Slateleaf Mentions:
Directly: Quietshadow
Indirectly:
Slateleaf hissed maliciously as she dug her canines into her daughter’s throat, revelling in the gasping breaths and feebly flailing paws of her daughter. She had tried so hard to make Quietshadow into the right type of cat, but in the end she was just as weak and pathetic as the rest of them. She huffed, snarling at Pebblesplash to keep back before she turned tail back to Clearsong’s body.
Clearsong.
Slateleaf’s claws curled as she hopped off of Quietshadow, prowling back into the shadows. He was another bit of potential lost to ideals and loyalties. ”Clearsong! You coward!” She spat, ”Taking the easy way out like always!”
Her eyes had been glazed with fury as she walked, when suddenly she ran into a wall of fur. Her eyes went wide for a moment, before narrowing again. She smirked her eyes portraying her excitement as she looked up, recognising the pelt of the stocky, orange-and-white tabby tom that loomed over her.
”Hello, dear.” She couldn’t help to chuckle for a moment at the timing.
Clearsong | 20 Moons | Warrior | Healthy | Camp | Mentions:
Directly: Slateleaf, Pebblesplash, Harefeather, Earthquake, Lioncloud
Indirectly: Quietshadow, Softsong, Sunstar, Willowstar, Whorlpaw
Clearsong's head pounded. The scar on his face sent hot lava across his muzzle as his vision swirled. He felt his body get jerked around, and suddenly felt solid ground beneath his feet yet his vision was etched in black. Clearsong fell on his rear, Make it stop. Make it stop. Emerald green eyes pierced the haze that enveloped Clearsong's vision, they looked sympathetic, they looked warm. The feeling of suffocation stopped and his sight cleared to reveal Slateleaf sitting in front of him. Her fur was splattered in blood, and her eyes gleamed with a wild light. Her face was contorted into a sadistic smile, yet her eyes still showed sympathy. No... That was pity.
Something was off however, he felt light- lighter than normal- and he couldn’t feel the cold breeze ruffle his fur. He felt strong, yet not entirely existing.
As Clearsong’s attention wavered, a shrill laugh broke from her, Clearsong stared in horror at the blood staining on her teeth. Eventually she calmed down, "It's so thrilling!" Slateleaf cried, her tail curling in satisfaction.
"Your family. It's so dysfunctional! The look on Pebblesplash's face when her mother died! You'd think she never hated her!" The glittering excitement that bounced in Slateleaf's eyes sent a cold rush through Clearsong's veins.
”Quietshadow’s dead?” Clearsong’s voice shook with shock. Speaking was odd to him for some reason, he couldn’t remember what had happened after Glade had attacked him, but he hadn’t expected that of all things to have happened when he passed out.
Slateleaf stared, confused for a moment, before realization crossed her gaze. Her eyes lit with amusement and she howled with laughter. ”Oh that’s right! You died before you could even get to witness my victory over that worthless rat.”
“Dead?” Clearsong’s feeling of this all being mystical made him feel detached, almost. His eyes widened in realization, he remembered the fight, Glade leaving him to die, Pebblesplash’s cries of grief, his last words.
He was dead...
"Honey, look at yourself!" Slateleaf whined disapprovingly, "You’re covered in stars.” Disgust was apparent on her features as her lip curled. "It’s not too late to turn back, though."
The scar on his face burned from her presence. Clearsong wanted to shrink back, to get away, this cat was dangerous. He could see that all too clearly now. Clearsong shook his head, taking a moment to stare, dumbfounded at her pelt. The blood of two cats, not one mixed in her fur.
This cat had killed his mother and his friend.
Sure, Quietshadow was quick tempered and not exactly the most trustworthy cat of the bunch, but she had proved herself loyal to the clan time and time again over these past few weeks. She had died at the paws of this demon, no one could doubt she would go to Starclan.
