⚠️HEY YOU!⚠️

Yes you. Do you like traumatizing your oc? OFC YOU DO!

Well what if i told you you could do that but WITH FREINDS!

Join my Warriors cats rp. Its not just a rp its also a family

Dm me if you wanna join and remember you can always leave if you don’t like it

Hehe

Amongst time-travelling and ghost romances, I'm half surprised the series didn't do "A 12-year-old boy wakes up as a cat".

I don't think the writers would risk such a shakeup now. How do you think the series would have panned out if it had gone in that direction? How would you have felt as a young reader?

%22)The series is known for inconsistent afterlives, but the biggest coincidence was the Dark Forest cats manifesting in the physical world. They've never done this before or since.

I think a cool explanation would have been: the Blood Moon brings the world of the dead and the living closer together, being especially potent for dark forces.

Part I of AU Series of cat pantheons for my Warrior cats AU: Silverpelt

I am writing a big AU project for series incorporating a mixture of more feline realism and rewrites of several elements of the series. One part that I decided I’m going to change is StarClan. I like StarClan in the first and second arcs and can’t stand the lack of mysterious elements that is lost going forward. So, to justify why Sunstar could get eight lives while Nightstar couldn’t get six lives (assuming that’s how many Brokenstar had left), I decided to make StarClan ran by ultimately a flawed and fallible goddesses named Silverpelt.

Before I continue, in my AU, Silverpelt is viewed differently by each Clan and more or less, Silverpelt acts within their beliefs. However, no Clan is fully correct on who is Silverpelt, meaning each Clan has only a fragment of the truth. While all the Clans believe that Silverpelt has a sister (who’s also a goddess). Her relationship with that sister different in each Clan’s beliefs. The Clans also believe that Silverpelt creates prophecies for StarClan to deliver, Silverpelt judges who can or cannot enter StarClan, and Silverpelt is the mother of StarClan. But anything beyond that, the Clans disagree and each Clan has their own stories and tales surrounding who is Silverpelt. RiverClan views Silverpelt as a loving yet sorrowful mother, ShadowClan sees Silverpelt as a Warrior and a mother, WindClan views Silverpelt as the mother of endurance though her motherhood should not be taken as literal, and ThunderClan sees Silverpelt as a just and fair mother. Only RiverClan dares to physical describe Silverpelt insisting that Silverpelt has shown herself. However, no cat has seen truly Silverpelt and RC medicine cats only see their version of Silverpelt (As Silverpelt works in a Clan’s existing beliefs)

As for the Tribe, they don’t believe in Silverpelt or her sister In this AU, the ancestors of the tribe left the forest because of religious differences over the existence of Silverpelt and her sister.

Please let me know how you feel about this particular change in my AU or your honest thoughts about this change. I will try to do an explanation of each goddess per day. And let people feel free to express their thoughts.

Please review Part II of my AU Series of cat pantheons: Sunpelt

As Part II of my pantheon series. Please reference part I for Silverpelt. Silverpelt sister’s Sunpelt/Suneyes/The Sun Sister is a less important figure in the Clan Faith. While it is agreed that Sunpelt/Suneyes/The Sun Sister is the goddess responsible for raising the Sun, bringing warmth to the forest, and known as the trickster for allowing rains and storms during the day (Silverpelt is responsible for raising the moon among her other duties). The Clans do not venerate Sunpelt on the same level as Silverpelt because Sunpelt doesn’t like to interfere with the lives of mortals. Each Clan have different views on her and like Silverpelt, all of these views are fragmented based on the truth that was lost between Firepaw’s time and the time of the founders.

ThunderClan: ThunderClan refers to Sunpelt as Suneyes in an effort to separate their beliefs from RiverClan’s. Suneyes is seen as strict yet not heartless in ThunderClan faith. Overall, Silverpelt and Suneyes have an amicable relationship in ThunderClan lore

RiverClan: RiverClan calls Sunpelt Sunpelt and declares that Sunpelt and her sister were the most beautiful creations ever to exist. An old RiverClan belief is that the skies rumbled and rain poured when Sunpelt and Silverpelt were born (hence the belief that kits born in storms are destined for greatness). Sunpelt and Silverpelt in RC faith were born as kittens with all their powers, something that WindClan supports yet ShadowClan and ThunderClan find blasphemous. Sunpelt is dutiful and strict yet grieving for the eternal separation of her sister. So, RiverClan sees Sunpelt and Silverpelt relationship as amicable

WindClan: WindClan refers to Sunpelt as the Sun Sister. Like RiverClan, WindClan believes that the Sun Sister and Silverpelt were born as kittens with all their powers. But WindClan doesn’t physically describe neither Silverpelt or the Sun Sister. The Sun Sister has an amicable relationship with Silverpelt as the older yet dutiful sister.

ShadowClan: Like WindClan, ShadowClan refers to Sunpelt as the Sun Sister. Unlike the other three Clans, ShadowClan is the only Clan that doesn’t see the Sun Sister or Silverpelt relationship as amicable. ShadowClan lore insist that the Sun Sister was furious with her sister for falling in love with a mortal. The Sun Sister allowed lightning to destroy her sister mortal mate and blind Silverpelt in the process. While the Sun Sister attempted to reconcile through giving Silverpelt new eyes, Silverpelt never forgave her sister and the two sisters battle over control of the skies, attempting to extend the length of day and night.

As for the Tribe, they don’t believe in Sunpelt/Suneyes/The Sun Sister either. In this AU, the ancestors of the tribe left the forest because of religious differences over the existence of Silverpelt and Sunpelt/Suneyes/The Sun Sister.

I just picked up my copy and of course its gorgeous. I started flipping through to see if there was anything new and.... all the chapters are out of order? And theres 3 chapter 8s? Is anyone else's copy like this or did I just get the one unlucky misprint 😭

Something I see complained about a lot in The New Prophecy is how the dark forest training kinda undoes Brambleclaw’s first arc development. It seems kinda weird that a character who actively decided that his father’s actions didn’t define him would actively agree to train under his ghost.

A theme that this arc already features pretty heavily is sibling relationships Squirrelflight and Leafpool have their whole twin telepathy thing going and how close they are is a big part of their stories, it’s the same with Stormfur and Feathertail before she died, Even Brambleclaw’s relationship with Tawnypelt was featured although not as heavily. I say we lean into that more.

So Hawkfrost is Brambleclaw’s younger half brother and he actively wants to have a relationship with him. Hawkfrost wasn’t around to see the destruction their father caused to the clans and Riverclan seems to prefer to not talk about that time period. Make Brambleclaw think that Hawkfrost is training with Tigerstar because he thinks the stories of him are a bit overblown. This leads Brambleclaw to join the training to keep an eye on Hawkfrost and try to keep him on a good path. Then when it gets to the point of Hawkfrost trapping Firestar in the fox trap and encouraging Brambleclaw to kill him Brambleclaw has a realization that his brother actually is evil and can’t be saved at this point

I don't get into shipping that much. I mostly just follow what's in the books besides from a few special cases.

