Sandstar

brief description >
Short sand-colored tabby with curly long hair and a bobbed tail
build > Stocky
fur > Long fluffy curls
height > 23cm
weight > 8.2lbs

voice > n/a
scent > Moss and pond water
bans > Mute
accessories > xxx
scars > two on his eye, one on his lip, two on his leg, five along his flank

positive >
    >> Dependable > Once he sets his mind on something, he's going to make sure it's done. If he feels inclined to help you out, you can rest assured knowing he'll do everything he can.

    >> Intelligent >  He's constantly thinking, mentally preparing and solving puzzles, deciphering social cues and hidden meanings the best way he can. Sometimes he tends to overthink and read too deeply into situations that are in reality as harmless as they appear on the surface. His thoughts don't have many outlets at the moment as he's still learning to better communicate with his littermates and older clan members.

    >> Adaptable > Able to adjust to new environments and conditions with ease. There is hardly an obstacle out there he can't overcome with enough time and creativity, two things he has in an abundant amount.

neutral >
    >> Independent > As opposed to his father who tries his own well being to others, Sandkit prefers to do things entirely on his own at his own pace. He doesn't like needing help and is happiest when he proves that he can, in fact, do things himself.

    >> Creative > Always thinking of new ideas and insights, enjoys putting them to the test and keeping his family on their toes. On his own, he can sometimes come up with the most outlandish solutions.

    >> Easily bored > Hates to stand idly for very long, always wants to be doing something. He tends to jump from one task to another to keep himself busy and his mind occupied.

negative >
    >> Insensitive > Doesn't tend to let things bother him and doesn't understand when others have strong reactions to things out or their control. He can't see things from their perspective and is only ever confused as to why his actions could cause someone else emotional harm.

    >> Brash > Self-assured and confident in the worst of ways. He always thinks he knows better than everyone around him. Make decisions without consulting or considering the opinions of others and rushes into things without hesitation.

    >> Difficult > Tends to make things harder than they need to be and is often unsatisfied with others. Refuses to accept help or leave things be.

Claustrophobia >
Sandstar's claustrophobia causes him a great deal of distress. Even things as simple as entering a den or being surrounded by others could potentially trigger a negative reaction. The former more so than the latter.
These reactions can include a mix of symptoms like disorientation, confusion, lightheadedness, headache, aggression, dizziness, and trembling.
While situations won't always cause a reaction, the reactions are bad enough that Sandstar has done his best to try and avoid them.
To cope when in a crowd, Sandstar will focus his attention on one cat alone to try and mitigate the feeling of anxiety that comes up when doing announcements or meetings. He will, at times, end meetings suddenly when he feels they have become too much.
To cope while in a den, currently, Sandstar has deemed it impossible or not worth the effort. Instead, he has taken to avoiding enclosed spaces such as sleeping quarters altogether and takes comfort in the fact that at least on the Marshclan side, the tunnels have been blocked.

Sandstar feels ashamed and overwhelmed by his fears. He tries to hide this from everyone and refuses to seek help. As he does so, his claustrophobia may come to worsen as time goes on. But with help, he could potentially learn better-coping strategies and ease himself back into being able to do things without experiencing as severe a fear reaction.

parents >
Murkypool > Brown and cream bicolor tom with matted but lightly curled fur and dull green eyes > Deceased
Penny > Longhair cinnamon calico she-cat with a bobtail > Npc (Rouge surrogate)

siblings >
Softsnap > Cream speckled bobbed tail trans-molly with green eyes > Deceased
Specklekit > Orange speckled bobbed tail tom with yellow eyes > Deceased
Penny > Chocolate calico bobbed tail molly with violet eyes > Alive

mate >
Coalfrost > Tall dark tabby agender cat with a bobbed tail and yellow and blue eyes > Deceased

kits >
Batwhisper > Brown speckled tabby tom with curled ears and yellow eyes > Alive
Shrewflight > Brown tabby molly with curled ears and green eyes > Alive

extended >
Doepuddle > Mother-in-law > Brown chimera she-cat with a bobbed tail and blue eyes > Deceased

Plovertail > Brother-in-law > Tan tabby tom with a bobbed tail and amber eyes > Alive
Dapplecrash > Sister-in-law > Chocolate torbie she-cat with blue eyes > Alive
Dovemask > Sister-in-law > Dark colored she-cat with blue eyes > Deceased

Spiderbite > Nibling > Dark-colored tabby with yellow eyes > Deceased
Beesting > Neice > Gold colored she-cat with yellow eyes > Alive
Roachheart > Nephew > Brown tabby tom with yellow eyes > Alive
Cicadashell > Neice > Brown colored she-cat with blue eyes > Alive
Mantisdawn > Neice > Dusty colored she-cat with green eyes > Deceased

Mothcloud > Neice > Brown tabby she-cat with gold eyes > Alive
Monarchstream > Neice > Black tabby she-cat with amber eyes > Alive
Murkytrail > Nephew > Brown tabby tom with gold eyes > Alive 

Mothheart > Dovemask's mate > Brown tabby tom with yellow eyes > Deceased
Beetletail > Plovertail's mate > Grey ticked tabby tom with yellow eyes > Alive

kithood [ 0 - 6 moons ] >
    His father Murkypool had chosen to have kits with a rouge surrogate. Sandkit and his siblings were born in leaf-fall. Softkit, the oldest male was a bit small but nothing unusual as his dad was quite a small warrior himself. Specklekit, the second oldest male, was sadly stillborn, news of his passing didn't fair well for the remaining two kits. Sweetkit though, the youngest and only female of the litter was a bundle of joy and was the picture of health. Sandkit was an averagely sized kit, third in the litter and the youngest of his brothers but didn't mewl like his siblings, didn't make a peep actually. This caused great alarm and he was taken to see the Aster and Ryepaw in the medicine cat den right away.
The two medicine cats kept him in their den for the first several days of his life, making sure he got enough to eat and was gaining weight properly. They first suspected illness, and that he may pass on as his brother had, but after some time of this careful observation, it became clear that the only thing wrong with him was his lack of sound. Sandkit was then allowed to move back into the nursery with his brother and sister, while his father was told to keep an eye out for any more troubling symptoms.

apprenticeship [ 6 - 12 moons ] >
    Sandpaw and his siblings become apprentices together. Sandpaw was assigned to a tom named Tadpoleskip and promised himself that he would become an amazing warrior. He wished he had a way to share his thoughts and promises, but using his body language could only communicate so much, and even then that was only if the other cat was paying attention.