”What’s wrong honey?” Slateleaf fixed her stare on Clearsong, padding forward and wreathing around him, rubbing her scent onto him. Clearsong cringed as the stickiness from the blood on her transferred to his own translucent fur, making it stick up in red and orange clumps. ”I wouldn’t dream of hurting you, if that’s what you think!” Slateleaf’s voice seemed hurt, however her maniac eyes betrayed otherwise. She sat in front of him, tilting her head, ”Those cats I killed were traitors! Betrayers! Their loyalty wavered to you and your clan time and time again. They deserved what they got.” The innocence in her voice vanished as she lowered her head in a growl. ”It was all to protect you! All for you! My favorite kin. We could have ruled this clan together. You were so close too, becoming deputy! If only the leaders hadn’t woken up. If only you hadn’t died…” Slateleaf trailed off, a contemplating look crossed her gaze.
”What do you care about loyalty to this clan?” Clearsong began, ”I thought…” He was light headed, in a stupor. ”I thought I could trust you. I thought people misunderstood you. I thought your intentions were good…” He got to his feet, subconsciously as he went on. ”I thought you were trying to protect me. I thought you meant well. I thought…”
”You thought correctly!” Slateleaf interjected. ”I do want to protect you! I do want to help! It’s just, I get frustrated when people try to stop you. I-” Slateleaf’s voice shook with hurt.
”Stop filling my head with lies and deceit! I can't take it anymore!” Clearsong spat, cutting her off. ”I should have known, trusting a Dark Forest cat, I’m just as absurd as you are.” He hissed, padding nose to nose with the slate colored she cat. ”I see past your charade now, Slateleaf. You’re an old, weary grandmother seeking validation from at least one of her kin. Each one turned you down, but when I needed help, you took advantage, manipulating me to wits end. I believed you, I had no choice. Accepting you in was my first mistake, trusting you, my second, letting you get away with it will not be my third.”
Clearsong unsheathed his claws, baring his teeth in a malicious snarl. It didn’t matter who this cat was to him, he’d be better off living with a tick infested pelt than with this maniac. His tail lashed, once, twice, then he lept. Using his size to his advantage again, he tried to barrel into her, but she saw it coming. Dodging left, she gave a smile. This time, however, the true nature showed through. ”I’ve done nothing for you but help, and each time you turned away from it, held back. Because you have these damned ‘morals’ that benefit everyone but yourself.” Clearsong had lept again, harder because of her words. He rolled the sleek, muscly cat onto her stomach and dug at her belly fur with his hind claws. Her form was unlike those he had fought before. Other dark forest cats had an off kind of airiness to them, when he cut into them they didn’t bleed.
At least, not this kind of blood. This was the blood of a living cat, partially murkey with the taint of the Dark Forest.
How much of Clearsong’s living body had Slatelead already consumed? Was she growing real while Clearsong slowly died? The thought of it made his skin crawl. “Protection.” Yeah, that was protection, alright.
Slateleaf twisted under him, her bloody pelt now mixing with her own blood. Her eyes shone with unmistakable envy, ”You had it all. You have it all. We could have gone so much further together. It’s not too late, believe me! You still have time to rule!” Her pleading words were mixed with a persuasive croon, ”Accept me. Let me lead you fully. You don’t have be alive to work together with me! You’ll see what I mean, these cats have been lying to you! There is so much you don’t know!” Slateleaf made no attempt to fight back or escape anymore, not with Clearsong so set on pinning her.
Clearsong hesitated at her words, doubt flooding his mind. What if she was telling the truth? Have I been wrong? Have I really been believing the wrong cats? He looked at Slateleaf again, fixing her with a contemplative stare. Look at that envious look, she wants to take control and lead you to your clan’s destruction. How could you think of believing her? You’re betraying your clan. Clearsong was washed with guilt, his loyalties were with his family- his clan was his family!