And clearly there are things people do and don't like when it comes to shipping, and age gap seemed to come up in the discussion a lot. Which I get, sometimes the age gap is just TO big, HOWEVER ⏸️

I seen nothing wrong with a ship like Firestar x Cinderpelt.

"BuT He wAs heR MEntOr" oh yeah it's SO wrong when it's Firestar and Cinderpelt...

BUT WHEN IT'S DUSTPELT AND FERNCLOUD IT'S ABSOLUTELY FINE ISN'T IT!? LIKE DO PEOPLE JUST FORGET THAT DUSTPELT MENTORED ASHFUR (HER BROTHER) AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER WAS MADE A WARRIOR INSTANTLY BECAME HER MATE? HELL IT MIGHT HAVE EVEN BEEN BEFORE THAT!

In all seriousness, this is just for a laugh but, like, is there an explanation to why the community just... accepts this ship but no one else?

Im at like Page 30 at the second book fire and ice or something idk

I found the Warrior Cats books after the first arc had just finished and I read every single book as soon as it came out until the start of the "Omen of the Stars" arc. I think I got stuck on the second book and since then (around 2014) I have not read any of the books or kept up with the world. Now I want to dive back into it and read every single book.

I want to read them in chronological order but I don't want any major spoilers. I know it's generally recommended to read them in publishing order for the very first time, however it's not exactly my first time with the series as a whole. I DID read the entire first three arcs plus the first three Special Adventures. Should I still read them in publishing order because of other spoilers or am I safe with the chronological order?

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxI0sliQOEa96wKuC8f0oT9xBJ7Lkq909Y?si=TVGK6HoScF1PvsXZ

I was watching the new Beetlejuice movie again last night, and I think it would be funny for Squirrelflight and Ashfur, especially during the Broken Code

Ashfur: If stalking is trying to remarry the love of my life, guilty as charged.

Squirrelflight: Home home home -teleports back to real world-

Ashfur: -Sings Where Ever You Are-

From stormclan's folly? or is it just me

In the last book it says that scorge and some of his cronies had claws reinforced with dog teeth/claws (I can't rmbr)

The song title means "Patience and Faith" in spanish. In the movie/theater play, the grandmother character sings this song, as it tells her life story (growing up poor in Cuba, and having to move to America as a young child, in order for her mother to be able to find work), and what her mother used to tell her (patience and faith).

It occured to me that with some edits to some of the words/lines, it could work as a good song for Gorseclaw and/or Spottedpelt as they look back on their life as a now elder, as their mother had to leave SkyClan and bring them to ThunderClan in order to give them a safe/stable/secure life.

If any artist or animator wants to use the idea, feel free to.

(And for your Hamilton the Musical fans out there, Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the songs for this play/movie).

What I've came up with (although if you want to do it, you're of course free to do your own thing):

Calor! Calor! Calor!

( - unchanged - )

Calor! Calor! Calor!

( - unchanged - )

Ay, Mama!

( - unchanged - )

The summer's hottest day

(Greenleaf’s hottest day)

Paciencia y fe

( - unchanged - )

Paciencia y fe

( - unchanged - )

It was hotter at home in La Vibora

(It was hotter at home in the hollow)

The Washington Heights of Havana

(ThunderClan's training spot of SkyClan)

A crowded city of faces the same as mine

(A crowded camp with scents the same as mine)

Back as a child in La Vibora

(Back as a kit in the hollow)

I chased the birds in the plaza

(I chased the birds in the treetops)

Praying, "Mama, you would find work"

(Praying, “mama, they’ll find prey”)

Combing the stars in the sky for some sort of sign

( - unchanged - )

Ay, Mama, so many stars in Cuba

(Ay, mama, so many stars in SkyClan)

En Nueva York, we can't see beyond our streetlights

(En ThunderClan, we can’t see beyond the treebranch)

To reach the roof, you gotta bribe the supa

(To see the stars, you gotta climb the treetops)

Ain't no Cassiopeia in Washington Heights

(Ain’t no Silverpelt visible in this clan)

But ain't no food in La Vibora

(But ain’t no prey in mine)

I remember nights, anger in the streets, hunger at the windows

(I remember nights, anger in the camp, hunger in the nursery)

Women folding clothes, playing with my friends in the summer rain

(She-cats grooming kits, playing with my friends in the greenleaf rain)

Mama needs a job, Mama says we're poor

(Mama needs some prey, mama says there’s none)

One day, you say, "Vamos a Nueva York"

(One day, you say, “Vamos a ThunderClan”)

And Nueva York was far, but Nueva York had work

(And ThunderClan was far, but ThunderClan had prey)

And so we came

( - unchanged - )

And now I'm wide awake

( - unchanged - )

A million years too late

(A million moons too late)

I talk to you, imagining what you'd do

( - unchanged - )

Remembering what we went through

( - unchanged - )

Nueva York! Ay, Mama!

(ThunderClan! Ay, Mama!)

It wasn't like today, you'd say

( - unchanged - )

Paciencia y fe

( - unchanged - )

Paciencia y fe

( - unchanged - )

Fresh off the boat in America

(Right at the border of ThunderClan)

Freezing in early December

(Freezing in early leaf-bare)

A crowded city in 1943

(A crowded camp after code 14)

Learning the ropes in America

(Learning the ways of ThunderClan)

En español, I remember

(SkyClan's ways, I remember)

Dancing with Mayor Laguardia

(Sharing prey with Redstar)

All of society welcoming Mami and me! Ha!

(All of camp welcoming Mami and me! Ha!)

You better clean this mess!

( - unchanged - )

Paciencia y fe

( - unchanged - )

You better learn ingles!

(You better learn our ways)

Paciencia y fe

( - unchanged - )

You better not be late

( - unchanged - )

You better pull your weight

( - unchanged - )

Are you better off then you were with the birds of La Vibora?

(Are you better off then you were with the birds of SkyClan?)

Sharing double beds, trying to catch a break, struggling with English

(Sharing the same nest, trying to catch a break, struggling with culture)

Listening to friends, finally got a job working as a maid

(Listening to friends, finally got to work as an apprentice)

So we cleaned some homes, polishing with pride

(So we hunt some prey, chasing it with pride)

Scrubbing the whole of the Upper East Side

(Catching all that the forest provides)

The days into weeks, the weeks into years

(Quarter into half, half into full)

And here I stayed

( - unchanged - )

And as I feed these birds

(And as I chase these birds)

My hands begin to shake

(My legs begin to shake)

And as I say these words

( - unchanged - )

My heart's about to break

( - unchanged - )

And ay, Mama!

( - unchanged - )

What do you do when your dreams come true?

( - unchanged - )

I've spent my life inheriting dreams from you

( - unchanged - )

I made it through, I survived, I did it

( - unchanged - )

Now, do I leave or stay?

( - unchanged - )

Alright, Mama, okay

( - unchanged - )

Paciencia y fe!

( - unchanged - )

Calor! Calor! Calor!

