[ti]Open[/ti]A Great Danger

[Miss Tactical]

Eveningblaze had watched Brackenstar fall into the trap. He had raced after him for as long as his legs could carry him before the two-leg monster went out of reach. He had cursed under his breath. Russetflame, Susanpaw, Brackenstar, Milkberry….with a defeated look in his eyes, he had strolled back to camp. All the warriors had eyes on him as if he had all the answers. The gathering would be in a few days, there was too much work to be done. His eyes trailed over towards Bellfeather, he had let their son…get away with Brackenstar. When he got his claws in that toms fur he would give him a good word. The sweetest boy…his eyes fell on Carrotpaw, and he smiled softly. Things would get better he would just need to delegate…

The battle scarred tom jumped towards where Brackenstar normally made his announcements. He puffed out his chest and let out a loud battle like cry. ”ALL CATS OLD ENOUGH TO HUNT THEIR OWN PREY GATHER HERE FOR A CLAN MEETING.” His voice rang across the clearing as cats begin to gather, it was new to them, hearing his voice. He cleared his throat, tail lashing back and forth. When everyone had gathered there was a few things he needed to address. With cats gone, apprentices needed to be shifted around, new outsiders whom, quite frankly he didn’t trust. New rules…and of course a new cat to do his job since he would have to do Brackenstars.

”First and foremost NO Apprentice is to leave camp without a senior warrior, groups should always be three or more. Two-legs are putting capture monsters in our territory, Brackenstar, Russetflame, Milkberry and Susanpaw have been captured and were taken away by a monster…I chased them as far as I could. I believe they took them to the two-leg place. “ He mewed. He didn’t want anyone else going missing on his watch, he would never forgive himself. There were too many things that needed to be done.

”All hunting patrols will avoid heading towards the tracks, it is possible that these contraptions are in our small forest strip and fields, look for any leaves or bracken that looks out of place. If you see one Do NOT go near it. “ He watched as warriors begin to murmur a few things to themselves, probably curious as to how he was going to get Brackenstar back. Everything would fall on him now. With a sigh there were other things that needed to be switched as well.

”I promise you all I will do my best to get him back but I must delegate my tasks. With Russetflame gone, Snakepaw you are without a mentor I cannot have this. Darkstorm, you are young, but you have turned into a FINE warrior. I want you to pass on your quick whit and charm to Snakepaw. You will finish his training until Russetflame can be found. “ He mewed. He was certain if Darkstorm could survive having stones tossed at him for discipline he would be able to survive training a Mothstar Grand-kit. He smirked slightly, rather excited to see how he would turn out.

One problem down, one to go. He couldn’t lead and co-lead at the same time. His eyes scanned the cats around him, his first choice to help him was Bellfeather, granted she was fresh out of the nursery, and her son just taken, and an apprentice, he couldn’t do that to her. ”As you know the gathering is in a few days, and while I substitute for Brackenstar until he can be found, I need someone to be me. “ He mewed. He locked eyes with a young black tom, normally he would have looked to someone older, but perhaps a young cat would give them all something to look forward to. ”Batstrike, until Brackenstar returns, you are the temporary deputy of MothClan.”

With that, Eveningblaze jumped down from his place, tail lashing. He padded into Brackenstars den and laid down. I’m coming Brackenstar as soon as the gathering is over I will come for you! Susanpaw too you best take care of him or I will line my nest with your fur!” His whiskers gave a light twitch of amusement as he paced back and forth, trying to come up with a plan

[M'Lady]

Snakepaw watched on with a bit of interest, but he was more irked than worried for their leader. Darkstorm, really? Eveningblaze couldn't have thought of a better mentor for him? Darkstorm was young, too young, and Snakepaw didn't trust him for one instant. Not that he super enjoyed Russetblaze, but at least his training had been adequate. Fire glimmered in his pale eyes. Yeah, time to make this warrior's life hell until either his real mentor was found or Eveningblaze changed it for him. He caught Darkstorm's eye, and gave the warrior a wicked grin.

Tansysong, on the other paw, was rather worried. Though, like always, her worry came out as more aggravation than it did anxiety. A coping mechanism, if you will. Brackenstar better have a hell of an explanation for being caught. Their clan had just lost a leader, they couldn't lose another one. Though, she thought Eveningblaze was being a bit... Dramatic, over the whole situation. He had a clan of warriors to back him up. And Brackenstar knew what he was doing, with the help of nine lives to get him out of there with his clanmates. Tansysong had taught him a fair bit, after all, and she trusted in her own skills the most. She glanced around as Eveningblaze whirled around to go into Brackenstar's den, the soft murmur of whispered concerns filling the air around her. Shaking her head, the shadowy tabby padded after the deputy to the entrance of her leader's den, poking her head inside to look at the tom with flickering fern green eyes. "'Ey, Evenin'blaze," She spoke, her voice soft, though her accent was still strongly present even in quiet tones. "S'there anythin' I can d'fer you?"

[Storm]

Batstrike
MothClan | Warrior | Tom | 22 Moons | Heterosexual

The lean feline hesitated to move at the sound of Eveningblaze's voice calling for the clan.  It wasn't time for ceremonies and why did Brackenstar have the deputy calling the clan together?  It seemed like maybe this was the deputy rallying for another patrol to push the borders or a pep talk for better hunting patrol turn outs.  Batstrike dreaded as he pushed himself to his white paws to move to gather with his clanmates.  