Slateleaf saw his eyes grow distracted. Taking advantage of this moment, she surged her body, throwing Clearsong off balance and turning the tables. She swiped at his legs, hooking her paw around one and tugging him to the ground. Pressing on his back to keep him down, she lowered her head over his large ears, her muzzle inches from it. ”You could have power. You wouldn’t be betraying them, they could rule at your side! I could rule at your side! All you have to do is say ‘yes.’ ”
Clearsong’s mind flickered with indecision, his choice could affect the clan immensely. Should he stay loyal to his clan and leaders, or listen to his aching heart? His mind flashed, he wanted power, he wanted to rule and lead the clan to greatness. Ambition filled his gaze. ”...What would I have to do…?”
”Kill them.” Slateleaf whispered, venom dripping from her words. ”Kill Sunstar and Willowstar. Accept me in. We can rule together, and Glade will guide us!”
Clearsong felt claws start to pierce his skin as Slateleaf spoke. Say no. Don’t do this Clearsong. Think about your kits, your family. Not your blood family- your actual family: the clan. They raised you since birth, protected you, taught you, lead you. Don’t turn your back on them, no noble leader would do that. The voice in his head was achingly familiar, why did it make his heart ache?
Fragments of his life flashed before his eyes.
Clearkit and Pebblekit scuffled outside the warrior’s den. Sunflare watched, amusement glittering in his eyes as Pebblekit got distracted and started playing with his tail.
…
Clearpaw limped into the medicine den, whining about the splinter embedded deep in his paw. “Horsetail it hurts!” Horsetail turned around, took one look at Clearpaw, and scoffed. “Well, what in Starclan did you do to get it so deep?” He grumbled, padding forward to inspect his paw.
…
Willowheart gazed sympathetically at Clearpaw and Pebblepaw as Amberstone mourned the loss of his mate. Padding forward, she leaned against the two apprentices, “It’ll get better. It’s okay.” Clearpaw nuzzled deep into her fur, glad for her comfort.
…
Sunstar and Willowstar smiled down at the two newly made warriors, Clearsong puffed out his chest whilst Pebblesplash gave herself a shy lick. Clearsong locked eyes with Earthquake. He was sitting next to Lioncloud, the two shouted their names loudest of all of the cats.
…
"I think Honeyfrost is most capable of doing the addressing, seeing as you are retired after all." Clearsong flicked the elder's ears teasingly, a sly smile breaking on his face. "I dunno Honeyfrost, you think good ol' lovable Lioncloud could manage to get to the low hanging branch on the oak over there?" He teased with a purr.
...
Clearsong let out a long sigh as he saw Softsong emerge from the tunnels. He closed his eyes for a moment, then padded forward. "Look," he started, "I know you're a warrior now and you don't need supervision, but-” he flicked his tail to the two worried cats behind him, "you can't just run off like that. You half scared us all to death thinking you could get lost or drown in a tunnel flood with the storm that seems to be coming." He stepped back a bit, "But I'm glad you're okay."
...
Pebblesplash took a deep breath, "Clearsong, I... I know that this isn't going to make up for what I did, but I am so sorry. I should not have done what I did to you. I let Glade drive a wedge between us... and I have to live with the consequences. I nearly killed you, Clearsong. I don't know why, or how, but I know... I know I wouldn't have done that, had I had a clear head on me. Anyway, I hope you can... forgive me.”
…
Honeyfrost looked from Earthquake to Clearsong. “No, don't apologize you two. What happened just now was of none of your control and you shouldn't apologize for something you couldn't stop.”
…
“We’re having kits!” Harefeather smiled, a bright light in her eyes.
Shaking, Clearsong was brought back to the present, Slateleaf’s expectant eyes bore into him. Some of those events, he didn’t remember happening, others, dug long claws in his thoughts. Each thought brought up a new cat, an important figure, a clanmate, a friend, a mate…
Clearsong scrunched his eyes shut, he didn’t want to see Slateleaf’s emerald gaze anymore, but her claws still pricked his spine. Her breath was still hot on his ear. Her presence was strong, his muzzle burned hot. Clearsong shook his head aggressively, ”Please, get off of me. He growled, cold contempt in his voice. Slateleaf obliged, backing away and sitting in front of him, a wicked smile curled across her face.
