Badgermask

codesii

Info


Created
3 years, 11 months ago
Creator
Melontine
Favorites
1

Profile


About

"How despicable..."


badger_by_codesii_ddtzz3d-pre.png?token=
  • name > Badgermask
        prefix meaning > His face markings resembling a badger
        suffix meaning > His face markings and mysterious personality
        previous names > Badgerkit, Badgerpaw
    nicknames > Badger

    clan > HailClan
    rank > Warrior
        previous ranks > Kit, Apprentice
    mentor > Rootsun
    apprentices >
        current > N/A
        previous > Ravenpaw, Cinnamonblaze, Flurryfox

  • age > 91 Moons at Death
    gender > Male
    sex > Male
    sexuality > Graysexual Biromantic
Physical

badgerpaw_by_codesii_de47jvf-pre.png?tokbasic description > Silver tabby tom with a light underside and green eyes
build > Stocky with a wide chest and muscular legs
fur description > Long and thick but well-kept
breeds > Moggy
height > 26 cm
weight > 9.0 lbs

voice > Taliesin Jaffe
scent > Pine and mist

scars > Scars on his back, front legs, back right leg and above his right eye
accessories > N/A
banned traits > N/A

Personality

Positive Traits
positive >
    >> Responsible > Although he hates it when he's wrong, Badgermask will not deny it. Nor will Badgermask ever drop a duty simply because he hates it. This means that Badgermask can be entrusted with tasks and responsibilities. He's ready to carry said responsibilities on his shoulders and, if it comes down to it, even take responsibility to get others out of trouble if it's not a good thing.
    >> Intelligent > Badgermask is smart, to put it bluntly. It can almost be intimidating how much he seems to know and understand, but thankfully, he would never use his intelligence for anything bad--at least, not to HailClan. Knowledge is one of the few things that Badgermask seems to enjoy, and learning new things fascinates Badgermask.
    >> Perceptive > Nothing seems to get past his eyes. Badgermask likes to know everything that is happening so he can plan accordingly. Thus, he is always wanting to keep tabs on what's going on so that he's never out of the loop.

neutral >
    >> Loyal > Badgermask is strict on his own loyalty, especially to HailClan and the warrior code. Having a father that is about following the code, Badgermask ended up following his paws. Therefore, whatever he does, it's for HailClan and StarClan, never straying from his loyalties or breaking the warrior code.
    >> Independent > If there's one thing that Badgermask dislikes, it's working together with others. He feels that others will only slow him down, to the point that he doesn't care to work with them at all. This makes it very hard to work with Badgermask when someone has to work with him, but when he's on his own, he does a wonderful job.
    >> Stern > Badgermask holds a strong authority and discipline whenever he speaks. His voice doesn't seem to ever waver when he speaks, even if he is feeling unconfident or nervous. He also tends to push situations, even if they seem lost. Most of the time, it seems to work, but it ends up making him a bit intimidating and difficult to communicate with.

negative >
    >> Abrasive > Badgermask doesn't believe there's any room for hesitation, sympathy, or emotions. If someone is looking for pity, he has none to spare. He thinks that these feelings are unnecessary and that they create distractions. It would be so much better if everyone were more focused on their tasks and work and less on their emotions.
    >> Judgemental > Don't let your weakness show, or else you may not get Badgermask's approval. Even the smallest show of something that Badgermask doesn't like gets another on his bad side. Afterward, it can be quite difficult to get back on his good side. This makes it hard to reveal anything to Badgermask, and maybe even work with him, as others would have to tread carefully around him to keep him pleased.
    >> Opportunistic > The moment he sees an opportunity or action to take, he does it. Badgermask often acts on impulse, especially if he is irritated or angry, making his actions dangerous. When he is like this, he doesn't think twice, and he may end up causing further damage if he doesn't assess the situation first.

Family

Parents
 parents >
    >> Ruddyheart > Biological Father > Red tabby tom with green eyes > Played by Melontine > Deceased
    >> Sneezewhisper > Biological Mother > Dark-colored calico with amber eyes > Played by Winter5587 > Deceased
    >> Milkblossom > Step-Mother > Cream calico she-cat with green eyes > Played by Living-In-Anime > Deceased

siblings >
    >> Cardinalscreech > Brother > Red tabby tom with yellow eyes > Played by peeperonipip > Deceased
    >> Beavershine > Brother > Red tabby tom with green eyes > Played by Living-In-Anime > Alive
    >> Bearbranch > Sister > Dark tortoiseshell tabby she-cat with yellow eyes > Played by Winter5587 > Alive
    >> Aspencloud > Brother > Red-and-white bicolor tabby tom with blue eyes > Played by Moony011 > Deceased
    >> Maplepaw > Sister > Red calico she-cat with green eyes > Played by SnorlaxJax > Missing
    >> Pinehawk > Sister > Cream calico she-cat with green eyes > Played by Winter5587 > Alive

mate >
    >> Halfmask > Small colorpoint tom with white spotting and heterochromatic blue and amber eyes > Played by CGIspector > Alive

kits >
    >> N/A

extended >
    >> Basilfrost > Paternal Grandmother > White and grey tabby she-cat with green eyes
    >> Gingerheart > Paternal Grandfather > White and ginger tabby tom with green eyes
    >> Icewind > Maternal Grandmother > White calico she-cat with blues eyes
    >> Servalpounce > Maternal Grandmother > Light brown tabby she-cat with green eyes
    >> Thistlebranch > Uncle > White and grey patched tom with green eyes
    >> Brindlestreak > Aunt > Dark tabby she-cat with blue eyes
    >> Beetleblaze > Aunt > Borwn and gold spreckled she-cat with brown eyes
    >> Marigoldpaw > Aunt > Ginger tabby she-cat with green eyes
    >> Cedarfrost > Uncle > Grey and white tom with green eyes
    >> Blossomkit > Cousin > Calico tom with green eyes
    >> Pricklepatch > Cousin > White tabby tom with olive eyes
    >> Fidgetsnow > Light brown spotted-tabby she-cat with green eyes

    >> Twigpaw > Niece > Cream-and-brown dilute tortoiseshell with blue eyes > Played by RubyRose364 > Alive
   >> Nutpaw > Nephew > White-and-brown bicolor tom with green eyes > Played by Chordata-Flyer > Alive
   >> Violetpaw > Niece > Lilac-and-ginger calico tabby she-cat with heterochromatic green and violet eyes > Played by NorthernSadness > Alive
   >> Orchidpaw > Nephew > Red-and-blue calico tabby trans-tom with yellow eyes > Played by ReverieRiver > Alive
   >> Aspenpaw > Nephew > Red tabby tom with green eyes > Played by mcdoodl3 > Missing


Romantic
mate > Halfmask
    previous mates > N/A
    romantic interests > Halfmask
    looking for > Nothing

likes in a potential mate >
    > Dedication
    Loyalty
    Bright-colored eyes

dislikes in a potential mate >
    Hesitation
    Dishonesty
    Brown fur

interested in kits > Possibly?
preferred family size > Small
Stats
Agility
5
Stealth
5
Speed
4
Strength
8
Endurance
7
Climbing
9
Swimming
3

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sight
5
Scent
5
Hearing
5
Taste
5
Touch
5

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Den Building
6
Battle 
8
Hunting 
8
Kitting
0
Herbal 
1
History


kithood [ 0 - 6 moons ] >
    Shortly after his littermates, Cardinalkit, Beaverkit, and Bearkit, Badgerkit was born to Sneezewhisper and Ruddyheart. Though, it would be more accurate to say that Ruddyheart was his only parent. Sneezewhisper was biologically his mother, yes, but she was acting as a surrogate for Ruddyheart, who wanted kits of his own. But she's still sometimes in his life.
    Early into his life, Badgerkit was already recognized for his loyalty and impeccable discipline. He was quick to establish his dislike towards his siblings and, often, others. The only cat he seemed to actually appreciate was Ruddyheart, though his eyes could be seen straying towards a few other loyal warriors like Galefrost or Squirrelnose. He often spent his time learning about the clan, its history, and what his future would hold rather than being an actual kit.
    Before he was even born, the clans were in the middle of war. However, Badgerkit knew little of the war save for what he heard from the warriors and outside the nursery. He was not involved in the war whatsoever, with his father keeping it relatively low profile from Badgerkit and his littermates. That was fine for Badgerkit, at least for a while. Then his clanmates brought back the body of Squirrelnose. Badgerkit was more angry than sad. Squirrelnose was such a great warrior and he looked up to him, despite having never spoken directly to him. Whatever happened there, Squirrelnose didn't deserve it. Though, he guessed he gave his life serving his clan and was now safely in StarClan. He began to wonder if he was watching them from there now. After all, he still had his kits to watch. This made Badgerkit begin to stare up at the stars more often, staying up late to watch them from the lip of the nursery. Something about doing this brought him peace about such a loyal warrior's death and the future.
    The rest of Badgerkit's kithood was relatively simple and plain. Badgerkit watched in despair as he watched his brother, Cardinalkit, become more of a disgrace; he followed Beaverkit's progress from a weak and helpless kit to an excited ball of energy ready to become an apprentice; and of course, he watched the other kits in the nursery grow in their own ways. He was all too thankful for Swantuft and Dovefire's kits to become apprentices and move out. Though it would only be for a moon, them being gone gave them more room in the nursery, and Cardinalkit would no longer be distracted by Pigeonpaw. But all good things come to an end.

apprenticeship [ 6 moons - 12 moons ] >
    A moon after Swantuft and Dovefire's kits moved out, it was Badgerkit and his littermates' turns. Badgerkit, personally, was looking forward to finally being able to contribute to the clan and spending less time with his littermates. He was prepared for his time as he watched his brothers and sister gain their new names and their mentors, saving himself for last.
    With his name changed to Badgerpaw, the young tom received a warrior by the name of Rootsun. He had heard a bit about her from the same battle that Squirrelnose died in, where she had lost a leg to a bear. Yet she was still a warrior. Badgerpaw found that admirable, in which she continues to serve the clan even after such a terrible injury. It was this that made Badgerpaw feel alright about her being his mentor. He looks forward to training beneath her and becoming a valuable asset to the clan.
    Badgerpaw had heard quite a bit about the war as a kit and, quite frankly, was interested to see what it was truly all about once he became an apprentice. However, he wouldn't have the chance to find out. Shortly after he had become an apprentice, EmberClan introduced a new leader by the name of Reedstar, who had declared the war over. Badgerpaw, however, was only a little bit disappointed in the fact. He was able to shrug off being uninvolved in the mess quite quickly and move on, ready to begin his official apprentice duties and training and become an asset to the clan.
    He wasn't sure if he should consider his apprenticeship boring or not. After all, nothing else that was really exciting happened, save for some deaths, mysterious disappearances, and... a cat abandoning HailClan. All in the course of one night, HailClan had lost a warrior, who he heard later showed up in CloudClan and was a part of their ranks. Badgerpaw wasn't associated with the cat in any way, but it still angered him in inconceivable ways. How could a cat abandon the clan that raised and trained them? Of course, he thought it wasn't something that happened often. But Jasminepaw, one of the kits from the deputy's litter, proved him otherwise. The slightly older cat had also, apparently, decided that the clan life was not for them and left in the middle of their warrior ceremony. Badgerpaw was appalled at watching it. That cat had the clan leader for a mentor! What he would give to have had that honor! And now that training was being thrown right out the camp as the traitor walked out. He could make zero sense of it, except for the fact that it was an absolute waste of Kitestar and HailClan's time.
    With only one moon left of his apprenticeship, Badgerpaw put all of his focus into the remainder of his training. He worked hard to prove himself, and it felt like it was only yesterday that he had first received his apprentice name and Rootsun for a mentor. Now, he was ready to become a warrior and become a valuable asset to both HailClan and StarClan alike.