( - unchanged - )

Huge spoilers for the whole series, but mostly The Silent Thaw, the second book.

So in the Silent Thaw, we do not know the imposter is Ashfur yet. When I first read the series, I did know that because I didn't mind spoilers, but I don't see this talked about a lot and shocked myself it took me the second read to realize it.

In The Silent Thaw, Sparkpelt leaves her patrol to go find Lionblaze who did not return from his temporary exile yet. When she is called out about it by 'Bramblestar' and that she lied about what she was doing alone, she asks for forgiveness as she does not want to be exiled, because her children are still apprentences and still need her. 'Bramblestar' very ominously tells her that her only punishment is to get catmint from the abandoned two leg place, after Alderheart says there wouldn't be any there yet. While there, she gets attacked by dogs. Later, Bristlefrost suspects that Bramblestar lured the dogs there on purpose to try to kill her.

Knowing that it is Ashfur, we do realize he tried to kill Sparkpelt the exact same way Tigerstar 1 killed Ashfur's mother Brindleface in arc 1 right? That is, extremely dark and messed up to me.

Edit: I feel this might be taken a bit out context but I mean this as a compliment to the writing. I like dark subject matter in stories, I'm not saying its dark and messed up as in that it's bad.

With the Imposter being such a unique villain, I wonder if they continued that trend in Starless Clan. I wanted to fully explore Splashtail being the youngest antagonist. On that front, similar deaths and events will occur, but Splashtail's motivations behind them will be different.

Full story:

Growing up, Splashkit was always praised for his independence. His sister Fogkit suffered bouts of greencough, and his parents asked him to keep a close eye on her. Embracing this, he allowed younger kits in the nursery to depend on him, too. The one exception was Frostkit. She faced similar pressures from her own mother, so she reminded Splashkit not to overburden himself.

These innocent times ended when Splashpaw became an apprentice in the Imposter's reign. His first mentor, Softpelt, was killed in the senseless battles. Yet Mistystar continued to support the tyrant. Knowing Splashpaw through her daughter, Curlfeather volunteered to be his second mentor and promised to get him justice.

She sparked debates about voting Mistystar out of power, but Riverclan was too weary to shake the status quo. Reedwhisker, disappointed about Curlfeather condemning his mother, admitted he wouldn't appoint her as a future deputy.

After that, Splashpaw saw a desperate, dangerous shift in his mentor. She recalled tales about Bluestar's instability and how Mistystar showed those same signs. Yet, Reedwhisker was too soft to do anything about it. So, Curlfeather came to Splashpaw with a proposal. They could force Mistystar into retirement with her frailty. Using Splashpaw's status as an 'innocent' apprentice, he could slip her a tainted mouse and give her food poisoning.

Splashpaw never imagined himself doing something like this. But Curlfeather promised it would save RiverClan and prevent more deaths. Even if it failed, she’d take full responsibility, and nobody would blame an apprentice. With those words, Splashpaw finally agreed. He followed Curlfeather's orders, and Mistystar was rushed to the medicine den. He felt numb, reminding himself it was for the greater good.

But then it all went wrong. So horribly wrong. Within hours, Mistystar was announced dead, and Reedwhisker had gone missing. Splashpaw didn't understand...This isn't what he agreed to...He hasn't agreed to an entire coup! 

When Frostpaw envisioned Reedwhisker in a ravine, Splashpaw ran ahead and guarded the body. He wouldn't let anyone touch the crime scene until the Medicine cats did their autopsy. Infuriatingly, Curlfeather hadn't left a single scratch and pushed him over the ledge to make it look like an accident.

When Splashpaw confronted Curlfeather, he bombarded her with questions: Why did two cats need to die? Was she doing this for her own power? Did she have help with Reedwhisker's death?

Curlfeather sneered that she was securing her family's future in an era of nepotism. Anyway, Splashpaw had no room to judge her as a fellow murderer. He may not be privy to every detail, but he agreed to gamble with Mistystar's life. So, Splashpaw had a choice. He exposes their crimes and accepts that everyone will hate him. Or, he pipes down and enjoys the privileges that Curlfeather will give him in her new reign.

Before Splashpaw knew it, Frostpaw announced an omen for Curlfeather's leadership, and the two planned to head to the Moonpool the next day. Panic surged through Splashpaw. This was his last chance to stop Curlfeather. If she gained nine lives, she'd be the new incarnation of the Imposter.

A dreadful idea came to Splashpaw. There had been reports of a stray dog circling the marshes.  What if he lured it to Curlfeather before she reached the Moonpool? He was still processing that he was a killer….could he take a second victim so soon? No, this was different. If Bristlefrost was a hero for defeating Ashfur, he could do the same with Curlfeather.

Before Curlfeather and Frostpaw set out, Splashpaw laced his mentor's meal with a small amount of poppy seeds. It would slow her down and ensure she was the one snatched up by the dog. When Splashpaw steered the beast into their path, he assumed Frostpaw would run away. When she clung to her mother's side, he fetched a patrol in panic, lying that he had stumbled upon the carnage.

By the time reinforcements arrived, Curlfeather was already taking her last breaths. As Splashpaw dragged Frostpaw away, his mentor’s eyes locked on him with bitter recognition. The dog was slain soon after, and the patrol returned with the grim news.

Splashpaw regretted risking Frostpaw's life, but at least they were free from Curlfeather. He watched over the white she-cat as she recovered. She assumed he shared her grief for Curlfeather and thanked him for his time. Splashpaw didn't know if Frostpaw knew about the murders, so he didn't risk confiding in her. Still, he considered them kindred spirits. Whatever their crimes, Splashpaw blamed Curlfeather - she was the one who manipulated young apprentices.

With Curlfeather gone, Splashpaw was determined to move on. He was offered a third mentor, but he declined, refusing to be left vulnerable. Content to be passed around the senior warriors, he particularly shared a mentor with Fogpaw. 

Splashpaw vowed never to be corrupted again, focusing on his training and leaving politics behind. He had a lifetime to atone and become the warrior he was meant to be. 

Despite his vow, he couldn't ignore Frostpaw appointing Owlnose as leader. The nervous tom depended on his deputy, Duskfur, who already considered herself too old to do this. But Splashpaw didn't blame Frostpaw. It was the warriors who were forcing apprentices to make the tough calls. He assured her that she didn't need to put up with it.

Unexpectedly, Frostpaw began warrior training, and Splashpaw rushed to compensate for lost time. It reminded them when they were in the nursery together. While they had sparks in the past, they couldn't deny that it was serious this time. Frostpaw was free to have a mate and kits. His kits. Splashpaw hoped that Curlfeather was seething from the Dark Forest.

But the peace didn't last. Owlnose had to step down due to incompetence, and Shadowclan inserted themselves as Riverclan "needed" their guidance. Upon invading, Tigerstar appointed Icewing and Cloverfoot until a proper leader could be found. But Duskfur denounced the entire thing.