”So you’ve decided.” A purr rumbled deep in her throat, it sounded metallic, rough, like she hadn’t done it in a long while.
”I have.” Clearsong sat up, locking his gaze on her. He smiled back, an eerie smile, one that disfigured his features. His eyes glowed with a wild look, and a chuckle erupted from him. ”You know, I never thought I’d stoop to your level…”
Slateleaf’s tail curled up in delight, ”You’re going to accept? Good. I knew I made the right decision about you, you’re much more tolerant than your other family members, though I have to say, Glade came pretty close.”
Clearsong sat steady in his spot as the she cat started rambling, his grin never wavering. Long seconds passed in between blinks as he stared at Slateleaf.
”Clearsong? Are you alright? Why do I still sense a barrier on you?”
Clearsong started to laugh, his teeth were white, his eyes glowed an icy blue. If nearby cats hadn’t noticed the pair, they surely would have now hadn’t it been for the shadows that covered the pair. He stood, chuckles still slipping out from time to time, stalking toward Slateleaf. ”The most peculiar thing I’ve noticed since you’ve been present, is that you have no patience. You’re erratic.”
”Erratic?” Slateleaf paused, confusion and feigned shock clouding her gaze.
”I guess that’s how all Dark Forest cats are, huh?” Clearsong sighed, padding around Slateleaf in long, slow steps, his tail flicking. ”I guess I am like you then.”
He unsheathed his claws this time, leaping for Slateleaf’s throat. She matched him stride for stride, ducking out of the way and rolling right. She had no choice but to play the defensive. The pair was evenly matched, for every swipe Clearsong took, Slateleaf dodged, and Clearsong got angrier. He’d have to get crafty. He weaved right, aiming a blow for her head and watching her ready herself to defend. At the last moment however, Clearsong shifted his weight on his paws and lept for Slateleaf’s back. He pinned her down, however Slateleaf wiggled free.
”A traitor!” She screeched, lunging forward, ”Every last one of you, you Starclan-loving maggots!”
Clearsong fell back and Slateleaf caught his ear in her jaw, crunching down. He yowled in pain, the cartilage breaking, feeling his starry ear fold down. ”All you are is a smooth talking pile of mange with nothing better to do but to terrorize her own kin.” Clearsong hissed through clenched teeth, bunching his muscles once more to leap again. He saw a golden liquid start to drip in front of his eye, he flicked his head to move it.
”You’re just like me.” Slateleaf said, a mocking tone in her voice. ”A strong warrior that can’t think for himself and has to rely on others to do it for him.” Slateleaf came forward again, her eyes gleaming. ”You’re just like me. A cat so overwhelmed with self doubt, you can’t decide if the better choice is loyalty, or killing your kin and clanmates.” Her words were sculpted, crisp, sharp. They stuck like daggers no matter how hard Clearsong tried to ignore it. ”You are just like me. Wishing the best for your clan but so desperately wanting to rule that you go insane. You kill your mate. You get exiled. You think your daughter is dead and mourn her for moons. You find the cats who had stolen your daughter. They won't give her back. You fight desperately, but you know deep down that no one could ever believe you. You can’t take on the whole of United Clans at once. Your daughter’s “father” attacks you. You die at your daughter’s feet, she doesn’t even know how much her mother cared, or the feeling of burning hatred she gets when her daughter spits on and kicks her dead corpse and leaves her to rot with the crows.” Slateleaf’s cooing taunts turned into shaky breaths as her eyes glazed from comparing the two of them. She shook, and Clearsong knew this wasn't about him anymore.