warriorhood [ 12 moons - current ] >
    Finally, the day came. Alongside his littermates, Badgerpaw would become a warrior. It was something he had dreamed of since he had been born, and it was finally happening. It didn't happen often, but Badgerpaw found himself growing impatient as he waited for his older littermates to take their oaths and receive their names. Respectively, they became warriors under the names of Cardinalscreech, Beavershine, and Bearbranch, all very strong names in Badgerpaw's mind, even if the cat itself was not deemed as such in his opinion. And then it was his turn. Although he was stoic and acted naturally as he pledged his oath, he was beyond excited. He felt like a kit again. So, with the name Badgermask, he became a warrior of HailClan, ready to serve with his life.
    It wouldn't be long after, though, that the first of their litter would fall. Bearbranch had never returned from her leave of camp, having been supposedly swept away by the river. Badgermask was disappointed in his sister, and though it felt strange to not see her around, he moved on relatively quickly. He had obligations that were more important than the grief that should normally have taken charge of him, if only for a brief moment. Of course, Bearbranch will be missed, but Badgermask would not reminisce.
    Life in the clan began to go back to normal. The last of his generation in the form of Lilacpool's kits became apprentices a moon later by the name of Fawnpatch and Featherflight, and things seemed to be looking up again. Leafbare tried to temporarily prevent that, as a bought of whitecough attempted to run through the camp. Thankfully, though, it only caught some of the weaker cats, being Softstem and Beavershine. They recovered quickly, though Softstem dealt with it twice, the second time turning into greencough. But everything turned out fine in the end.
    And then, miraculously, Bearbranch returned. It had been a couple of moons since the clan had declared her dead, so it was a shock to all, even Badgermask. She definitely looked a bit wear and tear from the river sweeping her up, and who knows what else she went through out there on her own. But the clan was happy to have her back, even Badgermask, though he never expressed it. After all, there was still much work to be done, and he had little time to catch up with his sister.
    In addition to this, Badgermask had noticed his father getting close with some she-cat. Her name was Milkblossom, and she was one of Ruddyheart's old friends, and it seems that that was evidently becoming more than a friendship. Badgermask couldn't really say he was happy nor unhappy at the unfolding of this event. After all, he wasn't attached to his mother, and he wanted to see his father happy. Though he looked up to Ruddyheart a lot, and he wondered if it was normal to fall in love and have kits. He, personally, never saw it in his life. He was far too busy to do so. But seeing his father so happy and content, he wondered if maybe he should consider it, too.
    Well, he was right in that it was closer than just friends. Ruddyheart ended up announcing that not only was he and Milkblossom now mates, but they were also expecting kits. Many any regular older sibling would be excited for this announcement, congratulating their parent and helping them prepare for the new members of the family. This family wasn't exactly like that, save for Beavershine. Badgermask, especially, didn't express anything for the announcement; he wasn't happy about it, but he wasn't upset about it either. Rather, he was quite neutral. As long as Ruddyheart was happy, he figured, he could get by it. But he had no reason to coddle a couple of new kits that just happen to be his little siblings. With a brief acknowledgment of them, Badgermask moved on quickly with his life, having little interest in involving himself with the kits.
    At the time of these announcements, HailClan had begun to see the first signs of the whitecough and greencough epidemic. It presented first in their medicine cat apprentice, Softstem, and Badgermask's brother, Beavershine. Now, the tom didn't care for much in the world, but Beavershine was different. Something about his little brother tugs at Badgermask, and the idea of him ill did not set well in his stomach. Thankfully, it didn't last in his brother for long, but that didn't mean they were done with it. In fact, it got so much worse. Eventually, Softstem succumbed to her own greencough, followed by fellow clanmates like Maskriver and Batspark. And then eventually, Cardinalscreech caught it. And he was not as lucky as their brother; his whitecough quickly developed to greencough, and then he passed away. Admittedly... Badgermask didn't feel much remorse or grief for the passing of his brother. He always disliked him, found him a disgrace to their family and didn't care for him. If anything, he was somewhat happy it wasn't a guessing game like Bearbranch's disappearance was. Cardinalscreech was truly gone.
    Though he didn't grieve himself, Badgermask still helped Beavershine and his family through their own grief. It was quite hard on his brother and his father, losing such a close loved one. Though, they were able to take their minds off of it, as Milkblossom had actually given birth just before Cardinalscreech's death. She gave birth to three kits, one tom and two she-kits, named Aspenkit, Maplekit, and Pinekit respectively. Badgermask, still, felt nothing towards them. Rather, he thought--was this what he looked like when he was born? So scrawny and weak? Looking at his reflection now, he never would've thunk it. But, seeing the smiles on Ruddyheart and Beavershine, he had to admit the kits were pretty alright.
    Then HailClan was forced out of their territory. The rain of newleaf added onto the melting snow from leafbare flooded the mountains, destroying their camp and driving them out. The clan was forced to go to CloudClan for aid, who sheltered them for a little over a moon. In the flood, cats died, including Kitestar's first life and his daughters, Mudfang and Lightshadow. Badgermask assisted his family in getting to CloudClan safely, following behind them to make sure no one got left as they carried the kits. He wondered if Bearbranch was okay; she was swept up by a river before, so he presumed the water terrified her. But she seemed okay. Being hosted by CloudClan was the worst in Badgermask's mind. What weakness for HailClan to show, but they had no choice. So, begrudgingly, he helped his father settle Milkblossom and the kits in the nursery and began to work alongside CloudClan to cater to both of their clans.
    Aside from the tension and claustrophobic atmosphere in camp, Badgermask's life itself was pretty uneventful during his stay in CloudClan. He kept himself busy in patrols--primarily border, since running was not his forte and those rabbits would easily outrun him--and was always alert for work. Though, just because his life wasn't uneventful didn't mean that the rest of the clan and the situation wasn't.
    On top of both clans still struggling with the epidemic, even HailClan's medicine catching it, HailClan suddenly lost their leader. Kitestar had died after eating a rabbit, and after investigation, cats found deathberries embedded into the rabbit. It was a terrifying sight, realizing that someone had intentionally poisoned the rabbit to kill him. Suspicisions grew across the two clans, and Badgermask was just as much a part of the speculations. Whoever did it must have known he was on his last life. He had high doubts that Kitestar or anyone in HailClan for that matter would tell someone in CloudClan about that vulnerability, and if they did, who? It left a lot of questions open to consider. In the meantime, Swanstar became their new leader, and he chose Robinear for his deputy. While many of his clanmates seemed to approve that decision, Badgermask wasn't all too sure himself. He, of course, had opinions on everyone, and his opinion on the new deputy was nowhere near good. Was she really a good fit?
    A moon later, HailClan's territory was deemed safe enough to return to. Badgermask was beyond pleased with going home; he was unsure how much longer he would be able to handle the CloudClan cats and their treeless plains. He dove headfirst into the repairs of camp, keeping himself busy as he worked alongside the queens to repair the nursery for them and their kits once again. This even included his mentor, Rootsun, who had found a rogue kit and took him in. Though Badgermask's values screamed to dislike this kit, Rootsun was a loyal and good warrior, and he had no doubts that she would teach the young tom the same values, despite his rogue blood. Repairing the nursery took his mind off of the murder of Kitestar, though he was sure to return to it as soon as he was able.
    The clan also welcomed another outsider around the same time; he was a former kittypet by the name of Winchester. It was not unheard of at this point for the clans to accept outsiders, though it would still have Badgermask curl his lip a bit in disgust. He was especially appalled when the tom kept his kittypet name, despite becoming a clan cat. How odd. Does that not go against the code of rejecting his kittypet life? He only had to hope that his father would be able to train Winchester properly as he was put under Ruddyheart's care. He believed in his father, but he couldn't bring himself to believe in that kittypet.
    Other apprentices were named around the same time, and Beavershine became a mentor for the first time to one of them. Badgermask was proud of his brother; he was the weakest of the four of them at one point, but now he was getting to pass off what he had learned from Finchbreeze to Hazelpaw. He most certainly deserved the opportunity to do so, and he was glad that Swanstar saw that, too.
    At one point, Orchidfrost had come down with greencough from the epidemic. It worried the clan, knowing that Orchidfrost was their only medicine cat. What were they to do if they lost him to it, too? Thankfully, though, that never happened. Orchidfrost eventually began to improve as they returned to HailClan's camp, and then he recovered with little issue. Badgermask hadn't realized he was holding his own breath over it, but thank StarClan it all turned out alright for their medicine cat, even if it didn't for other cats.
    While they were housing with CloudClan, Pigeoncall had become pregnant with someone's kits. It was pretty clear that it wasn't a HailClan cat, and it eventually spread through the clan that the father was an outsider--a kittypet, of all things. Badgermask was disgusted. What was wrong with Swanstar's kits? One up and leaves the clan after being trained by Kitestar himself, and the other goes and breaks the warrior code. If he had been Swanstar, he would have been incredibly disappointed. But Swanstar never was, and he showed support for Pigeoncall all throughout her pregnancy and up until the kits were born. Badgermask couldn't make sense of it. She eventually gave birth to three kits, and while the clan had mixed feelings on them, they ultimately were welcomed.
    Until they disappeared one day. Pigeoncall did not seem distressed about their disappearance, so most cats could figure out that they were alright in the end. It was later figured out that she had taken the kits to be with their father in a twoleg den. She couldn't even offer them a ounce of pride, could she? Badgermask turned his nose to her situation. She deserved no sympathy from him, even if she looked down about her kits not being with her. She made the decision, and now she would live with the consequences. He turned away from the drama of it all, simply wanting to keep himself out of it and return to his duties as a warrior.
    When Bearbranch became a mentor to Monarchpaw, Badgermask admittedly felt a bit jealous. Was there a reason why she got an apprentice before he did? She was the one that fell into a river and got washed away at one point. Badgermask had so much to teach an apprentice, to show that HailClan still had dignity despite all of the misdeeds of his clanmates. Surely Swanstar saw that, too? He tried to remain patient, though, taking deep, steady breaths. He would get his turn--yes, Swanstar surely must be waiting to give him a good opportunity. Still, he couldn't help but question his leader's recent decisions, between Pigeoncall's breaking of the code to passing over him so casually. He was losing respect for Swanstar quite quickly, giving him little hope for anyone in the high ranks save for Orchidfrost.
    He didn't have time to think about his opinions for Swanstar, however. The leader grew fatally ill in a short period of time, and before Orchidfrost could even swoop in to help, Swanstar lost a life. The news came as a shock to everyone, but it was all the more worrying when he didn't wake up from the coma that his illness put him under. What was making him sick? No one could figure it out, but Orchidfrost ensured that he was doing his utmost best for their leader. Until then, however, HailClan would have Robinear for a temporary leader.
    The idea of listening to a cat that had not been approved by StarClan had Badgermask a bit unsettled. Sure, he had to put trust in his deputy... but he never trusted Robinear. He could only watch her warily from the side, listening begrudgingly.
    To try and ignore the terrible fate that had befallen HailClan, Badgermask jumped back into his own duties. He didn't know how to feel when he heard his sister's apprentice had died after falling out of a tree. Did she not teach Monarchpaw how to climb? Tree climbing was pinnacle to HailClan training. He desperately wanted to say 'I told you so,' but he held it in. Rather, he was sure to remind cats around him about the bear sighing near Hope Bridge. The clan certainly didn't need another issue on their paws with the bear, and he wasn't going to think about the possibility of someone losing their leg like his mentor once did.
    Things seemed to be going alright for the clan despite their absent leader. That is, until Dovefire was found dead at Bathing Boulders. No one could make sense of the death, except for the fact that Dovefire clearly struggled before taking her last breath. Some cats speculated, and not on good terms. Before Dovefire's death, her daughter, Pigeoncall, had been experiencing some more drama in the clan herself. Well, distantly, so to say. Rumors had begun to sprung up around camp of her being seen with a rogue, and though Badgermask wasn't one for rumors, he couldn't help but believe them. After all, she had been with a kittypet before, who was to say she would go off to be with another? It was when the rumors escalated, stating that cats thought said rogue were behind Dovefire's death, that Badgermask felt it was beyond the realm of reality. They couldn't make that speculation without knowing more.
    But Robinear didn't wait. She called a clan meeting a little while after Dovefire's death. Badgermask, although skeptical of the she-cat, still attended. And when she brought up punishing a codebreaker, he had a good idea of what it was about. She called out Pigeoncall and her meetings with the kittypet, as well as these recent rumors of being a rogue. The accusations seemed to split the clan as some tried to hear out Pigeoncall while others refused. Badgermask was one for not being interested in her reasoning; if she broke the code once, she was bound to do it again. But then Rippletide brought up StarClan, and how they wouldn't appreciate the code breaking. Something about that settled uncomfortably in Badgermask's stomach. No one should speak for StarClan except the medicine cat and leader. They were the only ones that could speak with them. What did Rippletide know about StarClan? He scoffed and turned away, suddenly uninterested in even punishing Pigeoncall. He didn't trust the word of the rumors anymore.
    That didn't stop the clan meeting, though. If anything, it escalated it. Robinear declared Pigeoncall be exiled, which even Badgermask was stunned by. She was a codebreaker, but she was also a clan cat. Surely there was a better way to go about this? Many voiced similar thoughts, but Robinear wasn't budging. Pigeoncall simply agreed to the terms after a pitiful excuse of reasoning, and she was quick to flee the camp. But she wasn't the only one that left. Salmonflight, who had been against the clan meeting the entire time, stated he wouldn't have his kits grow up in the hostile atmosphere that was Robinear's leadership. His family--or at least the majority of them--left with him, as well as Elkshade and her apprentice, Sagepaw. Robinear didn't nothing to stop them, and for the first time, Badgermask felt torn.