    During his apprenticeship, Marshclan was forced to cross the lake to hide in Emberclan territory from the two-legs who plagued their home. For the most part, however, he found himself largely unaffected. He passed the time as he'd always done, and being surrounded by cats didn't bother him too much. He did, however, find himself bored. You would think that with so many clans stuffed together there would be countless things to be done, but more often than not he was expected to sit out of patrols and spend time hunting. He hates hunting!
Sandpaw managed to entertain himself by spending time with his fellow apprentices, it was also interesting to what kind of fighting techniques the other clans used.
After a moon or two in Emberclan, Marshclan was able to return home, taking Cloudclan with them. Then, after more time had passed, even the Cloudclan cats were able to leave.
Now the clans were relaxed again. Sandpaw craved something more thrilling than just passing the days. But what was there to be done?
The most exciting thing to happen really wasn't all that, Softpaw had come to Sandpaw with some news. She wasn't a tomcat after all and would be using she/her pronouns. Sandpaw wasn't sure why she'd told him, it's not like he would use any pronouns anyway. But it seemed important to her that he knew.

warriorhood [ 12 - 28 moons ] >
    Sandslash was given his warrior name for his skills in combat. It was a little nice to be recognized, he took a lot of pride in his skills. Sandslash's sisters were named Softsnap and Sweetheart the same day. Their names fit them well, honestly, the two of them were complete opposites sometimes. He supposed that meant that he was somewhere in the middle.

    His father Murkypool was one day killed while on patrol, the rogues who had done it may have even killed his sister Softsnap too had Ravenfrost not shown up with reinforcements. The news had made Sandslash shimmer with anger, he wouldn't let those rogues get away with this.
Sandslash went along to the battle against the rogues, fighting together with all the clans to take Cloudclan's home back for them and to get vengeance for his parent. He did his best to keep close to Softsnap, fearing that she would get carried away and bite off more than she could chew, but thankfully they made it back safely, the clans victorious and the casualties among the clans minimal, though the same couldn't be said for the rogues. They deserved it, and Sandslash wasn't pleased to know that yet another of the Storm's members would be joining their clan.
He'd keep an eye on this Icefang... While Seaheart didn't seem like too much a threat, Icefang was another story entirely.

    Plovetail was forced to resign as a warrior, instead taking up residence in the nursery as a perma-queen. It was sad to see his long-time denmate go, but Sandslash couldn't help but feel somewhat pleased. After all... Now he had an apprentice of his own. Turtlepaw was reassigned to him now that Plovertail could no longer be her mentor. If nothing else, it would be interesting to see how things went with training the deputies daughter.

   Turtlecloud earned her warrior name, and Sandslash didn't have much reaction to that at all. It hardly felt like he did anything, was she even really his apprentice?

Sandslash often found himself alone and not sure what to do now. The only thing that really stood out to him... Was Coalfrost. The two had started to become... friends? It was weird but they got along rather well. In fact, Coalfrost almost seemed to have no trouble understand Sandslash and that was really... Really something special. It was too bad that Coalfrost might not ever find out how much they were starting to mean to Sandslash.

deputyship [ 28 - 39 moons ] >
     After Maskstar's disappearance, Gullcry was made leader. As she took the name Gullstar, she named Sandslash her deputy.
Sandslash was thrilled with his new role, he was certain that Gullstar made the right choice.

Sandslash continued to spend most of his time with Coalfrost, going so far as to give the warrior extra patrol duties so long as it meant the pair could patrol together. Oddly enough, Coalfrost didn't seem to mind so much.
The two of them worked on creating a sort of non-verbal language together, Coalfrost seemed to have a knack for that sort of thing. It would be something that would not only benefit Sandslash, but also Coalfrost's brother Plovertail and their niece Spiderkit. In fact, the whole of Marshclan would greatly benefit from such a thing, and it would make providing his clanmates with instructions quite a bit easier.

One day while the two were heading home again, Sandslash paused. When Coalfrost finally asked him what was up, Sandslash asked using their language if Coalfrost would be his mate.

It wasn't too much later that Coalfrost and Sandslash would stand before the clan teaching their language to their fellow clanmates. It was almost a shame to lose their secret, but it would be worthwhile in the long run, especially as it would aid the clan as well as their own family greatly.

Sandslash participated in the festival of flowers and competed in a spar against Kitestar. The match was close, ending with Sandslash's defeat. But Sandslash found he gained a bit of insight as to Kitestar's fight style and believed that next time, in a real battle, that things would surely be different.

The next real battle happened a lot sooner than he'd expected. When out on patrol, Sandslash heard the sounds of fighting, and the tom made the choice to lead his patrol in to help Emberclan. The battle took place on the Hailclan and Emberclan border, and Sandslash gave it his all.
Soon though, he had to call a retreat. A gruesome bear emerged from the Hailclan forest and started attacking cats. Sandslash was begrudgingly thankful that Wildstar was there, as he figured his own signals weren't caught by many of his classmates in the commotion, whereas her voice carried.
Sandslash returned to camp and had his wounds treated. He would wear his new scars with pride. Marshclan did well in this battle, and as they'd suffered no losses they would consider this battle a victory.

Sandslash continued to work hard as deputy, putting effort in getting to know his classmates and their strengths and weaknesses. He paid special attention towards three of the cats who came from outside the clan. Mothheart in particular, due to the tom's ties to Sandslash's extended family.
One day, Sandslash outright confronted and told Mothheart about his distrust in him. The war they were fighting against Cloudclan, Mothheart's former home, and the loyalty Mothheart felt towards his own kits and mate but not to Marshclan.
Mothheart asked for just one chance to prove himself. And Sandslash agreed. Mothheart had been working hard, learning to sign and working to be a good father to his kits. But that didn't mean anything for the good of Marshclan itself. Mothheart was against the war, and Sandslash believed he was still holding himself back in battles due to this. One day that sort of attitude could cost someone their life.