”I swore in that moment to make her regret everything. She would leave her kits. I’d tell her to. I’d promise her false wishes that would ultimately bring her back to a clan of cats that hates her. To kits that loathe her. All she wanted was reconciliation, but she got a savage death by the same cat she had thrown into the river so long ago. I made her pay. I made her regret it! She learned her lesson in that very moment!” Slateleaf’s voice had risen to a loud roar, her muzzle drawn back into a terrifying snarl that kept Clearsong riveted in his spot.
"You’re just like me. Just like me. Dying for what you think is a good cause, but it’s inevitably just another passing soul from mortal to astral planes. You’ll be forgotten in a couple of moons, not talked about, your image not cared for enough. You’ll find yourself, moons later, your story almost completely gone, you being almost completely gone, when, for some freak reason, someone remembers you. And you’re brought back." Slateleafs growl grew deeper, her snarl more ferocious, her claws dug deeper. "But they don’t remember your good qualities. They remember you as a villian." Her voice started to rise again, her loathing and malice pouring out as she spoke. She took deep breaths between words as her eyes burned with hatred. Clearsong’s ears were flat against his head.
"You have to come back to this miserable world- this miserable excuse for a life- without any redeeming qualities. You’re remembered as the monster that left her kit behind to die, not as the mother that spent twenty moons trying to find her." Her voice was starting to break and sound grievous, however she kept up her anger for as long as she spoke. "The only memories you’re retrieved after such long desperation was when you killed your mate. When you lost your kit. When you spent every. Aching. Hour. Of your postmortem life seeking revenge, because you knew you were blamed for ‘Murder’ and ‘Abandoning your kit.’ For being exiled because you not only called out your leader for his stupidity, but had the entire clan believe your mate wasn’t lying and decisive. That he wasn’t going to kill yourself if you hadn’t gotten to him first." Slateleaf seemed to grow tired from her anger, she relaxed her crouch into a sit and weakened her features.
”You see? Were just like each other. We’re the same.” Her voice weakened as Slateleaf met his gaze, a mournful smile on her muzzle. It somehow made him more irritated.
”Don’t you agree, Clearsong?”
He stayed silent, his claws digging deeper into the dirt as his tail lashed.
Slateleaf pressed, ”Both of our families left us. We both were driven to believe we were worthless, that we needed to prove ourselves. If you’re not careful, you’ll be forgotten, too. You’ll end up like me.”
Clearsong’s tail lashed in quick flicks. She’s the reason they’re dead. She’ll kill more if she has to. Its her fault. Her fault.
”Agree with me!” She suddenly hissed, claws digging into the cold soil as she leaned forward.
How much more of this will I have to endure? How much? I don’t want it. I don’t need it.
Slateleaf’s gaze suddenly softened, her charade fell and her ears flattened in sadness. She backed away, sitting down and bowing her head. It was another scheme of manipulation, it had to be.
She’s worse than death.
”You don’t seem to want this… My offer...” She whispered, suddenly, recognition filled her voice.
Accepting her deal will only make it worse.
”You know what, just ignore my offer… It’s a bad idea anyway...”
She deserves it.
Slateleaf looked up at Clearsong, ”Clearsong? I...”
Do it.
”Clearsong I’m sorry.”
Kill her.
”Im so, so sorry. I… What I did… It was horrible…” Her round eyes filled with regret, as if she had suddenly been flooded with guilt. ”I think… I think I see why you forgave Quietshadow…”
” ‘Sorry won't cut it.’ “ Clearsong quoted in a growl.
Slateleaf flattened her ears, looking away ”I know. And I don’t deserve forgiveness, I’ve-”
She was cut off with a startled yowl as Clearsong bowled into her, jaws snapping at the air where her neck used to be. His claws dug deep into her flesh, his paws growing warm from the sticky, murky red blood that started to ooze from the puncture wounds.
Slateleaf made no effort to defend herself.