    It only got worse for him as he saw Ruddyheart and Milkblossom gathering their kits at the nursery's entry. He asked his father what in StarClan's name they were doing, and Ruddyheart confessed that they, too, were leaving. Ruddyheart was just as against Robinear's call, saying that she should have consulted with others before making the decision, even if Pigeoncall had broken the warrior code. Badgermask could see this reasoning, but to leave over it? He asked where they would go. Ruddyheart told him they were going to try CloudClan; the moor cats were kind to HailClan in their time of need, and surely they would welcome refugees. It would be a safe environment for the kits, he said. Badgermask couldn't make sense of it. When Ruddyheart asked if he wanted to come, Badgermask shook his head. HailClan was his home. He would go down with it, if that was to happen. He always thought his father was in the same mindset. But he guessed fatherhood changed him. Or something did. Badgermask watched with a hardened gaze as his father, step-mother, and siblings left the clan, his heart heavy as he turned away from them.
    Badgermask tried to go about his duties like nothing happened. That wasn't easy, though. It was already odd to not see part of his clan in the camp when he returned from patrols, especially his father. But then more cats began to leave. A couple of days later, more cats left for the moorlands. And then Bearbranch announced her own departure. Badgermask couldn't help but feel angry at her specifically. Did she not come home for HailClan? She fought so hard to return only to willingly leave again! He couldn't fathom such a lack of loyalty, and he felt nothing towards her departure like he had with his father's. In that moment, Bearbranch wasn't his sister--she was nothing but a stranger.
    At least he still had Halfmask. His friend stuck it out with him, and for that, Badgermask was terribly thankful. He found himself leaning on his friend's support a lot. He also had Beavershine, who continued to stick it through even as more began to leave. At one point, Sneezewhisper had left, as had Whirlywind and Spiralroot and some older warriors, too. Badgermask couldn't make sense of their departures. So HailClan was going through a bump! They could make it through, though. They had to. Swanstar would wake up and get Robinear off of her high horse, everyone would come back, and they would go back to normal.
    But it never did. HailClan continued to struggle as patrols slimmed to one or two cats per patrol. Hunting became increasingly difficult, and the camp slowly showed their lack of attention towards it. It was almost two moons after Pigeoncall's exile and the beginning of HailClan's downfall did Robinear announce that she was going into self-exile. Badgermask was angry with the cats that had left HailClan, but Robinear's departure was the worst of it. She was the reason this all started. Pigeoncall didn't need to be exiled, but she was. And with her, she unknowingly took over half of their clan. And now Robinear was trying to escape the consequences of her actions. How dare she? How could Swanstar have chosen such a weak deputy? He made a few choice words towards her as she left the clan, glaring at her back the entire time. But when she was gone, HailClan truly felt lost.
    With no leader or deputy, the remaining HailClan cats quickly fell apart. There was no one there to lead them--no one there felt worthy enough to do so. They all ultimately decided that staying in HailClan would only kill them, and it was best that they meet back up with their former clanmates. Over time, they had learned that their clanmates had split where they had gone between CloudClan and EmberClan. Some were unaccounted for, likely wandering as rogues, but that wasn't something Badgermask could do. He needed order. He needed his family.
    Badgermask found himself following Beavershine to CloudClan, where Ruddyheart and Milkblossom welcomed the both of them with open paws. Badgermask found the welcome undeserved, but he was thankful to be with his family again. It made him regret what he thought of his father a couple of moons ago. He only wished Halfmask had followed him to CloudClan to continue supporting him; his friend had gone to EmberClan instead. Why he did, Badgermask could not explain it, but he only hoped this would all resolve soon so that he could see him again.
    Orchidfrost had brought Swanstar to CloudClan not long before Badgermask and the others showed up. He was shocked to hear that, in the short time that he hadn't seen the medicine cat and leader, Swanstar had begun to recover. It seemed like a miracle. Perhaps StarClan had heard their pleas and was helping them by giving them back Swanstar. Swanstar could fix all of this once he was fully recovered. In addition to this information, Badgermask had learned that his half-siblings had become apprentices. He only listened to the news with half of his attention, the other still on the situation at paw. Still, he offered a brief congratulations to his brother and sisters. After all, they were still persevering in such a dark time, and they deserved that praise. Beavershine could offer them far more, and Badgermask was sure his word would mean more to them than his.
    It was extremely odd, trying to once again integrate himself into CloudClan's duties. He took the orders of the CloudClan deputy, which was awkwardly not the same deputy that he listened to moons ago. He wondered what happened to the previous deputy, but he tried not to think of it as he listened to Grasshopperhill. After all, him and Starlingstar at the time were the only forms of authority that he had to listen to. But hopefully that wouldn't be for long as it was announced that Swanstar was awake. He was very confused and disoriented when he woke up, but after some catching up, the leader seemed determined to recover and help his clan. In fact, it felt like little time passed by the time Swanstar was fully recovered. He was up and walking around, hunting and training, and--more importantly--discussing with Orchidfrost and his clanmates about getting the clan back together. Badgermask found himself breathing a sigh of relief. They would get to go home. They would get to go back to normal--at least, as normal as they could get.
    But Swanstar's death halted all of his dreams. The leader was found dead near Hope Bridge by a CloudClan warrior just days after he was deemed fully recovered. Upon further inspection, cats not only found signs of a struggle, but also gray fur wedged into his claws. This raised speculations and whispers across the clan, specifically about a certain CloudClan warrior who had found him. Thistleflame was his name, and he was unmistakably gray. But something about the tom's demeanor told Badgermask they were wrong. This wasn't a cat looking to kill, and even if he was, what was his reason for going after Swanstar? Nothing about it made sense. Badgermask didn't voice his thoughts, but he watched both CloudClan and HailClan cats carefully from then on. After all, he could not rule out his own clanmates after everything that had happened. No one was to be trusted.
    Tensions were high in the clan, and a gathering wouldn't be something to help them. In fact, the next gathering only made it worse. A day gathering was called, some of the cats being too antsy to wait for the night. Badgermask had gone in hopes to see Halfmask, but what he saw instead was something that would only escalate the terror and tension among not just CloudClan and HailClan refugees, but all of the clans.
    The gathering quickly took a dark turn--literally. The sun had suddenly been covered by something, and as cats tried to figure out what was going on, the weather took a terrible turn, as well. Badgermask was sure it was StarClan trying to tell them something, but when lightning struck Hope Bridge and set it aflame, he was sure it wasn't StarClan. They wouldn't set Hope Bridge on fire.
    And then a cat emerged from the flames. It was obvious the cat was not alive--no cat could handle the heat of the fire--but she nevertheless unsettled everyone at the gathering. She announced that the clans would fall by her paws, for she had planted spies in every clan that were working for her. This alarmed Badgermask, his fur rising. He knew it; he couldn't trust his clanmates. Was Pigeoncall one of them? Something told him no. Rather, his heart told him Robinear. After all, she had succeeded in destroying HailClan. This strange ghost was already a quarter of the way towards her goal, and yet the cats didn't even know why she wanted to do this to them.
    And they never got answers, because her words escalated a fight. Sandstar, MarshClan's leader, tried to attack her unsuccessfully. Meanwhile, Sleetpuddle had joined in and managed a hit off of her. And then, surprisingly, Wild had shown up and joined in. What in StarClan's name was that tyrant doing there? There was no time to ask questions. Badgermask didn't join in; instead, he tried to help instruct cats away from the flames and get to safe ground. He was so consumed by his work that by the time he looked back at the chaos, the flames had been exstinguished by the coming storm, and the mysterious cat was gone.
    Once everyone was safe and there was a check for injuries, Wild sat the leaders down. Salmonflight had decidedly joined them as a representative for HailClan, though Badgermask couldn't help but sit nearby, too. He was not alone in this; everyone seemed to inch closer in hopes to learn more. Wild introduced the ghost as a cat named Blizzardfang. Blizzardfang was the one that had influenced her to start the war, and she was clearly not done terrorizing the clan. Wild stated that, based on the last time she saw Blizzardfang and her spies in the Dark Forest, she counted seven spies. Sandstar stepped up to say he had already killed one, being his sister, Softsnap. Badgermask was stunned by this. He didn't like his own sister very much, but... he could never see himself killing her. He went even beyond Robinear's exile of Pigeoncall. The clan leaders and Salmonflight agreed to working together to get through this--all except Sandstar. He found he couldn't trust the others if they could not do what needs to be done like he did. Something about that didn't agree with Badgermask, and he was glad to hear Salmonflight agreed with his thoughts.
    HailClan solemnly remained broken after that gathering, everyone returning to their respective refuge. Badgermask was lost in thought for many days afterwards. He tried to think about who else could be spies. Who else, though? If he was right in thinking Robinear to be one, at least the clans were down two of them. But still five remained. Surely the one that killed Swanstar was one. But there was so little evidence to go off of to figure out who it would be.
    At least, that's what they thought. Badgermask and his family were heavy with the grief of Maplepaw's disappearance when a someone had come running into the camp demanding Starlingstar. The leader left with them, and the two clans waited with baited breath for what the commotion was. While he was expecting tension, Badgermask certainly wasn't expecting the heaviness in the air as Starlingstar and a whole patrol walked into camp with a body. The deceased was an older warrior by the name of Rosecry, who the patrol had strumbled across being actively murdered by a CloudClan warrior named Drakefeather. It was explained that, in a desperate attempt to save his own face, Drakefeather not only outed himself as one of Blizzardfang's spies, but also CloudClan's deputy Grasshopperhill. That was when Starlingstar had been called in. The situation seemed to have escalated, and Drakefeather and Grasshopperhill had been ultimately killed--Drakefeather by Algaebreeze and Gusthowl, and Grasshopperhill by Starlingstar himself. Badgermask felt his own world tilting at not only the fact that a deputy was a spy, but that Starlingstar had killed him in cold blood. Was this really what the clans were being forced to resort to? Killing their own? Not just on the justified side, but on Blizzardfang's side. When did they get to this point, and why? Badgermask couldn't make sense of it, and he could only shake his head in dismay as he left CloudClan to mourn for their deceased and for everyone to process the news.
    The bad news was weighed evenly with some good news. HailClan got to see new warriors that day, including Beavershine's apprentice, Hazelleaf. Later that day, the newly named Sagewillow showed up at CloudClan's door, too. She announced that she had just completed her training and was there to be with Elderstorm. It was comforting to see that there was still some good in the clans, but it left an aching feeling in Badgermask's heart. Was Halfmask doing okay? Sure, he saw his friend at gatherings, but... it wasn't the same as seeing him every day.
    Ruddyheart and Milkblossom also announced their retirements. It was about time for them. They had most certainly deserved it after serving the clan for many seasons. Badgermask congratulated them both, and he promised that he would be there for them for the remainder of their lives serving the clan and them. He hoped that they would get to see the HailClan elders' den again soon, where they could properly rest.
    Things quickly took a turn for the worse again, though. Two of the newly named warriors went missing, being Hazelleaf and Barkripple. Hazelleaf's scent had gone towards HailClan's territory, to where Badgermask wondered if he was as homesick as he was. He wished he could go check for the young warrior, albeit more for Beavershine's mental health than his own, but it would have to wait. Instead, the two clans woke up to a shock when they found Rippletide severely injured in her nest. She was quickly whisked away to the medicine den for treatment, and Badgermask watched with narrowed eyes. How did she get injured? He wondered... could cats get injured in this Dark Forest? If so, then was Rippletide...?
    He tried not to think too hard about it. It was more concerning as more HailClan cats went missing. Both Winchester and Sagewillow had disappeared, with a lack of trace about their whereabouts. The best the had for Winchester was that he was seen going towards HailClan's territory. He was Ruddyheart's last apprentice, and Badgermask wondered how his father was holding up. Meanwhile, he glared at Elderstorm as the tom left the clan and never returned. It was obviously out of grief, but he was no clanmate of Badgermask's if he couldn't even stick it out with the clan for Sagewillow's disappearance. The clan was here for him, but clearly he wasn't there for the clan.
    It was all the more concerning when Orchidfrost disappeared for a day. He had left the camp early in the morning, and some cats wondered if he ran into the bear that was scented where Winchester was last seen. But their worries were put to rest as Orchidfrost hurriedly rushed back into camp. Some were about to ask if he was okay, but he didn't give them much time to do so. Instead, Orchidfrost announced that all of the HailClan cats were to gather and meet at the newly built Hope Bridge. Everyone looked between each other warily, but some mutual agreement passed through their eyes: they were going home.
    Some cats said farewells to CloudClan cats, but Badgermask had no one to say goodbye to. Rather, he was quick to make the walk to Hope Bridge, his paws carrying him with lightness. He was among the first to arrive, shortly after some of his clanmates from CloudClan. And then HailClan cats that were taking refuge in EmberClan began to show up, too. Badgermask watched them appear as he sat impatiently beside Beavershine. He was shocked to see that even Bearbranch had made her way to Hope Bridge. How she found out about this, he wasn't sure, but he figured he could at least offer her a space beside him. That didn't mean he forgave her, but they would soon be clanmates again. Gossip was exchanged across cats as they waited anxiously for what was to come. Badgermask, however, tried desperately to look for Halfmask. There were so many cats though; he couldn't see his friend in the crowd. He would just have to wait until they got home.
    Orchidfrost ceased the conversation, and beside him, Salmonflight stood awkwardly atop the Hope Bridge railing. When Orchidfrost gave him the chance to speak, Salmonflight began by apologizing to his clanmates for making the decision that ultimately tore the clan apart. Badgermask had to disagree; it wasn't Salmonflight that did this, but Robinear. The older tom went on to say that StarClan has spoken and chosen their new leader. Orchidfrost vouched for it, saying that they sent him an omen: "A warrior will rise, kin of the white star, and will lead the mountains back to what they once were." He stated that StarClan was talking about Salmonflight, and that he was to be HailClan's next leader.
    The tom was supported in his new role. Badgermask, personally, couldn't help but feel proud to be the son of the mentor to the new leader. That had to speak something about him, right? Salmonflight promised to help rebuild HailClan, not only to what they once were, but better. The clan, riled, cheered him on, and they returned home after many moons of being away.
