Clash of the Forest (#3758 & #33777) [CLOSED]

Badgerstar | Dawn

Badgerstar's ears tilted forwards as Onesight spoke, simultaneously relieved and grieved at this revelation, all the same. "No... it's quite alright. It's not the first time I've experienced the dream either, I just hoped that perhaps it wasn't as serious as I thought." His tail flicked, eyes turning away as he listened to Onesight; and she was right, the clan needed to know. If war was inevitable, they needed to prepare. They would not get taken by surprise by Specklestar and his lot. Regardless, after all this time— all the change to himself, to the clan, to keep the peace— they would fall into battle all the same.

He turned back to Onesight, following her gaze towards the birds chirping above— hopping along the thin bark of the branches. "...Thank you, Onesight; but I might have been just as bad as Specklestar, if it weren't for your guidance. Starclan has blessed me with a more than capable Medicine Cat." His ears flicked, eventually turning his eyes from the birds, to Onesight. "So long as Starclan permits, I will not fall until Oakclan is safe. I trust that they will guide our paws as we prepare for the inevitable."

With a step forward, Badgertooth pressed his nose gratefully against the other cat's forehead, before stepping back again. "I will call a gathering when I return from patrol with the others; if you intend to hunt herbs with Nettlepaw today, there will be a hunting party leaving soon. Perhaps join them; I'd like no cat to leave camp alone until we know Pineclan will not be making any bold moves."

Onesight | Dawn

"You flatter me, Badgerstar. But yes, I will leave with Nettlepaw and the hunting party when it is time." She nodded, standing to her paws and turning away. Many things were rolling around in that fluffy head of hers. She knew that this war would leave many of her fellow clanmates injured. Nettlepaw would need to learn quickly if they were to take care of the wounded victims of Specklestar's reign. "Let us head back so you may go off on your patrol, unless you have more to share with me," she chirped.

Badgerstar | Dawn

"Thank you." Badgerstar dipped his head to the she-cat; he, too, was troubled. There would be many preparations to make quickly, and no telling when Specklestar's patience would break. He felt exhausted, already; but with no time to rest, Badgerstar simply shook his head. "No... that was all. Thank you for your time, Onesight. Tread safely." he answered, moving after the she-cat to join the others back in camp.

 Badgerstar | High-Noon

As expected, Pineclan had crossed the river yet again to mark new territory that was not theirs; after settling their border; the patrol had returned, and Badgerstar was in no less troubled of a mood. His pom tail flicked, and he moved to garner Sabersnow's attention. "Sabersnow, may I speak with you a moment?" he remarked, nodding towards the great hollowed oak. "I didn't have the chance to catch you while we were out. I'd like to call a clan meeting, but I should fill you in, first."

Sabersnow | High-Noon

Responding to his call, Sabersnow got up from his place and padded over to Badgerstar with great curiosity. "Yes, I am hear to listen. What is going on and how was you meeting with Onesight? I assume you have better insight now with the help of Starclan." The tabby took a seat before the fallen oak, waiting for his leader to speak.

Badgerstar | High Noon

He moved to join his deputy, his pom tail twitching as he took a seat near his old friend. "It went well; I believe I have the insight that I needed, now." he shook his head, breathing a sigh. "I fear it's not the insight I had wished for, but, I am confident in what we must do, at the least." He kneaded the ground with his paws, ears tilting back, and head turning towards the center of camp— where cats had begun to gather about the fresh kill pile.

"I have been having nightmares these past few nights. A dream of a storm, and a pine falling onto Oakclan; I went to seek guidance from Onesight, and she has been touched with the same omen." His gaze turned back to Sabersnow. "I fear war is inevitable with Pineclan. I will be calling a meeting shortly, and I will need your help in ensuring that we are prepared for what Starclan is warning us of. There's no telling when Pineclan will strike— but I don't want us to be unprepared when they do."

Sabersnow | High Noon

Listening with care, Sabersnow sighed at the news. War. "I will gather the warriors later in the day and give them orders, if you wish. Brambleflower will not be impressed...." He trailed off, thinking of his mate. She was a gentle soul-- too good for this mortal realm. She was his gift from Starclan, he believed.

"Do you need anything more from me for this meeting?"

Badgerstar | High Noon

"Many cats will not be, but this is the gravity of the situation." he mumbled, shaking his head with a particular disdain. "For now, it is an omen. I will treat it with care, but Oakclan will make no move to attack Pineclan. We'll wait, prepared, and be ready when and if they do strike." His eyes turned towards the entrance of the camp, tail flicking. "I just need you to help me make sure everyone is following the new protocol. I want no cat to leave the camp alone; patrols to Pineclan's border should remain vigilant at all times; and we will work to reinforce the walls of the camp together."

Badgerstar kneaded his paws against the ground.

"I know the change will be great, and the clan will be troubled; but I cannot ignore an omen such as this from Starclan. I don't want a war, but if we must have one, I want us to be ready."

Sabersnow | High Noon

The tall fluffy cat nodded to his leader's word. "I will share the news with the warriors, if you do not at this meeting. I am ready for this war when you are, my friend."

Brambleflower

Picking her head out of the warriors' den after a short nap, she padded over to the two tom cats and watched them converse. "We are having a meeting soon? I will get the others if you'd like, Badgerstar! I hope everything is alright," she chirped, tilted her head before stepping away from the two.

Badgerstar | High Noon

"Thank you, old friend." Badgerstar grumbled, dipping his head respectfully to his deputy; but his attention was quickly pulled away when Brambleflower approached. The hefty tom shuffled his paws, one ear tilting off to the side. "Yes— please gather any cats left in the den. I need all ears at this meeting. Thank you." He nodded as she stepped away, and breathed a heavy exhale. The tom turned his head back towards Sabersnow, nodding, before padding towards the meeting grounds.

He hopped atop the stump; catching the eye of a few stray eyes about the camp.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around for a clan meeting!" he called, slowly moving to take a seat atop the stump as he waited for the cats to gather.

Rosefall, Leafpaw | High Noon

"Hm? A clan meeting...?" Rosefall's ears perked at the sound of Badgerstar's booming voice; immediately turning in his direction. One of her two kits, Leafpaw, perked up beside her. "Rather unexpected."

"Is it a Warrior Ceremony?" Leafpaw remarked excitedly, throwing his mother a glance; she breathed a chuckle, swiping her tongue across the brown tabby's forehead. He recoiled in embarrassment, looking at her with somewhat of a pout. "I would have heard of it if it were; come along, we have to see what Badgerstar has to say."

The two padded towards the Meeting Grounds; with Leafpaw making it there first to sit among the front row of cats.

Sabersnow & Brambleflower | High Noon

Many clan cats gathered around the stump which Badgerstar sat upon. Sabersnow took a seat close to his love, Brambleflower. Bramble leaded her head against Saber as they listened.

Onesight

The medicine cat came out of her cozy den with her apprentice trailing along. She took a seat in the back and waited for the meeting to begin, even if she knew what it was about.