His sour mood was abruptly dropped with the first words.  This is bad.  His yellow gaze shot to Cherryhawks pelt and a wave of relief lessened the panic welling in his chest.  He didn't heed the deputy's following warning because his mind had wandered to how he would ask Cherryhawk to stick close to him and not do anything risky while this danger lurked.  Their relationship had been tested recently with her bringing the outsider in, he'd never had to scold her like that before, would she resent him now even if he just wanted her to stay safe?  Rose, a brief flash of heat crossing his pelt, was it the outsider that brought the twolegs out here? No, he puffed out his held breath.  No lost kittypet would bring twolegs out in such force, he was ashamed of himself for trying to find someone to blame in the moment.  

The burning suns in his eyes drifted back up to Eveningblaze as his resolve swirled with confusion like the snow flurries in the sky.  Brackenstar was among the missing and that was a blow to the clan and the tom who looked up to the leader.  A lost look crossed his face as Eveningblaze locked eyes with him, wondering why the tom didn't continue on.  His eyes only widened when his name was spoken, he stood sharply and instinctively his face returned neutral before the clans eyes turned to him.   Batstrike only stood before the clan for a moment before pushing through the murmuring and fear of the clan to follow Eveningblaze into the leaders den. 

[mewmehh]

A feeling of dread laden the air of the campsite, thick and choking as cats listened with pricked ears. Glances were cast side to side in order to look for the faces of those listed as missing and with no luck, panic started to settle in. However, no one seemed quite as affected as Carrotpaw.

The blue cat was practically foaming at the mouth, his body shaking in horror as he sidled up close to his mother's feathery pelt. His amber eyes were bulging and glossy and breathing was fleeting as he found himself at a lack of air. With his brother being trapped, Carrotpaw felt not only the terror of not knowing what would befall Susanpaw, but also his brother's own sense of fear. Their empathy connection was no longer a blessing in this instance, leaving the empath that was Carrotpaw nearly crippled with sickening fear. As he listened to his father's announcement, the blue tom rocked back and forth, earning him a few concerned looks and a comforting lick from his mother.

Bellfeather's expression was hard to read as she fixed her eyes to Eveningblaze. Despite the uproar around her, the blue warrior did her best to focus and keep serious; while an expert as taking things easy, it was a whole different ballgame with her son being one of those captured, especially after having already lost a kit moons prior. Not that they know that. Keep cool, Bellfeather. She exhaled a slow breath before moving to lick her remaining kit trembling beside her, doing her best to comfort him. Her gaze narrowed as she ignored the click of a tongue uttered by Hornpaw nearby, heeding her sons' denmate little mind. He COULD try to feel a little bit concerned for his clanmates... She shook the thought away and returned her attention to her mate.

As Eveningblaze spoke, specifically regarding his replacement, Bellfeather was sure they had connected for a moment. The pair had shared a knowing gaze and in response to the deputy's troubled look, the blue she-cat had offered an encouraging smile. She had to stay strong; strong to her son and her mate and for her clan overall. This was not the time to find herself in a hole. After all, Mothstar would likely roll around in his grave if he found looked down from Starclan to see his apprentice anything but ready to face the issue head-on.

[noctemq]

Cherryhawk sat down, listening to the news intently. Her dark eyes widened at the mention of the monsters; somehow, despite her often reckless nature, she hadn't encountered one at all. Was this happening in other territories? Would a squad of Mothclan warriors have to travel to the twoleg place to try to find the missing group? Questions without answers swirled around in her mind as Eveningblaze continued to talk. This would be the hardest leaf-bare the clan has ever faced in her life so far, and Cherryhawk would do everything in her power to help out.

She felted mixed emotions on her previous mentor's temporary promotion. She agreed with Eveningblaze that he was the best cat to help lead them through this, though she worried for Brackenstar and the others. Normally she'd give Batstrike a holler, but the atmosphere was too heavy for such joy. Her gaze followed as he disappeared into the leader's den. She knew he was strong, but hopefully this wouldn't be an overwhelming amount of stress for him, especially right after the drama concerning her own apprentice, Rosepaw.

[Fireflake]

Mantispaw pricked her ears and stared up at her father with a confused look. She quickly broke away from the chat she'd been having with a few other apprentices as they too fell silent to listen to Eveningblaze. The young apprentice had already sensed the crackling in the air but, not yet privy to the conversations of senior warriors, hadn't heard the news. Something had just happened. Something big. Her ears stood to attention and the rest of her followed suit.

Her muscles tensed and she had to force her ears not to flick down. Susanpaw? Milkberry? Brackenstar?! Twolegs... She'd never met Russetflame, but had seen the ginger she-cat around camp and assumed she was a good warrior. Something had to be done. The apprentice was suddenly so riled up about the problem outside of MothClan camp that mention of the problem inside caught her off guard.

Mantispaw stretched out her long neck and her long legs, all the way down to her long toes, as she peered out over the crowd and tried to see who Eveningblaze would choose to help him. Batstrike! She stared at the young black warrior for a few moments before someone's head bobbed and he moved out of sight. Batstrike... her mentor's brother. She nodded her approval as if it was necessary.

It seemed time to wander away and return to normal, less exciting, and now more restricting, clan life. She gave a hefty sigh and turned from the crowd but pricked her ears upright again when she saw Tansysong at the entrance to Brackenstar's den. Good idea! Mantispaw too scurried along and peeped her head in. "Or me?" she offered, tagging herself to the end of the warrior's offer.