    Salmonstar went to receive his second life, and then he named a warrior by the name of Thicketskip for his deputy. Having no opinions on her at the time, Badgermask could only nod at the decision. He trusted Salmonstar's judgment. After that, it was straight to work. The camp was in desperate need of help, and while some cats took to rebuilding dens and gathering supplies, Badgermask joined hunting parties and border patrols to refill the fresh-kill pile or mark the borders. The clan was slowly coming back together, especially as some cats who had not attended the meeting returned, too. Among them was Winchester, which made Ruddyheart glad. Even Badgermask, who previously couldn't stand Winchester's existence, was glad to see the young tom in one piece. He was a HailClan cat, after all.
    Not everything was good and dandy, though. There was still the concern of Rippletide. In the reformation of HailClan, rumors had been going around that she was one of Blizzardfang's spies. And this was only confirmed at a clan meeting one day, shortly after Rippletide had recovered from her wounds. Salmonstar called the clan together, and he announced that he and the others residing in EmberClan were told by another of Blizzardfang's spies, Sleetpuddle, that Rippletide was not only coercing with her, but was also responsible for both Kitestar and Swanstar's deaths. Badgermask was appalled. He knew something was off about her, but for her to kill not one, but two leaders? And she was part of the reason why Pigeoncall had been exiled, too. She helped start this whole mess. It all suddenly made sense, and he watched her with a dark stare.
    What was originally just yelling and death stares turned into a fight as Fawnpatch attacked Rippletide, clearly provoked by the information. Salmonstar tried to stop his younger brother, and Badgermask could only watch with disappointment. He was angry at her, too, but fighting was not going to solve it. Surely HailClan wouldn't go so low as to kill her like CloudClan and MarshClan had? It said in the warrior code that killing is not necessary... especially when the cat was as passive as Rippletide was being in that moment. She would not fight back, which left Badgermask unsettled.
    It all ceased when Bliss suddenly barged into the camp and shoved themselves in between the two cats. They demanded to know what was going on, and Salmonstar quickly caught them up. Badgermask wondered if he would see the rogue's angry side for the first time. After all, Rippletide was responsible for both of their parents' deaths. But Bliss only stared at her for a long moment before turning to Salmonstar. They stated that exiling her would be dangerous; she would be allowed to roam freely and without supervision, for they surely wouldn't watch her. Badgermask cursed at the truth in their words. He never liked Bliss, but he hated even more how smart the rogue was. Salmonstar also wasn't going to kill her, so... HailClan was stuck with her. Salmonstar seemed to realize this, too, so he stated his verdict. Rippletide would not be treated as a prisoner, but a kit. She would be stripped completely of her role and be isolated from the clan as she relives her life all the way from kithood. It was weird to think about it like that, but Badgermask could see how it may work. It was better than serving a cat that would only waste their resources--rather, the clan would still look at her as an asset. He could work with that.
    Others, however, could not. Littlestrike, Finchbreeze's kit, had yelled in outrage at the decision. They said that HailClan was soft for not dealing with her like Starlingstar had with Grasshopperhill. They refused to be in a clan that would let a murderer live, and they turned to leave. Finchbreeze tried desperately to stop them, but to no avail. They left alongside their mate, Whitetalon, to join CloudClan. Badgermask could only watch them leave with scorn. At this point, it wasn't about housing a murderer; it was about keeping that murderer in check. If they killed her, then they were nothing but rogues. He was more than glad to see the two traitors leave. Though as he watched Beavershine try to comfort Finchbreeze, he couldn't help but look away awkwardly. Was this the cost?
    The clan meeting was dismissed, and Badgermask took up mantle as one of Rippletide's first guards. Just because he agreed with Salmonstar's verdict didn't mean he trusted her. Meanwhile, Bliss had departed from the clan, much to Badgermask's relief, and Salmonstar dealt a punishment to Fawnpatch for his unruly display. It didn't seem like he argued much on it, and for good reason--Salmonstar warned him. Salmonstar was proving to be a good choice for a leader, even if some disagreed with some of his methods, and Badgermask could see how HailClan would thrive under his leadership as they continued to recover.
    Plenty of good news followed Rippletide's verdict, thankfully. It started with Badgermask's younger siblings becoming warriors, being named Aspencloud and Pinehawk respectively. It was obvious that it was a bit melancholic for the family though; they half expected Maplepaw to be there to receive her name, too. But she was still unaccounted for. They had no choice but to move on, and so they regrettably did. Meanwhile, Orchidfrost announced that he was taking on an apprentice by the name of Laurelpaw. Badgermask had never interacted with the young cat before, so he didn't have much of an opinion on them as they watched on. As long as they did their duty and listened to StarClan, they were fine in his books. The good news kept coming when Looneyes and Sparrowchirp announced that they were expecting kits with the help of a rogue surrogate. It seemed like a long time coming, as everyone knew how desperate Sparrowchirp was in wanting kits. Badgermask never cared for Looneyes; they never met eye-to-eye when it came to StarClan. Looneyes didn't hide that he didn't believe in them, and Badgermask wrinkled his nose every time he saw the older tom roll his eyes. He only prayed that Sparrowchirp would teach the kits better. Maybe Badgermask would get to mentor one and teach them himself.
    But he likely never would, because not long after their announcement, Salmonstar gave Badgermask his first apprentice. She was a she-cat by the name of Ravenpaw, and she met Badgermask's gaze with a similar look of calculation. Both of them were trying to figure out how the arrangement would work, and after a long moment, Badgermask smirked. She was most certainly worthy of his education. Finally, someone saw in him the ability to pass on knowledge and truth to the younger. Not only that, but he was given what he could see would be a great warrior in the future. He knew that Salmonstar would be a good leader. And he would not let him down.
    He showed Ravenpaw around the territory and told her forthwith about the dangers and what to expect in his training. She only nodded and listened attentively, much to his delight. She never seemed to lag behind as he walked, and she soaked in what he told her with perked ears. Badgermask would make her a warrior before anyone knew it.
    He was glad he took her out early that day to know the territory. The same day he was given Ravenpaw as an apprentice, some older apprentices had come stumbling into the camp, fear evident in their eyes. Avocetpaw was leading them, and as some cats came to check on them, she had raced towards her father's den. Salmonstar was quick to emerge and call for a party of cats. Badgermask, having rested since taking Ravenpaw out, was quick to join in. He watched skeptically as the other apprentices, Sablepaw and Harepaw, slunk towards the medicine den. Harepaw was clearly shivering--what could have happened? Before they left camp, Salmonstar filled the party in; a bear had attacked the apprentices and Looneyes during a training session. While the apprentices were okay, Looneyes had been badly wounded and needed help getting back to camp. Everyone was stunned to hear this as Salmonstar hurried them all out. Following Avocetpaw to the location of the incident, the party came to where Looneyes was resting in a tree. The tom seemed to be half-asleep up on the branch he laid in, and he could only open his eyes to look down at the rescue party. Avocetpaw was right--he was in pretty bad shape. With the help of everyone, they managed to get Looneyes out of the tree. He leaned against Salmonstar's shoulder as they made the slow trek back to camp, Badgermask remaining at the back to watch for the bear.
    Back at camp, Salmonstar led Looneyes to the medicine den. Badgermask, meanwhile, took a seat by Halfmask's side, who had been waiting in the camp. He briefed what he had seen, his eyes never leaving the medicine den. So Looneyes did have a heart, it seemed. He always seemed so distant when it didn't have to do with Sparrowchirp, yet he risked his life to save the apprentices. Badgermask wondered if he could have done that. He valued his clanmates' lives... but he may have valued his own more. But glancing over at Halfmask, he figured he would make exceptions. Perhaps, more than he initially thought. After all, HailClan was his home and his family. Everyone counted. Yet he just wasn't sure how prepared he would have been in that situation. It showed that he still had much to learn.
    Even an apprentice seemed to know that lesson better than him. Later in the day, Salmonstar had called a meeting. Badgermask figured it was to warn the clan of the bear, but then he called up Avocetpaw. He announced to the clan that Avocetpaw had shown qualities of a warrior by helping Looneyes out of harm's way despite her own life being at stake. So she was named a warrior, being given the name Avocetflame. Is that a quality of a warrior? Badgermask wasn't really sure, but if it was, then he wondered how many cats with warrior names really deserved to be warriors. It reminded him of the isolated Rippletide over in her den. Did she ever have those qualities? After all... she wasn't a warrior anymore. He tried not to brood on it too much, instead taking in the celebration around him at Avocetflame's warriorhood and the ensured safety and good health to follow Looneyes.
    Badgermask didn't dwell on it all for long. He had to return to his tasks at paw, and that included Ravenpaw. He was sure to check where he would bring her for training every morning for any signs of bear. Unlike the apprentices that Looneyes had, Ravenpaw was fresh to apprenticeship and had little experience under her. He couldn't allow the same thing to happen to her. He put everything he had into training her, focusing on defense and fighting in the moment due to the current events. Not to say he wouldn't train her in hunting, but it seemed important for her to know how to defend herself should she ever do come across a bear. Or something worse.
    It was like something shifted in the atmosphere. It started when Crystal Falls was attacked. It was any other night when the medicine cats went off to their half-moon meeting, but when they were expected to return... only Laurelpaw came back. The young apprentice looked spooked, and in a shaky voice, they relayed what happened that night to Salmonstar. Of course, word got around about it. Spirits attacked the Crystal Falls and the medicine cats, and the spirits were pointed out to be Drakefeather and Snakeheart. Both of them had previously been Blizzardfang's spies, Badgermask remembering Drakefeather well during his time in CloudClan. They were back from the dead? How in StarClan's name...? Drakefeather had killed Waverose, while Snakeheart claimed a MarshClan warrior's life who had been there to protect the MarshClan medicine cats. Perhaps that was karma--after all, warriors shouldn't be there. Drakefeather was killed a second time, which was good to hear, but it was not good that Orchidfrost had been washed away by the current of Crystal Falls in the chaos. That was why he wasn't there. At least that didn't mean he was dead. But it was still not ideal for HailClan, being down their trained medicine cat. Salmonstar sent out search parties, but it was to no avail. For the time being, they would have to go without their medicine cat.
    Thankfully, it wouldn't be for long. Dropletshine came into HailClan's camp one day with Orchidfrost following them, saying that they found Orchidfrost a couple of days ago washed up. The clan was relieved to have him back, but there was still the mystery of the Dark Forest cats existing in the living world. Did this mean they could all come back? Was what they did to prevent Blizzardfang's schemes for nothing, if they could just return as spirits? Badgermask didn't think that hard on it. He just knew this meant that his diligence in Ravenpaw's battle training would be for good reason, should she ever come across one of those spirits. He would just have to keep up with it, and he was determined to not let this situation hold him back.
    The Crystal Falls incident was put behind them as the clan adjusted. Half-moon meetings ceased in the moment, which Badgermask was unsure about. That was how they communicated with StarClan... would it do something to the clans? Perhaps it did, because then the prey began to act weird. He wasn't sure what it was about, but Badgermask decidedly avoided any of the erratic prey and encouraged Ravenpaw to do so, too. Unfortunately, not everyone did though. It was still caught and brought back, and Sparrowchirp was a victim to what they would learn was diseased prey. She died quickly to it, not long after Looneyes had been released from the medicine den. The old tom looked lost without his mate, and Badgermask felt awkward about it all. He decidedly turned away from it, knowing that Looneyes was not his issue. The only issue with it was the kits, whose mother had died before they got to meet them. Would Looneyes be okay on his own? Probably not, but that wasn't Badgermask's problem. Ruddyheart raised him fine on his own--then again, Ruddyheart was a good and honest warrior who accepted StarClan.
    And Looneyes wasn't. Perhaps he saw that, because when the kits were born, Finchbreeze had taken on the role of their mother. She was quick to move into the nursery and take the kits into her care, and though Looneyes seemed to be caring of them, he never looked to be actively present in their lives based on what Badgermask saw. Perhaps it was for the better. Besides, Finchbreeze was a much more worthy parent in his eyes; she trained Beavershine to be the cat he was today, and though her kit, Blackstrike--previously Littlestrike--was insufferable, she didn't share their views. Maybe this was StarClan giving her a second chance at being a mother. Well, good for her.
    Badgermask simply used the diseased prey as a training opportunity. He tried to point out the bad prey to Ravenpaw when they hunted, teaching her the natural reactions of prey and what they normally would and wouldn't do. As always, she listened to him with attentiveness. They were about two moons into her training, and though the time was short, he felt she was learning quickly. Maybe she would even get her name early like Avocetflame did. That would certainly prove what a great warrior Badgermask was. He wasn't often one to boast about his accomplishments, but the idea of successfully training an apprentice was certainly something he would proudly carry, even if she didn't become a warrior early. After all, Bearbranch couldn't do it with Monarchpaw. He couldn't wait for the day that he could congratulate Ravenpaw on her warrior ceremony, not unlike Rootsun got to on his ceremony.
    His pride was crushed as his nasty side came out when Bliss showed up one day with two other rogues behind them. What in StarClan's name were they doing here? Salmonstar asked them this same question--though in a far more polite and kind way than Badgermask would have--and Bliss replied with the announcement that one of the rogues was expecting their kits. They requested that they stay here for the next eight moons: two of them with the pregnant rogue, and the other six for their kits to be raised here in HailClan. The other rogue, Claypaw, was their companion, in which they requested that he stay with them. Badgermask scoffed. So Bliss finally sees what they missed out on when they became a rogue? And now they wanted to make it up by giving their kits the proper life? Well, at least their kits would be given a good life. He couldn't say the same about Bliss--he certainly didn't want the traitor back. As if reading his mind, Bliss reminded Salmonstar that they would not be staying. They admitted to being treated well and fair as a kit here, and they wanted that same safety for their own kits. How selfish. Nevertheless, Salmonstar agreed to let the three of them stay and for the kits to be raised in HailClan. Badgermask could only turn his nose up to them and turn away. He couldn't tolerate Bliss's existence, and now he would be forced to co-exist with the rogue once again for eight moons. No matter. Training Ravenpaw would keep him too busy to think about it.
