Los Angeles Is Burning

[mewmehh]

He had been casually sharing tongues with Applewind and some of her friends when he smelt it; the thick, burning scent of ash and smoke was heavy on the air as it drifted from Mothclan’s direction. Deep, black clouds awashed the sky in waves of gray and filled the land with a great sense of worry. Belly full of nerves and hackles raised, Sablestar sprang up and shot for the camp entrance. With Saltweed at his heels before he could even call out, ”Warriors to me!” , the Mistclan leader raced off into their territory, racing for the flames they could already feel licking the air in their waves of heat. The air grew hot and thin as the band of cats screeched to a halt at their land’s border, stunned by what met them.

A splayed array of Mothclan cats clung in fear-scent lay across the border, stinking of burned flesh and smoke. Something’s not right! Dashing over to the nearest cat, Sablestar was greeted with the thick odor of smoke. His expression softened to that of worry as his furrowed brow deepened. ”What’s happening? Are you okay?” Sablestar raised his head and stiffened, opening his mouth to taste the air. Flecks of ash traced his tongue and the Mistclan leader bite back with a hiss.

”There’s a fire.” Sounding more as a gloom realization rather than question, the ruddy tabby swiftly scanned the clearing for Eveningstar or his deputy. Really anyone who knew what in Starclan’s name was going on!?!

Splitting the air, a young lad’s voice brightly chirped, ”We’re on fire! Mothclan’s on fire!!” Slugpaw’s eyes twinkled like glistening embers, his curious expression neither betraying nor concealing any notion that he really knew what was going on. "Slugpaw, hush!! Bellfeather quickly scolded thereafter.

”A fire?” The tone of the apprentice had astonished the leader as his rebuttal resembled a question. His voice was husky as already the scent of smoke began to overwhelm him. Raising his head up, he growled, ”Saltweed, guide them back to camp. I want Daisypetals to have a look at their throats!” He turned back and began running at top speed towards Mothclan’s side of the border and for the first time since his naming, Sablestar truly felt the gift of boundless energy Springrain had given him. His heart was hammering and his head felt dizzy as the chaos even seemed to carry with it the scent of Rootclan. Where is Eveningstar?!

[Miss Tactical]

The blue silver tabby tom felt weakened from all the smoke in his lungs. With his tail dragging across the ground, MistClan’s territory came into view. Ahead of him other MothClan’ cats sat waiting for their loved ones arrival. He still couldn’t find his siblings or mother or father. He felt like a kit calling out for them both, with a sniffle he looked up, a MistClan tom came into view, one he was not familiar with immediately he spotted his mother and went running forward, pressing his nose into Bellfeathers fur. ”mama!!” He felt a purr rumble in his throat before his aqua colored eyes looked back to the blazing MothClan territory, his home gone just like that. ”Sir my dad…he’s still out there Eveningstar please help him!” He knew his dad wasn’t the most liked cat in the forest, but it was still his father, and despite what others thought he was a good dad. Always spending time with them….always.

He watched as other MothClan cats began to trickle in. Wolfdusk has quite a burn on her tail but seemed fined otherwise, Stormwatcher was licking the wounds off Irismoon but Mothhaze appeared to be okay, she herself looked like she had a nasty flesh wound on her shoulder. He winced slightly, the strong MothClan looked quite broken in front of MistClan. Redwing seem to trot in, just a paw pad burn from the looks of it as he was walking on three legs, but his eye…was closed shut or open just a sliver. He flattened his ears against his head, the one he could hear out of ringing loudly, still his father and other siblings were missing.

It didn’t take long for a tortie tom to come limping in and Lizardpaw went running leaving his mothers side. ”Weevilbite! Oh no…. you should get that looked at….” The wound on his back barely noticeable unless you got up close, half of his fur singed down to the skin. The young apprentice felt sick to his stomach. ”Did you see dad….?” He asked in a soft whisper only audible to his brothers ears.

”Hey champ I’m okay go stay with your mom okay? I don’t want you get to lost in all the chaos and you listen to Sablestar that tom right there alright and mom and Batstrike too.”