Sandslash lead a patrol along the border when a rabbit darted across. The rabbit was being chased by some Cloudclanners. Observing the patrol, Sandslash recognized Ravenfrost. The dark grey tom had a long history with Marshclan, but the most egregious offense was that he had stolen prey from them during the long leaf-bare. Sandslash barred his fangs and called the cloudclan warrior out on his behavior, the very behavior this war was started to fight.
Ravenfrost claimed to have been acting alone, that he was a rogue at the time of his offense, and several Cloudclan cats turned against him upon learning of his actions. It was good, but still not good enough. Sandslash attacked the tom, starting the battle just to punish this one cat for his crimes.
After fighting Ravenfrost for sometime, another Cloudclan cat came to his defense. Zephyrfrost allowed her clanmate to escape while Sandslash refused to back down. The deputy very nearly almost lost his life. But he was saved- by Mothheart.

Mothheart bled out from the neck, giving his life to save Sandslash's. Sandslash listened to the tom's last words with his paws soaked in the cat's blood as he tried desperately to stop the bleeding. Three of Mothhearts kits- Cicadapaw, Beepaw, and Spiderpaw had come to help their father. But nothing they did worked. Mothheart gave his final words to them through sign-language, using whatever strength he had left to try, asking Sandslash to look after the family he was leaving behind. With a final "I love you" to his children, Mothheart breathed his last.
Spiderpaw carried his father's body back to camp. They'd have to- they'd have to tell Mothheart's mate, and his other two kits Mantispaw and Roachpaw.
Sandslash didn't cry, he was barely holding himself together but he wouldn't cry for this. He felt angry, not at the cat who did this, but at himself for pushing things this far. For costing his nieces and nephews their father. For doing this to them.
He wanted- he needed Coalfrost. He needed to- he didn't know what to do.

It was only after they returned he realized something else. After getting his own wounds clean and silently checking over his clanmates he noticed. Sweetheart, his sister was gone. He'd noticed her briefly during the battle though his attention was mostly fixated on his opponents, and then on Mothheart. Where- where did she go after? Did she need help? Was she hurt?
Sandslash went out again, ignoring his wounds to try and find her on his own. He returned to the border and searched for her scent. The smell of blood was still heavy in the air but he found hers- she went deeper into Cloudclan territory. Why? Where was she-
The thought came to him, his sister had never been one to enjoy fighting. She hated it, and this- all this, it... might have been too much. She wasn't coming back was she? Sweetheart had left Marshclan for good, left all the clans behind. Left him and Softsnap behind.
It served him right

Sandslash slowly started to open up to his clanmates again, starting with Coalfrost. He leaned on his mate for support and comfort even though neither of the pair really knew how to navigate such things. Sandslash was quickly able to return to his duties.
When getting his wounds rewrapped Sandslash spent time talking with Tansyskip. He offered to help the medicine cat replenish his stocks and used the chance to clear his mind about some of the things that had been bothering him. Mothhearts death and the mistakes he made that led to this event. The whole war- everything. Reluctantly, Sandslash shared all of this with the medicine cat and the two made a decision. They would talk to Gullstar together and ask her to reconsider this war and Marshclan's involvement in it.

While out alone in the territory, letting out some steam before they were to confront Gullstar; Sandslash came across Sweetheart. His sister returned to say goodbye. She had a collar around her neck and a new place with two-legs. Sandslash was relieved and happy to see her alive and well. But at the same time- He was angry. As much as he accused Mothheart of being a traitor- to think his own kin, his littermate would do something so horrible? Sweetheart was a traitor. She would find no second chances in Marshclan.
Sandslash sent her away, telling her that she'd never be welcome to return again. He would miss her- undoubtedly he still loved his sister. But she wasn't a warrior of Marshclan, her presence would only bring the clans harm should her two-legs come searching.
Sweetheart could never return to Marshclan again.


Before Tansyskip and Sandslah's planned discussion could happen, the unthinkable occurred. Gullstar came back battered and bloodied from a border fight. She had fought alone against Ravenfrost. The tom cost her one of her lives before she took his. Then after returning, Gullstar breathed her last surrounded by her kits and her clanmates.
Gullstar was dead.

leadership [ 39 - ? moons ] >
      Sandslash went to the moonpool to gain his extra life and was named Sandstar.
Now, as leader he had Marshclan's fate resting on his shoulders. It was- daunting. He had spent moons trying to prepare himself for this, but all his confidence was shaken in just this past moon alone.
It felt wrong to so quickly upturn one of Gullstar's biggest decisions so soon after her death, but he couldn't go back on what he and Tansyskip agreed. Besides, he was certain now more than ever that leaving this war was the right call for Marshclan.
Sandstar called a clan meeting to make this decision known.

Despite his concerns, Sandstar quickly took to the leader role and it seemed his clanmates were satisfied with his decisions so far. For his deputy, Sandstar named Seaheart. The molly was a former rogue, one of the two cats who left the Storm to join Marshclan during Maskstar's reign.
Despite being an outsider, or maybe because she was one, Seaheart seemed the perfect choice for this role and Sandstar would be watching to see her continue to prove herself for her clan.

The war officially ended, and life continued. Marshclan was picking itself back up again and adjusting to this new peace. Though Sandstar knew Leaf-bare was right around the corner, he couldn't help but feel like things were going to be alright for once.

Sandstar led a diplomatic patrol onto Cloudclan territory. Since the war, things had still felt shaky between the clans, and it was about time they change that. And with Marshclan using their sign-language on a daily basis, it stood to reason that the other clans would really benefit from its use as well. And as a bonus, he would start being able to communicate directly with the other leaders and clan cats.
The patrol comprised of cats Sandstar picked out specifically. His own mate Coalfrost, their nieces Beesting and Cicadashell, their nibling Spiderbite, and the former rogue Icefang.
Favoritism aside, Beesting, Cicadashell, and Spiderbite were among the best with sign language aside from himself and Coalrost. And Icefang knew more of Cloudclan's territory than any of them as well as being able to serve in a protective role if needed.
Once on Cloudclan territory, the patrol came across a group of Cloudclanners, who after some explanation led them back to their camp. There, Sandstar was surprised to meet the newly made leader Starlingstar, and they came to an agreement rather quickly.
Starlingstar seemed very interested in the new language and called everyone together to begin learning it.
The mission had been a success and Sandstar hoped that this time, Marshclan's kindness would not be so easily forgotten. Not that Cloudclan could pose any threat, their own leaders were dropping like flies but he did hope that perhaps Starlingstar could hold onto the position a little longer than Sparkstar had.