    And he could focus on the good things, too. Fawnpatch was also expecting kits with a cat named Moosebranch, so they both moved into the nursery to prepare. There was also Juniperberry's warrior ceremony, though Badgermask was a bit less pleased with that. Juniperberry apparently is one of Pigeon's kits from her litter with the kittypet. Why was he here in HailClan? Perhaps, like Bliss, he realized that clan life was far better than anything else. He figured he had to give the former kittypet that much. But it still rubbed him the wrong way, and his congratulations to the tom was a bit bleak. Rather, he turned his attention to his younger sister, Pinehawk, who was given an apprentice by the name of Swiftpaw. Perhaps him and his little sister could train their apprentices together. Badgermask never really got to know his little siblings that much, having been too busy with his warrior duties to focus on kits. Now that she was a warrior and a mentor, he had more validating reasons to talk to Pinehawk. Perhaps it could rekindle some old familial love he once had.
    It would have to wait though. With the clan already struggling with diseased prey, an early and harsh leafbare was the last thing that HailClan needed. Alas, it came, and it took with it opportunity and lives. The first of many would be Ravenpaw. He hadn't even noticed how she had begun to slow down and grow thinner, but when she collapsed and died of starvation, Badgermask was stunned to silence. But she was going to be a warrior. She was going to become HailClan's next generation. Where did all of that go? Of course it had to be taken away from him---from Ravenpaw, too. Badgermask didn't know how to mourn. If he was being honest, he was never really sure he had it in him to mourn. Instead, he tried to honor her life by fighting harder for his clan. Badgermask went on more hunting parties, tried to bring back more prey, tried to do somethingto prevent it from happening again. But it never quite filled the hole that Ravenpaw left.
    The weather only got worse. Hunting parties were sent up on Misty Mountain in hopes to find more prey, but perhaps that was a worse idea. Minksnow went missing atop the mountain at some point, and there were times where the cats couldn't go hunting at all due to the snow. It would confine them to their camp and leave them hungrier than ever. As if that wasn't enough, Beavershine came down with a cough and was put in the medicine den for moderation. And to make matters worse, more mouths were made to feed when Bliss's kits were born, and later Fawnpatch and Moosebranch's. Badgermask would look at the kits with scorn. Normally, kits were a blessing, and he would be thankful for the growth of HailClan. But on top of Bliss's kits not even being ensured to HailClan, they only took more resources than the clan could offer.
    How did it all get so bad so fast? Was it the destruction of Crystal Falls? The lack of half-moon meetings? Maybe if the medicine cats could communicate with StarClan, their ancestors could help them. But there was nothing they could do. What in StarClan's name could they do? Well, they could look at the positives... prey that they did find didn't seem to be diseased anymore. And Beavershine was quick to recover from his cough, so that was good. They also gained more paws when Alderpaw became an apprentice and was given to Aspencloud. Rippletide, too, became an apprentice. Though, Badgermask wasn't so sure about the idea of putting her under Looneyes. That almost seemed like a recipe for disaster, putting a murderer with a cat that had no faith. But he was a skilled mentor, having trained two apprentices to warriorhood before her. Badgermask couldn't deny that he was a good mentor... something that he wasn't. He had to believe Salmonstar knew what he was doing.
    But just when they would think positivity was coming, it only got crushed down by the snow again. This time, literally. One day, when the weather was well enough for the cats to try hunting, Rootsun took out a party to Misty Mountain. Badgermask wondered if she was still searching for her missing son. But the day stretched on, and the patrol never returned. It wasn't until Harenose came running into camp crying for help did everyone get alerted to the problem. Badgermask didn't end up going on the rescue party, but when the party returned with the missing patrol leaning against them, he was relieved to see them safe. That is, until Salmonstar came in behind with Rootsun's lifeless body on his back. She had lost her life to what he learned was an avalanche that trapped them all, and Badgermask's blood ran cold seeing his mentor look so... helpless. He never saw her like that. She was one of the most respected warriors in his books, and she was gone because of this terrible leafbare. It was truly the first time that his heart clenched seeing a deceased cat, yet still he couldn't bring himself to attend her vigil for fear of showing such weakness.
    Other cats were housed in the medicine den for frostbite and other concerns that the avalanche left them with. Beavershine took over the remainder of Sablepaw's training while Whirlywind was recovering, though Badgermask noticed how often his brother went to go visit the younger warrior in the medicine den. Meanwhile, Salmonstar and Thicketskip announced that the clan was forbidden from hunting on the mountain anymore. Badgermask was upset with the decision... but he also agreed with it. If an avalanche could take out Rootsun, it could take out any cat. The prey, although desperately needed, was not worth the lives of their clanmates.
    Life carried on solemnly. It was good to see the naming of plenty of new warriors and apprentices, including Sablefoot. The clan even received a new kit in the form of a kittypet named Velvet, who Jaggedheart adopted. She was renamed to Foggykit. Once, Badgermask would scorn the idea of taking in a kittypet or outsider, but he just watched blankly as she came running over the border from CloudClan's territory. At least she seemed resilient. She likely would prove herself like Juniperberry and Winchester had, or Minksnow, before he vanished. Every time he doubted an outsider, they proved him wrong, so he remained optimistic about the newly named Foggykit.
    Orchidfrost coming down with whitecough was a big concern for the clan however. It only became more of a problem when it progressed to greencough, leaving the medicine cat unable to perform duties. Laurelpaw took over nearly fulltime. And they had done their job so well that Orchidfrost named them a full medicine cat quite early. They were given the name Laurelsprout, and Badgermask personally was thankful that they had another fully trained medicine cat to rely on. They certainly needed it.
    It wouldn't help Aspencloud though. He was told to stay away from Misty Mountain, and yet still he went. And he never returned. Rather, his body was found with traces of a predator nearby. If it wasn't the snow, it was something else killing them. Watching Ruddyheart and Milkblossom mourn yet another lost kit, Badgermask could only watch on with regret. He never got close with his little brother, but his loss clearly hurt them all. At least they had closure with Aspencloud's death, rather than being left in wonder like with Maplepaw. But that wouldn't make them feel better like it did him. So he let them mourn in peace, instead cursing the skies to leave them all alone. Where was StarClan when they needed them most?
    More cats were lost to the snowstorms, including Moosebranch, Duckkit, and Buckkit. But the worst of them all wasn't even the weather. Orchidfrost had seemed to be improving, having gotten up and walking and eating again. Everyone was expecting him to make a full recovery. But then, days later, he was found dead in his nest. What caused his condition to make a sudden turn for the worse? No one could make sense of it, especially young Laurelsprout, who grieved heavily for their lost mentor. Badgermask wondered if they would be okay being the sole medicine cat. Once, he thought it would be great to have another fully trained medicine cat, but seeing Laurelsprout alone, he wondered if they were truly ready for it. Well, the clan had to believe they would be, because they were all they had.
    More cats died from the weather and its conditions, but two of them weren't even HailClan. Yet, still they brought HailClan together. The first was the departed Elderstorm, who had become a rogue moons ago under the name Storm. Sagewillow, who was presumed dead by HailClan--hence the reason for Storm's departure--showed up in camp one day and announced that Storm had passed away in his sleep. She grieved him for a long time, but has now come requesting to rejoin HailClan. Salmonstar, of course, granted her wish, but she did not take on her previous name of Sagewillow. Rather, she requested her name be Sagestorm in his honor, and Salmonstar agreed.
    Then Martenfang showed up a couple days after. They requested to stay the day to see their mother, Finchbreeze. Word got around about it, and it was discovered that Blackstrike had died of greencough back in CloudClan. Martenfang was here to deliver the news. Badgermask couldn't help but wonder if the traitor would have lived had they just stayed in HailClan, but seeing their own conditions, he wasn't sure they would have. Rather, he could only hear the cries of Finchbreeze from the nursery; she had not only just lost two of her kits in the short span of a moon, but also her former apprentice. Badgermask wondered what all that grief felt like. He had lost his mentor and his apprentice, his brother and his sister, yet he never seemed to understand how to shed a tear for any of them. Perhaps that was for the best. It was meant for others so that he could better protect them.
    He would get to divert his focus to more important things than grief anyways. Through all the death and despair, the clan would still have the chance to celebrate some things. That included the naming of many new apprentices. Among them was a young she-cat by the name of Cinnamonpaw, who Badgermask was given to mentor. It was his second chance to prove himself. She was far more spunky than Ravenpaw, eager to learn but easy to distract. He wasn't sure this would be as good of an arrangement, but it would make do. This time, he wouldn't let the clan down. Cinnamonpaw would be seen to her warrior ceremony and, better, would live longer than that. Badgermask knew, now, the knowledge that the terrible leafbare has bore him, and he would use it to his advantage to train her.
    And he wouldn't be alone. Halfmask was also given a new apprentice by the name of Goatpaw. They could train the two apprentices together, which Badgermask was looking forward to. Sometimes he felt he was neglecting his friend, and he was thankful that Halfmask was still interested in him. This would most definitely bring them closer. They would stake out the remainder of this awful leafbare together with their new apprentices.
    The weather slowly began to improve, and with it, plenty of good news. As the prey returned, the nursery quickly began to fill up. Rainstone had given birth to kits not long ago, as well as a singular kit named Buttercupkit. And, much to Badgermask and his family's surprise, Pinehawk announced that she would be having kits with the help of a donor. Was she always interested in having kits? She never seemed like much the type to Badgermask, but nevertheless, the family welcome the concept of new life in such gracious times. Even better, though less shocking, Beavershine announced his mateship with Whirlywind. It was about time, in Badgermask's opinion. He saw how his brother loved the young warrior, and it felt like forever for the two to finally make a move. Especially when Whirlywind announced not much later that fae was also expecting kits. It felt like forever since the nursery had been so full, but this time, Badgermask welcomed it wholly, knowing their clan could better care for all of the incoming kits with the return of prey and good weather.
    And they would have more paws to help with it, too. Martenfang had shown up once again at HailClan's camp. This time, though, they were there to stay. They admitted that HailClan had always been their home, yet they hadn't realized that until recently. They belonged where they were born and where their mother and little siblings were. Salmonstar seemed happy to welcome them back, while Badgermask couldn't help but smirk with arrogance. Of course HailClan was the only rightful place for Martenfang. While he never thought lowly of the other clans, it only made sense that a cat that was born here should stay here, right? It was why he could never understand Martenfang's previous departure, or Blackstrike's, or why Pigeon never came back even when she was welcomed. But someone realized that, and he couldn't help but feel proud of HailClan in that moment knowing that they were succeeding somewhere.
    Things were finally looking up for them all. Sure, the constant rain and raising water levels were a bit concerning, but nothing a little bit of adjusting couldn't fix. The fresh-kill pile was full, everyone was healthy, and the weather was nice. Badgermask wished Ravenpaw and Rootsun could see this all now. But it couldn't always be good, could it?
    He was happily sharing a meal with Halfmask one day, the clan peacefully sharing tongues after a long day. Everything was good until everyone noticed Lilacpool approaching Salmonstar. Badgermask didn't think much about it--she was his mother, after all. She likely just wanted to catch up with him or something. He wanted to simply spend the moment with Halfmask. But that wasn't possible, was it? Just as he had turned his attention away, Laurelsprout started yelling something, turning accusatory eyes to Rippletide. Curious, Badgermask also turned to look at her, and he pieced things together with what Salmonstar and Laurelsprout said. Rippletide killed Orchidfrost? Her own uncle? Well, he guessed that couldn't be too surprising--not after everything else she had done. His eyes narrowed in suspicion as Looneyes tried to defend his apprentice. Meanwhile, Halfmask seemed deep in thought, and he eventually suggested the idea of more traitors. Or, even worse, something completely unrelated. The idea ran Badgermask's blood cold, and he couldn't help but wrap his tail protectively around his friend as he, too, began to think.
    But how would they prove who did and didn't kill Orchidfrost, if there was a murderer at all? Salmonstar tried to calm the arguing amongst the cats, including Laurelsprout, but it seemed futile. Everyone was talking above each other at this point, much to Badgermask's headache. It was so much that no one had even noticed that Rippletide had slipped out of camp--not until Looneyes said something. This had Badgermask's attention. Why did she leave, if she was not guilty? Perhaps that was reading too much into it, though. Maybe the arguing was too much for her. But then she didn't come back that night. Or the next. Salmonstar sent out search parties to look for her, but it was to no avail. It wasn't until Burdockbounce died falling from a steep ridge searching for her did the leader call off the search. The clan was forced to live with the possibility that she had murdered yet another cat and was now free. That, or they were still housing a murderer that they didn't know about.
    It was difficult, trying to return to regular clan life after that. At one point, while they were all so focused on Rippletide's disappearance, no one had noticed that Foggykit had also disappeared. Where in StarClan's name did that kit go to? Badgermask thought so much of her for an outsider, and now she was gone, too. Though it didn't make up for the hole she left in the nursery, Elkshade announced she and Salmonstar were expecting kits. He wondered if the leader was hoping this good news would help the clan, or perhaps Salmonstar felt unsure about the expecting kits, either. He couldn't tell by his leader's face, but Badgermask still welcomed any possibility of happiness to their clan. It was even better when Pinehawk gave birth to her litter of three. Though he was not one for kits, Badgermask still came to visit them with his family. She introduced them as Twigkit, Nutkit, and Violetkit. He was thankful for the room in the nursery for them, for Bliss's kits would soon become apprentices and move out, including the rogue, who returned to their 'wandering' alongside Claypaw and their daughter, Chamomile. Badgermask couldn't help but stare at Violetkit for a long moment. She looked... oddly familiar. Like an old friend of his who had long passed. Amusingly, her name was Violetbreeze. Perhaps it was her telling him that everything was okay still from StarClan. A sign that StarClan was still watching over them, even in these times of uncertainty. He felt renewed seeing his sister's kits, and it revitalized him to return to his work.