Lizardpaw nodded before turning back, he didn’t answer the question about Eveningstar, which meant that Weevilbite probably didn’t see him. He huffed slightly before sitting down wrapping his tail around his paws, aqua eyes starring straight into the smoke. His dad had to be okay, he just had to be!! He had nine lives right? He got the lives of StarClan so…he would be okay right?

TLDR—In Lizardpaws POV, he saw Wolfdusk, Stormwatcher Mothhaze, Irismoon, Redwing, Weevilbite so feel free to interact with any of them. He’s currently standing vigil watching for his dad.

Cherryheart followed Sablestar at his call about MothClan and didn’t hesitate, it felt like just a few nights ago she was talking to Ocelotjaw at the borders saying she didn’t want to hear about anymore Casualties and then this happened? Despite her being one of the fastest in MistClan, there was a sense of urgency in Sablestar which caused him to out run even here. Flattening her ears off in the distance she could see traveling cats some being carried, some being dragged, others walking in a numb sort of fashion. ”Oh no…..” She flicked her tail back and fourth scanning the crowd. ”Someone get Daisypetals and Whitepaw….this…this is a mess!”

She wasn’t sure what other warriors had followed but her tone was fierce ever since having children of her own there was some sense of urgency in her voice, to protect and help. ”While we wait for them every one knows the basics go look for cobwebs and poppy seeds to help them out!” one by one MistClan cats took off in search of the basics. She knew if not treated swiftly infection would settle in, and if cats didn’t die from the fire….she took a nervous gulp as MothClan began to come in. She walked inbetween them giving each of them a sniff. Slowly a lump in her throat formed as the acidic scent of smoke and burned flesh hit her nostrils.

”Okay put the heavily wounded under the tree near the water, it’s cooler fetch them mossballs.” While looking at the injured she scanned the clearing for Birchfrost, her daughter who had left for MothClan when she was just an apprentice, she scanned the clearing and off in the shadows she saw her. With narrowed eyes she walked forward looking at her. ”You should let our medicine cat look at that….” She noticed a long gash on her leg but Birchfrost’s response was quite cold.

I don’t need your help go look for cats who actually care.

Cherryheart gave a snort before nodding her head and backing up slowly. Perhaps Birchfrost was still angry with her from when she was kit, absent minded, never forgave her or her dad, perhaps that’s why she went to MothClan in the first place. With a curt nod she continued onward, looking to see if Ocelotjaw was near by. She didn’t want to give their meeting away, but it wouldn’t look suspicious right? After all he was previously from MistClan. After a moment she decided it wouldn’t look overly bad, after all MistClan had friends in MothClan she was certain about that.

”Ocelotjaw!!!! Have any of you seen him?” She mewed a few of the MothClan cats shook their head, she felt a knot in the pit of her stomach hoping that he had made it out alive.

TLDR—Cherryheart is helping sort the injured, asking others to fetch supplies and Daisy petals, found her daughter Birchfrost who doesn’t seem to care and is now looking for Ocelotjaw

[Fireflake]

Pebbleshade jumped up at Sablestar's command and followed as fast as he could. It still bothered him that he had arrived too late when Dustfur and Orchidfeather came shouting about Bearstar needing help. It was clear upon arrival that everyone else had arrived too late as well, but he was even after many of them, and seeing Buckleap there before him ruffled his fur. This time, Buckleap didn’t seem to have been in camp, but that wasn't the point.

Pebbleshade had to dig his heels into the ground to stop as quickly as he did, bracing to run straight into his clanmates, and came to a halt just in time. It felt a bit like he hadn't stopped at all when he heard Sablestar's order, though.
"Camp?" he choked out quietly, looking incredulously to Saltweed. Surely the she-cat wouldn’t lead MothClan cats into MistClan's hidden safe haven? "Wouldn't- wouldn't it be quicker to bring Daisypetals here?" he asked hopefully.
When Cherryheart called for someone to fetch the medicine cats, Pebbleshade didn't hesitate. "I'll get them!"

His doubts momentarily filled his head, telling him he wasn't fast enough, telling him he should stay and try to look after the injured. But he wasn't a medicine cat. His own fierce desire to help stopped at the border. Metaphorically. MothClan cats over it didn't count. As he drew closer to camp, the tom started to call out for Daisypetals and Whitepaw. Hopefully then they would be ready to get up and go by the time he raced into their den, telling them to grab their herbs and asking what he could carry.