The death of two warriors, Briarthorn and Nightbreeze, left two mewling kits orphaned. Sandstar got involved to make sure they settled in well in the nursery and took to Beetletail, who had recently had kits of her own. As leader, he felt it his responsibility to be there for his clan, even the smallest kits. He had Cloverfrost accompany him during these check-ins, because frankly... Coalfrost's littermates made Sandstar a little on edge after what happened with Mothheart.

After some time it seemed the kits were definitely going to be alright. But Sandstar's visits didn't stop. He was... reluctant to leave them alone. Sure, logically Sandstar knew Beetletail and Plovertail could probably handle taking care of them in addition to their three. But...
No.
Sandstar and Coalfrost officially adopted the two kits.

Shrewkit was a rambunctious young girl with dreams of flying. She'd always seek out high places for her to try and jump from and take off. While many cats looked at this behavior with concern, Sandstar encouraged her unlikely dream. Besides, he was sure that no matter where she 'flew', he'd always be there to catch her.
Batkit was more reserved and observant, he had a more realistic view of the world though at times it seemed a lot for him to deal with. He reminded Sandstar a lot of his mate Coalfrost, though it was interesting to see how instead of outcasting himself, Batkit managed to seek out friends and loved ones. Batkit was even close with his uncle and cousins whereas Coalfrost had a more-distant relationship with their littermates.

When the two kits were five moons old, they snuck out of camp together in the middle of the night. Sandstar isn't sure how long they were out there, or what exactly lead to it, but quickly the clan came together to search for them. Sandstar heard Shrewkit's cries and found her and Batkit being attacked by a badger. The events of the night were horrific and led to Shrewkit losing one of her hind legs, nearly her life. But with Tansyskip's quick work, they were able to take Shrewkit home and she and Batkit were safe once again. 

Shrewkit would need to be held back as she recovered from her injury, and Sandstar decided it best to hold Batkit back as well. This way maybe both kits would have a bit of time to process the event before being made apprentices. The trauma of the night would certainly take a toll on the young kits, it had for him anyway. He'd reprimand them for their misbehavior, but a part of him would always wonder what exactly he did wrong. They had two kits to take care of, just two. So how could he fail so stupendously to keep them safe? 

Batkit slowly seemed to be pulling away from him and the rest of their family. Though he wasn't isolating himself, it was almost like they were strangers to him now. That hurt, more than he could ever explain, but Sandstar let it be. It was Batkit's right to be angry and distant.
Shrewkit slowly learned how to walk again, but she was always so down and without hope. She felt betrayed by her brother and no matter what Sandstar did to try and comfort her, nothing seemed to make it any better.

Finally, the day came for Sandstar to make them apprentices. And still, nothing had gotten any better. Sandstar looked to his clanmates and tried to figure out who of any of them he could trust, and who could possibly help him with this. He considered Seaheart for a moment, she had raised for kits and as his deputy, she was very reliable. But... He wasn't sure still. He didn't blame her for her first apprentice's death but it was a thought in his mind. And would the kits think one was getting special treatment or feel more pressured or pitied if he assigned one to the deputy?
He had to choose cats who were good warriors on their own. Someone who had trained apprentices prior and who he could trust completely.
It was the hardest assignment he'd ever had to call.

Sandstar apprenticed Batpaw to his aunt Dovemask and Shrewpaw to Hootsong. He hadn't always trusted or respected his sister-in-law, but he knew she was someone with higher emotional maturity and despite it, had a good head on her shoulders. She had mentored two apprentices previously and raised five kittens.
Hootsong had mentored an apprentice before as well and was Tansyskip's littermate. If Shrewpaw had issues with the training or her leg stump, Hootsong would have access to better resources to help her.
Sandstar prayed that he'd made the right decisions. But since adopting these two kits, he feared he'd really screwed them up.

Mantisdawn died of greencough. It was- terrible. Sandstar would mourn his niece, but a selfish part of him worried more about how it would affect Dovemask and her training with Batpaw.

His mate suddenly came down with white cough. It seemed like an epidemic. Sandstar wondered if he should pressure Tansyskip to take on an apprentice- but right now the tom had enough on his plate. Sandstar visited the medicine den often, checking in on Coalfrost and their other clan mates. It was hard to see the normally so stoic cat turned so fragile.
Between worrying over Coalfrost's illness, Shrewpaw's despair, Batpaw's distant behavior, and trying to continue leading Marshclan through whatever horrible situation was happening right now... Sandstar had a lot on his plate and keeping up with every bit of it was becoming more difficult by the day.

Sandstar may have chosen to direct his frustrations at his brother in law. Plovertail had always been someone Sandstar found infuriating. Maybe not the tom himself, but seeing him be picked over himself again and again... Sandstar resented him for many moons, and now all that was bubbling to the surface. Just why did Batpaw love him and avoid his own parents? Why did it have to be Plovertail?
How many cats would Plovertail steal from him? His father, his apprentice, his son- and he wasn't even conscious of doing it. The worst part was that Plovertail hadn't done anything "wrong" per say, so there was nothing Sandstar could do to push the tom out of his and his family's lives.

Seaheart and Icefang announced they were expecting their second litter. Sandstar couldn't wrap his head around this decision. Here he was, struggling and trying his hardest to get Marshclan through this rough patch, on the brink of a mental breakdown, and his deputy decides now she wants another litter of kit? Now? She already had four! Why in starclan could they think this was a good idea.
Whatever, it was fine. He'll just handle everything on his own, no problem at all. Maybe the kits would grow up to be more useful and reliable warriors than their parents.

Patrols reported hearing voices from within the tunnels, and upon closer look found scents of several cats. Sandstar made the decision to handle it himself, taking Softsnap with him as he investigated. There definitely were signs of cats meeting down there. Sandstar found the scents of Cloudclan, Hailclan, and... Marshclan cats? He tried to figure out exactly what this could mean. But for one reason or another, it seemed cats from those three clans were meeting in the tunnels.

Around him, Sandstar felt the ground shake as walls behind him began to give. He saw someone on the other side and tried to get through, but the tunnel he'd come through was quickly buried in rubble. Sandstar looked at the barricade with frantic eyes and searched around for another way out. Another tunnel- another dead end. He was- trapped.
Through himself at the walls, he tried to dig his way out. He had to get back.