    He put his everything into Cinnamonpaw's training for a bit. He and the young she-cat butt heads quite often, compared to the cooperative work he had with Ravenpaw. But it still somehow worked; they pushed each other in ways that they maybe wouldn't have if they were assigned differently, and it made Badgermask a little more grateful for the challenge. Although, she quickly became a bit more a nuisance as she begged him to be trained together with some newer apprentices. One of them was a new tom by the name of Moosepaw, who was trained by Swanstar's only redeeming kit, Duskwatcher. The other was Bliss's only daughter, Goosepaw. Badgermask was exhausted by her begging and her energy, to the point that he would agree to it sometimes just to get her off of his back. But it didn't help Cinnamonpaw like it helped the others; they were far less experienced than her. She needed to train with more apprentices her age some times, even if she didn't want to.
    Whirlywind gave birth to two kits, whom fae and Beavershine named Orchidkit and Aspenkit respectively. Their names were clear homages to the lost, and Badgermask watched them curiously for a moment in their first few days. Kits were quite boring... but he tried to give them the benefit of the doubt. They were his niece and nephew, after all. He had to be there for them at some point... right? At least they made Beavershine happy. Seeing his brother smile made it worth it, knowing how much Beavershine deserved it.
    The kits only kept coming, and soon, the warriors had to expand the nursery to properly house them all. Elkshade later gave birth to three kits of her own. Meanwhile, both Martenfang and a she-cat named Snowfeather were expecting kits and moved in. Another queen gave birth to five kits, but she passed shortly after. Sagestorm was quick to step up and adopt the kits, giving them the mother they deserved. Still, having so many kits racing under your paws admittedly irritated Badgermask. How did the mothers deal with this every day? How did his father deal with this? Then again... he probably only had to worry about Cardinalscreech being such a hassle. Surely Badgermask was never like this.
    The death of Wild the rogue came as a shock to everyone. The last time he saw her, Badgermask had seen her attacking Blizzardfang the day that Hope Bridge had burned down. Now, looking at her dead body, he wondered what else she had done to deserve to be killed like this. It was clear that she did not go peacefully, everyone having heard her screeches and sounds of fighting from the gathering. But whoever or whatever killed her was not only gone, but had somehow left no traces of itself to track. Badgermask personally felt it was good riddance, remembering faintly what she had caused the clans back in his kithood. Yet, was it ever right for a cat to go out so terribly? Probably not. So how were they supposed to prevent it from happening again if they couldn't figure out what it was in the first place?
    They didn't have time to think about that. The weather, though still warm and plentiful with prey, had picked up in the wind. There were times that Badgermask was worried Halfmask would be blown right off of his paws. But he certainly never expected the wind to uproot an entire tree and bring it crashing down into HailClan's camp. It came as a shock to everyone, and the dust and debris filled the air quicker than anyone could call for evacuation. It happened as quickly as it started. When the air started to clear, the clan was quick to check the damages. The tree had landed on a portion of the elders' den, where they found the crushed bodies of some elders and a warrior. One had also been partially crushed, being Oriolechirp. He was the only salvageable warrior of the tree's mercy, but he, too, would lose his life days later. Tarfeather also passed away from breathing difficulties with the debris. Just like that, their elders had been cut into half of what they were. Badgermask was only thankful that his father and step-mother were not among the deceased.
    Removing the tree was a whole different story. It wasn't some casual branch that they could pick up and walk out of camp wit. It was trunk and everything, and it felt impossible to move. They started with the smaller branches, breaking them off and carrying them out. They would have to figure out the trunk later, though it was difficult to work on it when the kits wanted to constantly play on it. Thicketskip was quick to order them off, much to Badgermask's relief, though he was sure they would be back. However, the work was clearly too much for the clan, and eventually, they had to cease clearing out the tree after stripping it of what they could remove. Salmonstar later announced that they would try to integrate it into the camp in some way, and Badgermask agreed that that seemed to be their only option.
    Badgermask had noticeably gotten closer with Halfmask over the last season. The two had been seen not only sharing meals, but also sharing nests and Badgermask constantly pestering Halfmask about staying warm. Perhaps Badgermask was a hypocrite when he was judging Beavershine and Whirlywind for taking so long, because it was clear that the two toms had something going on, as well. They didn't quite requite their feelings for each other until towards the end of the harsh leafbare. And it was only now that they decided it was time to announce their mateship to the clan. Halfmask seemed a bit embarrassed about it, but Badgermask held his head high with pride. They were perfect for each other, and everyone was going to know that now. He didn't have worry about Halfmask getting cold in the middle of the night anymore, and they could talk to each other and work with each other whenever without a second thought to it. It was, quite honestly, the best change in Badgermask's life. He just never quite realized how desperately he needed it.
    While the two toms were happily re-arranging their nests and scheduling training sessions for Cinnamonpaw and Goatpaw, the clan continued to go through its ups and downs. The loss of two warriors to a bear was outweighed by the naming of various new apprentices and warriors. Still, everyone was told to be careful of bears once again, which Badgermask didn't need to be told twice. The nursery also saw shifts as Snowfeather and Martenfang both gave birth to their kits, adding six more in total for the clan to support. But Badgermask's concerns lied with his niece, who had spiked a fever and was held in the medicine's den. He wasn't close with any of his nieces and nephews, but Violetkit was his shining ray of hope, regardless of if she knew it or not. He worried about the clan's fate it she died, too.
    Badgermask had known that visions were being tossed around HailClan a bit haphazardly--that's what started the whole 'Rippletide killed Orchidfrost' scene. He was unsure about it, but also admittedly frustrated that StarClan wouldn't give him a vision, too. So when he learned at a gathering one day that every clan was experiencing these odd visions, his fur prickled with unease. Not only that, but other clans were experiencing ghosts. MarshClan had a ghost attack a group of apprentices in broad daylight. Badgermask wondered if it was another escaped Dark Forest cat, but no one that fought the ghost could recognize it, not even the two warriors that came to their rescue. His eyes crinkled in confusion; why in StarClan's name were ghosts returning to the living world in the first place? What if, perhaps, they never left? The breakage of Crystal Falls clearly caused a rift between the two worlds, and now ghosts can not only be seen, but can cause problems. Something just wasn't settling right in the territories, and Badgermask couldn't put his paw on it.
    Dropletshine, among the many clan cats, also had a vision. They explained it in detail to the leaders and medicine cats, and then suggested that they go to the place in their vision to find this shining cat. Badgermask couldn't help but scoff at the idea, but after little debate--with Salmonstar being the only unsure one--the leaders agreed to send a group of cats from each clan to go with Dropletshine on this journey. Badgermask couldn't believe they would risk their clanmates' lives for what may not even exist, especially after hearing about all of the catastrophes that the other clans had endured. But he bit his lip, knowing his word was against the leaders. As long as he was clear with Salmonstar that his place was here, in HailClan, he figured it wouldn't hurt to look for answers...
    He just wasn't quite expecting cats that he was somewhat close with to be chosen. The day that Cinnamonblaze was named a warrior, Salmonstar announced that she would be going on the journey with Dropletshine alongside Juncogaze, Bearbranch, and Moosepaw. Badgermask was appalled. Bearbranch was one thing--she was a trained warrior with experience in being away from the clan--but two newly named warriors and an apprentice? What madness was this? But Cinnamonblaze was so excited as she and her best friend discussed what they would see, and Badgermask couldn't ruin the excitement and joy of it for her. Still, he was quick to pull his former apprentice aside and remind her of her training. He reminded her that the world outside was nothing like the territories, that it would bring dangers and land that she would be unfamiliar with, and that she just... should be careful. She waved her tail at him with a dismissive tone, replying with her usual 'yeah yeah'. He worried for her, but Badgermask had to remind himself that she completed her training. She would be okay--she had to.
    He watched with a nervous gaze as his sister, former apprentice, and the others departed from HailClan. No one knew when they would be back--if at all--and the entire clan was there to see them off. When they were gone, there was a strange, empty feeling. Badgermask always dreamed of the day he would complete his apprentices' training and see them receive their warrior name, but now that he had no one to train, it was like he lost his groove for a moment. Perhaps Halfmask noticed, because his beloved mate suggested he come with him to continue helping Goatpaw. He appreciate that, and that day, his mind was taken off of the quest cats, if for a moment.
    The next day, though, he was forced to return to reality. The earth began to shake under his paws vigorously, and he was quick to put himself between Halfmask and any danger, knocking away falling debris as they scrambled for higher ground. There, they waited with baited breath for the earthquake to stop. They watched with horror as the earth broke away from itself, swallowing cats whole. Others would be assaulted by the flying debris, while some clanmates were yet unaccounted for, out on patrols or parties. When the shaking finally stopped, everyone came down from their hiding places to assess the damage. Cracks in the earth ran through the camp, and the ground was soft near them. It gave way at one point under Badgermask's paw, and he scrambled to escape falling in like Riptidescar had.
    Rescue parties were sent out for cats that were on patrols. Some were never accounted for, like the older warrior Ambermask or Winchester, while some their bodies were dragged into camp. Among the dead was Badgermask's surrogate mother, Sneezewhisper. He never really talked to his biological mother, understanding that she didn't play much a role in his livelihood save for giving him life. But it was still hard to lose her as a clanmate, as with the rest of the deceased that they found. The hardest for anyone was probably poor Redkit, whose body someone found under debris that likely took their life. The clan held a massive vigil for all of the loss, and once the elders took them away to be buried, they were quick to get to work on the repairs.
    The earthquake had everyone uneasy, especially the loved ones of the quest cats. Did they, too, experience this natural disaster? Or were they too far away already to feel the ground shaking under their paws? Badgermask couldn't help but worry about his former apprentice, or her best friend, or Juncogaze. Even Bearbranch passed through his mind, albeit briefly. He trusted his sister to know what to do in such a situation, but the younger cats weren't as easy to understand their movements and tactics. He could only pray to StarClan that they were watched over and protected in this time of need, and only time would tell if they were alright.
    He, instead, turned his attention back to what was happening in camp. Badgermask was beyond relieved to hear that Violetkit had recovered from her fever and was returned to Pinehawk. Though he was worried about her coming back to the nursery for a moment when Snowfeather suddenly died of what Laurelsprout said was an untreated illness. Was it contagious? Or perhaps that's what Violetkit had, too. Nevertheless, they didn't see a spread of disease in the nursery, much to everyone's relief. Feathercloud moved into the nursery to care for his kits in place of Snowfeather, and the nursery was once again back to normal in no time.
    When he hadn't been working on repairs for the clan, Badgermask was spending time with Halfmask while he prepared for Goatpaw's assessment. The young tom passed it with flying colors, and he was named Goatstride at his warrior ceremony alongside his sister, Lambhorn. For a moment, Badgermask wondered if Halfmask would have the feeling of emptiness he did when he completed Goatstride's training. But he had to remind himself that Halfmask had completed a cat's training before Goatstride's, and that he was likely used to it. Besides, Badgermask didn't have to worry about it for much longer when, in the same meeting, he was named the mentor of Rainstone's son, Flurrypaw. He wasn't anything like Ravenpaw or Cinnamonblaze, setting a new challenge for Badgermask to consider. Flurrypaw was confident in everything he did, even when what he did was wrong, and it sometimes frustrated Badgermask in ways that Cinnamonblaze never did. Would this arrangement really be okay? Then again, he asked that same question with Cinnamonblaze, and they turned out alright. He would just have to do his best.
    Thankfully, Flurrypaw didn't seem all too bothered by the arrangement. Though he and Badgermask had strikingly different personalities, his eagerness to learn made training relatively simple. As long as he didn't challenge Flurrypaw in moral constructs, Badgermask was able to tolerate training him. If anything, without that flare, he would say that Flurrypaw would be easier than Cinnamonblaze was, which left Badgermask amused. He never thought much on the vast differences every cat had, but training so many different personalities really helped him expand his knowledge.
    For two moons, he trained Flurrypaw with little issue. It was a similar routine with Cinnamonblaze, only this time, there was significantly less drama. There was no longer any Rippletide to watch over, no natural disasters like a tree falling into their camp or earthquakes. It was... strangely peaceful. He was all the more happy when Pinehawk's kits became apprentices, though he also worried for his nieces and nephew. Twigpaw, especially, had become quite the concern in the family. It was discovered that she could not feel any pain, which made her staying healthy difficult as she couldn't tell when she was injured. Would she be alright with such a new warrior like Russetflame? At least Nutpaw and Violetpaw were given decent mentors, cats who had trained apprentices in the past who had made it to their warrior ceremonies. That made Badgermask feel better, though he still wondered how his nieces and nephew's training would go. Perhaps he could arrange training sessions with them and their mentors alongside him and Flurrypaw. That wouldn't be so bad.
    But they never happened. The same day that they had been named apprentices, Badgermask had been put on a border patrol with Looneyes and Spiralroot. The three of them were discussing the new warriors in the form of Bliss's kits and the new apprentices when they heard rumbling from above them. They all stopped for a moment to try and detect the sound, and by the time they had found the source, rocks were already trying to engulf them. The rocks were quick to separate him and Looneyes from Spiralroot, who quickly disappeared in the debris. Badgermask had been calling for the younger tom when Looneyes alerted him of more falling rocks. Badgermask looked up, and he thought he saw his life flash before his eyes. He couldn't move his legs, frozen as he watched the rocks hurl towards him with force. So this was it. It was time for him to go to StarClan.
    He was trying to come to terms with this when Looneyes suddenly shoved him out of the way. Badgermask was knocked the breath out of him as slammed into some of the rocks, and when he opened his eyes, he saw the older tom stuck in the rubble. Badgermask called for him to open his eyes, but he didn't. The rocks were still falling when he ran over to Looneyes' side. What he endured was nothing like what Looneyes was probably feeling as he was crushed under the rocks. The worst Badgermask maybe received was a blow to his shoulder as he covered Looneyes for the remainder of the rockslide.