[TL;DR- Pebbleshade doesn't want them to bring the MothClan cats to MistClan's camp. He runs as fast as he can to get Daisypetals and Whitepaw.]

[mewmehh]

Alongside Pebbleshade ran Foxeyes, his long brown legs dashing in great bounds as if the tom actually cared about what was occurring. Perhaps he did; rather though for the fact that his clan was about to suffer a mighty blow to their defenses. What is Sablestar thinking?! Starclan wasted a load in giving that sappy tabby nine lives, he mulled over to himself. He half-heartedly wanted to make a joke to his mentor, a sort of dark joke that the two may enjoy, but a cutting glare from Saltweed's menacing orange eyes was one of the few things to intimidate the malignant tom in silence. It seemed the she-cat had caught up with them.

However, just as any cocky young warrior, Foxeyes would not tuck-tail to his mother. "What does he think he's doing, having us lead them to camp? Has he got bees for brains?!" He nearly spat his words.

Saltweed's hackles rose with a spiteful look as icy cold words curled from her tongue, "Any Mistclan cat that doesn't respect his word now does not deserve to bear our blood. Mistclan is superior, in every iteration of leader. You best remember that, brat." The she-cat slowed to a haul, her message evidently understood and her presence no longer necessary. Instead, she turned back in direction of the border to help organize the fray. The short, spotted queen trotted over towards where Cherryheart has laid some of the Mothclan cats to rest. As she moved, Applewind and Miredawn matched her pace.

"Did you need our help? Or maybe we could help Cherryheart out? With herbs? Hmm?" Applewind prattled on in a sing-songy, yet anxious voice. Her nerves were evident in the wildly quivering pawsteps she took. "We could go grab some mint and marigold!" She dipped her head to Miredawn to match the scrawny she-cat's drooping pose. "Do you think mint would help with burns?"

"Would you just shut up?!" Saltweed snapped in Applewind's face, the younger warrior wincing from the smell of her breath. In a less explosive tone, Saltweed continued, "If you want to be helpful, go check on some of the Mothclan warriors; the ones too high and mighty to seek the medical help. Make sure they're okay. I'm sure Sablestar will need all the help hunting for these mouth as he can get." The dappled she-cat then turned to some of the gathered Mothclan cats and furrowed her brow. "All those fit to walk, please follow me. Sablestar wishes for you to accompany us back to camp." Her tone was cold and curt; devoid of everything except loyalty to her leader's word as law. If it was his wish, despite how hare-brained, it was her command as a warrior of the code.

Screeching to a halt in a ragged patch of grass, a sharp voice unceremoniously rang out, "HEEEEEEYYYYYY!"

"Oh what now?" groaned Saltweed as she turned to face the newcomer.

Fallen face first over Rosewish's curly body was the fluffy Mistclan turned Rootclan warrior, Pinkpetal. The loud pair of she-cat sprang back from one another awkwardly, fur spiked and nervous. It was as if Starclan had worked a spell to bring the clan together as a ragtag group of Rootclan cat scurried over to the clowder.

"Rootclan's been overcome by rats!" Staring pointedly at the tired Saltweed- unenthused by her cousin's antics- Pinkpetal yowled, "Since my father is the leader of Mistclan, he'll have no choice but to help his first-born daughter's clan out!!"

---

[tldr: 
- Foxeyes is being a dick, but gets knocked down a peg by his mama. Saltweed is trying to help Mothclan without biting everyone's heads off, but Applewind, and by extension, Miredawn are getting on her last nerves. And to top it all off, Pinkpetal has come careening into the clearing, knocking Rosewish down and immediately demands that Mistclan take in Rootclan because her daddy is the leader and "CUZ I TOLDA SO!!"