Time passed. Minutes, hours, days. However long it had been it was already far too long. Sandstar continued to try and dig his way out, but so far nothing about these walls seemed to give. Sometimes he thought he heard cats on the other side, but if there were, he had no way to communicate with them as his scratches and hitting seemed to do nothing.
Were there cats out there looking for him? Were his kits okay? Had Seaheart taken over as leader or- had not enough time passed for that yet? It was a frustrating and horrible experience all around and Sandstar had nothing down there but his thoughts to keep him company. Would he see his family again? Another living cat? He thought of all the cats who died or went missing. Was he really just going to be another?

Sandstar had to get out, had to find his way back to Marshclan. He spent his time, however long it was, trying to dig through the tunnel wall or find a weaker area. He listened for any outside sounds but had no way of communicating through the thick layer of earth. He would work himself until he collapsed, then he'd sleep on the cold ground to wake up and start again.
He'd sometimes dream, delirious as he was, that he was back home.  But then he'd wake up and find himself alone, still stuck in these same narrow spaces. Part of him wondered if he'd died; if this was the place of no stars. But he couldn't dare entertained those thoughts. He needed to keep trying if he ever hoped to see his family again.

Eventually, Sandstar collapsed again. His breathing grew strained and weak, he couldn't move. He lost consciousness and saw Starclan. He had died.
Sandstar woke up again, still in the tunnel. Still no sign of freedom. He was terrified, but what could he do but keep trying? He had to get out of there.

The darkness and silence were endless, each passing moment Sandstar felt weaker and weaker from hunger, thirst, exhaustion, and cold. He was holding on, but only just. And what was it all for? He'd already died once, and with each passing moment he knew he was getting closer and closer to his next death.
Each time Sandstar lost consciousness, he wondered if it would be his last.

Sandstar woke up outside of the tunnels. Or, maybe he did, or maybe he was dreaming again. But he could hear voices, feel soft moss beneath him, and even smell the scents of his kin close by. He didn't dare move or even open his eyes. It'd hurt too much to do so, and he worried that should he move even an inch, he'd be right back in that hole again. He just listened. There was Tansyskip, Shrewpaw, Batpaw, Seaheart, so many of his clanmates would come to visit. He enjoyed hearing their voices, and desperately needed to hold onto this dream for however long he can.

And then he'd be back in the tunnels. He'd try to force himself to stand again, to lunge himself at a wall. He needed to get out- needed to save himself from this place. But he'd collapse again, and he must have knocked himself right back out because then there would be Tansyskip again urging him to lay still and recover.

Slowly Sandstar started really coming around. It still didn't feel quite real, but he was feeling better each day. He was getting actual food to eat and could see the sunlight after so long of being without. He heard their voices and can see each detail in the faces of those around him.
He was so happy to be able to have a conversation with Shrewpaw or Tansyskip again. Cats stopped by, and is was a little overwhelming at times. To go from dirt and darkness to so much more- he often didn't have the energy to even sign to anyone. But he could lay there on the bed of moss and just listen for a bit.
It didn't take long for him to notice the absence of one cat. He put off acknowledging it for some time, but... Coalfrost either should have been next time him or come by to visit during this time.
The last time Sandstar had seen his mate, was before he ventured into the tunnels that day. Coalfrost had been stuck in the medicine den, struggling with a case of whitecough.
When Sandstar finally acknowledged this, he felt loss and rage and everything. How long had he been gone, wishing to just hear his mates voice one? To just see them? And now even the chance to say goodbye had been taken from him.
Now knowing exactly what kind of situation he had found himself in, Sandstar remained passive, burying his rage to bubble and shimmer just below the surface. 

Sandstar recovered. He was allowed out of the medicine den, and sat aside as Seaheart made the apprentice assignments. He was somewhat surprised things had been so peaceful everything considered. But he knew it wouldn't last. Still, Seaheart was nearing the late stages of her pregnancy, so if things could remain peaceful at least until then, it may be for the best. Regardless of his own petty feelings of disapproval towards them, he wihed no ill will towards their family. Even Icefang deserved that much, and Seaheart had more than earned her place in Marshclan.

At least Tansyskip finally had an apprentice now, even if the epidemic was over now. Sandstar was distant from his clanmates, but slowly he was getting back into his role as leader.

The day Seaheart gave birth to her second litter of kits was the day Sandstar called together a clan meeting. He had wanted to leave his deputy out for this, she already had enough on her paws with taking over his duties for so long and now three mewling kits to care for.
First, he discussed with his clan about the tunnels. The winding labyrinth that runs under Marshclan and Cloudclan had cost numerous cats their lives, and he himself had nearly not come back from them. He proposed they seal their entrances for good.
The clan agreed, and he made the order for patrols to leave for the task at dawn.

Then, Sandstar needed to make his next 'announcement'.
He ordered Softsnap to come forward. She had much to face for what she had done, how she had trapped him in the tunnels and left him there to die. How she had lied to everyone and betrayed not only himself but their entire clan. Because of her- his own sister- he hadn't been here when Coalfrost had taken their final breath. He hadn't been here when his kits were struggling with all the loss around them. To help his clan through the last of the epidemic. He was trapped- died- alone where he'd never known if he'd seen anyone ever again. He could never forgive her. Not when she'd cost him so much.
Sandstar offered Softsnap the choice. She could either accept her exile, leave the clan forever, and be treated as another outsider. Or she could fight him to the death. It was more than she'd given him, more than she deserved. But if she wanted to die with honor in the clan she grew up in, he wouldn't deny her that. And he wanted her to choose to fight. Wanted somewhere to vent his anger and grief, all the emotions that had built up over the past few moons of isolation and misery.
She didn't disappoint.
Softsnap chose to fight, but her heart wasn't in it. Right away Sandstar could tell. He wanted her to fight him for real, to show him how much she believed she was right to do what she did. At least show him that his suffering was for something. But she couldn't. She didn't want to kill him, she just accepted her fate and fought half-heartedly as she waited to die.
Ignoring the cries and pleas of his clan, Sandstar killed his sister in front of them all.
She had chosen her fate- but no matter, if they wanted to hate him for this, this was just a burden he'd have to carry.
He wasn't going to hide from this. Sandstar had difficulty remembering what exactly was said and by who. But he knew Softsnap's last words. She'd warned them of more traitors like her. And she asked for them to find Sweetheart and tell her of what had happened.