    Even when it stopped, Badgermask held his position over the old tom for a long moment. He couldn't be too sure about the danger being subsided. But moments stretched on, and it truly seemed like it was over. The only issue being that, in the chaos it all, they not only lost sight of Spiralroot, but of HailClan's territory, too. Where in StarClan were they again? Badgermask couldn't wrap his head around it, and he realized later on that some blood had been trickling from his forehead. He must have been hit in the head. That would explain his disorientation.
    He tried not to think about it. Instead, with what strength he had, he pushed and shoved desperately at the boulders that crushed Looneyes. As he moved them, if just a bit, he heard a faint groan from the old tom. Somehow, he was still alive. Badgermask had to get him out. It was difficult, though, and by the time he got Looneyes out, he wondered if he did more harm than good. Perhaps leaving Looneyes there would have been better. Perhaps he should have gotten help. But Badgermask didn't know where to go for help. But he did recognize Misty Mountain behind him, and so, groggily and unsure of himself, Badgermask managed to pick Looneyes' front up and made a long, arduous walk towards the mountain.
    He found a secluded cave to rest, and though he desperately wanted to lay down himself, Badgermask went back out to find moss and nesting for him and Looneyes. When he returned, the old tom had managed to wake up and was trying to move around. Badgermask told him to stop as he formed a nest around him. Looneyes insisted he was fine, but he could hardly put weight on his front legs. Badgermask's ears went back. The two were injured and they were lost. What in StarClan's name were they supposed to do?
    He spent the first two days sleeping, his head raging in pain. He hadn't even thought of the other injuries he had, his head making up for it all. But as he got hungrier, he realized he needed to get up. Looneyes was in no shape to hunt, and as he went to check on the old tom, he realized that his injuries were flaring with infection. Badgermask stumbled out of their small cave and decided he would break up his time between hunting and looking for herbs. He didn't really know anything about medicine, but cobwebs helped bleeding, poppyseed was supposed to calm a cat... wasn't there something that helped infection? That's what he needed to find.
    Hunting was just as much a struggle to Badgermask, though. Just when he would find something to stalk, his head would pound in his ear and he would miss it. He ended up returning to the cave with a measly two mice to split between the two. Well, it was better than nothing. He had managed to find some fresh moss and cobwebs on his way back, too, so while he encouraged Looneyes to eat, he worked on wrapping up both of their wounds. Looneyes looked less of a cat and more like carrion, and the wrappings didn't help much save for the bleeding. Badgermask clicked his tongue as he tried to go out and find more things to use.
    He tried to remember the herbs he would hear Orchidfrost use when cats were injured, but it all was a mess in his mind. Between his lack of experience and his aching head, Badgermask hardly knew what the difference was from one leaf to another. Still, he just picked what he could and brought it back. It couldn't hurt to try them, right?
    Badgermask tried various types of things for Looneyes and himself. The longer they stayed there, the more clear his head became again. Hunting became easier, but the herbs were still a shot in the dark every time he tried something. He learned that it was marigold that seemed to help infection as Looneyes' wounds looked better on the outside. But the old tom still couldn't move, and he barely spoke. Badgermask wasn't sure he wanted to speak to him, either. They always had their differences, specifically about StarClan, so it made their close quarters awkward. Though, that was probably the last thing on Looneyes' mind. He was probably thinking about his kits back home, or his apprentice, or Finchbreeze.
    And, admittedly, there were cats that Badgermask thought about, too. He wondered if Flurrypaw was still being trained without him. He wondered if Halfmask was searching for him. He wondered if Cinnamonblaze and Bearbranch made it home. He was frustrated not knowing anything, but StarClan forbid he leave Looneyes out like this to die. He was going to help the old tom, whether he liked it or not.
    Badgermask tried to keep track of the time while they were there, but he only really remembered the full moons. He wondered what cats would talk about at the gatherings, what him and Looneyes were missing. Badgermask had bitten his lip with baited breath in hopes that, one day, they would wake up and Looneyes would be cured. But it wasn't that simple, especially without a proper medicine cat. At least Badgermask seemed to be doing better; he had used some of the marigold on his own wounds and has been keeping them clean. They were healing relatively well, and his head was recovering well, too. Bright lights or loud noises like a boulder falling nearby would still cause it to ache, but it wasn't anything he could handle.
    It was after the first moon did the toms finally realize they would need to talk and at least keep each other company. There was no point that two clanmates couldn't put their differences aside during this life-and-death situation. But their first conversation was anything but pleasant. They wondered about Spiralroot, and Looneyes had muttered something about maybe him being dead. If he was, then Badgermask had all the belief that he was watching over them in StarClan. But Looneyes snorted, asking where their precious StarClan was while leafbare tore them apart from the inside, or when Crystal Falls was destroyed, or when the rockslide occurred. Badgermask argued back, saying that StarClan couldn't control the ground they walked on. This back and forth continued, before they finally realized they were at a cold war, and Badgermask left the den in a huff.
    It was like this for a bit, with the two only bickering, but the longer they stayed there, trying everything for the old tom, the more they grew tired of fighting. It all seemed to cease when Looneyes asked Badgermask if Sparrowchirp would be watching over their kits. Badgermask was stunned; Looneyes never once entertained the idea of StarClan, so why now? Still, he replied honestly, saying that she was watching over them and him, too. Looneyes gaze stared distantly outside of the cave, lost in deep thought. Badgermask thought it was last of it, but then Looneyes asked him why he believed in StarClan with such vigor. Badgermask, admittedly, didn't know how to answer that. Because Ruddyheart taught him about them? Because staring at the stars made him feel safe? He took so long to answer that, by the time he turned to Looneyes with uncertainty, the old tom had fallen asleep, likely exhausted from talking.
    This had Badgermask thinking for a long time. Looneyes had once told him that he didn't believe in anything but the present. He wanted to be there in the moment, with his mate, with his kits, with his apprentices. And it worked for him, until it didn't. Badgermask was nothing like that, and yet... did things ever go his way? Ravenpaw died, Rootsun died, Aspencloud died, Maplepaw is still missing, and so many other cats that he knows, but also... doesn't. If he was asked what Ravenpaw's favorite prey had been, he would falter. He never realized his little brother's affinity for Salmonstar's daughter until he passed away and Avocetflame lost herself in grief. He didn't know anything. Yet Looneyes seemed to know everything about the cats he associated with. He was complimented for the way he trained his apprentices, and even though he wasn't very fatherly, his kits still looked up to him. And it was all without StarClan. Just how did he do it?
    They no longer talked about StarClan. Rather, Badgermask listened earnestly as Looneyes talked about his kits, or his former apprentices. The way he spoke of Buckspring reminded Badgermask of Cinnamonblaze, and he couldn't help but smirk. He spoke fondly of Rippletide, even, yet his face fell when remembering her. It was strange, seeing Looneyes as a cat. But... Badgermask enjoyed it. For the first time in his life, he felt like he was really connecting with someone.
    He, in turn, would tell Looneyes about his own life a bit. Not that he had as much emphasis on the cats in his life as Looneyes did, but Badgermask still talked about them. He puffed his chest out in pride when he talked about Rootsun and training under her, and he talked about how well he got on with Ravenpaw. He talked about the differences all three of his apprentices had, but that they offered him a challenge. Looneyes listened to him with a thoughtful gaze, never once stopping him or ignoring him. He would smile at the mention of apprentices--they both were quite proud of being mentors. Badgermask remembered feeling awkward when he asked him if he was upset that Kitestar didn't choose him to train. He reminded himself that Kitestar was Looneyes' father, and that he shouldn't say anything bad. But when he spoke, he realized the words he spoke were true; he was upset at first, thinking that he was far more worthy for the opportunity than Bliss ever was, but in the end, he wouldn't have changed anything. He was proud to learn under Rootsun and to pass on her knowledge to others, and though he would never forgive Bliss for tossing away the opportunity they were given, he understood that the rogue had another path to walk. They all had their own paths to walk, it seemed, and it only took Badgermask fifty moons to realize it.
    He had begun to look up to Looneyes in a way that he never thought he would. He saw Looneyes for more than the atheist, cold-shouldered tom he once believed him to be. He was clearly more than that, and Badgermask was glad to know this. He had lost track of time, to when the next time he actually looked at the moon rather than the stars, he was shocked to see it waning again. Another moon had passed, and still there wasn't any change in Looneyes' condition. By now, Badgermask was all but healed. He tried a few more things on the tom, but what Looneyes told him next made his blood run cold.
    The old tom admitted to him something that he didn't consider: he couldn't feel his legs. In fact, he hadn't been able to for awhile, but he didn't want to break the flow him and Badgermask had. Badgermask couldn't help but yell at him. Why didn't he tell him? Perhaps they could have prevented it! But then he looked at Looneyes again, and he saw the exhaustion in his face. Looneyes only smiled at him and said that he was tired of fighting. He insisted Badgermask return to the clan, where he belonged, but Badgermask refused. So what if Looneyes' legs didn't work anymore? He could go retire and stay in the elders' den with Finchbreeze and Ruddyheart and Milkblossom. Laurelsprout could look at him and do what Badgermask couldn't do. He would be okay. He had to be okay.
    But Looneyes only continued to deteriorate. Badgermask would urge him to eat, but he would be lucky to get the old tom to take a bite. Looneyes would mostly just sleep, not having the energy to even talk anymore. Badgermask realized there was nothing else he could do. But still, he wouldn't leave him. He told Looneyes he would be there until he was ready, and Looneyes seemed to appreciate it. It wouldn't be for a little longer until that day, but Badgermask still didn't feel prepared for it.
    Looneyes had whispered for Badgermask to wake up, and so he did. He went over to the tom's side, and he could hear Looneyes struggling to breathe. In his last breaths, Looneyes thanked him for staying with him and for teaching him. Badgermask was confused. What did he teach him? If anything, he taught Badgermask. Looneyes told him he knew the answer to his question: he believed in StarClan because they gave him hope. They gave him a reason to fight and a reason to keep going, and StarClan would always be watching over them when there seemed to be no one else. Badgermask couldn't speak. That... that was the answer? Was it his answer? There was no right way to approach it, which only confused Badgermask more. He was a calculating and meticulous cat that always had the answer. But he didn't this time when Looneyes did. He just bit his lip before nodding, telling Looneyes he was right.
    Looneyes smiled at him, and then he turned away. His gaze had glazed over as he stared at the cave walls. Badgermask waited patiently, sitting with the tom until his last breath. He felt ready--until Looneyes spoke. Staring at the cave walls, he whispered his last word: Sparrowchirp. Badgermask stared at the tom in shock as his eyes closed and his breathing stopped. Did... Did Sparrowchirp come for him? Was she waiting for him? Perhaps, in that last moment, Looneyes recognized StarClan. Or perhaps he was hallucinating. Badgermask didn't know, and he never would.
    He spent that day sitting vigil for the tom, if not for himself, then for all of the cats back home that couldn't. He found a peaceful place among Misty Mountain to bury Looneyes, ensuring he was treated with all and more of the respect he deserved. Badgermask waited for a long moment there, but when he turned to return to the cave, he realized there was nothing left there for him. It was time to go home.
    The silence stretched painfully with the tom as he made the trek down the mountain. It gave him a lot of time to think as he found his way to HailClan's border. He thought about these last few moons and about Looneyes. Did his opinion change on StarClan? No. He still put all of his faith in them. It was like Looneyes said; they were his hope, his crutch, his bridge. Without StarClan, Badgermask was nothing. But did Looneyes change Badgermask? In a sense... yes. He wasn't sure he would still ever be able to understand the feelings he felt in that moment. He believed that the future was important, but so was the present. He needed to take steps back and live in the moment, like Looneyes had. He didn't know if making that adjustment would be easy--not with how set in his own beliefs he was--but he had to try... right?
    Taking the first step back into camp brought rushing wave of emotions to him. Badgermask was instantly surrounded by many cats, though he couldn't help but ignore all of them for one single cat: Halfmask. He was glad to see his mate again, having missed him terribly. He looked none the worse for wear, thank StarClan. Most of the clan seemed well, too. For that, he was glad.
    He wanted to go get himself checked out at the medicine den, but at the mention of Laurelsprout, he noticed uncertainty in the gazes of some of the cats. He raised a brow in confusion, and he was told he would be caught up later. As Salmonstar approached him and welcomed him back, his words seemed... bittersweet. Badgermask asked him what was going on. The leader's facade was quick to drop, and he didn't hold anything back: Ruddyheart and Milkblossom were dead. They had died days before his return, having been found by a patrol around where Aspenpaw, his nephew, had disappeared. Badgermask found his world sinking around him, and he had to sit down to let the information sink in. His father was gone... how was he supposed to process that? It wasn't like how Looneyes died. This was his father. Yet, he couldn't pinpoint his feelings about it. He only shook his head and asked to be checked by Laurelsprout. Right now, his health mattered most.
    He was followed to the medicine den, where Laurelsprout checked him with quick and efficient paws. He was told his scars had healed nicely and that they saw no reason to keep him in the medicine den. Badgermask only nodded, and as he left the medicine den, he noticed Cinnamonblaze in the nursery. He was shocked to say the least, and the cats around him quickly caught him up. The quest cats returned a moon after he disappeared. While they were all injured, they were alive, at least. The worst of them all was Bearbranch, who had lost her voice in a battle with a mountain lion. What in StarClan's name was a mountain lion? Still, he was thankful to hear they were all safe. But that didn't explain why Cinnamonblaze was in the nursery. Well, turns out her and Moosebranch--previously Moosepaw--were now mates and expecting kits. How time flew... how much Badgermask had missed. There would be a lot to catch up on, but seeing Finchbreeze with her adoptive kits by the elders' den, he realized he had something he needed to do himself. He was glad to be home, even with the dreadful news he carried, but he still had yet to know of all the chaos that HailClan had been under.