- Enter Rootclan: Ava]

[noctemq]

Cherryhawk entered behind the rest with a slight limp. She looked more frazzled than hurt as she absorbed her surroundings. Besides the overwhelming smell of smoke clinging onto her pelt, there were so many other new scents swirling around her. She had never been to Mistclan before, and the excitement seemed to temporarily distract her from her problems. Cherryhawk found and empty spot amongst the crowd and plopped right down with her injured paw held towards her chest. Her paw pad was burnt to a bright, throbbing red. Now that adrenaline was fading, she could truly feel how painful it was. Looking around, she had suffered one of the less-damaging injuries and felt no right to complain until everyone else was helped first. Hopefully the medicine cats present didn't feel too overwhelmed, if Cherryhawk knew what all of those leaves and seeds did, she'd pitch in right about now.

Her eyes were locked on the rest of the Mothclan cats following along. Between the familiar faces, she was searching for those dearest to her heart. Her usual cheery disposition was replaced with a somber gaze. Cherryhawk felt guilty for not being able to do more in the (heat) of the moment, especially since she managed to get away with a hurt foot while others were burned alive. Frustration bubbled in her chest as more cats arrived, yet no sign of Redwing nor Batstrike.


[tldr; Cherryhawk arrives and reflects on what just happened ]

[Ava]

After searching every nook and cranny for all of his clanmates, Screechstar finally made his way out, flicking off a rat that was nibbling on his heel and ignoring the stinging pains of the many bites he took. He quickly caught up to his clan making their way to MistClan- only to realize that MothClan, too, seemed to be here. Tilting his head to the side, he faintly heard the words "fire" exchanged between them. This was MistClan's territory, so that must mean that MothClan... had gone up in flames. A disastrous day, not only for themselves of RootClan, but also for MothClan, it seemed. 

"Pinkpetal, thank you, but I can take it from here. Know your place." He dipped his head, keeping his tone soft as he finally halted a few tail lengths away. "What she says is true- RootClan was overcome by far too many rats to just be casual. We barely escaped, and I'm not sure everyone made it out, though I hope for the best. For a short while, we hope we can shelter with you, or even just a little bit of help would be appreciated. Apologies for the inconvenience."

He sighed, curtly nodding as he turned his head over his shoulder to see many less cats than he had expected or hoped for. Some were still approaching, lumbering weakly towards them, but Screechstar knew that not everyone had made it out alive. Their luck was bound to be imperfect, but he just hoped everyone here would end up okay.

Floatingcloud knew something was wrong. The bites she could feel were pulsing, throbbing, almost like a heartbeat in her limbs. For a few moments, she felt lightheaded, but she just shook it off and tried to listen to what everyone was saying. Their words were fuzzy and echoing, like they were in the caves again. It hadn't been too long since the rats had bitten her, but there had been a lot- was it possible that already, the symptoms were closing in on her? How much time did she have, if so? Was there a cure? Could she... would she die from this?

The thought immediately sent a shiver down her spine at losing her life, making her glance around for her kits. She couldn't lose them, nor could they lose her. Coyotedawn had been out of the picture ever since they'd been born, and there was no one else she trusted to care for them. No one could be their guardian and help them through everything, no one could teach them how to care for their own kits, no one could be like her. Or maybe she was just overthinking everything, and this was just the coincidence of being sick with a simple illness. It wasn't definite that the rats were rabid or had some sort of plague associated with them, so she needn't worry just yet. Yes. That was it.

->TLDR: Screechstar rambles to Sablestar about needing help and the rat situation. Floatingcloud feels some symptoms already starting to effect her, but brushes them off. 

[pants]

Ocelotjaw

The only smell that Ocelotjaw's nose could pick up was smoke. It clung to everything. It was in the air, on his clanmates' pelts, and even his own fur. Nothing could escape the billowing gray clouds coming from MothClan territory, or at least what was left of it. Their home was gone. And thus, they were here in MistClan, escaping the tragedy and seeking refuge.

Ocelotjaw had already passed the border, Batstrike being his support beam as he hobbled along. The closer they got to the main camp, however, the more the familiar, refreshing scent of the waterfall became more and more noticeable. Had the lilac tom not been worn out and in so much pain, he would have taken a deep inhale to savor the smell of his birth clan.

But for now, he could do nothing more than trudge on with what energy he had left, his pelt in burned patches and his legs close to giving in, as he had been crushed by a tree and leaving his hind limbs injured - especially his right leg, which was clearly broken. His other leg wasn't as noticebly injured, but it still hurt to put pressure on that paw. Thus, his travel speed was excruciatingly slow, but progress was still made. The black tom next to him had been helping a great deal, giving Ocelotjaw the chance to shift his weight to make traveling easier.