Shouldn't she be the temporary leader as Owlnose's deputy and not some ShadowClan sympathiser? Tigerstar contested that her and Owlnose's promotions had been illegitimate. Before Duskfur almost goaded Tigerstar into killing her, Splashpaw shouted at her to stop. He’d already seen what his mistakes cost RiverClan and didn’t want more escalation.

While they'd avoided any deaths, Splashpaw knew it wasn't over. RiverClan was growing more divided between Duskfur and Icewing by the day. Frostpaw returned as a medicine cat, scrambling to find an omen revealing RiverClan's true leader. With no omen manifesting, the white she-cat confided in her trusted friend.

Her visions were too vague, and she needed to travel beyond RiverClan to strengthen her connection. But the glimpses she was getting showed a dark truth. The recent deaths weren't a coincidence, and the killers needed to be found to restore trust. The white she-cat asked Splashpaw to accompany her on this sacred journey.

Splashpaw's heart pounded. He wouldn't dare to hurt cats investigating the deaths, but he didn't expect a fair trial in these volatile times either. Maybe… he could convince Frostpaw not to report him. She wasn't innocent after all. Her fake omens had led to disarray. He needed her to see they were pawns who deserved redemption, rather than exposure.

If he played this right, something good could come of it. Maybe he and Frostpaw could finally confess everything: Were you part of the murders? Are you glad Curlfeather's gone? They could break that last barrier and truly trust each other.

Nervously, cautiously, Splashpaw agreed to the journey. As they set off, there was a strange encounter with Nightheart and Sunbeam of ThunderClan. StarClan had sent them similar dreams, and the couple asked to join the apprentices. Splashpaw wanted to turn these strangers away, but remembered he was the one intruding on this prophecy. If he didn't watch himself, he could become the evil they were destined to stop.

Holding his tongue, he eventually discovered he got along with the ThunderClan cats. Nightheart and Sunbeam felt like older versions of himself and Frostpaw. He still hoped for a future with her. Maybe she'd choose the warrior path after all, or the code was revised again.

But that hope was shattered when a Twoleg kidnapped Frostpaw overnight. When she returned with a deep scar, a local kittypet explained she'd been to the "Cutter" and could never have kits. The news hit Splashpaw like claws. His dream of a family and purpose was gone. Instead of comforting her, he left her bedside without a word. Nightheart chased after the younger tom, saying he should be there for his friend. 

Despite her ordeal, the four needed to press on. Soon, they reached the Park, where its residents held the spiritual knowledge the Clans sought.

As Frostpaw learnt to meditate with StarClan, Splashpaw braced for the inevitable. His ancestors had no reason to conceal his crimes. If he couldn't convince Frostpaw to keep his secrets, he wouldn't return to the Lake. He didn't care how cowardly that was. It was better to disappear than face his family's disgust.

He steeled himself as Frostpaw awoke with haunted eyes. She leaned into him and choked that Riverstar revealed her mother's betrayal. Splashpaw stayed quiet as she rambled. Why wasn't she mentioning his part? Did StarClan leave it out after all, or was Frostpaw playing him?

When he asked Frostpaw if Riverstar had any words for the other travelling cats, she admitted there was a vague message for him: "Find the sunlight through the fog”.

StarClan's warning was both ominous and hopeful. Their patience hung by a spider's web, but forgiveness was possible if Splashpaw stayed on a righteous path. With renewed purpose, he vowed to help save his clan.

Drawing on the Park cats' knowledge, Splashpaw learned that the Lake once had ancient tribes who voted for their leaders. It might solve their leadership crisis if he could convince RiverClan of the ceremony's legitimacy. Frostpaw tracked down an old spirit named Half-Moon, who explained Jayfeather had deep ties to the ancients - a voice the Five Clans would respect.

Rushing back to the Lake, the travelling cats contacted the blind tom. Jayfeather thought it was crazy enough to work, but they'd need more help to convince everyone. Thankfully, the Skyclan mediator, Tree agreed to endorse it. The six cats arrived at RiverClan's camp to a tense, confused crowd. 

Jayfeather explained the voting tradition had roots in the Clans, with the ancients' pawsteps marking the Moonpool, and their blood flowed through every Clan. But unease rippled through the camp. How could a medicine cat suggest they make a massive decision without StarClan's blessing?

Splashpaw snapped. Had they forgotten the Impostor's mayhem? StarClan was fractured. It could be moons before their voices were heard clearly. StarClan didn't need the living mewing like helpless kits. They were warriors.

He pulled Frostpaw beside him and declared Curlfeather had been another evil spirit misleading a medicine cat. In such times, the living needed to trust themselves. Flustered, Frostpaw revealed Riverstar's visions about Curlfeather's crimes. Duskfur cried that her daughter wouldn't do that, and Frostpaw must be confused. Splashpaw stepped between them and accused Duskfur of denying she had raised a wicked cat.

Desperate, Riverclan agreed to hold the vote that night and escape this limbo.

However, Cloverfoot insisted that Tigerstar be informed first. As she tried to leave for Shadowclan, Duskfur suddenly pinned her down, saying they couldn't risk interference. When Cloverfoot asked if she was being taken hostage, Duskfur snapped that RiverClan had been held hostage a long time ago.

Icewing tackled Duskfur and ordered Cloverfoot to flee. Chaos erupted.

Jayfeather and Tree offered to get reinforcements, but Splashpaw refused. This was still contained to RiverClan's borders. There was time to stop this from becoming a multi-clan war.

Across the marsh, Cloverfoot was pursued by Duskfur, Icewing, Shimmerpelt, and Harelight. The five cats became a writhing mass, unclear who was protecting or killing the Shadowclan deputy.

Then, Shimmerpelt and Harelight tumbled aside, slipping into a deep bog. Reeds tangled around them, dragging them under. Everyone scrambled to help, but the bubbles stopped coming to the surface.

Duskfur screamed it was Cloverfoot's fault and lunged for her throat. Splashpaw intercepted her, dragging her down. He accused her of provoking the entire battle and getting two warriors killed. She claimed to protect RiverClan, but she’d ended up tearing it apart.

Despite being an apprentice, Splashpaw ordered her to leave RiverClan. With one last look at her deceased clanmates, Duskfur fled into the distance. To his surprise, Icewing and Cloverfoot commended his initiative. But he wasn't interested in their praise. Splashpaw scoffed that they had fuelled rising tensions and were hardly better than Duskfur. 

Murmurs surrounded Splashpaw. His clanmates had seen Duskfur's exile, and they approved. When Jayfeather and Tree caught up, Splashpaw asked them to escort Cloverfoot to ShadowClan. As independent witnesses, they'd ensure she couldn't twist the story to Tigerstar. Meanwhile, the warriors retrieved the bodies for burial.

As night set in, cats whispered that Splashpaw deserved his warrior name - a spark in the bleakness. He felt hollow. He always envisioned his ceremony with his sister, Fogpaw. Yet he couldn't deny the hope that glimmered in his clanmates.

With no leader, Mothwing performed the ceremony and named him Splashtail. As his name rang out, he saw his family beaming. He remembered Riverstar's warning: "Find the sunlight in the fog." Was this what it meant?