Relationships

Ruddyheart {Father | HailClan | Alive}

  Badgermask is closest to Ruddyheart of all his family, and that should come as no surprise. He always saw Ruddyheart in a bright light--a warrior that was to be respected and revered. Of course, he has learned over time that his father is not actually everything he thought he was, but he is still an ideal image of a warrior nonetheless. Despite being a warrior himself, Badgermask still tends to look up to his father and, admittedly, comes to him for advice on things that he is uncertain about.

Sneezewhisper {Mother | HailClan | Dead}

  ---

Cardinalscreech {Brother | HailClan | Dead}

  Badgermask can't really say he's too sad about Cardinalscreech's death. Not that he's happy, either. He's pretty indifferent about it, in fact. He never liked nor got along with his brother, so his loss has not greatly impacted Badgermask in any drastic way. But he did leave their father and brother pretty sad, to which Badgermask can't forgive him for. He'll have to cuff him over the ears for doing that when he meets him again in StarClan.

Bearbranch {Sister | HailClan | Alive}

  Badgermask had been quick to accept his sister's death, having thought little of her loss and moving on quickly in his life. And her return, honestly, harbored the same reaction. He was shocked, yes, and maybe a bit happy to see her back, but he had very little time to think about it. He is too busy to do so. Though maybe she's a changed cat and he can finally think of her as a sister more and a nuisance left. Only time will tell.

Beavershine {Brother | HailClan | Alive}

  Beavershine is the only littermate of Badgermask's that he can handle, even as they have grown up. He is quiet, unlike their brother and sister, and he doesn't talk back to him, which he quite enjoys. He tolerates Beavershine because of this and tends to look out for his brother in subtle ways. He is, nevertheless, proud of Beavershine for getting how far he has, and he has full belief that his brother will only get farther in life.

Rootsun {Mentor | HailClan | Dead}

  ---

Name {Relationship | Clan | Alive/Dead}

  Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer vel tortor ligula. Proin quis luctus eros. Curabitur et lacinia tellus, sed feugiat ipsum. Suspendisse quam nisi, aliquam sit amet mauris vitae, pellentesque varius massa.


LIKES
  •  Taking charge
  •  New information
  •  Climbing rocks and trees
  •  StarClan
  •  Stargazing
DISLIKES
  • Being ignored
  • Working with others
  • Dishonesty
  • Sunlight
  •  
TRIVIA

profile html by Hukiolukio || Written Application vicstars on DA & ScorcherSoldier