan. She was obviously saddened by the event, as would all the cats. As she had arrived, Aquapaw had seen her eating poppy seeds and thyme. Did she have nothing to do here?

"No cat must be out of camp alone until further notice, apprentices should always be with a warrior, Ghoststar only killed one or the attackers, it is clear that there was another, maybe even another two." Vividgrace had said, she already sounded like a leader.

Was Aquapaw alright to be here now? She was scared by the news of attackers to her former leader but she couldn't have felt safer around her mentor and new leader. And with Ghoststars body here StarClan would be looking down upon them. Aquapaw turned to Deergrace.

"I'm sorry I didn't make it earlier," She mumered, looking sadly at Ghoststar.

[MiNTY♥]

--> the next morning.

[raid]

Perilstar moved quickly through the lands of Tempestclan, to the border shared with Celestialclan. He had brought along Cedarclaw, though he doubted there would be any tension between the clan. After all Celestialclan has just lost their leader. The leader's faded green orbs looked ahead, and off to the left every now and then. He could see through the land of the other clan. Glancing back he spotted the warrior Cedarclaw right behind him. Sighing softly the leader quickly pressed on, knowing there would be no abnormalities on this side of the border. He felt sorry for Celestialclan, a small part of him reached out to the new leader, the young she-cat who had to fill Ghoststar's spot. Vividstar..

[cedarclaw]

Cedarclaw smiled as he followed right behind Perilstar, but then he frowned. He did feel terrible for CelestialClan, for having to lose their leader, and he felt bad for the young she-cat that had to take her place. He didn't really know what it was like, to lose someone or something precious, bet he knew from others that it wasn't an easy transition. The toms ginger paws struck the ground and Perilstar increased the pace the slightest bit, and he enjoyed the release of tension in his muscles as he followed a whisker length behind Perilstar. He loved to run, it made him feel so open, so free.

[MiNTY♥]

Vividstar stepped carefully through her territory. All the time looking carefully down at her paws, not checking to see if Nettlescreech was following her. It all seemed so strange, so eerie without Ghoststar around to help her along her way to being a great leader. She always seemed to hope that Ghoststar was watching her, proudly. Scenting Tempestclan her head shot up and her ears suddenly became alert. She looked behind her for Nettlescreech and hissed for him to catch up. She really needed some back up and support here. It was if she did not know how to be a leader, she did, it was inside her somewhere, but she felt intimidated, but every single cat older than her. It was almost as though they thought she could not be leader because she was so young. Nettlescreech was quite young too of course, so that was not too bad. She headed closer to the border, curious. Just over the border she saw Perilstar, and the tom that accompanied him. That was when she felt Nettlescreech flanking her and she felt grateful. "Perilstar." She called to the other leader. Would he show her the respect that leaders show each other? Or would he just be like those who thought she was too young and careless.

[raid]

He didn't think he would see another cat. He definitely didn't think he would see Vividstar. Though he didn't know who she was, he all at once recognized who she was by the way she carried herself and the radiating authority around her. The tom was quite critical of others. He didn't find many of his warriors fit to be in his clan. Perfection was a must to him and he hated the fact that not many were perfect. Hearing his name come from the mouth of the Leader sounded like the voice of Starclan. Her presence created a beautiful aurora and a great sense of serenity. Stopping in his paws he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Perfection, finally perfection. "Vividstar." He spoke softly, amazed and very interested in this perfect cat he had just found. Looking back at Cedarclaw he smiled softly before turning once more. His gaze rested on Vividstar, almost in a trance.

[cedarclaw]

Cedarclaw nodded curtly. He was a mere fox length away from Perilstar sitting straight, his eyes wide. His head was high, and he nodded once more, just a small nod, that was easy enough to recognize as a small acknowledgment that they were there. "Vividstar, Nettlestreech," the tom grunted in greeting, flicking his tail. There was nothing more to say, nothing more to do, but to watch, wait and see what Perilstar would say.

[MiNTY♥]

No. He was not like most cats, he did not turn his nose up at her, she felt the resect he showed her almost. Why had she even called his name? What was she supposed to say to him? Ask for a guide on how to be a clan leader, yes because that would go down very well. No, she did not want herself to be a laughing stock of a leader. She wanted to prove herself to be as tough as all of those leaders out there. Another thing that surprised her, he knew her name, and he used the correct ending. She had never mingled much among Tempestclan cats. "I trust you have heard our news." She began just as softly. Yet, she seemed surprised at her wording, Nettlescreech did too as she could tell he was smirking lightly at her side. She casually flicked his ear with her tail. She felt slightly wordless which wasa little unusual, she was never normally shy at all.

[raid]

The tom was quickly coming to realize he had found perfection in a she-cat. Though it was one that he knew he would never have within his own clan. She was the leader of another clan, not a she-cat who was in his clan that he could see every day. That he could share ever moment with. It was useless to think thought of this perfection he had found. The leader who seemed to be part of Starclan, and yet had a beating heart within her. Her beauty was captivating, breath-taking. Something he would not yet get out of his head. "Yes I have, I am sorry about your loss. If you ever need anything, within reason, Tempestclan is here." The ruthless and power hungry clan, Tempestclan, and here was their leader offering help to that of Celestialclan.

[auroraheart]

Grebewing
// And we're standing _one and all ^fighting _till we FALL //

Her brow raised when she saw Perilstar not far from Vividstar. The recently-named deputy came forward with a slight frown, nodding to her and Nettlescreech after she dropped her recently-killed vole by a tree. Grebewing tilted her head to the two toms, noticing the uncharacteristic doe-eyed glint in Perilstar's eye. The war-like tortie shook her fur so it puffed out slightly once she came to stand by Vividstar's side. While the storm-eyed she-cat dwarfed her leader (who was younger than she as well), she tried to stifle her inherently-dominant behavior around Vividstar so that she wouldn't seem like the type to steal power. Grebewing, however, did have a way of letting her mouth speak ahead of her thoughts, but she was a good, loyal warrior and vowed to help the young miss lead the Clan. She had disapproved at Ghoststar's choice of deputy due to the former Vividgrace's lack of experience but there was nothing she could do now that Ghoststar was dead and Vividstar had ascended except to help the new girl out. Such was the case right now.

"Hey there, Perilstar," Grebewing said off-handedly. She smiled broadly at her Clanmates. "Vividstar, Nettlescreech." The handsome femme glanced over at the other TempestClan tom. Not knowing his name, she shrugged her broad shoulders and nodded with a slight cock of the jaw.

Hurricane eyes floated back to Perilstar, wondering about the undertones of his offer. Sitting down next to her leader, she wondered what Vividstar would say.

[MiNTY♥]

Vividstar dipped her head out of respect. "Yes of course, I do not intend to give you any bother." She meowed. His offer was kind, but was it too kind for Tempestclan? Either way she would not turn it down, but as it was, Celestialclan were doing fine and trying its best to carry on as normal. Speaking of being normal Grebewing, her new deputy had appeared. "My new deputy, Grebewing." She introduced. She looked to the she-cat standing beside her, taller and more expereinced. She gulped and held her posture as well as she could. Well would she actually pick a cat younger than her to be her deputy? Obviously not, considering how young she was. "Thanks again and I hope the prey is running well." She meowed. It only sounded like something one leader would say to another leader, since she had heard it mentioned in the past.