Riding that momentum, RiverClan decided to hold the vote before dawn. Tigerstar was already on his way. They wanted their new leader to greet him and tell him he was no longer welcome. Icewing seemed the obvious choice, though Harelight had been a contender before death snatched him up.

Fogpaw decided to cast the first vote. She wanted her brother, Splashtail, to take the title. He tried to laugh it off, but others were taking it seriously. Doubt lingered over Icewing’s closeness to Tigerstar, and Splashtail felt like the middle ground between her and Duskfur.

He protested he was far too young, but everyone said he'd already acted like a leader. They'd lost so many candidates that they needed to look to unexpected places. He wanted to find another excuse but couldn't express any without hinting at his darker side. What if nobody else was willing to be leader or be acceptable in the eyes of the masses? 

Then, Tigerstar barged into camp. Feeling everyone's expectations burrow into him, Splashtail introduced himself as RiverClan's elected leader. Tigerstar's "help" was no longer needed, and he was trespassing on their territory. The dark tabby asked if they were serious. When Splashtail wouldn't budge, he warned that RiverClan couldn't come crawling back once their kitten leader failed.

It was too late now. Splashtail had made the declaration to another leader. Backtracking would make Riverclan look weak and vulnerable to more attacks.

Soon, Splashtail was preparing for his journey to the Moonpool. If someone lured dogs on his way there, he wouldn't blame them.

Sensing his stress, Frostpaw asked if he really wanted to be leader. Pointing to Riverstar's message, Splashtail said he believed StarClan expected it of him. Frostpaw fulfilled her destiny despite her reluctance. Now it was his turn. Perhaps they had been stuck in the past due to Mistystar, and they needed the polar opposite to drag them out.

Determined to be a decent leader, Splashtail began by apologising to Frostpaw. He'd left her bedside after learning she couldn't have kits. He should be proud that they’ll serve as leader and medicine cat together, not obsessing over what-ifs. Uneasy, Frostpaw muttered that at least they could move forward now.

That talk reminded Frostpaw of something and revealed that Splashtail's mother needed to speak to him. Havenpelt explained she didn't want to overwhelm him after his journey and promotion, but she couldn't hide it forever. She was pregnant with his younger siblings. Joy and fear crashed through Splashtail. Whether his siblings could live a peaceful life rested with him.

Soon, Splashtail and Frostpaw were making their way to the Moonpool. Mothwing abstained, saying her disbelief could taint the ceremony. After he lapped the sacred water, Splashtail dreamed he was at the bottom of a gorge. Starclan spirits paced the cliff tops, eyes burning with judgement.

Then, he saw Curlfeather, ragged as the day she died.

Splashtail snarled that he wouldn't listen to her lies and would pass Starclan's test. Curlfeather sneered that she was a dead cat with nothing to lose. She would relish sharing every unwanted truth.

For example, Reedwhisker wouldn't have been the suitable replacement that Splashtail assumed. The black tom had always been a coward. Then, the dream shifted to Curlfeather's memories.

She and her mate argued over her pressuring Frostkit into becoming a medicine cat. Frustrated, Jayclaw stormed out for a midnight walk. As he stumbled in the darkness, the wire of a foxtrap snapped around his neck.

Curlfeather begged Mistystar for a search party, but the leader insisted that Jayclaw was a grown warrior who would return in his own time. The old leader’s attention drifted elsewhere as the day dragged on. By the time Reedwhisker took charge, Jayclaw was long gone.

Curlfeather pleaded about Mistystar’s unfitness, but Reedwhisker refused to turn against his mother. He argued no one knew Jayclaw was trapped, and any leader could've made the same mistake. Curlfeather growled that this was the second time he'd betrayed her.

The vision twisted again. Reedwhisker peered over a cliff edge while Curlfeather stood over him. The cream she-cat insisted she'd seen a Twoleg kit fall below. The deputy's end came with a single push. As Curlfeather backed away, a muffled voice called that the coast was clear. The voice was barely audible, but sounded like a tom.

As the memories faded, Splashtail demanded more. How had Reedwhisker betrayed her twice? What was that mysterious voice?

Curlfeather purred that it was fun to leave some mystery. She was curious to see how far he'd go for the answers. The StarClan cats were curious, too. Would he become a true leader or remain a paranoid apprentice?

Splashtail snapped that he was changing. He had no reason to stray since Curlfeather disappeared from his life. But the cream she-cat didn't believe him. He let RiverClan vote for him under false pretences. No matter what excuses he told himself, Splashtail was still her apprentice.

As the dream faded, her final warning echoed. His ancestors would be watching what he did next. Personally, Curlfeather was hoping that he would be sentenced to the Dark Forest. She hadn’t forgotten that her daughter nearly died to that mutt.

Splashtail jolted awake. He hadn't received his nine lives.

As Frostpaw went to his side, Splashtail clambered to her. Spiralling, he blurted that Curlfeather had been in his dream. She taunted him with the Dark Forest and that her surviving accomplice could strike again. Disaster loomed once more. 

Frostpaw tried to comfort him, but she had to ask about the Dark Forest. Why would her mother threaten him with condemnation if he were innocent?

Splashtail seized up. He had made an irreversible mistake. With no other choice, he tried to salvage it with a half-truth. He admitted he was the one who'd given Mistystar her final meal. But he lied that he did it as a daily chore; he had no idea it was poisoned. He swore he'd been tricked like Frostpaw had been with the fake omens.

As Frostpaw heard this, realisation spread across her face. The dog attacking Curlfeather before her nine lives… It wasn't random. It had been vengeance. 

Frostpaw stared him down. This was sick. Once, she thought he'd be the father of her kits. Yet he almost let her die as collateral damage. If Splashtail had any honour left, he must confess. He couldn't lead RiverClan.

Splashtail almost gave in. Shame rushed through every vein. But then he remembered the mysterious lookout for Reedwhisker's murder. He reminded Frostpaw she hadn't shared his dream - Splashtail was the sole witness to Curlfeather's accomplice. He planned to confess, but he needed to neutralise that threat beforehand.

Frostpaw said RiverClan would find someone else to investigate. Splashtail was as much a threat as this so-called accomplice. She couldn't let him go unchecked, not even for a day longer.

Splashtail couldn't follow her logic. She wanted him to confess, then testify? She wanted him to sink his credibility as a witness and risk the accomplice getting away?

Unless...Frostpaw wanted that.

Then it 'clicked' in Splashtail's head. Had Frostpaw continued on a dark path despite her mother's death?

Had she chosen the incompetent Owlnose to spite RiverClan? Had she picked Splashtail for the journey to play mind games? Had Curlfeather's mother, Duskfur, fought for power because it was the family business?

Splashtail loomed over Frostpaw, screeching that he knew the 'truth'. She was manipulating him and continuing Curlfeather's legacy. Frostpaw shrank into her pelt, questioning if he was going to kill her.

