Macawblaze

Macawblaze, even deep in his slumber, would feel his brothers warm beside him. The ginger tom cat leaning into the darker pelted sibling a soft purr rumbling from the Skyclan tom.

Deep into his rest Macawblaze had the breath knocked out of him when a sudden force bolted into the tom pushing him from his makeshift nest jolting him awake. Macawblaze aware of his assailant identity until a familiar scent invade his senses; Bearchaser!

“What in Starclan are you doing?” His words falling deaf on his brothers ear, the large warrior still pinning the ginger tom down hissing and spitting. Macawblaze stared into the eyes of his attacker, while it may be his brothers body this was not Bearchaser at least not in his right mind. 

A piercing yowl rang from Macawblaze as his brothers claw made contact with his flesh, thankfully his large coat did more than just make him look pretty, it softened the blow slightly. Macawblaze could still feel the sting and blood welled against his chest but not enough to take him out of the fight. His body moved on pure instinct. His large hind feet pushed up under Bearchaser, Macawblaze throwing all his might into flinging the tom cat off of him. What was going on? Why was his kin, his clanmate, his best friend attacking him? His mind raced with questions that would have to go unanswered as it was clear Bearchaser needed to be reminded that he was not the only powerhouse in Skyclan. Trying his best to ignore the stinging in his chest, Macawblaze flipped over onto all fours, a wheeze escaping him in the process as he tried to catch his breath. 

He stared down his attacker, his weight shifting between his paws, teeth snarling at Bearchaser ready to reciprocate his attack should he pounce again. Macawblaze entered this journey ready to fight but he never guessed his opponent would be one he practically shared a nest with until just a few moons ago. 

“I don't want to fight my own brother!” He snapped.

His golden-blue gaze frantically searched their battleground for Roseglow, above all else he needed Roseglow to be safe. She was Skyclans only healer and with no apprentice trained if something happened to her Skyclan would be vulnerable; above all else he was scared she was the only one with the knowledge to heal his brother. “Cinderpeach, Scarletshimmer.” His sonorous voice pleading with the warriors to awaken. “Get Roseglow out of here!” Macawblaze knew not if his words reached the slumbering warriors and he wasn't about to take his eyes off Bearchaser again to check. 

His tail lashed violently behind him, clumps of fur following the motion of the lashes. Hesitantly he did attempt to close the gap between himself and Bearchaser. His body was ready to defend himself at a moment's notice but his eyes were calm, searching Bearchaser expression for any sign of his loving brother.

“Bearchaser! Brother! Stand down.”

Bearchaser |Strong-willed Soldier of Skyclan|

It had been a long day, with almost nonstop traveling, hunting for food, to settling down for the night. Bearchaser could not help the low groan of relief escaping him as he lays down in his makeshift nest next to Macawblaze, whom was already snoring away without a care in the world. Smiling fondly at his brother before eyeing his older two siblings and Cinderpeach, watching them for a brief moment to make sure they were okay before resting his large head upon his paws. Slowing down his breathing as he could feel his eyes begin to droop with fatigue, after a few moments of fighting off sleep, Bearchaser finally succumbed to his need for rest. Though his sleep was anything but pleasant, he had expected darkness from how exhausted he was, not the nightmares he found himself trapped in. 

The distorted pleading slithered past his ears in a constant stream of begging as Bearchaser finds himself in the middle surrounded by his group…only to have them lying unconscious by his paws. Fear strikes within the two toned brown Maine Coon as he rapidly glances around trying to move and speak, yet his body felt heavy like mud and no words could escape him. ’What happened? What is going on? Why was I unable to protect them! Did I fail?! I promised Macawblaze and Roseglow that I would keep them safe! Keep them all safe!’ His thoughts jumbled together in disarray, his breathing becoming erratic in panic until he notices a looming dark figure in the corner of his eye. 

Barely able to turn his head as his wide marigold eyes stare into the dark sockets of the pure black figure. ’Is this the one who harmed my friends and family?!’ he wondered as rage begins to boil within his blood. Squinting in pain as the eerie cries get louder as he stares at the figure, a headache pulsating within his skull begging him to end this torture, to save them all. Gritting his teeth as he suddenly charges forward, slamming his broad shoulder into the surprisingly solid form, knocking the silhouette harshly to the ground. His eyes glazed as to him, within his clouded mind, he was defending his group from the looming creature. Yet, in reality the voices had induced a trance like state to Bearchaser, using his doubts and fears against him as he slams Macawblaze into the earth. 