Sandstar was left utterly confused and troubled. He had hoped this last fight would bring him some sort of closure, justice, and security. That he'd gain back some of the things he'd lost in the tunnels, that he'd be finally freed. But he wasn't. Looking down at Softsnap's body- he felt more broken than ever.
Softsnap was dead. But traitors still existed somewhere. Coalfrost was still gone. And all he'd done, was get his own paws bloody. But wasn't this the option he'd chosen?There was no going back now. He'd chosen this path for himself and now he'd have to walk it to the end.

Sandstar and Tasnyskip buried Softsnap. While she wouldn't get the same vigil a warrior would have, she would still be buried along where their father had been. He knew she wouldn't be accepted into Starclan, but he wondered if he should pray to them anyway.
He and the medicine cat shared a short conversation before Sandstar had to leave again. He wanted to find Sweetheart before the day was done.
Crossing through Cloudclan territory, Sandstar found the two-leg place for the first time. It was like stepping into a new world. It was disgusting and disorientating. He'd have to find his last living littermate quickly to leave this place as soon as possible.
He found Sweetheart, or Penny as she was known now. He told her, and at first she didn't believe him, but he made sure she knew the details. She deserved the truth, and Sandstar wasn't going to hide anything.
When Sandstar returned to camp, he met with Batpaw. The conversation went surprisingly well, although it seemed he'd made Batpaw upset again by the end of it.
But he couldn't worry about that now. After everything that had happened- Sandstar was tired.

Sandstar continued sleeping outside his den, finding discomfort with the enclosed space. He needed to get back on top of things. He needed to sort out this traitor issue before yet another life was taken.
Sandstar called a meeting.
He started to discuss his concerns with his clanmates, and when Turtlecloud reacted, well- Sandstar felt as if that was all the confirmation he needed. He couldn't understand why she was so angry about the incident. While it had been brutal yes, the outcome was that a traitor and threat was gone and life should carry on.
But instead, she continued on about how he shouldn't have risked his own life to punish Softsnap, how he shouldn't have killed her in camp and all of these things that went entirely against his reasons for doing so.
He fought Softsnap for justice, for his own murder and betrayal. He fought her because she was his kin. He fought her openly so as not to hide these actions from his clanmates. And he had let Softsnap choose, she chose to fight him too.

The only conclusion he could come up with was that Turtlecloud had been in league with his sister and that she was trying to rally the clan against him. These were exactly the actions he'd expected from the traitors.
When he accused her, however, the clan stood against him. Apprentices, his own children, warriors, queens. Many cats stood in defense of Turtlecloud and refused to see his reasoning.
Sandstar had no choice but to drop the accusation and dismiss the meeting. He gave the clan a warning, that if they would not head his words... It would be them who suffered. But they threw that back in his face too, it was as if they all wanted the traitors to win.

Sandstar needed to find a way to deal with this. He couldn't rely on his clan for help, and even the few cats he trusted he couldn't let them be involved. But he wouldn't ever stoop so low to use such cowardly actions as to attack from the shadows. And so- he was stuck.
Unable to do anything but wait for their next move, from them to try to murder him or another cat.
The isolation he faced from that moon of being trapped- if never would go away would it? Even out here, surrounded by clanmates, he was alone.

The time came that Batpaw and Shrewpaw would be made warriors. Sandstar wanted to give them their names himself, even if they weren't close anymore, they were still his kids. Giving them their warrior names, he hoped to convey that he was still proud of them, that he loved them even now.
It had been so many moons since they had been a proper family. Back when they were still kits really, when Coalfrost was alive, Batpaw looked up to him, and Shrewpaw still needed him to be there to catch her as she 'flew'.
Neither of them needed him anymore, they were now grown and finished their training. They hadn't needed him for a very long time.
Sandstar chose the names Shrewflight and Batwhisper. Shrewflight for how she learned to 'fly' by her own strength. Batwhisper for his intelligence and quiet cunning.

When he announced the names, things became quite tense. Instead of the celebration, it should have been, it seemed Shrewflight was displeased.
After he dismissed the clan, Shrewflight approached him, angry at his choice.
For a while, they argued, but it was clear they saw things from two very different views. She rejected the fond memories he'd held dear and only saw the tragedy that had taken place. In the end, Sandstar just gave up, told her to do whatever, name herself if she really wanted.
He was just so tired, and what should have been a celebration for how Shrewflight and Batwhisper had grown was apparently just another mistake driving them further and further from him. That was fine. If they wanted to disown and hate him that was up to them. If they wanted to forget the good memories they'd shared as a family, it was fine. None of this would really matter for much longer anyway.
It was good he was alone. He could just- let them live their lives without causing them further grief.
Though it still hurt so very much.

Sandstar was called out to the border by one of his warriors, a patrol had come across some Hailclan cats. Strange, they didn't even share a border with them. And besides that, borders were closed so they should be turned away right away regardless. But as a show of good faith, Sandstar went to hear them out.
He listened to the story, how Hailclan was falling apart from the inside, and how they were seeking refuge.
Sandstar listened, but he denied them, and asked Rabbitbloom to send the cats away. Whatever was happening with Hailclan, Marshclan couldn't expend any resources to help them. They needed to sort out their own issues, especially now that it was clear what would happen if they didn't. Marshclan could very well suffer the same fate if the clan didn't start working together again and if they didn't find the spies hiding among them.
His warriors were angry for his choice and created a scene in front of the Hailclan cats. One of the Hailclan cats spat bitter words at him before leaving. Right, as if she actually had any clue what was happening behind their border.
Sandstar let the insults on him and his character slide. He wasn't going to care about such things anymore, he couldn't afford to. Instead, he only punished Rabbitbloom, the leader of the patrol, for acting against his direct orders and making a mess of what should have been a straightforward task.
Sandstar returned to camp afterward tired and agitated. But he made the announcement to the clan that unless the cat was in dire need, such as sickly, injured, elderly, or kits, Marshclan would turn away any and all Hailclan refugees. Anyone caught disobeying this command would be punished harshly.

Sometime after, a patrol had caught Hootsong sneaking out at night. While at first, they had been reluctant to tell him anything, he managed to get what he needed. The tortie had snuck out towards the hope bridge, looking across the border even after everything.
He offered her the chance to defend her actions and explain them to the clan. But even a nervous warrior like her stood against him and claimed his orders had been a mistake. That she was purposefully disobeying him because she felt it was best. How arrogant.
Sandstar sentenced her to exile, feeling confident that he was making the right choice this time. For all he knew, she was meeting with other spies across the border, but regardless she was in clear defiance of his rules and needed to be dealt with accordingly.
Come to think of it, hadn't her activity always been suspicious? It sounded too much like how Softsnap had been sneaking out and seemed oddly tired on patrols. Had he really been so blind before now?
Hootsong left, and while he knew his clan may never support his decisions again, he couldn't stand by and let cats do as they pleased.