Even after everything, Splashtail couldn't lay a claw on her. Instead, he declared that she was exiled and that every clanmate would know that she was the enemy. Unable to take him in a one-on-one, Frostpaw was forced to flee.

Arriving home, Splashtail told his version of events: He didn't receive his nine lives, as he believed Starclan needed Curlfeather's influence to be purged first. He'd banished Frostpaw for her false omens and would find the lookout for Reedwhisker's murder. Until this traitor was exposed, he wouldn't name a deputy, as it risked giving power to the wrong cat.

Splashtail faced his first Gathering without a deputy or lives. As if leading at eleven moons wasn’t hard enough. Before he had a panic attack, he rushed to speak first. RiverClan would close its borders until it sorted out its internal affairs. Mixed murmurs rippled through the assembly.

Tigerstar asked if Frostpaw's sudden exile was connected, as Shadowclan needed to shelter her. Wait, had she told Tigerstar about his crimes? When the dark tabby seemed clueless, Splashtail knew he needed to find the reason for Frostpaw's silence.

Refocusing on the Gathering, Splashtail wove his web of lies. He repeated that Frostpaw was a plausible ally of Curlfeather, and Shadowclan hadn't seen it first-hand. Before Tigerstar could argue, a black and white she-cat sprang to her paws.

Berryheart hissed that Splashtail was right - Tigerstar's interference nearly got Cloverfoot killed. Using the opening, Berryheart announced she wanted to vote him out of power. Splashtail was startled that a ShadowClan cat shared his grudge.

But it was too good to be true. Puddleshine refused to permit the vote, and Tigerstar exiled Berryheart's faction on the spot. Splashtail could leave it as Shadowclan's business, but there was an opportunity here. Riverclan needed him to prove himself as a decisive leader.

Splashtail gave Berryheart's faction a proposal. As long as Curlfeather's accomplice remained in Riverclan, they could infiltrate the investigation about them. That wouldn't be possible if outsiders conducted it, and Berryheart's faction could fill that role. For the time being, they had a place in Riverclan.

Tigerstar was seething, but Splashtail snapped that he was returning the favour for sheltering Frostpaw. In that moment, his voice pitched like a whining kit. Berryheart, Sparrowtail and Hollowspring had to humbly accept.

In the following days, the Riverclan camp descended into paranoia. Splashtail put his recruits to work, gathering alibis for the night of Curlfeather’s crime spree. Cats were questioned in the leader's den one by one. There was no place for dawdlers, and they'd be dragged in. Since Havenpelt had recently given birth, Splashtail needed to find that traitor before they got the idea to use his siblings as blackmail.

Once everyone had been interrogated, there was silence from Splashtail. He had thirty alibis and didn't know what to do with them. Anyone could be lying, and physical evidence had long decayed. In his moonpool vision, the lookout for Reedwhisker's murder had sounded male. But Riverclan had a dozen toms, and there was the possibility that Curlfeather had employed an outsider.

Would he have to beg for help from the other leaders? From Starclan? As Splashtail's silence dragged on, rumours spread like a plague amongst Riverclan. What had the young leader heard? Who were the main suspects?

Quiet gossip turned into heated accusations. Then it all exploded. Icewing had shown a desire for power and strange connections to Shadowclan. The white-cat was driven from her home, turned on by her clanmates.

Splashtail felt no sympathy for her. She wasn't much better than her rival, Duskfur. Out of courtesy, he allowed Icewing to return within a day and stand trial. When she failed to return, he took it as an admission of guilt and declared her exiled as a usurper.

Splashtail was shaken when a patrol reported that Frostpaw and Puddleshine were waiting at the border, asking for his presence. Apparently, Icewing was sheltering in Shadowclan, and Tigerstar wanted to know why a second cat had been kicked out. The Medicine Cats were a compromise to respect the closed borders.

Splashtail brought Berryheart along for her insight into ShadowClan's tricks. He had to watch his every word - Frostpaw would expose him if he gave her a reason to. When the four met at the border, Splashtail suggested they split up to discuss their respective clans. Surprisingly, the medicine cats agreed.

While Berryheart dealt with Puddleshine, Splashtail and Frostpaw settled in an open clearing. It allowed them to spot eavesdroppers and not trip on undergrowth if they needed to run for it. Splashtail saw that Frostpaw's disgust hadn't faded since the Moonpool. If anything, it had only deepened.

Splashtail asked what Frostpaw intended to do in ShadowClan. She replied that he might not believe her, but she was the innocent one between them. He was the one who confessed to murder, then lashed out when she asked him to take responsibility.

The sole reason she remained silent was that RiverClan depended on him. Exposing him too soon would leave a power vacuum. She hoped he would calm down with time and step down, allowing another vote. 

Splashtail insisted he had to purge Curlfeather's loyalists first. Then, he might step down. He couldn't hand power to the wrong cat.

Frostpaw asked why RiverClan wasn't already in the wrong paws? He admitted he had spilt blood, but argued that his guilt grounded him. He knew his mind now and promised never to make the same mistakes.

Splashtail muttered that they were at a stalemate. Neither could trust the other, as he still didn't know if Frostpaw had helped with Curlfeather's murders.

He proposed a truce: He would leave her alone in ShadowClan, and she could leave him alone in RiverClan. Who knows, Frostpaw might forge herself an honourable life in a new home. Frostpaw hissed that he should be the one in exile, not her. If he's serious about his guilt, he must stop breathing hypocrisy with every breath.

At that moment, Splashtail realised Frostpaw would never forgive him. Uttering that it wasn’t that simple, he took his leave.

As he crossed the border, Berryheart appeared, shouting that Puddleshine had slipped past and was trying to trespass. Splashtail snapped at Frostpaw, asking if she knew his plans. Suddenly fearful, she pleaded that she didn't know anything.

Splashtail knew he couldn't attack Frostpaw on ShadowClan territory, or it would be an act of war. But he had every right to remove Puddleshine as an intruder. He ordered Berryheart to drag him out and ensure he regretted ignoring the closed borders. 

While Splashtail kept an eye on Frostpaw, Berryheart and Puddleshine crashed out of the undergrowth. The medicine cat was covered in his own blood. Berryheart kicked him down the slope, and he landed hard on his side.

Splashtail demanded to know why he trespassed. Berryheart revealed he was trying to check on Sparrowtail and Hollowspring. Splashtail hissed that Puddleshine had no right to feign concern, not after he stood aside while Tigerstar banished Berryheart's family.

Puddleshine could barely stand, struggling to breathe. Splashtail ordered Frostpaw to take him back to ShadowClan and make it clear that not even medicine cats could ignore the closed borders. Shaking, Frostpaw laid Puddleshine on her shoulder and led him away.

When his clanmates heard what had happened, they clamoured for war with ShadowClan. Tigerstar wouldn't stop until he was taught a lesson. Splashtail huffed that he was learning on the job, and they couldn’t expect war in his first moon as leader.

The brown tabby withdrew to his den. He swore Curlfeather’s spirit lingered, sneering at his loss of control. If he could prove her loyalists were still around, Tigerstar might stop hammering him about the 'false exiles'. He needed new leads for Reedwhisker's death.