Wincing, the tom pushed forward. C'mon, you're almost there... Just think of the waterfall... And the grove... And...And... Cherryheart. He had met the she-cat at the border a while ago, a friendly meeting to get away from the clan he resented.

And as if fate had read his mind, the she-cat could be heard a ways off. In the distance, he could see her ginger coat, which contrasted against the greens and browns of MistClan's lush territory. He opened his mouth to call out to her, but closed his eyes and winced as he put too much pressure on his right hind leg. He paused for a moment, waiting for the sharp pain to pass before exhaling. His yellow eyes stared at the ground for a few heartbeats before deciding he could move on again, limping and in hopes that his friend would spot him soon.

-----

tl:dr - Ocelotjaw and Batstrike make it past the border and are close to MistClan's Camp. Ocelotjaw is in a lot of pain and one of his legs is broken, and the other is fractured, thus he has a hard time walking. He uses Batstrike as support. He sees Cherryheart in the distance but is in too much pain to call out to her.

Storm Mentioned Batstrike as he helps Ocelotjaw

Miss Tactical Ocelotjaw sees Cherryheart in the distance but doesn't call out due to pain.

-----

Jaggedstream

The tom had just finished cleaning out the elder's den before he heard a call from their leader. He perked up his head. The large, brown, marbled tabby had just picked out a bluegill to eat from the fresh-kill pile and had sat down to enjoy his meal. Blinking, he picked up the fish and trotted to the pile, placing it back, as not to let it waste in the open.

The tom stood upright once more, walking towards the commotion at a brisk pace, which was much faster than his usual amble. His green eyes were inquisitive. As he made it out of the camp and started to follow his leader, he saw it. A relentless cloud of gray smoke rose in the distance, and a group of cats, injured or otherwise, were heading towards camp. The tom's eyes widened. Jaggedstream could only imagine what had happened...

After pausing a moment to take in the situation, Jaggedstream twitched his whiskers. He wasn't too sure how to begin helping. Maybe there were some kits he could carry. He was a large tom, and slow enough to make sure they wouldn't fall off his back if they clung onto him. He could be support for those who were limping, too... Jaggedstream decided to get a closer look before determining where he was needed most. Obviously, he couldn't do any medicine cat tasks, but maybe Daisypetals would have a chore for him in mind. Anything to help the operation run more smoothly. The large tom swiveled his head, surveying the area to see if he could spot the brown and white tabby tom.

-----

tl:dr - Jaggedstream sees the injured clan cats and looks for Daisypetals to see if he can be of any use.

-----

Creekpaw

A fire?!

The smell was a tell-tale sign that there was definitely a disaster at hand. The blue apprentice had a small mouse in his mouth as he made his way back to camp. He had been on the far end of the territory, however, and didn't notice anything out of the usual until he got closer. The smoke seemed to be coming from the direction of MothClan, if his memory served him right. He had a hard time with locations...

Regardless, Creekpaw's blue eyes took to the large group of cats making their way towards his home. Creekpaw, being a curious one, felt more intrigued than angry at the trespassers. The closer he got, the more burns and other injuries he could spot. This couldn't be all of MothClan, though. He saw a portion of them at the gathering, so he'd imagine they be a lot bigger. Perhaps...Some of them didn't make it?

Creekpaw bolted, his legs lunging him forward with a certain kind of determination. He wanted to know everything that happened! Who got hurt? Were they gonna move in? Where will they go next? Will MothClan return back to their territory? All these questions and more burned in him, fueling his leaps and bounds. The blue tom skidded to a stop once he reached the edge of the group of cats, almost crashing into someone. He managed to get back on his paws with a normal balance before scanning the group. Creekpaw recognized a few of the faces from the gathering, but couldn't put a name to any of them. So he decided to approach the first cat that looked nice enough to talk to.

"Hi! I'm Creekpaw. I'm from MistClan. Are you ok? You're from MothClan, right? Did your home set on fire? I have a mouse here if you want it! I bet you're hungry!" The tom mewed in an enthusiastic, yet curious voice through his caught prey. His blue eyes sparkled, the overly-friendly tom trying to do his best to be helpful, naive to the fact that food may not be the first thing a burnt or injured cat may want.