Dovemask and Spiderbite were found dead. Murdered, by the marks on their bodies and the clear signs of a fight.
It couldn't have been Hootsong's doing. She'd never- even he knew how she'd looked up to her mentor and adored Dovemask's five kits. She wasn't the killer, and she would never have agreed if this would be the price of her betrayal.
The deaths were just so shocking- why them? What did anyone have to gain by killed those two?
He remembered when he used to think of Spiderbite as his nibling, how glad he was that they'd grow up with a form of communication. How much he'd seen the cat grow and saw how feircly they fought alongside them. Spiderbite had been the one to look the most like Coalfrost with their long legs and lanky build. And Dovemask... Neither cat deserved something like this.
It was- a lot. So while cats were alive he struggled so much to trust them, but now once they'd been murdered he saw them as his beloved clanmates? Cats he'd failed to protect? Just what was he even doing right now?

Sandstar added even more restrictions to the clan. He hated to do it, but he had to do something to protect them from being the killer's next victims. It seemed whoever it was, wasn't just going to target the high-ranks anymore, but any cat.

Going to another gathering, Sandstar expected it to go about the same as always. He hadn't yet shared the things Marshclan was dealing with, he had no intention of asking the other clans were help though they knew something was going on.
Before the announcements could begin, in the middle of the day while everyone was still getting settled in, the sun disappeared behind darkness. The wind picked up, and a storm started. Sandstar approached the crowd of warriors with the intention of figuring out what was happening, only for lighting to strike behind him, hitting the bridge he and the other leaders had just been. A fire started, and Sandstar could only watch transfixed by it when a figure appeared behind the smoke.
The figure... it wasn't a cat anyone there knew. it... She, stepped forward and mocked them, untouched by flames.
Sandstar ordered his clanmates to step back. Two young newly made apprentices were among them, and Sandstar was regretting bringing them.
Then the stranger said something else- she had been behind the spies. Behind Softsnap. Behind everything.
Sandstar lunged at her, but couldn't touch her. He fell through, landing on the bridge only a moment before the boards broke under him. He fell into the water, and missed a lot of what happened next.
Sandstar was helped out of the water sometime after, and it seemed at some point Wild had joined them and fought against the ghost.
He didn't understand everything, but with the ghost faded, his anger did too, leaving him just more tired than ever. He listened to Wild's story, and he finally shared what had happened to Marshclan.
A Hailclan warrior asked him if he'd join them, open the borders again and ally with the other three clans to fight this common foe. But Sandstar declined. Four clans? there were only three clans here, Hailclan had already been torn apart and Marshclan was in such a state that they were vulnerable enough already. If the other clans couldn't do what needed to be done with the spies... Sandstar couldn't put Marshclan at greater risk and let his clan fall in the same way Hailclan had.

Sandstar left the gathering with his clan and he got his new wound treated. He considered things as they were, as now they had confirmation that there had been seven spies, that they had been placed in all four clans.
So at most, Marshclan could have four spies, and at least one. Most likely there were two spies, but who really knew how they had been spread apart.
Sandstar should talk to Seaheart. He should consult Tansyskip, the elders, the senior warriors. He should do these things. But he felt like he knew what they'd advise him. They'd want him to open the clan borders and ally with the remaining two clans, help Hailclan get back on their feet again.
So why was he still hesitating?

He looked to see Shrewflight next to him still and realized she'd been there this whole time. Since... since he came back out of the river probably. He didn't really know what to say to his daughter anymore. Should he apologize? Thank her? In the end, Sandstar didn't sign anything to her and just looked up at the sky again instead. What was he supposed to do here?

It wasn't even a moon later that Starlingstar requested a meeting. He agreed to meet, not knowing exactly what to expect. What he learned was- surprised.
Starlingstar had found two spies and now both were dead. One of the spies, confessed to murdering two Marshclan warriors. Spiderbite and Dovemask... Their killer was finally brought to justice, though not by anyone who even knew the two warriors or the types of warriors they had been.
Sandstar called a meeting, telling his clan of everything he had learned. Then, with fewer killers out there waiting for a chance to hurt them... Sandstar lifted his restrictions, and he even allowed cats to open the borders again.
He warned them to remain cautious and vigilant. But he was... pleased to see the clan in such high spirits again. He hoped the news would bring the two fallen warrior's families, Coalfrost's family, a bit of peace.

Things seemed calm. For the first time in many moons, it seemed like the clan was settling into a state of peace again. Was... had it really just been him holding his clan back? But then... there were still four spies out there, and that dark forest spirit Blizzardfang... she'd be back again.
Could they really let their guard down to such a degree?

Sandstar continued to struggle with all of his own demons, but he thinks he was slowly getting better at managing everything. He even stepped into his own den for the first time since he'd gone missing. He immediately left again, but... he knew that while it wasn't something he wanted to do, it was something that he needed to conquer.
Sandstar attempted to sleep in his nest during a rain storm. Seemed a perfect time, and he knew Tansyskip wouldn't appreciate it if he caught a cough again.
But he woke with nightmares and panic, he was unable to stay the whole night and ended up not sleeping much at all. He... He didn't think he could do that again for a long while. But that was okay. When it was nice out, it really wasn't so bad sleeping under the stars.

Seaheart's kits were now old enough to be apprenticed. Sandstar considered the choices carefully, less the kits be used or manipulated by someone with less than honest intentions. But he still had to find warriors who matched each kit's unique skillset and temperament...
He chose Flywing to mentor Riverkit, Teaslefire to mentor Skykit, and he decided to take on Rainkit as his own apprentice.

He could feel the dubious gazes on his back when he announced the mentor assignments. Rainpaw would be his first proper apprentice rather than Plovertail's leftovers. And... his first apprentice since the whole disaster started. He knew he was more than capable, but his clanmates did not.
Rainpaw was a nervous young cat. A little wary but still eager to learn. Sandstar knew they'd be just fine.

