Activefrost

The daughter of a king long-passed, known for his lovely piebald markings that made it appear as if he was covered in patches of snow, Activefrost sought shelter and solace within the Ruby Eye Pride after her father's passing. While most of the lionesses and their cubs elected to stay with the king who took over their pride, her own mother included, Activefrost did not want to stay in a place that no longer felt like home. Many told her that due to her age she would not easily find a home, as most kings only wanted younger, more agile lionesses good for the hunt and bearing cubs, but Activefrost did not care, she would either find a place to call home with a genuine lion as her king, or she would live out her life as a loner. Despite the fact that the piebald lioness was a few years older than most others that left in search of new prides to call their own, Activefrost was given her name for a reason, the speed, stamina, and strength she possessed were no joke, not when she was just a cub, and not when she was alone.

One day, months after leaving her former pride and old life behind, Activefrost ventured into the territory of a king whom she had heard rumors of as of late, Lightmane. He was renowned for his good deeds and kindness, never turning anyone away for any reason and hosting one of the happiest, most functional prides as he tore down boundaries and old, stagnant rules that often caused strife within most other groups. Having grown used to the life of a loner and fending for herself, the lioness spent that night by the watering hole, taking down a wildebeest in order to feed herself and offer to the king the next day. However, unbeknownst to her, the king had been watching her skillful and swift takedown, some of his huntresses in tow. Lightmane approached Activefrost with a smile and compliments of her skills and unique appearance, the other lionesses quick to offer her a warm welcome and comment admiringly on her hunting and tracking skills.

And just like that, Activefrost had found herself a new pride, a new family. Lightmane and his hunting party brought her back to their summer den that night along with her kill and she settled in right away. It was as if she had been here her whole life, everyone was so kind and friendly, treating her as one of their own instead of an outsider as one would have expected. As a year passed, the piebald lioness led many hunts alongside Voidwrath, the Huntcheif, and participated in a breeding program with one of the Starfall Pride's allies, blessing her with two cubs. While she and Lightmane never had a litter of their own, she was quick to take in any cub that had lost their mother or was brought into the pride. This year had been the best of her life, but nothing could have prepared Activefrost, or anyone else, for the coming tragedy.

As the seasons changed, Lightmane's age began to catch up with him, as he was a few years older than Activefrost herself, one of the oldest members of the pride. With the harsh drought of summer and the dry season right around the corner, Lightmane prioritized feeding his pridemates first and began to subtly hand off duties to his adopted sons Gallium and Flame. No one found it very odd, he had always been kind and selfless, but once his health began to decline and he stopped eating things took a turn for the worse. His selfless acts only doubled as one of the lioness's cubs succumbed to heatstroke, leaving her in aguish and the pride shaken. Despite the loss of her young daughter, Activefrost visited him every morning to ensure he drank and at least attempted to eat, so she was the first lioness to find his body, silent and still as Flame lay draped over his back like a heartbroken cub, sobs wracking his body as Gallium stood frozen a pawstep into the den, his blind eyes filled with silent tears.

Lightmane's death wasn't easy for anyone, but the Ruby Eye Pride managed, hosting a funeral for their leader and the pride's founder under the night sky as they wished his spirit well and mourned his passing. Flamemane became the king of the pride and appointed Zebrachaser, a lioness who had joined them a few months earlier, as the new Huntcheif in order to let Voidwrath properly grieve and raise the cubs their king had left her. Activefrost took up the role of mentor once more and helped the new Huntcheif lead many a successful hunt, but she also helped Flamemane with his new duties. She remained faithfully by his side as a friend as he and his older brother decided to split the Ruby Eye Pride into two sister prides, the Starfall Gully Pride and the Shattered Valley Pride. During the split, it was decided that Activefrost's remaining daughter would go to live with her father in his pride, the events within this one too much for the little lioness, and the odds seeming better with Brokenstalker to look after her instead of roaming the lands with her mother's pride.

Currently, Activefrost remains in her role of surrogate mother, often visiting Fiercetooth, a close friend, at the Shrouded Cove in order to raise and escort the cubs that wished to remain there. Despite her age, the piebald lioness remains as one of the Starfall Gully Pride's best hunters and is often asked to participate in breeding programs from other prides due to her skills and genetics. As one of her pride's best trackers, she helps navigate the territory that the Starfall Pride call their own, planning the best route to take as they migrate from place to place as the seasons change. With the death of Flamemane and the crowning of King Star Ruby, Activefrost has offered her guidance to the young male as well. Though she mourned the loss of the two young kings she had grown to love as sons, poachers, disease, and enemies seemingly determined to destroy the pride, the wise lionesses refused to give in. She continues to assist her new kind, Star Ruby, and offers help to Sadiki, the new king of the Shattered valley Pride.

Even though things seem to be settling down now, the lionesses can't help but worry, especially for their sister pride and the friends and family that reside there. First Gallium was killed in the war with the hyena queen, next Phantom Quartz's life was claimed by the plauge, then Solar Flame was killed by poachers, and now their youngest king yet had taken the throne. While she does not doubt him, Activefrost worries for the other pride and her own as well.