Snarling at the dark figure as he pins it down, ”I will protect them! You will not hurt them!” he growls down at the shadowy figure, rising a strong paw with his sharp claws gleaming in the night as he slashes downwards at the foe, not comprehending the truth that it was Macawblaze he was attacking. 

The ginger she-cat stifled a breath of relief when the patrol assured her of their willingness to stay. A small part of the medicine cat felt ashamed that she could even doubt the others, but the fear had begun to settle deep in her bones. Roseglow turned to Scarletshimmer, eyes beginning to water, touched by her words. Looking at her siblings and Cinderpeach, the Skyclan medicine cat dipped her head as thanks, "You all give me so much strength. Thank you so much for your faith in me." She murmured, leaning into Macawblaze's touch. "I agree with Scarletshimmer, we shouldn't stray too far. Split into groups of two, and one group stay near me while I set up a spot for us to sleep." The she-cat suggested, feeling more like herself.

-------- mini time skip to night time --------

By the time the patrol had eaten, Roseglow felt exhaustion pulling her body to her makeshift nest. Yawning through her goodnights, Roseglow settled into the moss pile, her tail tip reaching her nose as she curled up into a ball. Sleep quickly pulled her into darkness, where she found momentary respite in the silence, until,

"Help us," a whisper started, "help us, help us." More voices joined the whisper as they continued with the same words, each time growing louder and more desperate. Jerking up, Roseglow peered into the darkness, trying to make out the shapes, but could only see faint outlines of what seemed to be cats. Beyond them, Roseglow gasped when she realized the others were in the dream as well. The medicine cat opened her mouth to call out their names, but no voice came out. The only sound that could be heard was the desperate whispers of "help us" that slowly gained volume, beginning to sound like wails and screams. Starclan what do we do? Please help us, I can't take this screaming anymore. In an instant, her siblings and Cinderpeach disappeared and the ghostly forms as well, though their voices still powered on. Instead, a tall willow tree appeared before Roseglow, though the tendrils beautifully danced in an unknown wind, the roots were dark and twisted, as if they were damaged.

Suddenly, Roseglow jerked awake, the dawn light seeping through the mist of dawn. What had felt like a few minutes of whispers and screaming had lasted the entire night. The dark ginger feline slowly pushed herself to her paws, shaking slightly as the feeling of the dream, no vision, began to fade. Yet, despite their consciousness, the whispers continued in the back of her mind, this time accompanied by the same intrusive insecurities, this time stronger.

Quietly, Roseglow stepped out of her nest and glanced at the others as they woke similarly, confirming that they had shared a dream, but the willow tree had been a message for Roseglow alone. As quickly as she could, the she-cat explained the vision that she had been given, trying to ignore the voices in her head that tried to undermine her.

"We need to get going as soon as possible." She announced, waiting for a moment for the others to prepare before setting off once more, a pull in her paws guiding them in the direction of her dreams.

Macawblaze

Macawblaze knew the importance of this mission, but he also knew it was important to keep the mood light. The large tom practically bounced and stopped to point out every new thing to his brother. The patrol often heard his voice roaring “Bearchaser look at this” and “-Chaser did you see that?” It did seem as though he was carefree not paying attention but catching his brother's signals, offering his own in return. Not letting his excitement get in the way of their mission.

He could feel the stiffness radiating off his elder sister, thankful that Bearchaser, being the good brother he was, offered her reassurance. He was always better at making others feel more confident. The large ginger tom's head roughly brushes his brother's shoulder, before circling around doing the same to Roseglow. “You’re stuck with us, dont even think of sending us away.” 

His gaze narrowing briefly as a chill ran down his spine, his expression dropping only briefly enough for his brother to notice before he quickly replaced it with an ear to ear grin aimed at his sister. “Don’t worry, worst comes to worst we can feed Bearchaser to whatever's out there and make a run for it.” 

Macawblazes tail flicked at his brother before departing from the duo, going back to bouncing from side to side exploring their surroundings, only stopping when the group suggested hunting. “Sounds great lets eat.”

Scarletshimmer Of Skyclan

Scarletshimmer's pelt was hot, as though a scorching fire had eaten away at the skin underneath her fur, she had been feeling rather unnerved the further they'd traveled. Though she wouldn't let on just how on edge she truly was, she was a Warrior for Starclan's sake!

She shouldn't let something so simple as nerves get the better of her. She refused to let herself relapse into her old habits, she had been a feline that fretted if so much as a leaf fell behind her and she hadn't been expecting it. She would NOT let herself take one step forward and then two steps back. She had worked too long to build herself up, to claw out of the pits of her own dark musings of apprehension.

She couldn't give into it now.

