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

Nettlepaw | High Noon

The calico she-cat trailed out from behind her mentor, her green eyes curious, and her tail in the air. She moved to settle next to Onesight; sticking close, as she did.

Badgerstar | High Noon

He waited until the group of cats beneath him had finally gathered; some looked tired, some looked curious over the sudden and unexpected meeting; others seemed almost entirely apathetic. Badgerstar took a breath to steady himself, rising up to his paws as he addressed his clan, "It comes with great regret that I must call this meeting today," he began, the pom of his tail twitching behind him, "Many of you already know that with the new leadership of Specklestar, Pineclan has begun to cross into our borders unwarranted. The scents are there, and they are not hard to miss." The hefty cat paced along the edge of the stump, until his toes dangled over the edge, and he sat again.

"Starclan has given an omen to Onesight and myself about these happenings; and it is in Oakclan's best interest that you all know this, as well— Starclan has begun to warn us of conflict with Pineclan. A war may be inevitable; but like the oaks that we have made our home in, we are strong. We will not back down from Pineclan's consistent breaking of our truce, and of the warrior code. This is our home, and they will not drive us from it. Now, I ask that all of Oakclan begins to prepare for a war. For the safety of the Clan as a whole, no cat shall leave the camp alone, starting now. Border patrols to Pineclan will be more frequent in order to ensure there is no mistake that this is our territory. We will work together to reinforce our camp, and protect those among us who cannot protect themselves."

Badgerstar moved to stand, his ears tilted back. "Oakclan does not seek a war with Pineclan; if we can remain at peace, I wish to. But with Starclan's omens growing more and more frequent, we must be prepared to fight. I ask you, Oakclan, to work with me— with Starclan— to protect the home that we know and love. If any cat wishes to speak up, do so now."

Silvertail

An elder of the clan members spoke after Badgerstar finished. "What will we do if we go to war, Badgerstar? What will we do if we fall to the paws of Specklestar?" The tom was an older silver tabby with scraggly fur. His whiskers were short and his ear was torn. He had been a senior warrior many moons ago before losing much of his eyesight to old age. Silvertail walked through the throng of cats to the stump, before slowly climbing up onto it. He looked Badgerstar in the eyes, his own foggy with cataracts.

Onesight

The medicine cat watched the following interaction with intensity. She leaned down to Nettlepaw and whispered, "That was to be the deputy before Sabersnow. Silvertail has seen much of the region and has seen war before. Listen to him with care, my little one."

Sabersnow & Brambleflower

Saber felt threaten by the elder coming up onto the stump of the meeting grounds, but Bramble put a paw on his back to soothe him. "Relax, Saber... What can he do?"

"Who knows, but I don't want to deal with him questioning Badgerstar. He retired too long ago to think this battle will be the same as the ones he has faced. The leader of Pineclan is different now.."

Nettlepaw

Badgerstar

As Silvertail approached, Badgerstar stayed rigid; unwilling to give up his spot on the stump, but respectful of the elder all the same. He looked towards Silvertail with a conflicted gaze. "We will be prepared to defend Oakclan with everything we have, Silvertail." he answered, the stump of his tail flicking. "So long as I live, I will not allow Specklestar to topple Oakclan. This has been our home for generations. Specklestar is nothing like the previous leader of Pineclan; he is young and ambitious, too eager to disrespect the boundaries that we have long since set in place." He shook his head. "What do you propose exactly, Silvertail? We cannot simply allow this to keep happening."

Silvertail

"Make the first move," he whispered to Badgerstar before hopping back down to weed through felines to the elders' den. 

Onesight

She already knew his words even if she could not hear them. Silvertail had been an ambitious, strong warrior with a tactical mind. She leaned down to Nettlepaw and shared them. "He said for us to make the first move. What do you think of that?"

Sabersnow

He was already on his feet, filled with rage. He did not move, but waited for Badger's orders.

Badgerstar

Badgerstar's ears flicked back, his gaze lingering on Silvertail as the elder weaved through the crowd of cats; for a brief moment, uncertainty crossed the cat's face, before his brows furrowed, and he regained his poise. "This meeting is adjourned. Let all cats remember what has been said today." Although his voice was confident as he ended the meeting, he... needed time to think.

Starclan had not warned him to begin a war. They had warned him of a war; and yet, Silvertail made a good point. If they were the first to strike... there was no way they could get caught off guard. Had the same suggestion been made many moons ago, to a newly appointed Badgerstar... he might have jumped at the thought.

Badgerstar moved to hop off the stump, tail flicking, as he made his way towards Sabersnow.

Nettlepaw

As Badgerstar left the stump, she looked up towards Onesight. "That would start a war for sure, though." she mewed softly. "But... we wouldn't be caught off guard, right? Is that why he said that...?"

Sabersnow

He rushed to Badgerstar's side. "What did he say? I will not have him disrespect you if he did." Sabersnow was just a touch over protective of his friend, but it was endearing. His ears were back and his tail was lashing.

Onesight

"Correct. I wonder how this will pan out for Badgerstar." Onesight lifted her head high above the moving sea of cats to see the leader and deputy chatting. She shook her head and turned back to the apprentice. "Let us go back to our den."

Badgerstar

Badgerstar seemed troubled as Sabersnow rushed to his side; the large cat shook his head. "He did not, you can relax, Sabersnow." he assured his companion; glad for his worry, if nothing else. "But... he proposed that we attack Pineclan, before they attack us. I don't want to start a war, Sabersnow; but... if we get the jump on Pineclan first..." he trailed off.

Nettlepaw

The young she-cat frowned, unable to see over the sea of cats, but nodded in return. "Okay, Onesight... I hope there won't be too much fighting..." She raised herself up to her paws, moving to follow her mentor.

Sabersnow

The grey tom looked confused. He understood that attacking first had its advantages, but he didn't understand the want of the old tom to have blood on everyone's paws. Sabersnow shook his head, relaxing a little. "I suggest we hold off on this idea of attacking for the moment, and maybe just prepare. It would keep our warriors safer. We will need all paws ready before anything."

Onesight

"Oh, there will be much blood shed if Specklestar does not learn his lesson. I wish for their medicine cat to guide him, but alas I don't know if they will." She shook her head, slipping into the den.

Badgerstar

Badgerstar shook his head, "I know... you're right." he agreed, but his eyes seemed trouble. "But his words make me worry." He trailed off, breathing a slow exhale, before lifting his head. "You're right... of course you are. As long as we are ready, we can take anything Pineclan will throw at us. We will need all paws ready as soon as possible. We'll be ready if there is a strike." Badgerstar looked gratefully at his deputy; although his eyes still seemed troubled, he looked as though he were no longer doubting himself. "I shall gather cats for an evening patrol; the nursery should be reinforced as soon as possible to protect our young."

Nettlepaw

Her tail flicked back and forth, ears turning back as she followed after Onesight. "Isn't Starclan guiding their medicine cat, too?" she asked softly. "Wouldn't they tell them that Specklestar is getting out of control...?"