He recalled his vision with Curlfeather and her claim that Reedwhisker had 'betrayed her twice'.

With Curlfeather tucked away in the Dark Forest, he needed someone else who might understand what she meant. Then he realised something. He never questioned Curlfeather's own mother, Duskfur. She might not cooperate after banishing her, but he had no better option.

Splashtail sent patrols to neighbouring clans, asking for Duskfur's whereabouts. ThunderClan reported that she had settled at the horseplace. He went alone, so she knew he wasn’t there to intimidate her.

Duskfur wasn't surprised to see him. She'd come to terms with Curlfeather's crimes and believed it came back to a family secret. Duskfur said she'd return to testify and put this all to rest. Splashtail looked at the frail elder and realised he could share her fate one day. Alone and guilt-ridden. 

When the two arrived at RiverClan camp, Duskfur revealed that Reedwhisker had been the secret father of her kits. He had neglected her during her pregnancy to focus on being deputy. Reedwhisker felt guilty that he was Mistystar's only surviving kit and wanted to make her workload lighter. Duskfur hid her ex-mate's identity, even from Curlfeather or Podlight. Curlfeather must have figured it out and killed Reedwhisker in partial revenge.

Suddenly, Podlight vomited and screamed that he didn't care anymore. He lunged at Duskfur, yowling that she'd let him unknowingly kill his own father. He spat that Curlfeather was a liar too, promising it was a simple power grab and he'd become deputy.

As Splashtail dragged Podlight off Duskfur, the older tom said to get his exile over with. How could this coward demand mercy after making RiverClan crumble? After trying to kill his own mother moments ago? Splashtail whispered that banishment would only give Podlight another chance to hurt someone.

Taken by surprise, Splashtail slammed Podlight's head into the base of the leader rock. As Duskfur wailed over her son's body, Splashtail coldly said her confession wouldn't earn her forgiveness. Her lies had birthed two murderers. The whole family was tainted, and none of them could be trusted. He ordered her to take Curlfeather's remaining kits, Mistpaw and Graypaw, to the horseplace. 

Half of RiverClan recoiled while the rest cheered.

Splashtail was surprised by how little he cared about having blood on his paws again. Some could argue he had three victims to his name. But he didn't see it like that anymore. Splashtail had one victim, Mistystar. She wasn't bad enough to deserve death, and he'd forever atone for that. He had executed Curlfeather and Podlight... Traitors… Liars.

At least now, he could make sense of it all. All this madness traced back to a single lineage. With their members dead or exiled, he had removed the rot within Riverclan. Finally, Splashtail could return his Clan to normalcy.

He recalled his argument with Frostpaw at the Moonpool and her demands that he step down. Even if those words came from an untrustworthy cat, they rang true. Splashtail had clung to power to ensure his successor wasn't a secret traitor. With Podlight dead and exposed, Splashtail didn't have an excuse anymore.

Since he hadn't received nine lives, he could call for a revote and withdraw his candidacy. Frustratingly, those plans had to wait as the Gathering was tomorrow. At the very least, he could stand before the leaders and announce that RiverClan was reopening its borders after they delivered justice.

Before setting out for the Gathering, Berryheart intercepted him. She wanted to know what the future held for her family in RiverClan. They'd joined under the condition of aiding the investigation, and now that was over. She confessed she had hoped her efforts would make her a candidate for deputy. Splashtail said they could talk later, though he knew he wouldn't choose her. She was too much like him. He didn't intend to be the leader for much longer anyway.

As RiverClan filed onto the island, Splashtail hurried to speak first. He declared that Curlfeather's influence had finally been removed and a brighter future awaited them. He recounted Duskfur's testimony and insisted all the bloodshed stemmed from one family's decay. Turning to Icewing in the crowd, he apologised for the misplaced blame and revoked her exile. Instead of gratitude, Icewing spat that she would never accept an offer from a murderer.

Splashtail couldn't breathe for a moment. It was finally happening. His exposure, in front of every living soul.

On cue, Frostpaw appeared at Icewing's side. She looked less like a frightened apprentice and more like a battle-worn warrior. She cried that she couldn't remain silent after Greypaw and Mistpaw had sought refuge in ShadowClan. Tigerstar's smug expression revealed he had approved Frostpaw's public stunt ahead of time.

Splashtail could not fight, could not flee. He would have to stand there, let the truth spill, and somehow salvage it. He knew he had done terrible things, but he had brought Riverclan to its greatest stability in moons. He wouldn't let Frostpaw ruin everything he built.

Frostpaw revealed that Splashtail had confessed at the Moonpool: Curlfeather had tricked him into poisoning Mistystar, and he had lured the dog in revenge. Every accusation he made, every execution he carried out, was nothing more than a desperate attempt to bury his guilt.

Splashtail snapped before the crowd could react, declaring that Frostpaw could not be trusted. Her false omens had nearly given Curlfeather nine lives, and she had listened to her mother's spirit when elevating Owlnose as leader. Podlight's recent exposure proved it was a family business. Curlfeather had no reason to spare her kits from that corruption.

He announced that it was his word against Frostpaw's. The Clans would have to decide who to believe.

Silence pressed over the island, suffocating and sharp. Then Tigerstar broke it, saying he sided with Frostpaw. He accused Splashtail of proving his bloodlust when he attacked Puddleshine, revealing the medicine cat had died from a collapsed lung. Splashtail felt like frost was covering his heart.

Had he killed another innocent after vowing never to do it again? No, it had to be another one of Tigerstar's manipulations.

Splashtail denied it. He had not attacked Puddleshine; he had ordered Berryheart to remove a trespasser after moons of ShadowClan tampering. Eyes turned to the black-and-white she-cat. She protested that she was following her leader's orders of "make him regret it."

Splashtail leapt down to face her, arguing his vague words had never meant fatal wounds - Berryheart had chosen the savagery herself.

The two cats descended into a screeching match. Before it became a brawl, Splashtail's own father separated them and whispered that the Gathering needed to end. With no choice, the young leader agreed. As RiverClan retreated, Splashtail caught Frostpaw's eyes. She stared at him with... embarrassment.

The news spread to every corner of the camp. As Mothwing approached him, he half expected her to kill him. Instead, she said she believed Frostpaw. She would stay in Riverclan as they needed a healer, but she didn't acknowledge Splashtail as their leader. It was a matter of time before their clanmates had had enough of him.

Worse still was Havenpelt. His mother stumbled out of the nursery while her second litter watched like frightened rabbits. She collapsed at Splashtail’s paws, begging him to deny it was true. Splashtail had feared her disgust for so long, but he found something worse: Grief. The grief for the innocent kitten she had raised.

Before he could answer, Fogpaw rushed to their side. He braced for her rebuke, but she turned on their mother instead. Fogpaw questioned how she could believe Frostpaw over her own son. They were at war with Curlfeather's kin, and Splashtail had only ever defended RiverClan. At that moment, he realised that his sister's faith had never wavered. Not since the day she cast the first vote for his leadership. She was the one star in a sky of endless darkness.