Especially when all of Skyclan rested on the shoulders of herself, her siblings and her dear friend Cinderpeach. They were the one that had offered to go on this quest to find out why night terrors had been plaguing their clan. They couldn't turn back now, not when they had come so far.

They had crossed the threshold of the point of no return long ago.

Scarletshimmer trotted up next to Cinderpeach's side and gently draped her long and fluffy tail over the she-cat's shoulders in an attempt to soothe her, but also keep her own worries at bay. "We have long since passed over the point of no return, our clanmates are counting on us to solve this mystery. We cannot go back to them with empty paws. Everything we do as warriors comes with risk, but without risk there is no reward. One cannot gain something if no effort is given towards that goal. We have come here to find out what is going on, and that we shall do."

She turned her gaze towards her sister regarding her with warmth and with unwavering trust.

"Roseglow, you need not doubt yourself. I have complete faith in you, for you walk with the stars under your paws as Starclan's chosen Medicine Cat. I do not doubt Starclan's confidence in you, nor should you doubt theirs for you. You were chosen for a reason, you can do this, you can lead us- my dearest sister." With that being said she took a look over of their surroundings, she wouldn't lie to herself, she felt the oddity of the atmosphere as well. Though she buried misgivings and decided to focus on the suggestion of hunting and then finding somewhere to settle down for the night. "I am in agreement, finding food to fill our bellies will do us a favor, after all one can think far better and with more clarity when one isn't battling hunger. It also might ease our minds if we can locate shelter to sleep in, having a designated place of rest would be reassuring. Let's all try to catch some prey, and then figure out where we shall sleep. For safety, we probably shouldn't go too far away from each other, and probably have a partner to go along with us- just so none of us is alone. As for the possibility of nightmares, it's something we've been dealing with for a while now, and all we can do is steel ourselves before we sleep."

CINDERPEACH

The Sweet Flame of Skyclan

The white molly padded along toward the back of the group, black and ginger tail grazing uncertainly across the leaves dotting the ground. Partially, she felt like she was intruding somewhat, with how every other cat on the patrol was related, but she had made her bed now. Her ear flicked as Roseglow confirmed that the whispers would only intensify- the she-cat had to admit it gave her the creeps, but she had no plans on turning her back on her clanmates so easily. She was here, and she would be brave for them.

"That would be a good idea... we don't know when we'll get the chance to hunt again." She looked over to Bearchaser, "If we eat our fill now, then... we can probably go a few days if we need to." The she-cat mewed, sitting down and glancing somewhat anxiously around

Bearchaser |Strong-willed Soldier of Skyclan|

Bearchaser could sense his older sister’s unease as they set out on their journey. None of them knew what dangers and challenges laid ahead, but Bearchaser knew one thing, he would help protect everyone within the patrol. He would make Roseglow see her worth and why she was needed for such a trying task. Casting a side-eye glance with his brother, Macawblaze, silently communicating with him to keep an eye on their leader and medicine cat for the duration of their mission. His dark pecan, umber brown, and white pelt hackled with unease at the groans and moans of pained and tortured whispers. Something in the foggy surroundings were not at rest and they were making it known. 

Taking a brief glance over his broad shoulder to eye his other older sister, Scarletshimmer and fellow clan mate; Cinderpeach that were bringing up the rear. Bear wanted to make sure that everyone remained accounted for. Picking up his pace to walk beside Roseglow, pursing his lips as he could feel the temperature drop around them. The cold seeping to his bones, making every step feel as if he was ankles deep in thick mud or even quick sand. Heeding Rose’s words, pausing just at the edge of their territory. His tufted ears twitching as he takes in the eerie sounds around him. 

“Then it would seem that we are in the right area. Don’t you agree?” Bearchaser muses with a soft sigh. His fluffy tail flicking back and forth, his marigold gaze locked on what lays ahead. Nudging Roseglow in reassurance, “Don’t worry. We knew the possibilities of what could be awaiting for us. We are all in this together now. No turning back” Bear mutters with a small smile. He would never admit to anyone but the voices tried to plague his mind with thoughts and feelings of failure. That he would not be able to protect everyone in the company, that he would be the reason and cause of their demise. Clenching his jaw, his golden gaze hardening as he forces such images and thoughts from his troubled mind. 

Pretending he had not just been having a mental battle with himself, he turns to his siblings and Cinderpeach. Biting his inner cheek at Roseglow’s suggestion, she had a point that maybe they should do some hunting before continuing. “It might not be such a bad idea…as I have a feeling we do not want to stray when we step paw inside” the young warrior mutters mostly to himself. Bearchaser could not shake the feeling that if they dared glanced back once they crossed the threshold, one would possibly lose oneself indefinitely.