Clearsong slashed and dug, watching as deep lacerations formed all over her pelt. Her legs were bruised to the point where she staggered when she tried to sit up, fur was missing in large patches, her ear became shredded, and blood pooled around her. Clearsong kept her pinned to the cold ground, blood bubbling around where his claws resided, embedded in Slateleaf’s fur. This cat had ruined his family, tore them apart, and left them divided. Those around him were forced to choose between believing some crazy cat screaming “possession” or turn against him and fear being attacked themselves. Now, he had met his demon face-to-face. He had heard her story: a sad, sob tale that had about as much merit to it as a wolf in a sheep’s pen. Did she expect him to feel sorry for her? ‘After all she had done for him.’ Clearsong spat at the thought, his eyes blazing wild fury.
”Just… Just finish it..” Slateleaf murmured, pausing to hiss loudly as the adrenaline rush subsided and she was rushed with the pain of Clearsong’s attack. ”End this!” She shrieked, writhing in pain, ”Make it stop! Clearsong, stop this, please! End my suffering you worthless-”
The rest of her taunt would never be heard.
Clearsong stood growling, a burning fire in his eyes, as blood dripped from his raised claw. Slateleaf lay choking, gurgling on her own blood, the slash that was drawn across her throat spilled blood that mixed with the soil beneath her. The once snowy ground had been stained red and turned to slush. A putrid black fog, smelling heavily of sulfur and iron, rose from her body.
A whisper.
Brought on the breeze.
"Thank you…”
And then she was gone.
Nothing but a scarlet puddle and fur that had manifested in the real world.
But there was no body.
She was gone. Slateleaf was finally gone. However, something deep inside of Clearsong told him that he may never be free of her voice for as long as he lived… Until he’d eventually die again himself...
”A sob tale.” He hissed, backing away with a twitch of his broken ear.
A few tail lengths away, he saw Pebblesplash watching him. He looked at her evenly, before the reality of what had just happened hit him. His eyes widened as he looked back at the spot where Slateleaf was killed. He… killed her.
His eyes narrowed.
He’d freed himself.
That was not something to regret.
Turning around, his eyes met with three cats leaning over- Oh.
Clearsong sucked in a breath, padding out of the undergrowth and to his body. The sight of himself, dead on the ground, made him shiver. He tentatively placed a paw on his body, feeling a whisper of a touch on his starry form. This was eerie. He closed his eyes, before looking up again.
Clearsong’s starry form rushed over to where Harefeather, Pebblesplash, and Earthquake stood together. He stared at them sadly, his breath shaky. He curled around the three of them and purred in grief.
”I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I’m sorry.” It was all he could say, all he could form, as he felt his being get drawn toward Starclan’s hunting grounds. The battle didn’t need him, he’d go to Starclan and wait as long as it took for the two of them.
”Earthquake, thank you for everything you’ve done. Please continue to watched over Pebblesplash for me.” He padded forward, his heart aching strongly as he pressed his forehead into his adoptive father’s chest, as he did when he was an apprentice. After a moment, he turned around and looked at Pebblesplash and Harefeather. ”Pebblesplash, help Harefeather with our kits, and watch over Whorlpaw for me.”
A sad smile curled on his muzzle, he looked for his former apprentice, wanting to talk to her once more before he officially joined Starclan, however his tail sagged a bit when he didn’t see her. He looked back, finally at Harefeather. ”Harefeather, mother our kits with more love than you could ever manifest for me.” Clearsong curled around the three, tightly, one last time.
”I love all of you so, so much.”
Looking up, he caught Lioncloud’s eye beside Sunstar for a moment and smiled. A solemnly warm feeling washed over him.
And then they were gone. His vision was bathed in white as he saw Starclan’s forest, eternally in bloom. A familiar orange pelt sat next to a smaller, dark gray pelt, wrapped around each other. They watched as Clearsong joined their midst.
”We won't ever leave you again.” Amberstone said to him sadly.
”They’ll grieve for a while, but your kits will bring them solace.” Quietshadow added.
”And they will have each other.” Clearsong finished, his voice cracking.
Clearsong padded forward and curled around the two of them, his heart breaking. He let out a long wail of grief as he felt his mother and his father hold him tighter.
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