A new scent then caught his attention. He sniffed the air and pointed his nose in a different direction. Another group of cats seemed to be approaching from a different angle. Great StarClan! What was going on?!

-----

tl:dr - Creekpaw was out hunting and noticed the injured clans upon his return. He runs up to a random cat and decides to inquire and be a general annoyance. Someone feel free to respond to him!

[GnawingOnIce]

Cloverwing rasped her tongue through her long, silky fur. Cleaning it daily was a chore, but she’d hate for it look tangled and matted. She’d also hate to be outside in the heat. She could hear the steady drone of cicadas buzzing in the trees. Thankfully, the waterfall hadn’t completely gone dry; as in it was only a stream dripping over the side of the cave. The river wasn’t entirely too much, either, only a murky creek.

As she was beginning to think about when it might end, she heard shouts and not long after a strange scent hit her nose. The she-cat has heard her mother talk of it: smoke. Smoke meant fire, Meteorfall had told her. Fire! Cloverwing had never witnessed it before for herself but now might be the time. She jumped to her paws, thinking the fire had started on their territory, padding out from the cool shelter of the cave into the sun’s unbearable rays. To her surprise, MothClan scent filtered through the smoke to her nostrils.

“What’s going on?” She shouted to the nearest cat. Not long after, she saw the MothClan cats racing for them. Her fur began to bristle in alarm, then she saw that some were limping. Limping with burns scarred into their sides and haunches, some worse than others. It hit her just then: the fire had actually began on MothClan territory, not theirs! She was thankful only for a moment, until panic rose up within her again. Flufftail! Was she okay?

“Flufftail! Has anyone seen Flufftail?” Cloverwing was not thinking about how much trouble calling out in worry for a MothClan cat could get her into. She was way too worried about Flufftail to think about anything else.

Tags;; gingersnapsdacat
Notes;; n/a
TLDR;; Cloverwing shouts and asks around for Flufftail

[noctemq]

Blackmoon stumbled forward with the rest of Rootclan, standing not too far from Screechstar. His shoulder was severely torn up while the rest of his body was covered in relatively small wounds. The tom still stood tall and did his best to walk without a limp. He knew he’d live, so the stubborn deputy would refuse help until everyone else was helped first. His ears swiveled towards the singed group of Mothclanners; seemed like everyone was having a bad day. Having only one or two medicine cats per clan wouldn’t be enough to treat everyone.

Looking around, he quietly started a headcount of the survivors present. Blackmoon was towards the tail end of the last to escape, so everyone who was alive was definitely here. Hopefully the other cats had listened to his buddy system during their time of panic. The already small clan seemed to thin out even further. His mind was on Claykit’s and apprentices’ safety; he remembered fondly when they all played together in the nursery, and he’d blame himself if anything happened to them. Blackmoon would have continued fighting the rats if he could, but there was just too many. He knew it would be foolish to sacrifice his own life in the moment, especially since the evacuation was rather quick.

”Alright, Rootclan,” he addressed the group around him with a weary voice. ”I need a report of those who are here, those that are missing, and those who are no longer with us. If you know anything, let me know.”

[fortsumter]

Cougarstrike had made her way out of the fire with some minor burns. The herbs that she had grabbed were withering, and she doubted they'd be good. Breathing heavily, she made her way to the MistClan camp. She noticed a few MothClan warriors, as well as cats who looked like RootClan cats. She dropped the burnt stems and leaves at her paws, and looked toward the medicine cat den. "I grabbed some herbs from MothClan camp before running off", she meowed. She wasn't addressing a particular cat, but she wanted to give the herbs to the medicine cats. 
Aspencrest headed back to the camp to check on the refugee cats. She noticed many unfamiliar warriors, but remained calm, knowing they were just taking shelter in MistClan. She looked around the camp, observing all the cats around her. "I can help you guys settle in", she offered, hoping to help the other Clans somehow. There would be a lot of cats for the Clan to deal with, and Aspencrest knew she needed to help her Clan as well as the others.