Batspark and Waspcatcher announced their mateship to the clan and... Sandstar was surprised, he hadn't really realized they'd been so close. But he remembered the sort of relationship he and his adoptive son had wasn't at all close. So it shouldn't be any wonder that Sandstar wasn't caught up on his kit's lives now that they were grown.
He was... Happy for them. Their relationship half-reminded him a bit of how he and Coalfrost used to be. It was... hard to find someone who understood and fit so perfectly. But he knew how great it felt to have found someone like that. So he really was happy for Batwhisper and Waspcatcher. And he would show this by... keeping his distance and letting them continue being happy in peace.


Blizzardfang was gone. Killed by her own spies. It didn't surprise Sandstar at all that the cats who'd betrayed their clans weren't the most loyal group. But to hear what became of those spies after?
Reedstar allowed Sleetpuddle to get off with little more than a slap on his paw, babying their kid brother like he was still a child and not someone who'd conspired to murder them.
When Hailclan got their paws back under them again with Salmonstar as their new leader, they certainly weren't getting a clean slate as they too let Rippletide stay within the clan.
Sandstar was very open with his disapproval of these decisions and warned his clan to remain wary when dealing with Hail or Emberclan cats. He started sending guards along with Tansyskip and Creamypaw to the crystal falls. He wasn't going to take any chances with his own clans lives. The leaders and medicine cats voiced their disapproval of this, but if they could keep traitors in their midst, he could do whatever it took to keep two of the most important Marshclan cats alive.

Creamypaw soon completed her training and was named Creamytail, the name seemed somewhat familiar, but Sandstar couldn't place why.
Training with Rainpaw was going well, the young tom was eager to learn and gained confidence in his own ability every day.

During one half-moon meeting, the medicine cats were attacked at the crystal falls. This attack was done by dark-forest cats, former spies from Emberclan and Cloudclan. Waverose the Cloudclan medicine cat and Icefang, the warrior Sandstar had assigned to act as a guard, were both killed in the battle.
Icefang's death hit several cats hard, Seaheart losing her mate and Rainpaw losing his father. Icefang wasn't someone Sandstar particularly cared for, but he was important to cats he did. It was... regretful he was gone.
However, Sandstar didn't regret sending him. If Icefang hadn't have been there... Things at the falls could have turned out even worse. He would stand by that, and for the time being, Tansyskip and Creamytail would be skipping half-moon meetings for a while.

At the gathering, Sandstar wasn't shy about putting the blame on Hailclan and Emberclan again. Could they be sure that their clanmates weren't feeding the dark forest cats information? This started an argument and further damaged the clan's relationships, but Sandstar wasn't going to back down from this. He wasn't going to forgive any one of the traitors.
Prey started to run low as Leaf-fall began. It was expected but to this degree? They could only hope that Leaf-bare would be over quickly.
Rainpaw started leaning more on him for things, and Sandstar was sure to support him in his grief and tried to act as needed. He let himself open up a little around Rainpaw to try and be more approachable and available. It had been many moons since he had lost his own dad, but Sandstar still knew the feeling well. At least he had been a full warrior by then.

Cloudclan's remaining medicine cat, Bramblewhisper was found dead near their border. Starlingstar requested an investigation be done, and Sandstar was appalled at the tom's nerve. Why would anyone in Marshclan murder Cloudclan's medicine cat, so soon after Icefang gave his life to same them?
They would find no culprit within Marshclan.
Around this time, they started to find things like half-eaten prey or strange scents. Sandstar started to suspect something else was up, and in a show of good faith, allowed Cloudclan cats to come to investigate with them.
At first, he kept a close eye over the investigation, often going in person to help. But when the investigation turned to the tunnels- he backed out. He wasn't going down there. He couldn't-
Sandstar told them the tunnels belonged to Cloudclan and his clan didn't need to go down with them. Seaheart and a few others volunteered to go anyway as Cloudclan hadn't explored this section of the tunnels before.
This proved to be very costly, but he doubted Seaheart would see it as a mistake.
A bobcat was found down there and several cats were injured, and even after several had become trapped for a while.
Hearing all this from a frantic apprentice, Sandstar started to feel panic and he couldn't think rationally at that moment. He declared the cats still in the tunnels as dead- so many good warriors and his own deputy. Waspcatcher- Batwhisper's mate was down there too.
Tansyskip took control of the situation and organized to follow the apprentice back to where the cats were. They worked to dig the cats out and get them medical attention. Some Cloudclan cats who were injured severely were allowed to stay for a time. But Sandstar had checked out of the situation almost completely.
He'd have to reflect on his initial reaction. It was- not good.
He was.... He hadn't been able to be there for his clan when they needed him. Could he even call himself a leader at this point?

The bobcat still remained in Marshclan's territory and Sandstar did his best to act now to track it and remove the predator from their home.  

They found the bobcat's den. Sandstar organized several groups of cats to act in a plan to either kill or drive the bobcat out. He placed himself at the head of the attack team. The plan could have fallen apart a few times. The bobcat had noticed them too early, went the wrong way, cats left their posts to get involved where they shouldn't have, but they managed. Together the Marshclan and Cloudclan cats drove the bobcat over the border and into the unclaimed territories. They didn't let up until they lost the bobcat in a forest.
Satisfied that the beast wouldn't return, Sandstar had the clans fall back again and return home.
He didn't have much time to waste. He knew what had happened, he was already feeling the blood loss affect him. Still, he stayed firm and went with his clan back to camp. He didn't let anyone make a fuss over his injuries and just walked along with Shrewflight back home again.
When they made it to camp, Sandstar couldn't go any further. He finally collapsed and started to succumb to his injuries. He knew what was coming, his death, the loss of his last life. He'd experienced death before. But this time... This time he was home. This time he wouldn't be alone. He could feel satisfied that maybe, just maybe, he had done his clan some good before he left them.
Sandstar died with his children and Rainpaw by his side and Marshclan around him.
He didn't know what was waiting for him. If he would reunite with Coalfrost in Starclan or if it would be Softsnap who'd greet him in the dark forest.

In his life, Sandstar had done a lot of good and a lot of bad. Cats had been killed because of his actions or even by his own paws. He'd caused his clan a lot of grief, but he also pulled it through some of it's worst times. He and Coalfrost had made the clans better by sharing their language with them. He had pulled Marshclan out of Wild's war and been quick to put an end to Marshclan's spy threat.
And now he just hoped he was leaving them in good paws with Seastar. She was the leader they all wanted, and maybe now he could finally rest easy again.