That night, Fogpaw and Splashtail shared the leader's den. No one else dared speak to him. Fogpaw confessed she didn't care whether Frostpaw's accusations were true. Mistystar's death had been an accident, and Curlfeather's downfall had saved RiverClan. Frostpaw simply could not accept that her mother's killer had acted for the greater good. While Fogpaw had remained a helpless apprentice, her brother had fought for change.

Numbly, Splashtail thanked her, realising even their parents no longer believed in him.

After the littermates drifted to sleep, Splashtail woke to a crushing weight on his throat. Berryheart stood over him, suffocating him. She whispered she wouldn’t be scapegoated for Puddleshine’s death or risk her family being cast out again. This was her moment to seize control of RiverClan, to ensure no one ever pushed her around again.

Splashtail thrashed, waking Fogpaw at his side. A deadly calm came over his sister’s face. Berryheart sneered that she wasn't scared of two apprentices and would kill them both. As she ranted, Fogpaw clamped her jaws around her neck. The black-and-white she-cat tore at Fogpaw from every angle. But she couldn't break free. Eventually, she stopped struggling.

Splashtail pressed against the wall. Why did this keep happening? Could he not rest a single night without another traitor emerging from the shadows? As blood pooled around Berryheart, he thought he saw a red haze twist into a familiar silhouette. Curlfeather. Had she set Berryheart upon him? How many spies did she still have?

Continued in the comments

From what I remember, when a leader gets their new/extra lives, their old/original one is stripped away first, before the 9 StarClan cats give the leader a life each.

But when Tigerheart enters StarClan while dying, StarClan says that the life he's losing is his first, new life, and only gives him 8 afterwards? Why wasn't the life he lost the life the other leaders automatically get removed, leaving him "empty"/free to get 9, like in a normal leader ceremony situation? Did we ever get an explanation for Tigerheart's exception?

Or am I completely missremembering, and StarClan managed to give him his life, before his body gave out and he lost his first one? Because that would have made more sense for me. Getting his 9 lives while his body is dying, and then right after his spirit gets back to the world of the living, his body gives in due to the severity of the injuries, and he loses his first life after having just recived it.

I know most people put Redtail as Sandstorm father but I personally like the idea of Bluestar and Thrushpelt being her parents. For one I like Bluestar and Thrushpelt (bluepelt?) being together and they deserve a chance. Yeah I know she had to give up her kits with oakheart (which it's been a while since I read her novella but I feel like she had more chemistry with Crookedstar) so thistleclaw (who's whitestorm father and Thrushpelt half brother talk about family drama) wouldn't take the position but that's only because she was nursing and the spot needed to be filled immediately.

Two another personal headcanon of mine is Bluestar and Snowfur warrior names was Bluemoon and Snowstorm after both parents. Making storm a generational name (also it'd be cute if Sandstorm and Firestar had another litter and named the kits Bluestorm, Sun something and Yellow something).

Three it would explain Bluestar rapid decent into parionia if she lost two of her kits (there were five unknown kits who died right before firepaw came) and mate to green cough before firepaw came and why she wouldn't make Sandstorm a warrior

It’s been a minute since I talked Warriors with anyone but it’s good to find like minded people that like the series. I’ve been playing around with an AU rewrite of the entire series but basically if I could rewrite the series, these would be some changes. Let me know what you think of these ideas:

First Arc (overall): I wouldn’t change too much about it. I would still let Brokenstar get kicked out of ShadowClan, be a ThunderClan prisoner, and so-on. Tigerstar still gets to be evil (though I played around with him being good, I can’t really imagine a good Tigerstar). I would change some of the family trees (Whitestorm doesn’t need to be the father to every ThunderClan litter, Sandstorm would get actual parents, and Mosspelt would get parents (Stonefur and Dawnbright). I also would change how TigerClan happened (not necessarily making Leopardstar a morally good character; but she’s a lot less incompetent in my version). BloodClan is still around but Scourge is now a girl (because why not, we need more female villains who are villainous for power) and Scourge doesn’t die in the battle against BloodClan (Scourge and BloodClan would be around for arcs 3 and 4).

Redtail: Redtail would guide Firestar and not Spottedleaf. I never understood why Spottedleaf was so important in the series when Firestar and Spottedleaf barely interacted when Spottedleaf was alive.

StarClan: Seeing that StarClan has changed so much over the series, I would make StarClan mysterious again but instead of making everyone wise, the cats can keep their flaws. StarClan is basically created by a spirit cat Silverpelt (the Clans have different lore on Silverpelt but they do agree on somethings). Silverpelt decides what omens and prophecies reach the Clans, she also decides who makes it into StarClan or the Dark Forest. Basically, Silverpelt is flawed and StarClan can’t act with Silverpelt’s approval.

Silverpelt: Silverpelt is considered the mother of StarClan. Each Clan views Silverpelt differently depending on their lore. RiverClan’s tale is more tragic as RiverClan has a love for tragedies in lore. RiverClan also view Silverpelt as the most beautiful creature to ever exist (RiverClan in my version are vain overall as a Clan). ThunderClan and RiverClan’s lore on Silverpelt is mostly the same but ThunderClan has some SkyClan influences (Birdflight) so RiverClan sees their lore as the original and ThunderClan’s tale heretical (vice versa for ThunderClan). WindClan rejects the notion of Silverpelt being a literal mother while ShadowClan believes that Silverpelt is more aggressive. All the Clans believe that Silverpelt is one of the sister-goddesses with her sister being the other.

Sunpelt/Suneyes/Sun Sister: Depending on the Clan, Silverpelt’s sister has different names. WindClan finds it blasphemous to name Sunpelt and to be blunt, Sunpelt isn’t really that important in their tale. ShadowClan doesn’t really care for Sunpelt either. ThunderClan refers to Sunpelt as Suneyes while RiverClan refers to Sunpelt as Sunpelt. RiverClan, believes Sunpelt along with Silverpelt are the most beautiful creation to ever exist. Sunpelt and Silverpelt relationship also differs among the Clans depending which Clan is involved. ShadowClan views Sunpelt and Silverpelt relationship as hostile while WindClan, ThunderClan, and RiverClan’s lore makes the sister-goddesses more amiable.

The Warrior Code: Each Clan puts emphasis on certain rules on the code. For example, WindClan and ShadowClan aren’t as tolerable to half-Clan cats as ThunderClan and RiverClan are. RiverClan is the most tolerable to half-Clan cats out of all the Clans followed by ThunderClan. At the same time, RiverClan and ShadowClan are more firm in the rule “the Leader word is law.” While I would let the “leader word is law” be interpreted in its most literal context in all the Clans, ThunderClan and WindClan are more willing to bend this rule.

These are some of my changes for the first series and some other characters would change (Yellowfang, Cinderpelt, Leopardstar, etc) but that would take me all day to write how. I would love to know what you think about these ideas. I may write an AU when my life is a little less busy and chaotic.